AJP PR4 200 2006

Insidebikes Alastair Walker tested the PR4 200cc enduro spec model.

AJP are a brand name which might not be familiar to you, but they’re based in Portugal and make a small range of bikes featuring high quality suspension and chassis components, as well as using Honda derived engines.

Think Portugal

Think fine wines, lush golf courses and retirement apartments. But did you know they make motorcycles in Portugal? Nope, me neither, until I ventured to Rugeley in Staffordshire, where I found Adly Moto, who import the AJP range of motorbikes.

There’s a 125cc Enduro and Supermoto, plus a PR4 200 Enduro, which all use Honda developed four stroke, single cylinder engines, top class suspension, classy alloy wheel rims and a lightweight frame. In fact I thought I was aboard a little 125 when I set off down Cannock Chase on the PR4 200, which isn’t surprising as it weighs just 105kgs dry.

Another handy feature that makes the bike very chuckable is having the fuel tank set under the seat, instead of over the frame near the handlebars. It’s also a see-through plastic tank, which means you easily see how you’re doing for fuel, although there’s a warning light on the dash as back up. I was a bit concerned that falling off on rocky ground might fracture the tank, but Steve from Adly told me had done just that when off-roading and it barely registered a scratch.

The AJP feels tough, well made and items like the swingarm, Paioli forks and alloy wheels show that the bike is designed for serious off-road use, as well as short distance commuting. In many ways, the AJP is the perfect novice enduro machine, with its easygoing power characteristics and rugged build. You can twist the throttle all the way to the stop and the bike simply plods forwards steadily, it’ll never catch you out, like say a two stroke 250 would, with a sudden blast of acceleration.

There’s a five speed gearbox and the gearing is set low-ish, so you soon reach the ideal cruising speed of around 55-60mph on the road. It will go a bit faster, but the engine starts to get a bit vibey, transmitting most of that vibration through the handlebars. This isn’t a bike I would choose for regular commuting on urban dual carriageways, the buzziness would be too irritating.

When it comes to the twisty stuff the bike handles really well, in fact I reckon it would make a great little supermoto with alternative wheels fitted. As the test bike had full knobblies on I wasn’t up for any heroic stuff on tarmac, but whilst razzing around back lanes I had no trouble keeping up with the average muppet in his Micra, although the PR4 really began to shine when I took it off-road.

Cross Country Runner

Where the PR4 200 really belongs, as far as I’m concerned, is on the muddy stuff, where even a rank amateur like me can soon feel confident enough to ride the bike on mildly swampy trails, or over some decent sized tree roots, making up your own trials sections as you go along. There’s plenty of ground clearance on the PR4 200, the sidestand is tucked away very high and the bike is incredibly easy to navigate through narrow gaps in wooded areas. A lightweight machine like this is also perfect for novices, as you can pick it up with minimal effort and has an electric start to get going again.

I reckon that the eight litre fuel tank would give you a range of about 100 miles, which is perfect for a day’s larking about on green lanes, with some tarmac stuff inbetween. It is a real shame that the government look set on caving in to the arrogant rambler lobby, who seem to feel that everyone – except hikers dressed like Sherpas – should be excluded from the countryside.

If you can find access legally, the PR4 200 makes a handy little green-laner, which looks built to withstand the inevitable knocks you’ll get from regular off-road use.

What Price Pride of Ownership

Fact is, there are a great many cheap off-roaders on the market these days, and most of them look like they would snap into three pieces if you tried to jump a large molehill at 50mph. For obvious reasons I can’t name brands, but most of them originate from mainland China are frankly badly built motorcycles, sometimes with no real UK importer providing spares back up or a credible warranty service.

When you look at the beefy swingarm, the adjustable Paioli suspension, excellent brakes etc on the AJP you realise that you have to bite the bullet and pay – real money – for something to be made properly, especially if you intend to keep the bike for a few years, or put your young son aboard one. With an old school 2 valve per cylinder, SOHC, Honda motor, the AJP isn’t a particularly fast bike. But its easy handling, good brakes and classy chassis make it a safe choice as a first timers bike.

If you want something unique, well built and can live with the basic performance, then the AJP is a good buy, especially if you like the idea of off-roading on a regular basis. However, if you simply want to commute on an off-road `styled’ bike, look elsewhere at bikes like the Kymco Stryker 125, Honda Varadero 125 or perhaps Honda’s XR125L.

Get AJP bike insurance for the ajp pr4 200 2006.

Vital Statistics

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Chassis