Kove wasn’t on many radars a few years ago, but when it burst onto the scene, it made it clear as day that China wasn’t just interested in building cheap motorcycles anymore. Founded by Zhang Xue, Kove took the fast lane to relevance by going all-in on motorsport. The company shocked many when it entered bikes into the 2023 Dakar Rally and World Supersport Championship.
For a Chinese brand, that was unprecedented. And even more surprising was that the bikes weren’t just finishing races; they were actually competitive.
Kove's rise gave the industry a glimpse of what a homegrown Chinese performance brand could look like. But then, just as the brand started gaining momentum, Zhang Xue quietly left the company he built. No dramatic press releases or official explanations, just a founder stepping away to start again from scratch. The move raised eyebrows, especially among those watching the Chinese motorcycle industry closely.
