Recently we reviewed QJMotor’s new SRT900 adventure bike, which proved an impressive all-rounder at a bargain price. But the new-to-Europe Chinese brand is actually bringing in a whole range of new models including other adventure bikes, a twin cylinder naked and this, perhaps the oddest but most intriguing of the lot – the SRV600V cruiser.
QJMotor is big news. It’s the latest Chinese brand to hit the UK (via specialist independent importers Moto73, an offshoot of MotoGB, who also bring in Voge, Morbidelli, Benda and more) and is probably the biggest and longest established of all Chinese manufacturers.
They currently produce around 1.5 million bikes a year and, among its initial 16 UK launch models, the SRV truly stands out for its daring style and the simple fact it’s powered not by a predictable, low-revving parallel or V-twin, but instead by a full-blown, high-revving V4. The result is striking, easy to ride, great fun and, at £5,699 (+£200 on the road charges), brilliant value.
The big news is, of course, the SRV’s V4 engine. Although unusually 561cc, it actually reminds me of Honda’s old VFR400R supersports from the 1990s. It sounds like Yamaha’s FZR400RR from the same era, and with 68bhp, decent flexibility and belt drive it is surprisingly well-suited to this hot rod role. Just firing it into life raises a grin.
Blipping the throttle towards its shrieking, screaming, 10,000rpm redline generates big smiles but, being 561 and not 400cc, it also has reasonable urge to go with its free-revving smoothness. It pulls acceptably well from low down and only needs to be thrashed when you’re in the mood.
The SRV’s low-slung, hot rod style chassis, although obviously no pure sportster, is the V4 engine’s more than capable ally. Bobber-style 16” wheels wearing fat, balloon tyres may not be the grippiest in the world, but with impressively adjustable Marzocchi USD forks and twin rear shocks, the whole plot is stable and confidence-inspiring and the steering sharp enough to have fun. Suspension travel is a little limited so some potholes jar, but is sufficient and, overall, it’s enough of a sports cruiser to justify that supersports engine. The meaty radial brakes are also better than most.
On board, much is familiar, feet-forward, cruiser-style 500. At just 720mm the nicely crafted seat is low with a stubby, bobber tail (although the pillion ‘squab’ doesn’t look very welcoming); pegs are quite far forward but easy to reach; the SRV’s bars are well-placed, and the overall gait is of a low ‘hot rod’ that’s both comfortable and easy to manage.
At the end of the day the SRV600V is a machine built for pose and performance and not a lot else, so practicality doesn’t get much of a crack of the whip. That said, it’s great for shorties or relative novices. It’s very manageable around town and could be a reasonable commuter, while being pretty good fun through the twisties too. No, there’s no weather protection, no luggage and not much provision for pillions either, so touring and long distances are out, but nor is it as narrowly focused as you may assume.
Cruisers are rarely lavished with luxurious equipment (unless they’re the full-dress tourer versions, such as Harley-Davidson’s ElectraGlide) and that’s even less of the case with budget priced Chinese versions, so there’s not much to get excited about with the SRV600V. So, there are no electronics, no fairing or luggage and little by the way of comfort.
That said, the round 4” TFT dash is smart and has Bluetooth and TPMS (tyre pressure monitoring); the levers and switchgear remind of Harley fare (unsurprising really, as QJ makes the Harley-Davidson X300 for the Chinese market on Harley’s behalf) and add credibility. It’s also so cute, nimble and affordable, it’s impossible to dislike. On the downside, the SRV’s mirrors, although stylish underslung bar-end types, are also the worst I have ever experienced. My elbows completely obscured them and made them redundant.
But it’s far too easy to be cynically dismissive of the QJMotor SRV600V. On face value it’s an unproven Chinese cruiser with an ‘inappropriate’ engine and fitted with budget cycle parts such as CST tyres and ByBre brakes… and all for not much less than, say, Honda’s £5799 Rebel 500 or Kawasaki’s £5999 Eliminator.
But that’d be extremely prejudiced. The SRV, even if it is new to the UK, also comes from China’s biggest and longest established manufacturer; its spec (including adjustable Marzocchis) is far better than those Japanese rivals, its sports-bobber styling is more convincing too. It has more power (the downside for some being that you need a full, rather than A2 motorcycle licence to ride it) and, best of all, not only does it handle more than adequately, its power delivery and accompanying, screaming soundtrack make it a hoot. Yes, there are question marks, but on first ride experience, the SRV is a very welcome addition at a temptingly affordable price.
QJMotor SRV600V specification
Price: £5,699 (+£200 OTR)
Engine: 561cc V4, DOHC, four valves per cylinder, liquid cooled
Power: 67bhp (50kW) @ 10.500rpm
Torque: 54Nm (40lb-ft) @ 8,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed, belt
Frame: Tubular steel cradle
Suspension: (F) Marzocchi 41mm USD telescopic forks, compression and rebound adjust (R) preload adjustable twin shocks.
Wheels: Cast aluminium, (F) 16in (R) 16in
Tyres: CST (F) 130/90 x 16, (R) 180/65 x 16
Brakes: (F) 2 x 300mm discs, ByBre four-piston radial calipers, (R) 260mm disc, ByBre twin piston caliper ABS
Weight: 228kg (wet)
Wheelbase: 1,580mm
Seat height: 720mm
Fuel tank: 16 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
