AJP PR7 650 ADVENTURE (2019 - 2020) Review

With the adventure bike class taking a step away from 250kg big capacity monsters and moving towards middleweights such as the new KTM 790 Adventure and long-awaited Yamaha Ténéré 700, Portuguese manufacturer AJP have taken things a step further with the PR7.

Offering a lightweight bike boasting road and serious off-road capabilities, the new PR7 represents a refreshing new take on the class. We've put it through its paces off road.

If trail riding, adventure travel or even competition is your thing then the new PR7 is a bike that requires serious consideration. It’s a refreshing take on the adventure class and while it wouldn’t be the weapon of choice for a single day 500-mile blast into Europe it would redeem itself and some the moment you hit the dirt.

Easy to ride, highly capable and an awful lot of fun – if off-road and adventure appeals then this could well be your perfect bike.

In late 2020 a new version of the AJP PR7 was revealed, and it was so much more than a Euro5 update. The bike got new exhausts, ECU, suspension and seat. Keep an eye out for our review coming soon.

Watch Michael Guy's middleweight adventure bike battle video here:

Tipping the scales at 165kg fully fuelled and ready to ride, it’s close to 100kg lighter than the current glut of big capacity adventure bikes on the market, making the AJP PR7 a truly capable bike off-road – and one you can pick up easily on your own should things go awry.

What weight it does carry, it holds exceptionally well thanks to its clever packaging, quality Sachs suspension and, of course, true off-road size wheels with a 90/90 21in up front and a 140/80 18in on the rear, meaning you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to off-road tyres.

It may not be a Dakar bike, but in terms of looks it’s about as close as you are going to get. Its small screen and stacked headlights give a decent amount of wind protection and it has enough space to mount a road book holder should you need one.

For those wanting extra performance there is a power-up kit which costs £795 and includes a Doma titanium exhaust, ECU and carbon air intake and gives a claimed 12bhp increase.

One of the PR7’s main strengths is its overall balance and handling. With its 17-litre fuel tanks mounted at the rear of the bike – like mini panniers – the weight is low and evenly spread, which gives makes it feel light and manoeuvrable.

The absence of a traditionally positioned fuel tank means there is less mass high up on the bike, delivering a lower centre of gravity. The space where a fuel tank would normally sit is instead being used as an airbox with the main air intake sitting high behind the yokes meaning even deep water shouldn’t pose a problem.

The 600cc single-cylinder engine may not be at the cutting edge of technology but it’s a proven unit used by both Husqvarna and SWM. With six gears and a balance shaft to reduce vibration it has the ability to easily handle road mileage and cruise all day between 70 and 80mph, giving it solid long-distance credentials.

With Delphi fuel injection, the throttle connection is crisp and accurate, meaning you know exactly what the rear wheel is doing on the dirt, enabling you to find grip while having the power to wheelie over obstacles with ease. It feels alive and akin to a competition bike in terms of throttle response, but its spread of power and wide gear ratios are better able to deliver the goods on the road and fast trails.

Our AJP PR7 owner's review shows very positive scoring, and nothing negative to concern you.

The AJP PR7 costs £8500, which is slightly cheaper than the £8699 Yamaha Ténéré 700, and considerably less than the £11,099 you have to fork out for a KTM 790 Adventure or the £11,999 KTM 790 Adventure R.

There are no complicated electronics providing different engine maps or traction control settings. Instead the new machine relies on usable power and tractable fuelling to put control in the right hand of the rider.

Where the PR7 does excel electronically is with the use of a Samsung Galaxy 6 tablet as its main display. Running in conjunction with the traditional small dash, the tablet displays speed and trip information, but it’s also a fully functioning computer so you can use whatever navigational software you wish from Google Maps through to Viewranger.

In theory you can even check your emails, browse the internet or watch Netflix should you desire but we suggest focusing on the ride…