Soon after Kawasaki gave us the Ninja ZX-4R, Chinese bikemakers sprung into action. They tried to create their own small-capacity four-pot sports bikes, and there are three such bikes from the Asian country today. Out of all these, the Kove 450RR comes the closest to matching and beating the ZX-4R. Much of that is due to regular updates, even though it debuted just a few years ago in 2022. Now, it appears Kove has another update for its pocket rocket. Here’s what we know.
The Updated Kove 450RR Will Feature A Refreshed Aesthetic
The 450RR is not your regular Chinese doppelganger. It does its own thing and looks distinct in the entry-level segment. For 2025, that’s what Kove is focusing on further. As revealed by type-approval filings, the 450RR now has new fairings. These flex different cutouts near the tank area and the belly pan, probably to aid in improved heat dissipation.
These also house new aerodynamic wings, which appear bigger than before. The wings extend till the headlight/nose, too–similar to what we see on the new Ducati Panigale V4. So it’s a more cohesive design. A special shoutout goes to the all-red livery, rather than the red-white option on the current bike. The latter half seems the same as before, meanwhile.
Not Much Appears Changed Under The Kove 450RR’s Refreshed Design
Under the skin, all is the same as the current model. You get a 443cc, inline-four engine, with liquid cooling, a 59 mm bore, a 40.5 mm stroke, and a 12.9:1 compression ratio. The result is 70 horsepower (73 with RAM air) and 29 pound-feet, where the former kicks in at 13,000 RPM and the latter at 10,500 RPM. That output is right in the ballpark of the Ninja ZX-4R. The power reaches the wheel via a six-speed transmission.
As for underpinnings, things remain simple. You get:
- Steel tubular chassis
- 41 mm USD forks
- Monoshock
- 17-inch wheels
- 2x 300 mm front discs (Taisko calipers)
- 220 mm rear disc (Taisko calipers)
The 450RR Has Yet To Enter The American Market
Like what you see? Well, then you’d be bummed to know that Kove hasn’t brought the 450RR to the US market yet. It’s a bit surprising, considering we do get its other products like the 800X and 450 Rally here already. Let’s hope Kove works around whatever challenge it is facing, so the ZX-4R finally gets a proper rival here. Fingers crossed!
2025 Kove 450RR Key Specs
|
Capacity |
443cc |
|
Layout |
Inline-four |
|
Compression ratio |
12.9:1 |
|
Power |
69.7 HP @ 13,000 RPM |
|
Torque |
28.8 LB-FT @ 9,000 RPM |
|
Transmission |
Six-speed |
|
Claimed top speed |
137 MPH |
|
Chassis |
Steel tubular |
|
Front suspension |
41 mm USD forks (adjustable) |
|
Rear suspension |
Monoshock (adjustable) |
|
Wheels |
17/17-inch alloys |
|
Front brake |
2x 300 mm discs |
|
Rear brake |
220 mm disc |
|
Saddle height |
30.7 inches |
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