This Retro-Inspired Mini Bike Is Actually Just A Scooter In Disguise

And it has some Italian inspirations, too.

Photo by: QJ Motor

By: Enrico Punsalang

Mar 20, at 7:13am ET

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The global motorcycle scene is changing, and small bikes are leading the charge. What started as a niche market with models like the Honda Grom and Kawasaki Z125 has now attracted not just stunters, but riders from all walks of life.

Mini-bikes continue to have a niche all over the world, offering an irresistible mix of affordability, accessibility, and sheer fun. A major contributing factor to the so-called “small bike revolution” has been the rapid growth of Chinese motorcycles. And the QJ Motor SRK 125 E is a perfect example of this shift—whether you love it or hate it, there’s no denying that this bike just makes sense.

Photo by: QJ Motor

Are retro sportbike-inspired mini-bikes about to become a thing?

If you haven't heard of QJ Motor, you probably will soon. As China's largest motorcycle manufacturer, QJ Motor is a powerhouse with nearly limitless resources. The brand is a subsidiary of the Qianjiang Group, which also owns Benelli, and has been making aggressive moves in global markets. QJ has already established a strong presence in Europe and Asia, and its expansion shows no signs of slowing down.

At first glance, the SRK 125 E might remind you of something much more exotic—and for good reason. Its design borrows heavily from the MV Agusta Superveloce, from the round LED headlight and front fairing to the tiny winglets on the sides. This isn’t just a coincidence; as you may be aware, QJ Motor and MV Agusta previously worked together on some models, and it’s clear some styling influence remains.

Underneath its retro-inspired looks, the SRK 125 E is powered by a 125cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine producing 9.3 horsepower and 7.23 pound-feet of torque, mated to a CVT. So yeah, even though it sort of looks like a mini-bike a la Honda Grom or CFMoto Papio, this thing is technically more of a scooter.

Photo by: QJ Motor

The front fairing and tiny winglets on the side seem to have been borrowed from the MV Agusta Superveloce.

It rolls on 12-inch front and 10-inch rear alloy wheels, with disc brakes at both ends. Suspension comes in the form of an inverted telescopic fork and dual rear shocks, complete with gold-colored expansion tanks. It weighs just 234 pounds and has a nine-liter fuel tank, making it light, nimble, and just the right formula for urban riding.

QJ Motor hasn’t officially listed all the bike’s features, but we know it gets LED lighting all around and ABS sensor rings on the brake discs—though whether it actually has ABS remains unclear.

The SRK 125 E is listed on QJ Motor’s global website, which strongly suggests it’ll be sold in all markets where the brand operates—including the US. Given the growing appetite for stylish and fun small-displacement bikes, this could be a real hit.

So, what do you think? Would you ride a petite and charming retro-inspired mini-moto/scooter thing like this?