Part of Throttle Times’ live coverage of EICMA 2026.

Kove has officially unveiled the production-ready 350 Rally at EICMA 2026 in Milan, establishing a genuine sub-400cc rally raid category that major manufacturers have ignored for years. Tipping the scales at a fully fuelled wet weight of 155 kg with a 21-litre fuel cell, the machine slots neatly beneath the hardened Kove 450 Rally while offering far more trans-continental trail range than typical lightweight enduro dual-sports.

For European trail riders who have spent years stripping weight from 650cc thumpers or bolting auxiliary fuel tanks to fragile competition 350s, Kove’s proposition is immediately compelling: an A2-compliant, long-range rally weapon built right off the assembly line.

A 350cc Single Built for High-Mileage Desert Bivouacs

The Kove 350 Rally is powered by a clean-sheet 349.9cc liquid-cooled SOHC four-valve single-cylinder engine that generates 41 hp (30 kW) at 9,000 rpm and 34 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm. Rather than borrowing a commuter cylinder casting, Kove engineered the powerplant specifically for multi-day endurance events, equipping it with a dry-sump lubrication system and dual gear-driven counter-balancers to quell the high-frequency vibration that numbs fingers after an 800 km liaison stage.

The dry-sump arrangement is a vital mechanical choice. It keeps the crankcase shallow, allowing the engine to sit lower in the perimeter steel frame without sacrificing sump clearance when clattering over granite steps. It also guarantees reliable oil pressure when the bike is tipped over on a sandy dune face or climbing steep mountain ascents. A six-speed transmission with an assist-and-slipper clutch manages output, while Bosch electronic fuel injection meters fuel through a high-mounted snorkel designed to resist dust ingestion behind other riders.

“The goal with the 350 Rally was not to make a detuned 450 race bike or an overweight 300cc trail commuter, but a dedicated long-range machine that an amateur rider can ride hard all day without physical exhaustion,” stated Kove’s engineering presentation at EICMA.

True Rally Chassis Hardware and 21-Litre Capacity

The Kove 350 Rally uses a lightweight steel cradle chassis paired with a cast aluminium swingarm, delivering 290 mm of ground clearance and a manageable 890 mm seat height. Suspension is handled by fully adjustable inverted front forks offering 260 mm of wheel travel, matched to a link-type rear monoshock with 250 mm of travel and remote preload adjustment.

Wheels adhere strictly to standard off-road dimensions: a 21-inch front and an 18-inch rear aluminium wire-spoked rim wrapped in knobby CST rally rubber, allowing riders to fit their choice of Michelin Desert mousses or heavy-duty tubes. Braking is handled by a single 290 mm wave disc up front with a dual-piston floating caliper and a 240 mm rear disc, managed by an off-road ABS system that can be disengaged entirely at the rear wheel with a dedicated handlebar button.

The defining architectural feature is the 21-litre fuel cell. Positioned low and carried down along the frame rails, it provides a realistic riding range exceeding 500 km between fuel stops. The rally cockpit features a vertical navigation tower with a high-mounted full-colour TFT dash, complete with dual USB ports and pre-wired mounting brackets for GPS roadbook holders.

Side-by-Side Comparison: Lightweight Middleweight Battle

Specification Kove 350 Rally Yamaha Ténéré 4 Concept CFMoto 450MT
Engine Architecture 349.9cc SOHC Single (Dry-Sump) ~400cc Single-Cylinder 449.5cc DOHC Parallel-Twin
Peak Power 41 hp (30 kW) @ 9,000 rpm ~42 hp (est.) 43.6 hp @ 8,500 rpm
Peak Torque 34 Nm @ 7,000 rpm ~38 Nm (est.) 44 Nm @ 6,250 rpm
Fuel Tank Capacity 21 Litres ~16 Litres (est.) 17.5 Litres
Kerb Weight (Wet) 155 kg ~165 kg (est.) 185 kg
Suspension Travel 260 mm F / 250 mm R ~240 mm F / 230 mm R 200 mm F / 200 mm R
Ground Clearance 290 mm ~260 mm 220 mm
European Est. Price ~€6,800 ~€7,500 (est.) €6,490

The Rider’s Trade-Off: Lightweight Agility vs Highway Refinement

The mechanical sacrifice of the Kove 350 Rally comes directly down to cylinder count and long-distance autobahn comfort. By choosing a 350cc single rather than a parallel-twin like the CFMoto 450MT or Honda Transalp, Kove trimmed nearly 30 kg off the wet weight—making it vastly easier to manhandle through mud ruts on the Trans Euro Trail or pick up solo after a slow-speed tumble.

However, spinning a 350cc thumper at 7,500 rpm down a rain-soaked European motorway at 125 km/h will demand far more rider tolerance than cruising on a multi-cylinder machine. While the dual balancers damp high-frequency buzz, the lightweight 155 kg chassis and tall rally fairing will catch side winds on exposed viaducts. For riders who spend 80% of their time on tarmac liaisons, a twin is easier; for those who measure a trip by technical off-road trails, the 350 Rally hits a bullseye.

European Pricing, Delivery, and Market Impact

Kove confirmed European distribution will begin in spring 2027 through its expanding EU dealer network, with projected pricing around €6,800 across France, Germany, and the Benelux. That puts the 350 Rally in direct competition with middleweight contenders in our guide to A2-licence adventure bikes while significantly undercutting European boutique rally builds like the KTM 690 Rally.

If Kove’s production quality matches what we saw on the Milan show floor, the 350 Rally could quickly become the default weapon for TET explorers who want real suspension travel and 500 km range without the back-breaking heft of a 200 kg adventure bike.

Media citation: Editorial outlets and forums may quote excerpts with attribution and a link to Throttle Times.

Official source: https://www.kovemoto.com/

Reporting via: advpulse.com, ridem.nl