I bought one in May of this year, it’s a great bike suspension, brakes, seat, and fuel capacity. I’ve ridden two track and street with mine, it what the T7 should have been. I got mine licensed for the street, can go anywhere. Also, I bought it because I can pick it up by myself. Good review.
So far I'm loving my PR7; I'm working in Europe so it was no issue to register and plate the bike here. Being back on a big thumper for the first time in 12 years took a day or two to get used to. I will use this bike for some fun rallies/events, commuting to work etc. I chose this over the KTM/GasGas/Husky offerings. I tried all 3 of those extensively and just could not get comfortable. This bike fit great for me immediately. I have two older ADV bikes (Super Tenere and Africa Twin) and this does not replace them for big mile trips as its still a big thumper and is definitely more focused towards off road riding than other big singles. I replaced the original Michelin Enduro tires with 80/20 tires at 500km so it rides better but still can go off road. Its so flickable vs a 2 cylinder ADV bike and so easy to pick up and move around. Suspension is great; I only made a few adjustments after some riding. Brakes are overly strong but you get used to that. The Galaxy pad is dumb and a known "issue" on the bike but its just a gimmick that looks cool and really nothing to do with the bike itself. I will replace with another computer and a GPS eventually. I would not hesitate to recommend the bike if you are reasonably close to a dealer. If not, probably better to go with one of the triplets from KTM or other offering.
The AJP's seem to be catching traction in the EU and Australia. I think they'd be a great bike in the US. Thanks for an excellent look at the bike Jimmy. Yamaha, smart move sponsoring Dirt Bike Test, here's why: Jimmy and his crew aren't just dialed in as racers... though they excel in that aspect of riding. Jimmy understands what the buying/riding public are looking for in a bike, then test and ride the bike in an all-around manner, and finally do a great job of relaying that information to us. BTW, LOVE my 24' T7... it's so damn good to be on Team Blue again! Now give us something to replace my Husky 501 please. 😉
I follow the dirt bike world and they have never sold well in Australia. Currently there are no AJPs for sale in the leading on line market site and there are no dealers in Australias biggest city Sydney, where I live. The only dealer in the state is nearly 6 hrs drive from Sydney. They are excellent bikes, probably a better option than a KTM690 but with no dealer support you can't expect sales. They also had early problems with fueling which upset owners but I understand that has been fixed. PIty.
I would really like to try one of these bikes. I am very much a one bike to do it all kind of person, which I know is inherently inferior to multiple bikes. But this is one of the only bikes that from the factory competes with the 701 and it's a much better value than the 701. By the time you add something like a fuel tank and tower to the 701, you've gone pretty far over the cost of this bike. The trade off is of course lack of dealer network in the States and maybe potential reliability issues but I haven't heard much in terms of issues with this bike. It seems like a solid machine, and as a 701 owner I'd be especially interested in trying one.
Sachs suspensions it's a very well know brand in the cars industry, and the suspensions usually are very good. For example, Lamborghini Urus, Audi RSQ7 and many more in group VAG has Sachs suspension from fabric.
Excellent review as always. Here in Sweden there are sold as plated from the beginning for 15.000 Euro. If you add 1000 Euro more you get the uncorked version with Doma exhaust. Tried one and loved it. Only downside for me is the price but you get what you pay for and this is a rally-bike for average Joe that can tackle a race or a nice ride with your buddies on gravel and some lighter trails. The tablet has been a troublesome history for all years.
This bike is a really good adventure touring bike and loads of fun. I removed the windshield and found that comfort improved. The annoying wind buffeting that others have also noticed was reduced considerably and the tablet seems to block some of the wind all by itself. I stiffened up the fork all the way with the clickers, never had to touch the shock and it's a good mix of on road comfort with enough stiffness for the average guy to ride pretty hard off road at least for an average rider like me of 200lbs and on the kinds of trails and roads you'd want to be on with this kind of bike, but if you ride like Pol Tarres then yeah, you're going to find the limits of the suspension. It's a bit heavier than a 690 but the weight seems to be more of an asset on the tarmac. If you lean towards adventure touring I'd say PR7, perhaps a 690 is a better straight up adventure bike. That would be its closest competition I think. The Doma exhaust is LOUD.
Nice review Jimmy. Was good catching up with you ate the touratech Rally. As you know I have the SWM version and really like that motor. I just uncorked it and am very impressed with the spread of power. Mine has the old husky TE630 style big flat air filter on the side and looks about three times the size of the AJP one you showed. Might be the issue with the top end you are seeing. I remember Lendon saying he opened his up for more power. Really cool bikes. Hope they get a plate soon so more can enjoy them. -Kelly
He mentioned the old price. Kove 450 rally is 4000 $ cheaper ..... for start. Kove with standard ecu is making 45 HP ( but it can be upgraded to make 55 - 60 HP ), AJP is making 60 HP in unrestricted version ( but from 600 cc engine - longer durability ) AJP is very economical and it is made from known brands like brembo etc. and for Kove is yet to prove reliability ....For lugging slow ajp seems to be better - torquier ... Parts are nowadays not a problem even without a dealer - directly from China in 2 max. 3 weeks time. AJP cost is more than 501 and less than 701.
Jimmy Is going to go live on Tech Talk tonight at 7 PM PST to answer all the questions... Tune in and we will respond with the link to that video for those that asked!
I find this bike pretty compelling. I had an XR600R and later a XR650R and I really enjoyed those bikes. For the past several years I've had a heavily modified KLR 650 that I have ridden all over the western US, and a WR450F. Since I live in a state where it's pretty easy to plate a dirt only bike, I was wondering if the wiring and circuits are present for adding turn signals. At 3:26 in the video the handlebar switch gear looks like what one would find on any dual sport bike. I checked the AJP website and don't see what the oil capacity is. I've thought about this bike versus a 701/690 with a rally fairing and Rade Garage auxiliary tank and air intake. What is the service interval on this bike? I listen to the podcast on Apple while I'm at work. Thanks.
Hi mate. Terrific review. Plenty of info but not too much. As a dual sport bike I'm wondering how it would compare to a CRF450RL? Cheers from Australia.
Bit heavier, more fuel and carried lower, much better suspension and seat, longer service intervals. The old husky motor is reliable too and has a balance shaft so less vibration on the slab
I have a love for the big single four strokes. I spent a lot of time on Honda XRs (500,600,650), as well as Husky and KTM 610s. This seems like a good bike for me. The big question is what kind of manufacturer/dealer support does AJP have? What is the availability of parts and technical assistance when something breaks or malfunctions? Do I need to learn Portuguese?
If you had to choose between the Kove 450 Rally and the AJP PR7 which one would you go with and why? Personally torn between PR7, Kove 450, or build up of a 690/701.
From the many videos I’ve watched, the PR7 seems to perform more like a dual sport, and the Kove has more characteristics of a full fledged race bike. Just the impressions I’ve gotten from watching videos for about a year. I really wanted to like the Kove, but I’m leaning more towards AJP.
The PR7 is a good all rounder.. vs the 690 platform, i found it to be more comfortable, ergonomics suited to longer distance days, greater ground clearance and a lower seat. Easier to ride in the trails - the 690 is a big enduro
I get 300km then the fuel light comes on. So 186 miles. That's not taking it easy either. You want to crack the throttle on this bike. Great low end grunt as well.
You mentioned the old price.... Kove 450 rally is 4000 $ cheaper ..... for start. Kove with standard ecu is making 45 HP ( but it can be upgraded to make 55 - 60 HP ), AJP is making 60 HP in unrestricted version ( but from 600 cc engine - longer durability ) AJP is very economical and it is made from known brands like brembo etc. and for Kove is yet to prove reliability ....For lugging slow ajp seems to be better - torquier ... Parts are nowadays not a problem even without a dealer - directly from China in 2 max. 3 weeks time. AJP cost is more than 501 and less than 701.
