It’s instantly clear that big, American touring bikes in general, and Indian’s Roadmaster in particular, are the inspiration for the first full-dress tourer to emerge from rapidly growing Chinese brand QJMotor. But there’s one key difference: This has a V-twin engine that measures just 385cc in capacity.
That’s around a fifth of the size you might expect on a bike like this, and means there’s little chance that, even without the tariffs currently impacting Chinese-made goods, the upcoming model would be a success in this country. But given the rate of development at QJMotor it’s possible, even likely, that a much larger machine with a similar style could be just around the corner.
It’s hard to even comprehend how fast QJMotor has expanded. The brand, a subsidiary of Qianjiang and as such a sister to companies including Benelli, Keeway, Morbidelli, and more, only launched five years ago. Now it has more than 130 separate models in its global lineup, ranging from electric scooters to an MV Agusta–based 1000cc superbike. New bikes seem to appear every few weeks, and the latest is this SRV400-based tourer that’s been type-approved in China.
The SRV400VS is already sold over there, with a DOHC four-valve-per-cylinder 385cc V-twin, an upside-down fork, and the latest Euro 5+ emissions compliance that means it meets some of the strictest regulations required to be offered to a global market. This new variation, which could be called the SRV400VT to reflect its tourer style, uses the same engine—putting out 35 hp—but wraps it in a much bigger, heavier package.
With a wheelbase of 60 inches it’s as long as a Kawasaki Concours 14, and while its curb weight of 494 pounds is light for a big tourer, it’s a lot for a sub-400cc twin. And that’s before you add two people and their luggage to the equation, as this is a machine that’s clearly designed to be ridden two-up and over long distances. In China, perhaps, but it would be hard to convince many Western riders that’s a viable proposition. According to its type-approval documents the machine is good for a top speed of 93 mph, but there’s no mention of how much run-up you’d need to get there.
However, much as this bike isn’t suited to markets like ours, it’s important for the fact it shows QJMotor moving into yet another new market segment. Given how rapidly the company develops new models, and the fact it already has an array of bigger, more powerful bikes in its armory—including a 900cc V-4-powered cruiser, the SRV900V, with 110 hp on tap—the development of a big tourer with the performance to match wider expectations of such bikes is just a small step away.
Media ContactCompany Name: QJMOTOREmail: Send EmailAddress:No. 169 Jimping Rd. Wenling City: Taizhou State: ZhejiangCountry: ChinaWebsite: https://global.qjmotor.com/
