QJMotor’s New Rally-styled Middleweight ADV Looks Perfect For Beginners

Motorcycles like the Yamaha Tenere 700 and Ducati DesertX broke mainstream convention, they dropped the road-friendly look for a more aggressive rally-inspired garb. QJMotor from China (Benelli’s parent company) seems inspired by these giants and has decided to offer the rally look on a beginner-friendly, middleweight 650cc ADV.

QJMotor currently has two full-sized adventure bikes in its lineup, and this new 650cc will slot in between the bigger SRT800 and the smaller SRT550. However, thanks to a new frame, this new design looks very different to its SRT siblings. In fact, it looks inspired by both the Ducati DesertX and the Yamaha Tenere 700 in a balanced manner. The overall profile of the bike is slim and visually tall. The headlight appears to be a twin-LED unit, and just above it is an adjustable windscreen. It also comes wearing knuckle guards, a full brace over the body and around the engine in addition to a big bash-plate underneath.

The ergonomics seem spacious and friendly for both road and off-road use. It gets tall handlebars and a nice, long split-seat. In fact, the subframe accommodates a proper pillion seat and still has room for accessories like side panniers and a top box (unlike the Tenere 700).

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QJMotor has reportedly given this motorcycle a new 650cc, liquid-cooled, V-twin engine that churns out roughly 76.1PS. 

The bike is available in two trims – one off-road friendly version with wire-spoke rims, and one with alloy rims. However, the wheel setup on both versions are the same: 19-inch front and 17-inch rear. The front suspension is a USD fork, and at the back you get a monoshock. With the accessories its kerb weight is 238kg, and without it, 219kg.

We feel it would be interesting if Benelli manages to introduce this new design and engine in its India portfolio. Even if it prices this at somewhere around the Rs 6.5 lakh mark sitting over the TRK 502, this 650cc will be a good challenger to the Kawasaki Versys 650, Suzuki V-Strom 650XT, Honda CB500X and even the Triumph Tiger Sport 660.