QJMotor adds yet more models
By Ben Purvis
China's QJMotor seems to add new models to its range faster than we can keep up with them and despite only bursting onto the scene around five years ago it's now beginning the process of replacing its earliest bikes with new machines. The first machine to wear the badge was the SRK600 - a four-cylinder based on the existing Benelli TNT600i - and now a new SRK600 is on the verge of being launched.
Revealed first in type-approval paperwork in China, the SRK600 badge expected to appear on the new bike is slightly misleading, as it's actually powered by a new 680cc four-cylinder that's derived from the 799 cc four used in QJMotor's SRK800 roadster and the SRK800RR sports bike, used for the brand's high-profile international competition effort in the World Supersport championship.
By retaining the SRK800's 67 mm bore but reducing the stroke from 55.2 mm to 48.2 mm, QJMotor reaches its target 680 cc, with a peak power of 100 hp. That's substantially down on the 800's 122 hp, but also a big upgrade on the existing SRK600's 73.5 bhp.
Visually, the new SRK600 is nearly identical to the SRK800, with the same bodywork and chassis. As on the SRK800, there are two versions, one with a modern-looking nose cowl, reminiscent of Kawasaki's Z900 design, while the other uses an oversized circular lamp unit, filled with multiple LEDs, for a slightly retro style akin to bikes like Honda's CB650R.
The approval paperwork suggests the bike weighs 201 kg wet, which is 6 kg less than the SRK800, although it's not clear where the weight reduction comes from.
As on the larger bike, the suspension comes from Marzocchi while the brakes are made by Brembo, giving a typically high specification that's shared by many QJMotor models.
Another upcoming QJMotor, also revealed in approval documents, is a semi-automatic V-twin cruiser. It's based on the company's existing SRV600V2 model, but fitted with an automated transmission that eliminates the rider-controlled clutch and shifter. Visually, the new transmission is marked out by a bronze-coloured housing just below the main transmission cover, which hides the shift actuator, and the lack of a foot-operated shifter - instead there's a simple foot board.
While there's still a lever on the left-hand bar, it's not to control the clutch. On the standard SCV600V2, the clutch is cable-operated, but the new version's left lever is attached to a hydraulic master cylinder, suggesting it's actually connected to the rear brakes.
It's likely that when the bike is officially confirmed, it will feature a fully-auto transmission mode and the ability to shift ratios using bar-mounted buttons, rather like the recent automated manuals introduced by BMW, Yamaha and KTM.
