You don’t need Cycle World to tell you that if the price of a house, hotel, or a horse looks too good to be true then, invariably, it is. And that the same goes for motorcycles—except there is a fast-expanding space in the two-wheeled market that makes things a little less clear cut. One where the prices are double-take good yet the bikes they are attached to simply can no longer be dismissed offhand as sub-par products. As you may also know, that area is the latest crop of motorcycles from China.

This new-to-the-UK QJMotor SRK900 naked roadster, for example, carries a £6899 (approx $9000) on-the-road price tag, which places it firmly in the bargain bin, yet boasts a spec that demands a second look. It has a 904cc parallel twin that punches out a claimed 95 hp and 66.4 lb.-ft. It is equipped with Brembo brakes, fully adjustable Marzocchi suspension, and a Marzocchi steering damper. Electronically speaking, there is an up-and-down quick-shifter and cruise control, plus traction control, three riding modes and Bosch ABS. Tires are also a familiar brand: Maxxis.So here we go. Game on. The SRK900 is priced so aggressively low it is also competing with smaller-capacity naked bikes such as Honda’s CB750 Hornet and Suzuki’s GSX-8S, neither of which can match the QJMotor’s power and torque figures. In fact, its horsepower-per-dollar ratio alone will make it plenty attractive to some.

The manufacturer from Zhejiang Province has seemingly laid down a serious challenge to the mainstream European and Japanese players, so we thought it was about time we tried an SRK900 on the road. While the SRK900 hasn’t been announced for the US market yet, other QJMotors models are available, so there’s a good chance the 900 will make it to the States.Riding the SRK900Press the starter and there’s a head-turning growl from the two-into-one exhaust, which exits high, routed behind the right pillion peg. The SRK sounds more like an old-school V-twin than a Euro5+ compliant parallel twin, which comes down to its character-inducing 270-degree crank. We’re used to seeing copies of European and Japanese engines coming out of China, but the SRK’s 904cc eight-valve motor looks like an in-house design. Bore and stroke are 92mm x 68mm which, of all its main rivals, positions it closest to the (discontinued) KTM 890 Duke‘s 90.7mm x 68.8mm.

That 95 hp peak arrives at 9000rpm while peak torque is at a relatively low and accessible 6500rpm. The six-speed gearbox is augmented by a quick-shifter, and there are three riding modes: Sport, Normal, and Rain. Normal is the default selection.Punchy EngineBlip the throttle and the revs build quickly. On the move, you’re instantly aware of that low-down torque, which makes the throttle a little too responsive at times, especially when picking your way through traffic in the lower ratios. In fact, the SRK900 has an urgency I’ve not encountered before on a Chinese middleweight.The SRK makes similar peak power to the 91-hp Honda CB750 Hornet but churns out its torque earlier, shovelling you forward with so much enthusiasm I found myself short-shifting to keep things smooth in the city. Run a gear too high, as I sometimes did, and the SRK900 will pull it effortlessly.

Clear of the city, the SRK’s midrange impresses. Rolling off and on the throttle as you pilot the SRK past slower vehicles or through a series of sweepers is as fun as it is satisfying. Clear of the first few thousand rpm, the throttle becomes smoother and the 270-degree firing order adds a pleasing, tractive quality to the ride. Real-world, everyday riding is relaxed and engaging.So far, so good. As noted, the SRK’s suspension is by Marzocchi and is fully adjustable, both front and rear. The upside-down forks are easy to adjust, with compression damping on one leg and rebound damping on the other. An adjustable top yoke-mounted steering damper also comes as standard.

Stopping power is by radial-mounted Brembo calipers and 320mm discs up front, with non-lean-sensitive Bosch ABS. Feedback from the front lever is good with plenty of power, and the ABS was unobtrusive during our ride. Maxxis Supermaxx tires are mounted on 17-inch cast aluminium wheels and represent a conservative choice for a sports naked, but, overall, it’s difficult to spot where QJMotor have saved on the build cost of the SRK900.

Too Heavy?However, there is an issue. And that is the bike’s weight, because there’s an unwelcome sense of bulk and lethargy to the SRK, particularly when the asphalt gets twisty and the pace picks up. At a claimed 487 pounds with a full 4.7-gallon tank of gas, the SRK compares extremely unfavourably to the 423 pounds of a fully fuelled CB750 Hornet. Suzuki’s “heavy” GSX-8S, as another example, is over 42 pounds lighter than the QJMotor.

As a result, the perky top-end performance and handling agility associated with this class are both diminished in the SRK. While the Hornet CB750 revs freely and a fraction higher in the rev range, eager to pick up its front wheel when the throttle is opened hard, it is not so the SRK.Furthermore, the tank seems longer than it needs to be, making it a stretch to the bars for a 5-foot-7 rider like me. And although the Marzocchi suspension copes well enough with the bike’s weight, there’s a noticeably top-heavy feel of the SRK on fast direction changes.

Looking at the positives, the Chinese bike has a solidity and robust quality absent on smaller bikes in this price range and its larger dimensions may favour larger riders. The ride quality is reasonably good, and we estimate a fuel economy of between 42mpg and 50mpg USA, giving a theoretical range of between 197 and 235 miles or, realistically, around 150 miles before needing gas.A color display (with Bluetooth connectivity) is clear and informative and features tire pressure and temperature monitoring. There is a USB charging point for a phone, while cruise control adds another layer to the SRK’s usefulness, as does LED lighting.

Is the Price QJMotor’s SRK900 Too Good To Be True?There’s plenty to admire here. The QJMotor SRK900 has a specification that matches or even exceeds that of the mainstream competition in the sports middleweight sector. Its 95-hp parallel twin has character and a midrange that drips with torque. It’s practical, accommodating and, your neck muscles permitting, could crank out a long day in the saddle as easily as it could out gun the city rush hour. And, of course, there’s that low price tag that undercuts that competition by a sizable margin.

Too good to be true? Chinese bikes are improving every year, using higher quality components and becoming a serious threat to the established competition at a tempting price, and the QJMotor SRK900 highlights this trend. But if you are looking for a lithe and agile naked sportbike energized by lightness, taut handling, and free-revving joie de vivre, then yes, the SRK is too good to be true. The QJMotor’s handling is fine, but it needs to shed a sack of potatoes and move the rider forward a few inches before we can talk about a naked that’s as sharp, refined, and exciting as the established Japanese and European competition.2026 QJMotors SRK900 Specs