For a long time, Chinese manufacturers observed the world championships from the sidelines. Then they entered Supersport, Moto3, and Moto2. Now, two much more ambitious projects are taking shape almost simultaneously: ZXMoto has confirmed its entry into WorldSBK in 2028 with a V5 engine, while CFMoto is developing a 997cc V4 SR-RR capable of exceeding 315 km/h. This time, it's not just about learning. It's about preparing machines capable of challenging the European and Japanese benchmarks.
ZXMoto is no longer even trying to hide its objective: WorldSBK in 2028. In Cremona, Zhang Xue left little room for interpretation. The ZXMoto boss confirmed that the WorldSBK program had already begun and set 2028 as the target year for the brand's entry into the category. Even more spectacularly, when asked about the architecture of the future engine, he answered clearly: five cylinders . Sources present in Cremona are indeed reporting a Superbike project with a V5 engine.
This significantly changes the scope of the project. The V5 has become a rarity in modern motorcycling. Its most famous reference remains, of course, the 990cc Honda RC211V, which accompanied the beginnings of four-stroke MotoGP and Valentino Rossi 's titles in 2002 and 2003.
ZXMoto therefore does not seem to want to enter WorldSBK with a simple copy of what already exists. It wants to arrive with a distinctive mechanical signature.
Power, final engine displacement and characteristics of the competition version should still be handled with caution: several figures are already circulating, but not all come from the manufacturer.
The Supersport is already serving as a testing ground for ZXMoto
The approach is not theoretical. ZXMoto partnered with Evan Bros to enter its 820RR three-cylinder in WorldSSP in 2026. The result went beyond simple learning: Valentin Debise quickly gave the Chinese manufacturer its first world victories, including a double win at Portimão.
Zhang Xue acknowledges that the relationship with the Italian team could extend to the Superbike program, although nothing is yet decided. This is where the Chinese approach lies: providing the machine and the industrial resources, but buying time by immediately partnering with a European team that already knows the paddock.
ZXMoto isn't alone; CFMoto already has a 997cc missile.
CFMoto, for its part, is developing its spectacular V4 SR-RR , equipped with a 997cc 90° V4 engine, boasting 212 hp and weighing less than 200 kg, with active aerodynamics. Most notably, on June 15th, the prototype reached 315,82 km/h , a speed verified by GPS during the China Motorcycle Top Speed Record Challenge. CFMoto presents it as the fastest Chinese internal combustion motorcycle recorded to date.
Its future participation in WorldSBK remains, unlike the ZXMoto project , a hypothesis. Therefore, the recent SR-RR tests should not be interpreted as a sporting announcement. But the machine possesses something that ZXMoto is precisely in the process of building: a technical foundation naturally suited to the Superbike world.
And CFMoto 's current commitment with Aspar in Moto3 and Moto2 means that the manufacturer already knows the constraints of a world championship.
V5 versus V4: the real news may lie elsewhere
We could stop at the mechanical duel. An extravagant V5 ZXMoto against the V4 CFMoto , with Ducati, BMW , Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki and the other WorldSBK benchmarks in our sights.
But that would almost be missing the point.
Just a few years ago, Chinese manufacturers were primarily judged on their ability to catch up technologically with the Europeans and Japanese. Now, CFMoto is developing a 997cc V4 officially exceeding 315 km/h, while ZXMoto has publicly announced its intention to enter the world championship with an engine architecture that almost no one uses anymore.
The change is considerable. China is no longer just asking itself if it can build motorcycles comparable to those of established manufacturers. It's starting to ask itself how it can beat them. And if ZXMoto sticks to its schedule, we'll have an initial answer in 2028.
