A new motorbike
Finally, I know what motorbike to get.
After debating and watching, probably all, videos on lightweight adventure motorbikes, I finally found one. The AJP PR7!
Actually a friend of mine told me about it. If he hadn't, I'd probably would have missed it, since it's not a widely known brand.
AJP is an Portugiese Manufacture based in Lousada, just east of Porto.
As anybody will know, there is no perfect motorbike and this one is no exception, but it's the closest thing to the unicorn all adventure riders hope to find.
With about 165Kg (with 17L of fuel) it's about 40Kg lighter than my Ténéré 700, and the 65HP (with the racing kit, otherwise about 48HP) I want miss any power. Well, maybe a little but I'll live through it.
The 310mm ground clearance and the Sachs suspension make sure that there are not many opticals I can't get over or through. So, all im all it's a very capable motorbike. Way more capable than what I'll ever need, because after all I'm more incapable, then capable.
The PR7 is, after a few problems at the beginning, a very good motorbike. Nothing on it is up-to-date, but well proven parts from Husqvarna, Yamaha, Sachs etc. This also means that it's easy to get parts, and AJP themselves are quick to respond and will send you what you need.
The part catalogue for example is free to download at their website.
Everything is easy to get to, and if there is a fault, AJP makes sure that it gets solves with the next model. Not something you see often, or should I say very rarely, with the major brands.
For example they had problems with the slave clutch cylinder (just like KTM), but unlike KTM, which are still fucking around, AJP simply upgraded this years model to an Oberon. Done!
Apart from the injection system, there are no electronics on this motorbike. No traction-control and no ABS or any other things that can either brake or play up. Though I have to admit, that ABS would have been a good add on.
There are also no pillion foot pegs because the motorbike is basically a off-road machine with a license plate. That's why you're not allowed to carry a passanger.
I will not go into all the details because there are plenty of videos about, from off-road off-course for example.
All I have to do now is to sell my Ténéré 700 and wait until my PR7 arrives. Yeah!