Motorcycle specifications QJ MotorSRK 800 2025 The roadster with big teeth...

Remember the tale of Little Red Riding Hood? In this story, a young girl thinks she sees her grandmother face to face, and an exchange between the two takes place: "My mother-grandmother, what big eyes you have! All the better to see with, my child. My grandmother, what big teeth you have! All the better to eat you with. " And as she said these words, the grandmother who was actually the wicked wolf pounced on Little Red Riding Hood, and ate her...

For some years now, Chinese automakers have been transforming themselves into wolves, in order to gradually reach their target: to seduce you and devour the sales of Japanese automakers. So far, the ideal recipe has not yet been found! Pale replicas (not to say copies), haphazard quality in the infancy of history, we are now entering an era in which Chinese motorcycles are ripe to conquer Europe with manufacturing that is no longer a laughing matter.

QJ Motor is the spearhead of this industry, no longer ashamed to face the Japanese, and is striking a blow. Motorcycles are switching from steel frames to aluminum, and the manufacturer is taking advantage of the opportunity to launch a model in an ultra-competitive market packed with benchmarks: the medium-displacement roadster. The SRK 800 will be going head-to-head with the Hornets, Zs and other MTs from Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha. We took advantage of the Lyon Motor Show 2025 to take a closer look at this promising bike.

Design: sportbike turned street-fighter

The genesis of this bike lies in the brand's sports bike, the SRK 800 RR. While the bikes share many elements, such as the tank and rear shell, the front end is a novelty. Gone is the fairing with fins, replaced by plunging radiator scoops and a look that's so commonplace that it's become the norm. Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, Kawasaki was indeed the first manufacturer to introduce this style. But let's not label China as a plagiarist, since even the Honda 1000 Hornet, in its recent facelift, adopted the same features.

The end result is a not unpleasant rendering, with a few volumes and curves here and there that don't make the SRK 800 look like a thin, taut blade. Seen from the showroom, some of the finishing touches are worthy of praise, such as the exhaust and catalytic converter cover. Beautiful, well-made parts. The radiator looks a little bare, but that depends on individual taste.

Above the headlamp, the owner has a TFT screen that will be connected via Bluetooth, offering navigation/GPS.

Chassis: aluminum makes the difference?

We'll have to see if Chinese manufacturers can make good aluminum chassis, but it's a real manufacturing difference. QJ Motor has two advantages. The brand is involved in Moto2 and also has a partnership with MV Agusta (notably for the SRK 1000s, which are in fact based on the Brutale 920). The manufacturer therefore knows where it's going and has a certain experience of sportiness.

What's more, this aluminum frame and swingarm are well surrounded. Marzocchi is responsible for the suspension and Brembo for the brakes. The roadster is equipped with an adjustable upside-down fork and a shock absorber with separate reservoir, also adjustable. Braking is provided by two 300 mm front discs (260 mm rear) clamped by Brembo radial-mount 4-piston calipers. QJ Motor has chosen Pirelli as its tyre supplier, whereas other manufacturers in the Middle Kingdom sometimes opt for CST. These European references should reassure consumers.

With a length of 2085 mm and a wheelbase of 1450 mm, the SRK 800 is very close to market benchmarks. Better still, its weight of 207 kg makes it lighter than some other models, so on paper it promises a lot.

Engine: 778 cm3, 95 hp, A2 available

The in-line 4-cylinder is a simple, economical structure. Easier to develop than a twin or a 3-cylinder, this type is widely favored by Chinese manufacturers whenever a little horsepower is required. Equipped with 16 valves, this "800" cm3 delivers 95 hp at 10,000 rpm and 75 Nm of torque at 8,500 rpm. But that doesn't mean the manufacturer can't get more out of it. This power output is dictated by A2 compatibility, to appeal to a wider audience - in its home country, this block is rated at 122 hp at 12,000 rpm.

Transmission is via a 6-speed gearbox, with a quickshifter for upshifting and downshifting. In addition to ABS, QJ Motor offers traction control, two engine modes and cruise control.

Price is everything

We welcomed the arrival of the new Honda 1000 Hornet, which has simplified its construction to make it more affordable. This SRK 800 follows the same recipe. Given that QJ Motor sells the sporty model for 8,999 euros, what will be the price of this roadster? Probably under €8,000, or even €7,500 with a 3-year warranty. At the same time, it's hard to beat the Honda 750 Hornet and Yamaha MT-07 (both €7,990 / €7,999). Given the European equipment, this is a machine with undeniable qualities on paper. Now it's time to try it out!

M.B - Manufacturer's photos