Specification

AJPPR7

these are two very different bikes.

One is some 50 kilos lighter to begin with. And the joy of a big single still can't be beaten on the right terrain. The only blip for the PR7 is that there are only seven AJP dealers throughout the UK, but the dealers they do have are incredibly passionate about the brand. To hear the enthusiasm Colin at Thor

Motorcycles has for riding the bike himself is what you want to hear from your dealer. He loves the bike, and it's easy to see why.

The AJP PR7 has it all. It looks great, rides well and offers a complete package of long-distance adventure rally thrills. Arguably, it's going to be 'too much' bike for some riders and not the right choice for someone inexperienced at off-roading or looking for a bike to flatter the novice. AJP offers many other options for that type of rider, such as the PR3 Enduro. Instead, the PR7 is for the keen rider wanting a bike to maximise their pursuit of adventure across all terrains. It serves as a real poke in the eye for the mainstream manufacturers who always seem to stop short, or end up being compromised, in offering a true adventure thoroughbred. This is a bike to be taken very seriously.

The Fantic Caballero is a bike that always shone when you saw it at the bike shows, yet it often left me wondering: 'Who is it for and what would I do with it?' In many ways, I'd written this one off before even riding it.

How wrong I was.

The engine is the centrepiece. It's a liquid-cooled 449cc unit built by Zongshen in China, having been designed by Ricardo here in the UK.

develops a modest 43bhp, but aligned with the bike's weight of just 150 kilos (dry), it performs very strongly. Pick up is instant and smooth. It surges forward on the revs and is also wellbgeared, meaning that it'll accelerate for an overtake from a cruising speed in sixth. The exhaust note from the Arrow end cans is also tuned to perfection, delivering the perfect blend of pop and crackle without being antisocial or annoying

Brakes:Single 320mm floating disc, twin piston caliper front, 230mm disc, single piston caliper rear

chain final drive

SuspensionU: pside down 43mm two-way adjustable Dile forks, mono shock with remote piggyback rear

Anakee Wild; 110/80 R19 front, 140/80 R17 rear