Regular visitors to Visordown will know we have run the odd article shining a damning spotlight on motorcycles that while Chinese in physical origin, aren’t exactly coy in hiding their blatant ‘inspiration’ of existing Japanese or European models..
Shameless - occasionally comical - though some are, however, there are a growing number of considerably more convincing attempts at an original idea, with the new CFMoto 700 CL-X and slew of Italo-Chinese Benelli offerings well received enough to suggest a prelude of quality machinery being en route.
As it stands, only the biggest names in Chinese motorcycling - CFMoto, Voge (Loncin), Lexmoto and Zontes - have set out along the metaphorical ‘silk road’ to ply their big bike trade in Europe, but there are countless others that could one day follow. It makes every new unveiling - at what seems to be a different Chinese motorcycle show every week - something to keep an eye on.
For the most part the new models are either wacky concepts, modest runarounds or shameless ‘inspired copies’ but every now and then you get one that piques curiosity enough to shift our opinions.
Introducing the Jedi Vision K750 sportsbike
This is the bold yet somehow still blandly titled Jedi Vision K750… certainly not the last hope for China making it in Europe, but to date arguably one of its best.
The company - Jinan jedi to give its full title - has previously focused on the no doubt lucrative criteria of supplying motorcycles to China’s police and security sector, but it’s now looking to branch out into offering models to the wider public, with the Vision K750 sportsbike concept its first toe dip into the consumer market.
It is certainly eye-catching with moulded swoops and sweeps, curves and inlets giving it a poised silhouette and a svelte profile that sits just the right side of bulbous. Up front is a front-end that appears like a modernised KTM RC 8, a rear-end that has a hint of Ducati Panigale and a bison hump that we won’t lie, looks uncompromising
While it’s not entirely obvious whether we’re looking at a big or a midi sportsbike, given the bluff fairing and engine casing reminds us of an EV, it might surprise you that there is a conventional - and original - unit hiding underneath.
We’ll have to reserve some judgement on the Jedi Vision K750’s potency since the aerodynamics probably look more convincing than they are and the 730cc parallel-twin kicks out a modest 68hp, but it’s welcome to see something designed from scratch at least.
It’s a concept but the Jedi K750 doesn’t appear to be far from a finished version, not that we’re likely to see it over here anyway. However, it might just become the first Chinese motorcycle we’ve ever featured on our ‘models we wish we could buy here…’ listicle...
The Jedi Family
The Vision K750 wasn’t the only motorcycle unveiled at the China International Motorcycle Exhibition, with three more practical - yet still handsome - production-ready models taking to the stage.
Topped by the Jedi GTR750, the GT Tourer takes inspiration from the motorcycles used by the police force, albeit does so with the same engine as the Vision K750, while the Jedi JFR750 made its bow in roadster and scrambler form.
