Kove 650RR Four-Cylinder Sports Bike Launched in China at RM20,000

The new 125 hp supersport motorcycle features advanced rider electronics, a claimed top speed of 260 km/h and a lightweight aluminium chassis, with exports expected in the near future.

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Chinese motorcycle manufacturer Kove has officially launched its 650RR four-cylinder sports bike in China, approximately a year after the model was first showcased at trade fairs. Priced at 33,977 yuan, equivalent to around RM20,000, the new supersport motorcycle is expected to reach export markets in the near future.

In Malaysia, Kove is represented by MDua Motor, a subsidiary of AFY Mobility Industries, which also distributes brands including Suzuki, MV Agusta, MODA and AFAZ. However, there has been no confirmation of when the Kove 650RR will arrive in the Malaysian market.

The Kove 650RR is powered by a liquid-cooled, inline four-cylinder engine with double overhead camshafts (DOHC), producing a claimed 125 hp at 13,000 rpm and 69 Nm of torque at 11,000 rpm. Power is delivered through a six-speed gearbox paired with a slipper clutch.

The motorcycle uses an aluminium chassis and has a claimed kerb weight of 180 kg with a full tank of fuel. Its seat height is 810 mm, and Kove claims that the 650RR can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 260 km/h.

If the claimed weight figure is accurate, the 650RR would be lighter than several established Japanese supersport motorcycles, including the Kawasaki ZX-6R and Honda CBR600RR. Its combination of a high-revving four-cylinder engine and relatively low weight places it among the more performance-focused models in the middleweight sports bike segment.

The 650RR also comes with an extensive electronics package designed to support performance and rider control. A six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) works with Bosch cornering ABS and lean-sensitive traction control, while wheelie and stoppie control systems provide additional assistance.

Other electronic features include a bidirectional quickshifter, adjustable engine braking and launch control, which are mostly the same as its younger siblings, the Kove 450R. The motorcycle also gets three riding modes, a full-colour TFT display and an electronically controlled steering damper.

For additional rider awareness, the 650RR is equipped with radar-based blind-spot monitoring and a lane-change assistance system. Its suspension components are supplied by KYB, with both the front fork and rear shock absorber offering mechanical adjustability. The motorcycle runs on 17-inch wheels fitted with a 120/70 tyre at the front and a 180/55 tyre at the rear.

Despite its performance figures and equipment, the Kove 650RR faces a separate question regarding its eligibility for international competition. The International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) has classified the model in the sportbike category, which could affect its eligibility for the Supersport World Championship under the current classification.

However, the 650RR is expected to feature in the 2027 World Supersport Championship (WorldSSP), where it could face competition from motorcycles such as the Ducati Panigale V2 and Yamaha R9, alongside emerging Chinese rivals including the three-cylinder ZXMoto 820RR and four-cylinder QJMotor SRK800R.

Kove already has an established presence in international competition through its smaller sports motorcycles and Dakar Rally machinery. The 650RR represents another step in the manufacturer’s efforts to expand its performance motorcycle range.

The middleweight supersport segment has also changed in recent years. Yamaha’s R6 is now offered in Europe as a track-only motorcycle without road homologation, while Suzuki has been absent from the 600cc supersport category for some time. Meanwhile, several newer Chinese competitors have adopted three-cylinder engines or carry higher claimed weights.

While currently exclusive to China, the Kove 650RR is set for its European debut following a teaser for EICMA Milan on November 3. Malaysian availability remains unconfirmed pending official distributor updates.