Although the domestic QJ Motor lineup comprises more than two dozen motorcycles, scooters, and electric bikes, the first to make landfall here will be the 2023 QJ Motor SRT750, capitalizing on the current popularity of adventure-styled machines.
The Benelli/QJ Motor team in Italy based the SRT750’s overall design on the Benelli TRK502 adventure bike. It blends a classic ADV beak and seemingly giant fuel tank – really just 4.9 gallons – with an open trellis frame, exposed engine, and swoopy tailsection. The SRT750 may be the right bike at the right time given current market conditions – particularly because its $8,499 price tag is quite appealing when compared with similar adventure-styled motorcycles from Japan and Europe.
"[/font][/size][/color]
I wonder how this news is going to be received by Benelli, and those dealers who are already trying to sell the TRK502 in the US? Seems awkward having them side by side in the show room. I'm seeing 2022 TRK502s offered for as little as ~$6500, (price reduced) so price doesn't seem to be a point of advantage for the QJ variant.
I'd say HD dodged an even bigger craw filler by backing out of that 338R development "partnership". Stuff like this is exactly why my employer frowns every time I mention the possibility of foreign sourcing components, even if they are 1/3 the lead time, and 1/4 the price. She knows we will just end up competing against our own design, that we paid to tool up. I need to learn to talk less, nod wisely more.
But, it does seem like a long shot that we will ever see either/or of the long stroke, ~half liter, air cooled singles that you led off with. I'm wondering how the conversation might go if I walk into my local Benelli / SSR / QJ dealership, ( which also deals in Aprilia, Moto Guzzi and a couple others), and announce I want to order an Imperiale or a QJ500? My guess is they'd try to convince me a V7 Stone under my butt today, beats any bike on a slow boat months from now.