QJ Motor SVT 650 sees Chinese firm step up Euro assault

If a prize was to be given out to the most prolific manufacturer when it comes to launching new motorcycles, let’s just say QJ Motor has a large supply of midnight oil to burn through.

Parent company of the revitalised Benelli brand and also Keeway, QJ Motor is now setting its sights on securing a lucrative slice of the European market in its own right with the mainland launch of the QJ SRK naked and QJ SRV cruiser this year.

Two will become three in the coming months as the Chinese firm prepares to bring its SVT 650 middleweight adventure motorcycle to EICMA ahead of a full European launch thereafter.

Despite its association with Benelli, the firm has chosen to steer away from treading on the boots of the new TRK 702, instead calling upon some ties with Suzuki to base the QJ SVT 650 on the soon-to-be-discontinued Suzuki V-Strom 650.

Indeed, while EICMA is expected to see the V-Strom receive a major update with new running gear, the venerable - and still much loved - 645cc V-twin engine will gain a new lease of life in the SVT 650. With this in mind, expect around 70hp at 8,800rpm and 45.7Ib-ft of torque at 6,500rpm.

Following a rash of fairly nondescript Chinese-origin adventure motorcycles in recent years, the QJ SVT 650 at least throws a bit more caution to the wind deflectors with a boxy nose section and steep fairing emphasising the rugged, utilitarian aesthetic.

At the front, while you’d be hard pressed to guess the V-Strom 650 origins lurking underneath, the stacked dual headlamp set up bears more than a passing resemblance to another Suzuki model, the GSX-S1000.

The SVT 650 will rival the CFMoto 800MT and Voge 650 DSX, as well as be pitched as a value orientated alternative to the Aprilia Tuareg 660 and Yamaha Tenere 700.