It is a title that increasingly fits many models that we call “Chinese motorcycles” in the market. As a result of partnerships created and a development clearly inspired by the markets and trends of Europe, brands like QJ Motor reveal all their potential and present models capable of “battling” in the market with Japanese and European rivals… and this SRK 400 is clearly an example of that.
TEXT: RUI BELMONTE PHOTOS: QJ MOTOR
Present in our market more prominently since the end of summer, after being first revealed at the Expomoto held in May in Matosinhos, QJ Motor wants to conquer its space in the market and it was with a dynamic presentation of this friendly 400 that it first presented itself to the Portuguese press after a small introduction party in Lisbon. As for the choice of this SRK 400, it is due to the focus on capturing a younger audience and therefore less sensitive to being influenced by brands with more tradition in the market and that are still, as a rule, the favorites of the older ones. QJ Motor is aware that younger people looking for their first, or even second bike after going through the 125 cc, do not look so much at brands but rather at what they can get for a lower price, and that is why they first revealed this SRK 400 instead of some of the models with higher thermal capacity that are present in their range.
IN SPAIN
On a cool morning but still sunny, this naked bike stripped away prejudices and in the mountains of Malaga revealed that beneath its nudity lies a fantastic proposal for all those who want an affordable medium-displacement motorcycle, in terms of price and with low operating costs, all without losing aesthetic sense and the ability to provide us with fun moments at the helm. And in the end, we still have a “bonus”… the six years of warranty.
When we first discovered it, we clearly understood that aesthetically this QJ Motor draws inspiration from well-known “outfits” of other models on the market, some even from completely different segments. In the rear, for example, the cuts clearly lead us to imagine the rear of an R fine-tuned by a Japanese tuning fork, the same happening with the front section where the assembly integrating the headlight does not hide its inspiration from the letter Z but not from Zorro. The chassis also does not hide that QJ Motor is part of the same group that owns an Italian brand and the position of the rear shock absorber immediately takes us to another Japanese model. But enough with comparisons and similarities, let’s get to the point… what does the SRK 400 have to offer us?
400 = 40
Equipped with a two-cylinder engine with a capacity of 400 cc, this SRK claims a friendly 41 horsepower at 9,000 rpm as its maximum power value, and from the first moment you can feel its total availability. A motor capable of providing us with that leisurely moment or slower circulation in city traffic, but at the same time with the ability to “lift our spirits” in those more sporty driving moments where the sound of the exhaust helps us to smile even more. This is because the engineers of the brand wanted the SRK to have a voice that was not muffled by the increasingly restrictive rules imposed on us – yes, I am in favor of sound in the exhausts… sorry for the more sensitive ones – which often make us even more invisible in traffic. DYNAMICS
The rear suspension, by allowing the adjustment of the spring preload and also the extension, helps to improve the dynamic behavior, where the tires – in this case Maxxis units – contribute although without sporting pretensions, so we cannot ask for miracles when we push the pace a little and start to exaggerate in the inclinations. The brakes – a nice set with double disc at the front and a single disc at the rear prove to be adequate to stop the 176 kilos that the SRK 400 weighs on the scale.
CONCLUSION
In the approximately 150 kilometers we rode with the SRK, we found a bit of everything, from mountain roads with fast sections and others more winding and narrow, to the highway where we closed a journey of joyful driving that led us to discover some of the potential of a motorcycle that, without prejudice, wants to conquer its space in the market where it will not only be the price that makes the difference, but also its dynamic behavior, aesthetics, and performance will surely win over a good share of users.
The SRK 400 has proven to be a pleasant surprise among defects and virtues, with a fair price considering what is offered to its future owner, basically anyone looking for a beautiful, fun, economical, and above all easy to use motorcycle. They will have to necessarily put this QJ on the list of options. Even to say… Chinese? Why not?
| QJ MOTOR SRK 400 | |
| ENGINE | PARALLEL TWIN, LIQUID COOLED |
| DISPLACEMENT | 400 CC |
| POWER | 30.5 KW (40.9 HP) @9,000 RPM |
| TORQUE | 37 NM AT 7,500 RPM |
| TRANSMISSION | 6 SPEEDS |
| FRAME | MULTITUBULAR STEEL |
| FUEL TANK | 13.5 LITERS |
| FRONT SUSPENSION | INVERTED TELESCOPIC FORK, 125 MM TRAVEL |
| REAR SUSPENSION | ADJUSTABLE MONOSHOCK IN PRELOAD AND EXTENSION |
| FRONT BRAKE | TWO 260 MM DISCS, ABS |
| REAR BRAKE | 240 MM DISC, ABS |
| FRONT TIRE | 110/70 R17 |
| REAR TIRE | 150/60 R17 |
| WHEELBASE | 1,425 MM |
| SEAT HEIGHT | 785 MM |
| WEIGHT | 186 KG |
| MSRP | €5,790 |
