QJ’s SRT 450 RX is making rounds abroad, is Philippines next?
The entry-level adventure bike segment is getting seriously crowded here in the country. From what we’ve seen, the CFMOTO 450MT helped kick things into high gear. At PHP 338,900, it showed that riders could get a capable adventure bike with manageable dimensions, long-distance capability, and genuine off-road hardware without spending too much big-bike money.
Since then, the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 has joined the party, with prices ranging from PHP 339,000 to PHP 365,000, depending on the variant, while Kawasaki’s KLE500 starts at PHP 341,000, with the higher-spec KLE500 SE priced at PHP 381,000. BMW Motorrad has also entered the segment with the F 450 GS, starting at PHP 498,000.
And it looks like another contender could eventually join the party, in the form of the QJMOTOR SRT 450 RX, and it has already made its way into overseas markets.
There’s no confirmation yet that it’s coming to the Philippines, but since QJMOTOR is already represented locally by Bristol Group, it’s not difficult to imagine the SRT 450 RX already being considered for our market.
OK, let’s play a little imagination here. Should Bristol bring the SRT 450 RX here, it certainly has the hardware to get a lot of riders’ attention.
At its heart is a 449.5cc parallel-twin engine producing a claimed 47.6 PS and 41 Nm of torque, paired with a six-speed transmission. Sources abroad also indicate that the 450 RX have a 270-degree crank, meaning it could have the same V-twin-like firing character and exhaust note that has become one of the 450MT’s calling cards.
In overseas markets, the SRT 450 RX gets 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels, an 18-liter fuel tank and 210mm of ground clearance. It also comes equipped with Marzocchi adjustable suspension, Brembo brakes, Bosch ABS, traction control, TPMS and a 5-inch TFT display with Bluetooth and navigation connectivity. Heated grips and a heated seat are also available, while some markets get an optional three-piece hard luggage setup and other touring equipment.
Early reviews abroad also suggest that the combination of a parallel-twin engine, adventure-bike hardware and relatively compact displacement makes it a versatile option for commuting, long-distance touring and the occasional dirt-road adventure.
And that’s exactly why the 450cc class has become so interesting. The 450MT, Himalayan 450, KLE500, and the F 450 GS all approach the formula differently, but they share the same basic idea, and that’s to give riders a motorcycle for serious adventure riding without the bulk and cost of larger machines.
Nothing is confirmed yet, but if Bristol Group decides to bring the SRT 450 RX here, it could make the 450cc adventure-bike segment even more interesting.
