AJP Moto Pulls The Cover Off New Dakar-Style PR7 ADV 650

The boutique Portuguese off-roader outfit introduces a rugged new model brimming with race-grade running gear and a suite of modern tech features.

Despite making fantastic off-road motorcycles for the last thirty-something-years, Portuguese manufacturer, AJR

Moto is a relatively unknown name. However, with a proven race history, and a seriously noteworthy new model, it’s about time you learned about AJP and its 2019 PR7 ADV 650.

The History Of A Portuguese Motorcycle Company

Founded by seven-time Portuguese National Enduro Champion, Antonio J. Pinto, the outfit that would eventually become AJP first opened its doors in ’81 in Northern Portugal, operating as a small motorcycle shop that specialized in prepping off-road race bikes. By ’87 Antonio — with the help of his brother, Jorge — decided to start rolling out their own complete, turn-key bikes — powered by single-cylinder engines from fellow Portuguese firm, Casal — the first model of which was the “Arianna 125”.

With the business pivoting, the brothers Pinto opted to rename the new company, AJP Moto — with the moniker being the co-founder and 7X champion rider’s initials. Year after year the Penafiel-based company continued to refine its wares, growing in both size and reputation, though it remained a relatively small boutique manufacturer in the grand scheme of things. Despite stiff competition from deep-pocketed factory race teams, by the early ‘90s AJP was ready to go racing, setting its sights on the National Enduro series.

Race-Bred, Tested, and Proven

There were a bevy of kinks to iron out over the first few years of competition, but in the ’95 season the AJP team had finally gotten its bikes dialed in and were now a force to be reckoned with. The next year AJP took home its first National Enduro Championship title — a feat that was repeated the following year in ’97…and then again in ’98, ’99, and 2000. The small Portuguese brand also bagged a trio of consecutive Baja Championship titles from ’96 through ’98. Though AJP had only existed for roughly a decade, it’d carved out an impressive reputation for itself, and more importantly, it’s title-winning motorcycles.

High-Performance, Not-So-High Cost

If you aren’t familiar with AJP Moto, one aspect of the company that may come as a surprise is its almost eye-brow-raisingly low model prices. All of AJP’s wares boast spectacular fit and finish, hydraulic braking systems, and German suspension, though prices are kept low largely thanks to the use of Chinese-made engines (Zongshen) on many of its bikes.

Last year’s 2018 PR7 Rally 600 carried an MSRP of $9,995, so it was a bit surprising to see the 2019 model’s official (UK) price announced at $11,200, granted the latest PR7 is chocked full of trick features. Having said that, prices very well may vary from global region to global region. Time will tell. Either way, that’s almost three-grand less than Husqvarna’s latest 701 Enduro (which we recently reviewed), and that differentiation in price isn’t due to cutting corners or skimping on features.

The 2019 AJP PR7 Adventure: A Hardcore Trailbike

Though the PR7 Rally received impeccable reviews, the folks at AJP nonetheless opted to crank the Dakar-inspired thumper up to 11 for the 2019 model year. And not only is the new PR7 ADV race ready, but it’s also fully street-legal, and, it’s coming to the States.

Portuguese Bike, Italian Heart

Unlike AJP’s non-flagship offerings, a mill from Italian moto-outfit, SWM, powers the PR7. The liquid-cooled, four-stroke, four-valve, double overhead cam (DOHC), 600cc single (yes, I know they call it a “650”…it’s a 600) features a six-speed gearbox, Delphi fuel-injection with a 45mm body, and an electric starter. The Italian thumper spits burnt fumes via titanium headers feeding into a high-mounted muffler.

Chassis, Suspension, Wheels, & Brakes

The PR7 ADV is constructed around a composite aluminum frame with a steel backbone, and a matching (polished) aluminum swing-arm. Germany’s ZF Sachs provided the Portuguese adventurer’s 48mm forks and monoshock — both of which offer 11.8” (300mm) of travel and are fully-adjustable. Unsurprisingly, rims are of the standard off-road fare variety with a 21” (90/90) hoop up front and an 18-incher (140/80) out back —both shod in knobby Dunlop rubber. Stopping duties are bestowed on a single fore 300mm disc clamped via a dual-piston caliper and an aft 240mm unit pinched by a single-pot unit.

High-Tech Hardware & Other Features

Tucked behind the PR7 ADV’s Dakar-style navigation tower is the runner’s instrumentation, which is comprised of, not an LCD or TFT display, but a (very well protected) Samsung Galaxy 6 Android tablet. This allows the rider to select from their preferred navigation/GPS app, but the tablet can also be used as standard instrumentation, displaying speed, RPM, trip-meter, etc. There’s also a USB charging port.

On the business end of the nav tower, there’s a pair of stacked HID bulbs, offering up more than enough lumens needed to take on whatever terrain on even the darkest of nights. Additional noteworthy features include some serious crash protection; a beefy skid-plate, exhaust and sump guards, as well as anodized fork legs, (cush drive rear) hubs, foot-pegs and controls, Domino grips and switchgear, Acerbis handguards, and a lightweight Shorai Lithium battery.

Other Important Figures

The PR7’s fuel-cell — which is housed beneath the seat, helping to lower the bike’s center of gravity and bolster mass-centralization — offers a more-than-respectable range thanks to its 4.5-gallon (17.5-liter) volume. Even with a filled tank of gas and fully ready-to-go, the PR7 reportedly tips the scales at 363lbs (165kgs), though it clocks in at only 320lbs dry. The PR7’s 60.62” (1,540mm) wheelbase is considered to be on the shorter end of the spectrum, though this doesn’t appear to affect how it rides. Lastly, we have the model’s 36.2” (920mm) seat-height, which, even for tall riders, is pretty darn high. Having said that, a high seat height is what you want on a bike when you’re doing some serious rally riding, and that’s what the 2019 PR7 Adventure 650 is all about; serious rally riding.

Something Awesome This Way Comes

Unlike previous years, the 2019 PR7 isn’t an object of affection that North American off-road enthusiasts will be left having to admire from a distance, as the company has announced the PR7 ADV 650 is destined for US shores, though dealerships are limited in this region. For more information, you can checkout the AJP website.