One of the biggest stories in motorcycling right now – and indeed in the whole automotive world – is that of the seemingly unstoppable rise of a new series of Chinese manufacturers and they’re rapidly improving but bargain priced models. 

In truth, it’s not really anything new. Benelli has been owned (and built) by Qianjiang Motor since 2005; Loncin has been making (some) BMW engines for over a decade; KTM had, until very recently, close relations with CFMoto; while the latter, along with the likes of Voge have also been making increasingly impressive middleweight machines for a number of years. 

But nor are they the only ones. Benda (stop tittering at the back) launched into the UK earlier this year through specialist importers MotoGB with a range of impressive (and temptingly priced) cruisers. While the latest is now QJMotor and may be the most significant of them all.

QJMotor is the ‘own brand’ motorcycle range produced by the massive QiangJiang Automotive concern as best known, until now, as the owners of Benelli. It was founded way back in 1985, is now owned by the huge Geely group (which also owns Volvo, Polestar and Lotus), has associations with Moto2 (though the Gresini team) and Moto3, is currently China’s largest motorcycle manufacturer making around 1.5million machines a year and is now available in the UK for the first time. 

QJMotor has now arrived in the UK with an initial planned family of 16 models ranging, currently from 125cc singles to 900+cc four-cylinder sportsters (although the latter has, literally, only just arrived). As QJ’s output currently extends to over 60 models, this is also likely to quickly change – for the latest check out QJ’s stand at November’s Motorcycle Live show at the NEC. 

In an introductory move, seven models are being made been available initially, all via new UK importers/distributors Moto73 (which is a spin-off of MotoGB). These are, in ascending prices:

• SRT600S parallel twin adventure bike (£4699)
• SRV600V V4 cruiser (£5699)
• SVT650 and SVT650X (£5699 and £5999), a V-twin adventure bike available in two versions.
• SRK900 (£6699) a parallel twin naked or roadster
• SRT900S and SRT900SX (£7499/£7699) a parallel twin adventure bike powered by the same engine and also available in two trim levels.

We’re focusing on just the SRT600S as it is likely the most accessible and interesting for new riders – and also the cheapest. 

At launch the QJMotor SRT600S was priced at just £4699 plus On The Road costs, in this case an extra £200 for things like pre-delivery inspection, registration and so on. Although not a true 600 (its capacity is actually 554cc) that’s not just temptingly affordable in its own right, but significantly undercuts more established rivals, most notably Honda’s NX500 which, as I write, starts at £6899 – a full £2000 (or 40%) more. 

That bargain price becomes even more stark when you consider the two bike’s similarities – and differences. Both are powered by c.500cc parallel twin motor’s (which the larger QJMotor actually producing more power). The Chinese bike also has a bigger 7inch TFT dash, heated grip and mainstand as standard, a tyre pressure monitoring system and more.

The SRT600S is available now, through QJMotor existing range of around 20 dealers (although Moto73 this is likely to expand to around 50-60 in 2026) and the bikes comes as standard with a two-year warranty covering all parts and labour. 

The SRT600S is powered by QJMotor’s own parallel twin motor. Outwardly it has many similarities to Honda’s NX500 unit, but is slightly larger capacity at 554cc (compared to the Honda’s 471cc) and, perhaps unsurprisingly, as a result produces peak claimed power of 55bhp at 8250rpm along with peak torque of 54Nm at a lower 5500rpm – both of which are more than the Honda which, with a peak of 47bhp, was developed to adhere to the A2 licence classification. 

There is also a six-speed gearbox with chain final drive, three switchable riding modes and switchable traction control. 

It’s an impressive unit, too. In many respects it reminds of the Honda, being intimidatingly flexible and versatile. With a 270-degree firing order it has just enough ‘vibey’ character, reminding a little of a V-twin, as intended yet also likely being decently economical to make a great commuter and all-rounder.

In this respect, the only real question mark against it is its fairly narrow 4000-mile service intervals which may annoy those intending to do higher, year-round mileages. 

Our test ride, as has done previously with new bike launches by MotoGB, started at the company’s headquarters in Chorley, southern Lancashire, before heading out of town, picking up the nearby M6 motorway northbound for five-to-10 miles, then crossing back east and heading inland into Lancashire’s picturesque rural heartland.  

During the course of our half-day ride we took in city centre sprawl, motorway cruising, brisk A-roads over the dales and moorland and plenty of more nadgery B-roads – in short: a bit of everything. During the course of the day we stopped off for photography, paused for a lunch stop and swapped between bikes. 

For the first leg out of Chorley the SRT600S impressed immediately. At standstill, on board, it’s fairly substantial and has something of a premium feel due to its big TFT dash, heated grips, tall-ish posture and so on, yet, at the same time, being just ‘a 500’, is also pleasingly slim and light and not at all cumbersome and awkward. Just ‘right’ in fact. 

It’s also well-balanced, flexible and responsive – certainly enough to make pottering out of town over the first few miles as easy as the proverbial pie. 

Handling-wise, the QJMotor SRT600S impresses, too. Although a ‘500’ middleweight, it’s also a full-size adventure bike with the relatively tall seat and upright posture that smaller riders may find off-putting. But if that doesn’t, it’s also roomy, lighter than most, all the controls are well-placed and fall easily to hand and things like the (non-adjustable) screen and heated grips are welcome comforts. 

Setting off for the first time is a doddle, the bike is light and slim between my legs, it’s neutrally balanced, the steering intuitive and light on its semi-knobbly Maxxis MaxxVenture adventure tyres and nothing is awkward. 

On the M6 the positive impressions continue: The view from the upright riding position is commanding and decently protected from the elements; although slim and merely 560cc, the SRT600S is stable and secure and has the stature of a larger bike; while the ride quality from the Marzocchi suspension is also assured and far more refined than you’d normally expect of a bike in this price band. 

As we turn onto the A-roads heading into northern rural Lancashire the SRT’s in its element: it’s an easy joy to roll around medium speed corners; there’s enough grunty flexibility from the engine to make good progress without constantly stirring the slick six-speed gearbox and the QJMotor also reminds of the tall, easy versatility of bikes such as, yes, Honda’s rightly popular NX500 and even bigger middleweight all-rounders such as Suzuki’s V-Strom 650. 

And that easy, unintimidating yet impressive – and even slightly premium versatility – is what characterizes the SRT600S throughout. There are no particular performance highlights – it just delivers in a more than acceptable way. No, 55bhp isn’t anything to get excited about, but it will be unintimidating for novices and is more than sufficient for most practical purposes (reckon on a top speed around 110-120mph) and more than ample for an affordable computer. 

While its handling and manageability (as long as its slightly tall proportions don’t initially put you off) are impressive, too. The SRT600S is light, slim and manageable, offers a pleasing rider’s eye view and decent comfort; is intuitively neutral to handle, provides a sufficiently plush, controlled, comfortable ride and is impressively equipped – certainly at this price point – too. 

Speaking of equipment, the SRT600S comes with a level of equipment you’d literally normally expect of a bike costing at least twice as much – which is the very reason Chinese bikes such as this are currently making such big waves. 

Apart from the aforementioned big, 7-inch full colour TFT dash, there are standard heated grips and mainstand, riding modes, switchable traction control, LED lights all-round, adjustable Marzocchi inverted telescopic forks; there are USB A and C charging points; a standard tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and even, and best of all, free aluminium three-box luggage for an introductory period. 

Yes, some of that isn’t, admittedly, of the highest quality. The heated grips were slow (but at least worked); the screen annoyingly isn’t adjustable; the luggage set isn’t the largest (but, hey, it’s free!), but at the end of the day this is a bike, remember, costing just £4699. 

The attraction with the SRT600S is not just the fact that it’s a decently-performing 550 costing just £4699, it’s also that it’s a middleweight adventure bike so, by very definition massively versatile AND one that comes with a level of spec and equipment (and, again I’m particularly thinking of the heated grips, mainstand, TFT dash and luggage here) that goes over and above what any bike in this price band should be expected to have. 

In short: it’s not just a win-win – it’s a win-win-win! That said, it’s also remarkable in being, well, unremarkable. Although useful, effective, fault-free and better equipped than you’d expect, the SRT600S is also a little perfunctory. It does the job without exactly being exciting. 

The new QJMotor SRT600S impresses on at least two levels. As the ‘entry’ bike of a new Chinese brand it does an awful lot of things right – at a ridiculously affordable price. On that basis, the QJMotor are going to be a force to be reckoned with and the SRT600S itself offers an awful lot of motorcycle for a previously unheard-of price. 

But there’s also more to it than that. The SRT itself is a great, credible all-rounder with such easy manners it’s almost bland, with such a great buying proposition there are probably few cheaper commuters and with such a competency and level of equipment the more established manufacturers such as Honda and BMW must be having sleepless nights. 

It's not perfect: some of its components (Maxxis tyres, own-branded brakes) are conspicuously on the budget side; it’s also arguably a little bland, its service intervals are a little ‘tight’ and it obviously has unproven reliability and residuals. But that’s the worst I can say. For the money, it’s astonishing. 

Thanks to Moto73 for having us on the UK launch, check the full specs and information at https://www.qjmotor.co.uk