The most recent social media images show a purported 1,000cc superbike from QJMotor. It is a Chinese brand of the Qianjiang Group and Benelli’s sister brand. The styling is like the QJMotor 600RR, which was updated last year. But the model seen in the photos could be far from a production model. As evident by the fact that the bike in the photos has two different colour schemes on each side. Some of the design elements also seem to be inspired by the BMW S1000RR.
The 1,000cc QJMotor bike shares the same engine, frame, swingarm, and quad exhaust outlets as the MV Agusta Brutale 1000 under the skin. The fuel tank is also like that of the Brutale 1000. The only mechanical component that differs is the front fork. It is a Marzocchi unit that may be made in China. Marzocchi partnered with Qianjiang to establish Chinese manufacturing facilities in early 2022.
In some ways, using the hardware from the MV Agusta Brutale 1000 is a natural evolution, Qianjiang and MV Agusta announced some interesting stuff in 2020. MV Agusta would supply 1000cc inline 4-cylinder engines for future Benelli models produced by Qianjiang.
While no new litre-class Benelli superbike has been announced, the parent company appears to have decided to use the powerplant in the QJMotor brand. As it has been growing in recent years, particularly in the domestic Chinese market.
The only question that remains is how these various motorcycle brands will protect each other’s intellectual property. Pierer Mobility, KTM’s parent company, has already acquired a 25% stake in MV Agusta. It is seen as a first step towards a full acquisition of the Italian brand. KTM already has a partnership with another Chinese company, CFMoto. It produces some mid-size KTM engines in China.
