About the water tank, although it's a nice piece, I wouldn't know what to do with it. For extreme desert cases, I use a more appropriate water bladder. I think the water tank is a left over of the original project for Dakar race (when this bike was originally presented under a different name, it had the waterr tank), but now it is not used at Dakar anymore. Personally, I would prefer using that space to store tools in the best possible way, maybe the front has space for a spare tube...just an idea.
So I’m in Arizona. I carry 3.5L on my back and usually have more in a second bladder or Gatorade packed in a saddlebag or rear fender pack. This is when I’m backcountry moto camping. There’s been instances when I’ve gotten extremely low on water due to extended time on the trail or drinking more than usual due to the heat. Having emergency water that I don’t have to think about is a great idea to me. Plus imo, the space the water tank takes up is dead space and would be difficult to access anything from that location without completely removing the carbon skid plate. I’ve paired down my tool kit so much that it takes up next to nothing space wise split between my riding pack, small Tusk saddlebags and the stock tool kit location on the right side of the skid plate. On the Kove, I carry an extra tube tucked between the windscreen and the tower.
Thanks for making these videos! Really excited about this bike and it’s great to see what you’re doing with it. Some links to where you purchased would be great as well. Disappointing that the back rack doesn’t fit properly without the help of a drill! Regardless just wanted to say thanks for the content and for keeping us posted on how the bike is performing:)
Thank you for the kind words, my friend! I’ll keep in mind adding links. There are multiple rear racks out there that look almost identical. I think the Aliexpress being the worst fitment. I’d hope the $325 one from GPX has better fitment.
@@meder07 Yeah the stock graphics have to come off first. They are a pain to remove as heat does not aid in removing the glue. Essentially mineral spirits or goo gone and tons of elbow grease! My shoulder was shot after removing them.
@@DirtByk I am following with interest the mounting of the new tower. Like you, I want my navigation system on it. But it would be appreciated mounting instructions for fuse box and so on... Thanks
super cool video. I was watching some of your other videos when you had the 500 excf. I am looking at both bikes the 500 and the Kove, since you have had both what is your take? Would love o know your opinion and insight. Thanks.
It's a toss up really. Yesterday when I was riding single track on the Kove I was REALLY missing the KTM's. The Kove will do it but takes more effort to get the big pig to turn. If you're looking for crazy power and the ability to loft the front tire over any obstacle at any speed, the 500 is the way to go. IF you want the best bike to span the gap between dirt bike and adventure bike, the Kove can't be beat. I like going as far away from home, as remote as possible. The 500 with a big tank can accomplish that but the Kove does it better. It all really comes down to what kind of riding you want to do.
Much better! It takes away a lot of that lag between throttle and power. There’s some drag on the motor with my current setup, which i like because it still engine brakes. But you can’t idle at a standstill without the clutch chattering trying to engage. I’d you want that, you’ll be to go to the high engagement springs.
I can't find esential for my agresive style of riding ...crash bars and stronger aluminium skidplate .I spend hours on net but i can find them. Also i need much stronger rearbrake and shifter
There’s an aluminum skid plate available on Uncle Wang’s shop. No crash bars available that I’ve seen. I’m running the crash pucks and they’ve done a decent job at protecting the tanks. I’m sure aftermarket stuff like shifters and brake pedals will come along. However, those particular parts on this bike are really tucked away with how far the skid plate and tanks extend out. I don’t see either one needing replaced as the tanks, skid plate or pipe will touch the ground before the shifter or brake.
GPX has one for sale. It’s essentially a big flat piece of plastic that bolts to the bottom of the stock carbon guard. I think it’ll do a good job at sliding over rocks and deflecting.
They are just cheap ones off aliexpress but good so far. Very bright and there have multiple functions so they work good for high beam, Amber fog, strobe and drl.
It goes in the dead space between the skid plate and bottom of motor. It’s just emergency water onboard to drink. It used to be required per Dakar race rules to carry extra reserve water.
Crazy because it does not. But, unless a motor is consuming or losing oil, if you put 1600ml in, you should still have 1600ml 2000 miles later when you do an oil change. I don’t often “check” my oil so not having dip stick or sight glass doesn’t bother me much.
Whole lotta parts, looks sweet man can’t wait to try it😬
AZ’s cooling off!
About the water tank, although it's a nice piece, I wouldn't know what to do with it. For extreme desert cases, I use a more appropriate water bladder. I think the water tank is a left over of the original project for Dakar race (when this bike was originally presented under a different name, it had the waterr tank), but now it is not used at Dakar anymore. Personally, I would prefer using that space to store tools in the best possible way, maybe the front has space for a spare tube...just an idea.
So I’m in Arizona. I carry 3.5L on my back and usually have more in a second bladder or Gatorade packed in a saddlebag or rear fender pack. This is when I’m backcountry moto camping. There’s been instances when I’ve gotten extremely low on water due to extended time on the trail or drinking more than usual due to the heat. Having emergency water that I don’t have to think about is a great idea to me. Plus imo, the space the water tank takes up is dead space and would be difficult to access anything from that location without completely removing the carbon skid plate. I’ve paired down my tool kit so much that it takes up next to nothing space wise split between my riding pack, small Tusk saddlebags and the stock tool kit location on the right side of the skid plate. On the Kove, I carry an extra tube tucked between the windscreen and the tower.
Thanks for making these videos! Really excited about this bike and it’s great to see what you’re doing with it. Some links to where you purchased would be great as well. Disappointing that the back rack doesn’t fit properly without the help of a drill! Regardless just wanted to say thanks for the content and for keeping us posted on how the bike is performing:)
Thank you for the kind words, my friend! I’ll keep in mind adding links. There are multiple rear racks out there that look almost identical. I think the Aliexpress being the worst fitment. I’d hope the $325 one from GPX has better fitment.
Great video, good info - and I love that bike.
Thank you so much! I’m loving it too.
Nice job ... where did you get the graphics? They look great.
SKDA! You give them an idea and they custom make them. I didn’t like the first proof so they did a revamp without question.
@@DirtByk
Did you strip the original graphics prior to the new ones?
If so how did you remove the original graphics?
@@meder07 Yeah the stock graphics have to come off first. They are a pain to remove as heat does not aid in removing the glue. Essentially mineral spirits or goo gone and tons of elbow grease! My shoulder was shot after removing them.
Thanks. very interesting. Could you please link the tower and other parts you're going to mount?
Yes I need to get better about that.
@@DirtByk I am following with interest the mounting of the new tower. Like you, I want my navigation system on it. But it would be appreciated mounting instructions for fuse box and so on... Thanks
super cool video. I was watching some of your other videos when you had the 500 excf. I am looking at both bikes the 500 and the Kove, since you have had both what is your take? Would love o know your opinion and insight. Thanks.
It's a toss up really. Yesterday when I was riding single track on the Kove I was REALLY missing the KTM's. The Kove will do it but takes more effort to get the big pig to turn. If you're looking for crazy power and the ability to loft the front tire over any obstacle at any speed, the 500 is the way to go. IF you want the best bike to span the gap between dirt bike and adventure bike, the Kove can't be beat. I like going as far away from home, as remote as possible. The 500 with a big tank can accomplish that but the Kove does it better. It all really comes down to what kind of riding you want to do.
After upgrading the ECU and removing the CAT, how is the Rekluse performing? Do you still suggest using the medium RPM engagement springs?
Much better! It takes away a lot of that lag between throttle and power. There’s some drag on the motor with my current setup, which i like because it still engine brakes. But you can’t idle at a standstill without the clutch chattering trying to engage. I’d you want that, you’ll be to go to the high engagement springs.
Just wondering what model skid guard did put on , bike looks great
Thank you! It’s the SXS skid plate.
Time will tell the real story
Keep posted as I won’t hold any punches.
I can't find esential for my agresive style of riding ...crash bars and stronger aluminium skidplate .I spend hours on net but i can find them. Also i need much stronger rearbrake and shifter
There’s an aluminum skid plate available on Uncle Wang’s shop. No crash bars available that I’ve seen. I’m running the crash pucks and they’ve done a decent job at protecting the tanks. I’m sure aftermarket stuff like shifters and brake pedals will come along. However, those particular parts on this bike are really tucked away with how far the skid plate and tanks extend out. I don’t see either one needing replaced as the tanks, skid plate or pipe will touch the ground before the shifter or brake.
Which SXS skid plate did you go with ?
GPX has one for sale. It’s essentially a big flat piece of plastic that bolts to the bottom of the stock carbon guard. I think it’ll do a good job at sliding over rocks and deflecting.
What are the lights you mounted to the bar?
They are just cheap ones off aliexpress but good so far. Very bright and there have multiple functions so they work good for high beam, Amber fog, strobe and drl.
Do you have the model number for the Rekluse Auto Clutch? They don't show it on their website. Thanks.
Right now it’s only through gpx. Send them an email and they will send you an invoice and have it shipped the same day.
where does that water tank go? and what do you use the water for?
It goes in the dead space between the skid plate and bottom of motor. It’s just emergency water onboard to drink. It used to be required per Dakar race rules to carry extra reserve water.
@@DirtByk ah, thanks for clarifying things, looking forward to getting one and ride it to mongolia next year ;)
Does the motor have an oil sight level glass or dip stick?
Crazy because it does not. But, unless a motor is consuming or losing oil, if you put 1600ml in, you should still have 1600ml 2000 miles later when you do an oil change. I don’t often “check” my oil so not having dip stick or sight glass doesn’t bother me much.
There is a suggested technique to use a zip-tie and the fill hole to check the level. Kind of archaic but does the job.
yep that would work.@@silverhill377
@@silverhill377
Zip ties are too modern so I carry a dinosaur femur. 😊
Any links for the new mods?
Anything in particular you’re interested to look at closer? I’d be happy to add a link to show you where I got it!