Chinese Manufacturers Are Coming to MXGP: Should KTM, Honda and Yamaha Be Worried?
, by Steve Ramsden, 4 min reading time
Motocross is going through one of its biggest shake-ups in years. Not long ago it would have seemed strange to see road-bike giants like Triumph and Ducati lining up on an MXGP gate now they're running full factory teams and pouring serious money into the sport.
And they might not be the only newcomers to watch. A wave of Chinese manufacturers KOVE, ZXMOTO and JHL Moto among them are quietly building off-road programmes of their own, and some are already eyeing factory efforts at world championship level.
What Triumph's Gamble Taught Everyone
Before getting into the Chinese brands, it's worth looking at what Triumph pulled off first, because it's basically the blueprint everyone else seems to be following.
In 2024, Triumph sold 134,635 motorcycles worldwide a 64% jump on the year before. That's not a typo. A huge chunk of that momentum came from bikes like the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X, but the company was also quick to point to its motocross push with the TF 250-X as part of the story.
Racing wasn't the only reason for the growth, obviously. But it's hard to ignore how much visibility Triumph picked up once its bikes started showing up in MXGP and SuperMotocross. Racing sells bikes, and Triumph proved it.
Ducati's Playing a Longer Game
Ducati took a different route. The Desmo 450 MX has already had a taste of glory — Alessandro Lupino rode it to the 2024 Italian MX1 Championship before the bike had even gone into full production, which happened the following year.
Where Triumph seems to have been chasing showroom traffic, Ducati looks like it's playing the long game — using motocross to build credibility and brand identity rather than to move units overnight.
KOVE: The Most Serious Chinese Contender Right Now
Out of all the Chinese brands making noise, KOVE looks the furthest along.
The company already has a solid reputation in rally racing, including outings at the Dakar Rally, and it's been steadily expanding its dealer network around the world. KOVE has now confirmed it's building a full factory MXGP effort for 2027 — a clear signal that this isn't a one-off marketing stunt. A lot of people in the paddock see KOVE as the most credible Chinese challenger to the established order.
ZXMOTO: The One Nobody Saw Coming
If there's a dark horse in this story, it's ZXMOTO.
The brand is developing a purpose-built 450cc motocross machine and is targeting a two-rider factory entry in MXGP by 2027. What's notable is that development work is happening in both China and Europe a sign they're not cutting corners. ZXMOTO already has some pedigree in international road racing, and it looks willing to spend what it takes to become a genuine motocross player.
JHL Already Made History
While KOVE and ZXMOTO are still building toward 2027, JHL Moto has already done something no Chinese manufacturer had done before: it lined up on an actual MXGP starting gate.
The brand entered the MXGP of China with the JHL LX350R, fielding riders Brian Hsu and Yuzhang Li. It's a small step in the grand scheme of things, but it's a genuine first and it gives JHL invaluable experience that the other Chinese brands don't have yet.
Who Might These Teams Sign?
The big question hanging over all of this is riders. New manufacturers rarely chase superstar names straight out of the gate what they need is experienced development riders who can give honest, technical feedback and help sort out a new bike.
Former MXGP World Champion Pauls Jonass fits that profile almost perfectly. He's been there, done it, and knows what a competitive race bike needs to feel like. Riders like Jan Pancar could also make sense, and Brian Hsu who already has experience with a Chinese manufacturer is an obvious name to watch too.
Where This Is Heading
Ten years ago, nobody would have bet on Triumph or Ducati becoming legitimate MXGP players. Now they're both established, and the sport is better for it.
Whether KOVE, ZXMOTO or JHL can pull off the same trick remains to be seen. But the direction of travel is clear: more money, more manufacturers, and more competition are heading into world motocross and that's good news for anyone who loves watching this sport evolve.