In case you missed it, QJMotor is suddenly big news. The ‘own brand’ marque of vast Chinese manufacturer QiangJiang motor (who also own Benelli) arrived in the UK last autumn via independent importers Moto73 (an offshoot of MotoGB) with an initial family of 16 models ranging from 125cc singles to 900+cc four-cylinder sportsters. On paper, one of the most tempting of all is this, the SRT600S parallel twin adventure bike.
At just £4699 (plus on-the-road charges of £200), the SRT600S is the cheapest of its bigger bikes, undercutting not just the £5699 SRV600V V4 cruiser but also the SVT650 and SVT650X V-twin adventure bikes (£5699 and £5999); the SRK900 parallel twin naked (£6699) and range-topping SRT900SX parallel twin adventure bike which is available in two trim levels (at £7499/£7699). It’s also, as a very affordable but also effective allrounder (a bit like a bigger version of Honda’s NX500) and seems very tempting indeed.
It’s powered by QJMotor’s own parallel twin which has many similarities to the NX500’s unit but is slightly larger at 554cc (compared to 471cc) and produces slightly more power. It also has three switchable riding modes and switchable traction control. It’s an impressive unit, being unintimidatingly flexible and versatile.
With a 270-degree firing order it has just enough ‘vibey’ character to remind of a V-twin yet is also decently economical to make a great commuter and all-rounder. There are no particular performance highlights and 55bhp isn’t anything to get excited about, but it will be unintimidating for novices and is more than sufficient for most practical purposes. The downside, for some at least, is that 55bhp is 8bhp over the A2 licence limit – so it’s only accessible to full A licence holders.
Its handling impresses. As long as its slightly tall proportions don’t initially put you off, it’s light and slim, the ride quality from the Marzocchi suspension is assured and more refined than you’d normally expect of a bike in this price band. Overall the SRT is intuitively neutral, well-balanced and decently nimble, despite the semi-knobbly Maxxis MaxxVenture adventure tyres. It’s an easy joy to roll around medium speed corners.
As a mid-to-full-size adventure bike with a relatively tall seat and upright posture, smaller riders may initially find the SRT600S off-putting. But if it doesn’t, it’s also roomy, slim, lighter than most and not at all cumbersome. The screen may not be adjustable, but the standard heated grips and seat are welcome, the upright riding position is commanding, well protected from the elements and offers a pleasing rider’s eye view and decent comfort.
Practicality-wise, as a middleweight adventure bike that’s well-equipped and comes with a budget price tag, they don’t come much more versatile. The SRT is comfortable yet long-legged. It features virtually everything you need, including standard three-box aluminium luggage, and its price makes it very appealing.
The SRT comes with a level of equipment you’d literally normally expect of a bike costing twice as much. Apart from the big, 7”, full colour TFT dash, there are standard heated grips, heated seat, a centre stand, riding modes, switchable traction control, LED lights, adjustable Marzocchi suspension; a standard tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and, best of all, free aluminium three-box luggage. Admittedly, some of that isn’t of the highest quality – the heated grips were slow; the screen annoyingly non-adjustable and the luggage set isn’t the largest, but at this price it’d be churlish to complain.
At the end of the day the QJ Motor SRT600S may not be perfect or particularly exciting, but, at just £4899, it offers an awful lot of motorcycle for a previously unheard-of price.
But there’s also more to it than that. It’s also a great, credible all-rounder. It has ample performance, achieves that rare trick of being substantial yet unintimidating, has such easy manners it’s almost bland and comes with a standard level of equipment the more established manufacturers such as Honda and BMW must be having sleepless nights about. For the money, it’s astonishing.
QJMotor SRT600S Specification
Price: £4,699 (+£200 OTR)
Engine: 554cc parallel twin, DOHC, four valves per cylinder, liquid cooled
Power: 55bhp (41.2kW) @ 8,250rpm
Torque: 54Nm (40lb-ft) @ 8,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed, chain
Frame: Tubular steel trellis
Suspension: (F) Marzocchi 43mm USD telescopic forks, compression and rebound adjust (R) Marzocchi preload adjustable monoshock.
Wheels: Cast aluminium, (F) 19in (R) 17in
Tyres: Maxxis MaxxVenture (F) 110/80 x 19, (R) 150/70 x 17
Brakes: (F) Dual 320mm discs, ByBre four-piston radial calipers, (R) 260mm disc, ByBre twin piston caliper ABS
Weight: 236kg (wet)
Wheelbase: 1480mm
Seat height: 805mm
Fuel tank: 20.5 litres
Fuel consumption: N/a
Service intervals: 4000 miles/12 months
Warranty: 24 months unlimited mileage
Contact: https://qjmotor.co.uk
Words: Phil West
Photos: Moto73/Sim Mainey
