SRK 400 (MY2023)

The SRK 400 is QJ Motor trying to prove it can build a small naked bike that feels finished on the road, not just on the spec sheet. The engine is a 400 cc liquid-cooled parallel twin with a 360-degree crank. It makes 41 hp at 9,000 rpm and 27 lb-ft at 7,500 rpm, and it sits in a steel trellis frame with an upside-down fork. The styling is sharp and aggressive, and the fit and finish are better than many riders expect from a Chinese-built bike. ABS, an LED headlight and a USB port come standard. Beyond that, the equipment stays deliberately simple.

On the road it feels bigger than its displacement. The chassis is planted and supportive, it stays composed at highway speed, and the front end tells you clearly what is going on. That calm comes with weight. At 410 lb (186 kg) wet it is heavy for a 400, and you feel it in quick direction changes. It favors smoothness over outright sharpness. Running costs are low, maintenance is simple, and 49 mpg gets good range from the 3.6 gal (13.5 L) tank. Keep an eye on the drive chain. For a rider who wants a well-made, good-looking twin for town and back roads, it makes sense.