Summary
- Chinese giant QJMotor's inline-four superbike, the SRK1000RR, is set for production in 2023, according to recently surfaced type-approval documents.
- The sport bike will feature a borrowed 921cc, four-cylinder engine from MV Agusta, producing 127 horsepower and 70 pound-feet of torque.
- While the SRK1000RR's horsepower output may be inferior to liter-class motorcycles, its quality components, including a single-sided swingarm and trellis chassis, make it unique and appealing in other ways.
In early 2023, we brought you pictures of China’s first inline-four superbike built by local giant QJMotor. And eight months later, it appears the motorcycle is finally set for production. We say this because type-approval documents of the sport bike (called SRK1000RR) have surfaced on the internet. These give us a first insight into the motorcycle’s specs, some of which are…well…disappointing.
The QJMotor SRK1000RR Employs An MV Agusta-Borrowed Engine
The type-approval documents confirm the sport bike employs a 921cc, four-cylinder engine. It produces a not-so-impressive 127 horsepower (at 10,500 RPM) and 70 pound-feet (at 8,100 RPM). Think you’ve seen these specs before? Well, you have, because the engine is borrowed from none other than MV Agusta. It’s the same mill the brand will use in its upcoming 921 S retro naked.
To jog your memory, MV Agusta and QJMotor have been in partnership for a few years now. The former supplied its mid-capacity 550cc mill for MV’s Lucky Explorer 5.5 project and also handles distribution duties for the Varese brand in China. So MV is returning the favor by doing the same. This also hints the 921cc mill will be produced by QJ for MV. Not a shocking move, since KTM and BMW do the same with CFMoto and Loncin, respectively.
Circling back, the sport bike’s sub-130 horsepower output will make it quite inferior against liter-class motorcycles. So expect it to end up locking horns against middleweights instead. The Ducati Panigale V2, MV Agusta F3 800, and the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R would be its arch-rivals, while the upcoming Yamaha R9 and the KTM RC 990 will follow later.
The QJMotor SRK1000RR Has Quality Components From Head To Toe
The peak output might not leave you longing for it, but the SRK1000RR makes up in other aspects. For instance, there’s a single-sided swingarm (a rarity in the segment) at the rear, partnered by a tubular trellis chassis. These, along with the Marzocchi USD forks and monoshock, come straight from the Brutale 1000 RS. The bronze 17-inch alloy wheels are pretty slick too. They come wrapped in 120/190-section rubber (F/R) and house what looks like Brembo Stylemas up top.
As for design, we have mixed opinions. It sure qualifies as unique and brawny, thanks to the distinct headlight assembly and aerodynamic wings. But it doesn’t look like a mass-appealer, at least from the single photo we have available. We hope the SRK proves us wrong, though.
The QJMotor SRK1000RR Could Debut By End Of 2023
Now that QJ has registered the SRK, it’s not long until the official reveal takes place. The ideal venue for the international reveal would be the 2023 EICMA, followed by a European launch in 2024. This could be backed by an American launch around the same time, since the Chinese bikemaker is expanding its footprint here. If so, would you give the SRK a chance? Tell us in the comments.