Well, here we go again. In the ongoing game of geopolitical chess, the U.S. has turned its gaze toward the world of motorcycles, with a new set of proposed rules that could see certain foreign brands like CFMoto and Kove banned by 2027. And it’s all thanks to that magic word: “connected.”
CFMoto and Kove Could be in Trouble if This Ban Happens
The U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is throwing down the gauntlet on anything with software or hardware linked to China and Russia. They’re targeting “connected vehicles”—cars, trucks, motorcycles, you name it—that can communicate via wireless networks, be it short-range, cellular, or satellite.
That’s where CFMoto’s T-Box and Kove’s Bluetooth-enabled systems come into the crosshairs. These sleek rides, already making a splash in the U.S. market with their value-packed models, might not be around for long if this proposal gets the green light.
So what’s the big deal? Well, it’s about security, says Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. Imagine a foreign government tapping into your GPS or personal data as easily as they check the weather. That’s the concern—potential espionage via tech embedded in your two-wheeled joyride.
But let’s be honest: this feels like a trade war dressed up as security theater. The proposal doesn’t just target a couple of motorcycle brands; it’s part of a larger move to block China-made EVs from entering U.S. markets. And while tariffs already hit those vehicles hard, this new rule would be the hammer blow.
Caught in the middle are brands like CFMoto and Kove, who suddenly find themselves as pawns in a much bigger game. But are they really a threat, or just victims of political posturing? You tell me.
Source: RideApart
