Words: Bill Hunter.
Cruisers, you either love them, or hate them. But over the past few years they seem to have dissolved a little, regarding options. Harley and Ducati, with their Diavel, offer the cruiser experience, but at what cost? Oh, Suzuki had their 1800 Boulevard that did sell relatively well, but that’s about to be discontinued. So when we saw a new and very fascinating cruiser had arrived in South Africa we just had to find out more.
Well here it is folks, the new QJ Motor SRV 600 V. If case you live inside a wet cave with no connection to the outside world you’ll already have heard of QJ Motor’s new presence in SA. A massive Chinese brand with a range of over 80 motorcycles is more than impressive to say the least and, with the full support of the KMSA Empire QJ Motor’s is certainly here to stay. Of course KMSA doesn’t import the full range but this SRV 600 V is possibly their most intriguing.
So why is that you may ask, it’s just a dark, low-slung, cool-looking cruiser after all? Yes, I agree, but look inside the sturdy cast alloy frame rails and you’ll discover a fuel injected, 561cc, DOHC, 90-degree, V4, yes read that again, a diminutive V4! This belt-driven, feisty power plant, churns out an eyebrow raising 68hp@10,500rpm and 53Nm@8,500rpm of the torquey stuff. The type of engine configuration usually installed into far more expensive machinery, but I’ll get into the SRV 600 V price later.
As for the obligatory electronics package there’s not too much on offer but more than enough to keep any ‘button-fiddler’ content. Traction Control (TCS) is there, as are tyre pressure monitors (TPMS), and Dual channel ABS, all displayed on the funky circular TFT screen. This can also be connected to your phone using Blueteeth, and QJ thoughtfully install GPS connectivity. To be honest the SRV 600 V doesn’t need anything more and the colourful TFT display is very clear and easy to read, at any speed, which is around 190kmh +/-, in case you’re wondering.
To keep the bike planted to the road at these speeds you’ll need good suspension, where some past cruisers fall way short – read Harley Sportster for example that smashed my spine, to put it mildly Not a problem with the SRV 600 V because it comes with the famous Italian Marzocchi components both front and rear, produced in China. The 43mm USD forks are non-adjustable (rear has a bit of pre-load adjustment) and I was delighted to not have a back –breaking experience, again, like some cruisers mentioned in the times of yore. These springy parts support the CST 130x16-inch front; 180x16-inch rear ‘balloon’ like tyres, a must size/shape for the cruiser image and style.
As for the styling, well I give it a massive thumbs up, as did many inquisitive others that surrounded the SRV 600 V when parked. The beefy stance gels perfectly with the solid cast alloy parts, like the stocky rectangle LED headlight surround and the chunky mudguard bracket, to name a few. The black paint on the 16-litre tank, and other parts is top class, but everything pales into insignificance when you check out those dramatic four separate pipes. When I first saw these I immediately pondered on fitting four raucous variants, wouldn’t you? I was wrong. The SRV 600 V sounds extraordinary, a ‘proper’ V4 on all counts, and loud enough to lift anyone’s hairs, from any part of their body – leave them alone I say, then again you know what riders in SA are like…
A cruiser’s riding position isn’t for everyone with the footrests placed in front of the motor that stretch you out putting weight onto your lower spine, but the 720mm high seat is well padded and surprisingly comfortable. I did attract a spot of coccyx pain after a long ride though, then again, I’m not a youth anymore and have a handful of pills for breakfast everyday, and the ‘missionary’ has the same effect – so maybe it’s just an age thing? However, because of the low seat it’s very easy to ride and unstressful with unanticipated agility even though it weighs 228kg (wet). The wheelbase is quite short too, for a cruiser, at 1,580mm (around 100mm longer than a Kawasaki H2), which may assist with that trait. To slow things down when the riding becomes rapid the large 300mm front discs perform well, clamped by QJ’s branded four-piston calipers (probably J.Juan), not sportsbike sharp but more than adequate.
So the SRV 600 V has many attributes but it’s all over shadowed by the fun and fizzy nature of the QJ V4.There’s not a lot of torque low down (it is only 561cc remember), but once the digital rev-counter swings past 7,000rpm the excitement levels quickly gain momentum. It’s super smooth as well with little vibration even when you rip around to the 10,000 plus redline. The way one can ride this cruiser like a sport bike is addictive and I couldn’t stop thinking what this engine would be like in a lighter naked type bike. Knowing how QJ Motor’s works they’re probably making one as we speak?
Are there any issues then? The only slightly irritating thing was where the horn button is placed, above the rocker-like indicator button, and I’m sure the same switchgear is found on some Harleys? The fueling surged a bit at low rpm, but we are at 1500m of altitude in Jo’burg, and I doubt many QJ’s are sold this high up and, first to second gear sometimes needs a firm action to prevent finding neutral. However it really is hard to have any trivial complaints when I tell you the QJ Motor SRV 600 V costs a ridiculous R119,995, without doubt THE best value for money cruiser I’ve ever ridden! It’s certainly Exciting Times for QJ Motor in South Africa and we’re already looking forward to trying out more of their current range, if this wild V4 is anything to go by.
Images: Rowan V.
Click on www.qjmotorcycles.co.za to locate your closest dealer and, to book a test highly recommended test ride and, to view the QJ Motor model range.
