QJMOTOR SRC 500

A retro offering that's high on engine capacity and low on price

- RITESH PATIL

It is hard to discount the fact that Chinese bikemakers offer the best value for money, at least on paper. Their motorcycles offer the most amount of features and in some cases the largest engine capacity at surprisingly low prices. That however, does not always translate to an enjoyable ride experience. QJMotor, in partnership with Adishwar Auto Ride India, is offering the SRC 500 here. The motorcycle too promises a lot on paper. It is a motorcycle with a 500cc heart for the price of 250cc to 300cc motorcycles.

Is it enough to take on the more established retro motorcycles, though? The SRC 500 is unmistakably retro with its round halogen headlamp, twin-pod instrument cluster, teardrop-shaped 15.5-litre fuel tank, chrome-finished exhaust and a massive rear fender. The black finish on the engine complements the red and white colourway on our test motorcycle, and the alloys shod with Maxxis tyres add a touch of modernity to the mix. While it impresses with its catchy design, the build quality disappoints in some places, the worst of which was the misaligned fuel tank.

On the features front, the SRC 500 keeps it simple with a twin-pod digital instrument console. The LCD display offers important information and is bright enough to offer good visibility under direct sunlight.