The middleweight adventure bike segment has exploded in recent years, becoming the most competitive and fastest-growing segment in the industry. Riders worldwide are flocking to bikes in the 650cc to 900cc range, drawn by their balance of power, weight, and affordability compared to heavyweight ADVs.
And with big brands like Honda, KTM, Yamaha, BMW, and Ducati battling it out, Chinese manufacturers have also jumped into the fray, looking to shake things up with budget-friendly alternatives.
One of the most aggressive players in this space is QJ Motor, the motorcycle arm of China’s Qianjiang Group. While the brand might not be a household name in the West, it’s rapidly expanding its global presence, launching multiple brands—including the rebirth of Benelli, which it owns. QJ Motor has been relentless in its product launches, churning out new models across various segments.
The latest addition? The QJMotor SRT 900 SX, a new middleweight adventure-tourer set to hit European markets in 2025. But is it too expensive?
At first glance, the QJMotor SRT 900 SX looks the part of a proper adventure-tourer. It’s got a rugged design with an imposing stance, if not one that’s beginning to look a bit vanilla in today’s market. Nonetheless, the SRT 900 SX comes complete with aluminum panniers and a top case—straight from the factory. That’s a pretty sweet deal, considering most premium ADV bikes make you pay extra for luggage, and said luggage can run you hundreds if not thousands of bucks.
At the heart of the SRT 900 SX is a 904cc parallel-twin, putting out 95 horsepower at 9,000 rpm and 66.4 pound-feet of torque at 6,500 rpm. The engine meets Euro 5+ emissions standards. The bike rolls on a steel tubular frame with an aluminum swingarm, sporting a 19-inch front wheel and a 17-inch rear, both tubeless cross-spokes, as you would find on premium ADVs designed for moderate off-road use. Suspension travel numbers aren’t out yet, but with an 835mm seat height, it’s probably more geared toward on-road touring than hardcore off-roading.
Braking is taken care of by Brembo, with twin 320mm front discs and a single 260mm rear disc, all with ABS. A large TFT display comes standard, plus full LED lighting and what looks like some connectivity features.
And then comes the price.
In Germany, it’s set at €9,999 (around $10,800), and in Austria, €11,999 (about $13,000). That’s pretty steep for a made-in-China ADV, especially considering bikes like Honda’s Transalp XL750 can be had for under $10,000 USD.
I also think that, on paper, at least, QJ’s SRT 900 SX isn’t quite perfect. At 582 pounds fully loaded, it’s packing some serious weight for its class. It’s also missing some premium electronics like adjustable rider aids, which might be a letdown for those expecting more tech for their buck. And with 95 ponies on tap, it’s at the lower end of the middleweight pack, especially given its displacement.
Will it make it to the US? That’s the big question. QJ Motor has been making moves in global markets, but the biggest roadblock is the tariffs. With Trump’s tariffs on Chinese goods still in play and possibly getting worse, it might be tough to price this bike competitively Stateside. If import duties jack up the price, brands like QJ Motor could lose their biggest edge—affordability.
For now, it looks like this one’s mostly aimed at Europe. But whether it actually takes off is another story, but one thing’s for sure—QJ Motor isn’t slowing down. They keep pumping out bikes left and right, and at this rate, you’ve got to wonder if they’ll ever run out of new models to launch.
