AJP PR7: The Rally-Inspired Adventure Bike Built for Serious Off-Road Riding
If you want a powerful single-cylinder motorcycle capable of carrying you at speed across the world’s most challenging terrain straight out of the box, the AJP PR7 makes a compelling case for itself.
And when we say ‘challenging’, we’re talking about towering sand dunes or the kind of unforgiving rocky ground you’d expect to see on a rally stage. Plenty of bikes claim rally heritage, but few live up to it as convincingly as the PR7.
You might be unfamiliar with the AJP brand, so here’s a quick overview. Back in the 1980s, Portuguese brothers Antonio and Jorge Pinto raced enduro and repaired bikes on the side.
Demand for their mechanical skills eventually became so high, it convinced them to create a complete 125cc two-stroke in 1987, using their initials to name the brand.
Since then, they’ve continued developing enduros and supermotos, entering the extreme end of the adventure market in 2016 with the first version of the PR7.
It’s had a series of updates over the years, and we’ve had the chance to test the latest version on and off-road in the UK. Here are the headline stats at a glance:
Engine: 600cc single cylinder
Power: 58bhp (with optional upgrades)
Weight: 165kg, fully fuelled
Fuel capacity: 17 litres
Range: 200+ miles
Suspension: Sachs long-travel suspension
Navigation: integrated Samsung Galaxy tablet
And here are five things that impressed us most about the AJP PR7.
1. It handles impeccably off-road
The PR7 is primarily designed for riding off-road, so the biggest question was how it would perform in the dirt. The good news? It handles the rough stuff very well.
Riding muddy green lanes and deep ruts, the PR7 is easy to balance, with wide handlebars, a slim profile, and a relatively low centre of gravity creating a bike that feels stable and poised in tough terrain.
It’s also lighter than many adventure bikes at 165kg, fully fuelled, so it’s not a handful when things get a bit out of shape. And when the riding is less technical, the quality Sachs suspension easily soaks up rocky ground at speed.
2. It’s ready for long-range riding
Many bikes with similar off-road credentials as the PR7 have small fuel tanks, minimal weather protection, and seats that aren’t designed for sitting on for hours. Not the PR7.
With a 17l fuel tank that’s positioned under the seat, the PR7 is ready to ride for over 200 miles before you need to stop to refuel. And with a surprisingly comfortable saddle and riding position, paired with a large rally tower screen, it’s no slouch for when you need to spend a few hours (or longer) on motorways to get to the trails.
Of course, the 600cc engine is happy cruising at 70–80mph too, so you won’t have any trouble keeping up with traffic and overtaking on motorways.
3. The engine is lively and exciting
The PR7 is powered by a 600cc, single-cylinder engine from Italian company SWM, which uses a design that was originally from Husqvarna. It’s a lively unit, delivering plenty of pull from the bottom with a crisp throttle that lets the bike stream forward over obstacles.
It’s a bit of a hooligan and it doesn’t take much to pop the front wheel, but it’s also controlled enough to be able to pick your way through technical terrain. The optional Doma titanium exhaust, ECU upgrade, and carbon air intake add around 12bhp for a total of 58bhp, giving the bike even more bark. Good luck being bored riding the PR7.
4. The PR7 is adventure-ready straight from the factory
While you might have to plow thousands of pounds into some bikes before they’re really ready for a proper adventure, the PR7 comes with all the toys straight out of the box. Up front, there’s a Samsung Galaxy tablet that can provide whichever navigational software you want, which is perfect for following the Trans Euro Trail.
There’s also tough handguards and a skid plate, a rally tower with bright stacked headlights, chunky footpegs, and fully adjustable, long-travel suspension. Along with that 17l fuel tank, the PR7 comes well equipped for tackling the toughest of trails straight from the showroom.
5. It looks like a Dakar winner
There’s no denying the allure of a Dakar Rally bike. Images of riders like Peterhansel, Despres, and Coma racing across the Saharan sands are the stuff of legend. And if you’ve ever wanted to follow in their tyre tracks without actually signing up for the world’s toughest race, the PR7 is about as close as you can get
With the rally tower, the stacked headlights, the high mudguard, and the fuel tanks positioned towards the back of the bike, it looks every bit a Dakar bike. And it’s not just looks. If you want to take on rally competitions yourself, the PR7 is more than up for the job.
Find out more about the AJP PR7
You’ll be able to read a full review of the AJP PR7 in an upcoming issue of Adventure Bike Rider magazine. But for now, you can head to AJP’s website HERE to find out more and discover how you can arrange a test ride today.
