Chinese Scooter Mimics Italjet Dragster Design

A New Era for Motorcycle Manufacturing

QJ Motor is set to launch the 700 Dragster in China, marking a significant development in the motorcycle industry. This model is essentially a rebadged version of the Italjet Dragster 700 Twin, and the collaboration has been officially approved by Italjet.

At first glance, the blurry image of the QJ Motor 700 Dragster might have seemed like another Chinese imitation of the Italjet Dragster. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that this is not just a simple copy. QJ Motor, one of the largest motorcycle manufacturers in China, is known for its brands such as Benelli, Keeway, and MBP. More importantly, QJ Motor is the official distributor of Italjet in China, making this partnership legitimate.

The QJ Motor 700 Dragster closely resembles the Italjet Dragster 700 Twin. It features the same 693cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine, a 6-speed foot shifter, chain drive, steel trellis frame, Marzocchi suspension, Brembo brakes, and twin exhausts. The engine is supplied by QJ Motor to Italjet for the Dragster 700. While the EU model produces 68 hp, the Chinese version claims 76 hp.

The only noticeable differences are the branding, a slightly higher claimed weight, and the fact that it will be marketed as the QJ Italjet in China. Italjet has confirmed that the QJ-badged version is genuine and exists for Chinese homologation. This raises an important question: will the Chinese-market version be more affordable than the standard Italjet Dragster?

Considering the European price of around 14,500 euros (approximately $15,800 USD), the Chinese version could be significantly cheaper due to QJ Motor’s production scale and local manufacturing capabilities.

Implications for the Motorcycle Industry

This collaboration highlights a growing trend in the motorcycle industry. As Chinese manufacturers leverage their production capacity and volume, we may see more partnerships between Western brands and Chinese companies. Examples include:

• MV Agusta with QJ Motor
• KTM with CFMoto
• BMW with Loncin

These partnerships can lead to more bikes being available at lower prices, especially in emerging markets. However, there are emotional and symbolic concerns. For purists, the idea of a boutique Italian or German machine sharing so much DNA with a Chinese-built bike might feel like a dilution of identity.

Conclusion

The QJ Motor 700 Dragster represents a shift in how motorcycles are developed and manufactured. With increased collaboration between Western and Chinese manufacturers, the industry may see more affordable options for consumers. Whether this is a positive or negative development remains a matter of perspective.

As the market evolves, it will be interesting to see how these partnerships shape the future of motorcycle production and consumer choices.