Weird Flex: This Chinese Bikemaker Has Made Ducati V4 Twins More Accessible

Chinese bikemaker Moxiao is all set to introduce the MX650 and MX500. Yes, what appear to be the Panigale V4 and Streetfighter V4 are blatant Chinese ripoffs of the original Italian motorcycles.

Moxiao’s attempt is almost applaudable, since the bikemaker has managed to ape the design almost perfectly. In the case of the MX650, the bodywork, including the winglets and the single-sided swingarm, look straight off the Panigale. However, the horizontal monoshock gives it away. But that’s just the start.

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Powering the Moxiao MX650 is a 650cc parallel-twin engine that produces 60.8PS, which is less than a third of the Panigale V4’s frightening 215PS. And to make things worse, the Moxiao weighs 222kg, over 24kg more than the Panigale.

The MX500 sets the bar even lower. Not only does it weigh over 20kg more than the Streetfighter V4, but its 471cc parallel-twin puts out just 44.3PS, or a fifth of what the Ducati produces!

Aesthetically, the MX500 can be identified as a ripoff, thanks to its side panel. Unlike the Streetfighter, the MX500 chooses to hide its engine, and going by the specs, it seems like a wise decision. Furthermore, Moxiao has used the same chassis for both the bikes, so even the Streetfighter flaunts the same offset horizontal monoshock.

The Moxiao MX bikes join China’s long list of unapologetic copies of respectable machines, including Moxiao’s 500RR– a ripoff of the 959 Panigale. Nevertheless, brands like Benda have been at the forefront of producing original products, like the LFC700 that could even make even the European manufacturers sweat.