QJMotor SRT 600 S (2025 - ) review

QJMotor may seem at first glance to be A.N.Other Chinese brand, with the double-edged sword of great value but unproven quality this implies. But as China’s biggest bike manufacturer, a history going back to the 80s and place within the giant Geely group of automotive brands including Volvo, Lotus and others it deserves to be taken seriously. Already the owner of Benelli, the company has now entered the UK under its own QJMotor brand, is distributed in the UK by specialist importer MotoGB and has launched with six bikes including the SRT 900, SRK 900, SRV 600 and SVT 650 we’ve already reviewed. This SRT 600 S is the cheapest of the lot, is again a credible adventure-style all-rounder styled by MV Agusta alumni Adrian Morton with an engine derived from Honda’s proven NX500, lots of spec including heated grips and three-box luggage and, in short, ticks and awful lot of boxes for not much money.

Although a middleweight, the SRT 600 S is also a full-size adventure bike with the relatively tall seat, upright posture and substantial feel that smaller riders may find off-putting. On the plus side it’s also roomy, pleasingly slim, lighter than most, all the controls are well-placed and things like the (non-adjustable) screen and heated grips are welcome. It also has something of a premium feel due to its big TFT dash and heated grips. The view from the upright riding position is commanding and decently protected from the elements and although merely a 560cc the SRT 600 S has the stature and stability of a larger bike.

Adventure bikes owe their popularity to their versatility, given they can commute, tour, entertain and are just as capable when loaded with luggage and a pillion passenger as they are ridden solo. That’s before you even consider off-road ability, too, this new breed of middleweight models more affordable and manageable than many. The SRT 600 S takes all of these attributes to another level simply by virtue of its above-and-beyond specification. Dynamically it may be adequate rather than exceptional, and there may remain question marks over reliability, service intervals and quality but we still challenge you to find any bike that offers more for less!

The SRT 600 S is powered by QJMotor’s own parallel-twin motor. Outwardly it has many similarities to Honda’s NX500 unit, but its 554cc capacity is bigger than the 471cc of its Japanese equivalent and is more powerful to boot, putting out 55 horsepower and 54Nm. That means, unlike the Honda, it can’t be ridden on an A2 licence, though. There is also a six-speed gearbox, three riding modes and switchable traction control. It’s an impressive unit, too. With a 270-degree firing order it has a V-twin like vibey character and the flexibility to make progress without hunting up and down the gears. No, 55 horsepower won’t blow your socks off, but it will be unintimidating for novices, more than sufficient for most practical purposes and plenty for commuting. Braking, meanwhile, is taken care of by twin front discs gripped by QJ-branded four-piston radial calipers assisted by cornering ABS, the set-up more than up to the job at hand.

Assuming the tall proportions aren’t a deal breaker the handling and general sense of manageability are impressive. The SRT 600 S is light, slim and easy to get along with intuitive steering on its semi-knobbly Maxxis MaxxVenture rubber. Ride quality from its Marzocchi suspension is also assured and far more refined than you’d normally expect of a bike of this price and provides a sufficiently plush, controlled, and comfortable ride that’s an easygoing joy to thread through the corners.

The headline figure with the SRT 600 S is, of course, its bargain bucket price. This significantly undercuts more established rivals like that Honda NX500 we keep coming back to as a comparison. On top of that, the SRT should be relatively affordable to run, too. The modest power shouldn’t be too hard on chains, tyres, brake pads and the like, while insurance, tax and fuel costs should also be reasonable. The only downers are relatively narrow service intervals and as-yet unknown residual values but you can’t have everything.

This is the big unknown but there are reassurances for the fact QJMotor is about as solid and proven as Chinese manufacturers get. MotoGB (in this instance trading as Moto73) is also a proven distributor with a decent track record. The SRT’s engine has Honda heritage and most of the components are from respected suppliers, the Marzocchi suspension a prime example. But the ultimate proof will be in the eating…

As with QJMotor’s other models the SRT 600 S comes as standard with a two-year/unlimited mileage warranty covering all parts and labour. Recommended service intervals are a fairly narrow 4,000-miles which, again, is shorter than most and may annoy those intending to do higher mileages. In terms of the support network the initial line-up of 20 dealers is expected to expand to as many as 60 by the end of 2026, so servicing should never be too far away in geographical coverage.