Short / 01Watch on YouTube ↗My riding companion
QJ MotorSVT 650X.
My black-and-yellow adventure bike — and my escape when the city feels too small. A day off and a winding road are all it takes. The hard part is wanting to turn back.
The BalkansMountains, coastlines and the roads between
BendsThe long way often beats the shortcut
Good companyThe people who make a ride memorable
Keeping it realStraight talk about life with the bike
It’s not perfect.
That’s what makes it interesting.
The SVT 650X is how I get away from the daily routine. Sometimes I stay close to home; sometimes the road takes me much further than planned. My favourite rides start with “just a quick spin” and end at dusk, with a smile and another story to tell.
Just because it’s my bike doesn’t mean it gets a free pass. When it deserves praise, it gets it. When it annoys me, that goes on camera too. I tell it as it is, just as we would over coffee after a ride, with our helmets off and everyone adding their side of the story.
Mountains, the sea or a back road I never knew existed — I love rides that leave room for surprises. A great view, an unplanned stop and people I wouldn’t otherwise meet. That’s why I ride. And why I always look forward to setting off again.
Shots from the road
Every frame, one story.
A stone gate of an old town, an old aircraft by the road, a viewpoint above the sea and a short break on a gravel track. Places the SVT 650X has taken me.
Why did I choose
this bike?
Because it suits me — the way it looks, the way it rides and the places it can take me. That matters more than anyone else’s approval or the badge on the tank.
The SVT 650X has its quirks. So do I, so we get along. Every ride teaches me something new about it. Sometimes it impresses me; sometimes it treats me to a whole new selection of mysterious noises. But after everything we’ve been through, it feels like my bike.
Other riders have their favourites. Mine is the bike that somehow always convinces me to take the long way home.
Short clips from the road
Shorts with the SVT 650X
Hover over a clip for a muted preview.
After real miles
QJ SVT 650X:
experience and FAQ.
No sugar-coating — what I measured, what broke and what I would change, after less than two years of riding.
5.5 lper 100 km in town
5,000 kmservice interval
~€100regular service cost
Pros
- Great value for money
- Reliable
- Inspires confidence on the road
Cons
- For an enduro-style bike your knees are a bit more bent when seated
- Standing up off-road the handlebar is a little low, and it can’t be raised because the cables and wiring are short
- The front brake occasionally vibrates under braking
What is the fuel consumption of the QJ SVT 650X?
About 5.5 litres per 100 km in town.
How often is it serviced and what does it cost?
Every 5,000 km, at around €100 per service.
What has gone wrong in under two years?
The Yuasa battery weakened after 12 months. Because of a faulty seat heater, the complete rider’s seat was replaced under warranty.
What are the biggest pros?
Value for money, reliability and how much confidence it gives you on the road.
What are the cons?
For an enduro-style bike your knees are a bit more bent when seated. Standing up off-road the handlebar is a little low, and it can’t be raised because the cables and wiring are short. The front brake occasionally vibrates under braking.
What have I added?
Fog lights, a taller windscreen and a top case.
Who would I recommend it to?
Try the bike and take a test ride before you buy. It isn’t the easiest bike for shorter riders, and it is quite heavy.
Still here?
Then you’re riding
with me.
One more bend. One more story worth bringing home. Subscribe to Avanturer on YouTube — and let’s see how far we get.