Kove MX250 and MX450 motocross model first test review and riding impressions: new off-road bikes that feel like a throwback, and not just in their price tags.

Since Enduro21 first quite literally bumped into the Kove team at the Dakar Rally three years ago, they’ve been on our radar. The Chinese brand has stood out from the crowd thanks to its focus on genuine off-road, adventure, and rally bikes rather than commuter or street models.

Those early pre-production machines – since with development input from rally racer Mason Klein – have now evolved into full-production models available around the world. Top 15 results at Dakar 2025 show the development is real and the bikes are now strong. 

With solid build updates, respectable component specs, and price tags that look like something from a decade ago, we took up an invitation to throw a leg over the new MX250 and MX450 with one simple question in mind: are they any good?

First impressions count

If first impressions matter, the Kove MX250 made a strong one. It’s an easy bike to get on and instantly feel at home. Everything is in the right place and works as you’d expect.

The 250cc four-stroke motor delivers predictable, usable power — nothing more, nothing less. It’s flexible enough to hold gears through turns yet revs cleanly when needed. Though not quite as powerful as the leading Japanese or European 250Fs, there’s plenty of punch for lively laps and decent airtime over jumps.

Handling and braking felt balanced and natural, too. The Kove might not claim to reinvent the qhwwl, but it’s immediately comfortable, familiar, and competent. All of which meant this was a very good start from Kove.

No Enduro model, yet

This test was purely on a motocross track. The bikes here are the MX range, not the upcoming enduro versions (which we expect to see at the EICMA motorcycle show in November). Still, what’s clear is that the MX models provide a strong foundation — especially in the chassis department — for whatever enduro derivatives follow.

Handling bodes well for between the trees

That balanced feel carries over to the 450. While obviously more powerful, the MX450 retains the same agility as the 250 in tight corners or direction changes. On sections of the track demanding quick braking and acceleration from corner to corner, both bikes responded well and direction changes are easy and this bodes well if you were riding this between the trees.

At a claimed 102 kilograms, the 450 matches benchmark weights in the category. The steel frame delivers a planted yet responsive ride, and combined with suspension that “just works,” both bikes inspired confidence.

Suspension that feels familiar

Lower-priced off-road bikes often falter on suspension. Too soft, under-damped, or generally unrefined, they can feel vague compared to established brands. Kove’s kit, however, quickly booted that out the ballpark.

The Yu-An suspension front and rear feels well-balanced and as a consequence you ride with confidence. It’s reportedly based on Showa designs, and that shows — it offers a wide range of adjustment, a familiar feel and solid performance. The bikes soaked up big jumps and rough landings without harsh kickback or excessive bounce. In short, the suspension performs like something from a much higher price bracket.

Braking performance was another surprise. The Taisko hydraulic system delivered consistent strong bite without fade, even under hard use across multiple test riders. The lever feel stayed firm and predictable throughout the day — something that can’t always be said for budget-level bikes. Honestly, they felt like Brembo brakes. 

Both bikes feature CST tyres as standard, which performed respectably. In fact, we’d say that they offered better feel than some other OEM rubber.

Riding position and ergonomics

Visually, the Kove chassis and layout might look familiar — the steel backbone frame design bears a resemblance to established European concepts. That’s no bad thing.

The riding triangle — footpegs, seat, and handlebar placement — feels spot on. The bikes are narrow through the midsection, making it easy to move around in turns or when standing. There was some debate among testers about the side panel styling, but ergonomically, the design works. Therea re hints of other manufacturers in the styling if you look form different angles but somehow it looks unique.

In essence, Kove hasn’t tried to reinvent the wheel. These bikes feel benchmarked against the right competition and it shows.

Why wouldn’t you?

At £5995 for the MX250 and £6495 for the MX450 (UK pricing), you have to ask: why wouldn’t you buy one? (Prices not known in other countries at time of writing).

If you’re in the market for a new motocross bike, chances are you read reviews, scroll social feeds, and watch what’s being ridden in paddocks. If you then actually get a test ride, all the better — and we think most riders who do will come away impressed.

The Kove MX models don’t feel like cheap knock-offs but like well-developed, properly sorted bikes that just happen to cost thousands less than many mainstream options.

Test riders didn’t want to get off

Another sign of promise? The test riders didn’t want to get off them. While the Enduro21 crew took notes and swapped bikes, the motocross loons on this test were out on track all day — longer than expected. When those riders keep lapping, rather than drifting back to the van early, it’s a good indication that the bikes are both enjoyable and durable.

MX450: power with control

When it came time to swing a leg over the MX450, expectations were tempered — 450s can be intimidating, with arm-wrenching bottom-end power. But the Kove 450 proved far more manageable.

With a five-speed gearbox, the power delivery is broad and usable enough. It pulls strongly but predictably, offering real drive without the aggression that can make big bikes tiring to ride.

Both the MX250 and MX450 on test had removable baffles. Taking them out noticeably sharpened throttle response — particularly on the 250, which became more lively out of corners. With the baffle removed, the 450 became rowdier and likely too loud for most track noise limits, but with it in place, the power felt tractable.

Honestly, the thought did cross our minds: throw an 18-inch rear wheel and larger fuel tank on the 450, and it’d make a strong cross-country racer.

Parts and support

What we can’t yet tell you is how these bikes hold up over months of ownership — how they wear, what spares availability is like, or how the finish lasts. That said, early signs are positive.

The new UK distributor told us they have made it a priority to maintain solid customer service and parts supply, something that’s let down some budget brands in the past. With Kove’s growing presence in Europe, that support network appears to be expanding quickly although we add here that the bikes aren’t yet available everywhere (in Spain for example).

Enduro21 verdict

This was strictly a motocross test, so we can’t yet comment on enduro or trail potential — though Kove tells us six-speed versions are on the way and we did get a very positive vibe from the chassis agility and performance.

They’re aren’t the sharpest tool in the box in terms of power delivery but there’s certainly enough there and with a six-speed gearbox and adjustments to the gearing we can see these making good enduro bikes.

We also can’t comment on durability given a few hours testing here but will say during our day’s riding, neither model suffered from fuelling glitches, stalling, or overheating. The Bosch EFI system remained consistent on all bikes we tested.

In simple terms, these are “ready to ride all day” motocross bikes. The riding comes easy, handling is predictable, and seemingly they’re ready take abuse from motocrossers. Both offer suspension and braking performance that stands up to serious use, and both models left us thinking we’d found two competent machines.

Kove aren’t trying to rewrite the rulebook with the MX250 and MX450 — they’re here to stand up and be counted. With strong specs, credible and ballpark performance, and those price tags, you have to take them seriously.

Specifications

Kove MX250

Engine: Liquid-cooled, single-cylinder DOHC 249cc with Bosch EFI, 6-speed transmission

Power: 37.5 hp

Weight: 108 kg

Seat Height: 960 mm

Ground Clearance: 310 mm

Suspension: Yu-An Front & Rear

Frame: HC700 Steel, Diamond Type

Brakes: Taisko Hydraulic

Kove MX450

Engine: Liquid-cooled, single-cylinder DOHC 4-valve, 4-stroke

Power: 62 hp

Weight: 102 kg

Seat Height: 970 mm

Ground Clearance: 310 mm

Suspension: Yu-An Front & Rear

Frame: HC700 Steel, Diamond Type

Brakes: Taisko Hydraulic

More information: www.kovemotouk.com + www.kovemoto.com