QJMotor SRK400RR Will Be Its Upcoming 400cc Four-Cylinder Offering

QJMotor, a Chinese motorcycle company, has announced its entry into the resurgent 400cc inline-four sportbike market with the SRK400RR. This news comes after Kawasaki revitalised the class with the Ninja ZX-4RR last year, sparking renewed interest from riders and manufacturers alike.

Taking Design Cues From A Showstopper

The SRK400RR takes a deviation from the design language of its existing sportbikes, including its top-of-the-line SRK921RR with its MV Agusta engine. Instead, it draws inspiration from a concept bike called the Ten78 that QJMotor unveiled at the 2023 EICMA motorcycle show in Milan. Designed by industry veteran Adrian Morton, the Ten78 grabbed attention with its aggressive styling and a particularly unique front intake design. This design featured a distinctive central intake flanked by strips of LED running lights, creating a bold and futuristic look. The QJMotor SRK400RR incorporates this same design element at the front, albeit in a more toned-down manner. Instead of the Ten78's fully transparent upper fairing, the QJMotor SRK400RR opts for a more conventional windscreen.

QJMotor SRK400RR Engine

The QJMotor SRK400RR is likely to be powered by a 421cc, inline-four engine named QJ457MQ-D. This engine configuration has a longer stroke which is countering the fact that it is a 4-cylinder screamer. QJMotor has managed to achieve an impressive 76.5 bhp with this engine, placing it near the top of its class. It also comes close to the CF Moto’s offering which makes 78 bhp with a 500cc engine. The top speed of the bike is likely to be around 220 kmph. Also to add to this the bike only weighs 175 kg giving it a crazy power-to-weight ratio. It also makes it lighter than the class-leading Kawasaki ZX4RR weighing in at 188 kg.

QJMotor SRK400RR Hardware

Equipping the SRK400RR to tackle corners and handle the power of its engine, QJMotor has opted for a steel tube frame. This frame material choice offers a good balance between rigidity and weight, allowing the SRK400RR to be nimble while also providing a stable platform for aggressive riding. Complementing the frame is likely an aluminium swingarm because of its strength, stiffness, and lighter weight compared to steel. This should translate to a lighter overall weight for the motorcycle, improving handling and agility.

The QJMotor SRK400RR gets a USD fork at the front. Considering QJMotor's partnership with Italian suspension brand Marzocchi, it's a possibility that the SRK400RR will be equipped with a Marzocchi fork. At the rear, there should be a monoshock from the same company.

Following Kawasaki's Lead

QJMotor isn't the only Chinese brand capitalising on this trend. Kove was the first to jump in, initially announcing a 400cc inline-four called the 400RR. This model eventually evolved into the 450RR before production began, hinting at ambitions for more power. CFMoto then entered the ring with its 500cc 500SR Voom. This had a larger displacement but likely aimed for a similar performance range. Lesser-known Yingang has its mysterious 400cc 400RR model. This increased activity from Chinese manufacturers suggests they see a golden opportunity in the reborn 400cc inline-four cylinder sportbike market. With established Japanese brands currently absent from this space, Chinese companies have a chance to capture significant market share by offering exciting, high-performance machines at potentially competitive prices. This could lead to a new era of innovation and competition in the small-capacity sportbike segment, benefiting riders worldwide.