The Alliance Motorbike of the year : the Kove 450R

The Kove 450R is a very interesting machine, who is their target rider? What bikes does it have to compete with ? Let’s find out. 

Firstly lets go over all the stats:

• 443cc inline-4 engine
• 65 hp 12,000 rpm
• 40 Nm torque
• Top speed 205 km/h
• 6-speed gearbox + slipper clutch
• 164 KG curb weight
• Dual disc front brakes 

Now, if you were like me when the bike was announced for the Alliance Motorcycle of the Year, it would have been quite a shocking experience. I had heard of this bike before, but it never really caught my attention. I have to admit, I was skeptical about it, so this turned out to be quite an eye-opening experience.

The Kove 450R is a mini streetfighter with aggressive, angular styling and a comprehensive dash, although all the lights and indicators on the TFT display can sometimes steal your attention at a glance.

The riding experience on the Kove 450R put a big smile on my face straight away. The lightweight and nimble handling take the spotlight; with such a low curb weight, it flicks through traffic and corners with ease. It honestly feels lighter than a typical 250cc bike, except it comes with 64 horsepower, enough to get you excited as you climb up to 12K RPM and hear the engine howling beneath you. Safe to say, the inline-4 still remains number one in my heart.

At low speeds, it performs exceptionally well. The power is more than enough to zoom around town and leave most vehicles in your side mirror. The 450R uses throttle-by-wire, so the response is very smooth even in Sport mode. Although it is assisted, the response remains sharp with little to no delay. The four-cylinder engine, while being the main wow factor, does leave a bit to be desired at low RPMs, the power really only kicks in after 9K RPM. That said, this is a classic four-cylinder trait, and with the smaller displacement, the bike is already doing the best it can.

I had the chance to ride the 450R down to Kuala Kwalang, covering about 40 km of tight, twisty roads. Safe to say, it was thoroughly ridden. Cornering on this bike is an absolute joy on tight sections, it performs beautifully, and you can really see where it shines. It stays stable in low-speed corners, with plenty of power to drive you out. In fact, it makes you want to squeeze out as much as you can on corner exit. The only thing holding me back was the slightly sketchy stock tires. I reckon with a good set of Rossos and perhaps some aftermarket rear sets, it could be an absolute weapon in the twisties.

The suspension does a satisfactory job nothing that will amaze you, but nothing disappointing either. It’s comfortable enough to soak up bumps on the road with ease. My only complaint would be at higher speeds, where it gets a bit wobbly, partly due to the lightweight build being a double-edged sword. At low speeds, it really outshines the competition, but at higher speeds, it can feel a little squirrely, especially when strong winds hit, you really feel it on this bike.

The brakes are adequate. With dual front discs, the Kove 450R stops just fine, while the rear brake is responsive and gets the job done.

The seating position is very neutral and upright, making it great for daily riding. However, it would likely feel and look better on a slightly shorter ride the 31-inch seat height feels a bit low for me at 6’1”.

Overall, the Kove 450R is a fun little machine. It will put a smile on your face, and you’ll be surprised by how nimble and light it is. The inline-4 scream captures your heart, while the aggressive styling keeps you looking back at it. At just RM33,888, the Kove 450R offers a very compelling package.

Here are some of the competitors for its segment and price point : 

CFMOTO 675NK

• Price: RM33,888
• Power: 94 hp
• Engine: 675cc inline 3-cylinder

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R

• Price: RM40,999 (SE) – RM42,999 (RR)
• Power: 76–79 hp
• Engine: 399cc inline 4-cylinder

Aprilia RS457

• Price: RM33,900
• Power: 47 hp
• Engine: 457cc parallel twin

Honda CBR500R

• Price: RM29,000–RM30,000
• Power: 49.6 hp
• Engine: 471cc parallel twin

CFMOTO 450NK

• Price: RM28,000–RM30,000 (est. MY market range)
• Power: 50 hp
• Engine: 449cc parallel twin

Kawasaki Ninja 400

• Price: RM27,000–RM30,000
• Power: 45 hp
• Engine: 399cc parallel twin