Video summary
AJP PR7 porovnání - 2018 vs 2025
Main summary
Key takeaways
Product reviewed
AJP PR7 (Dual Sport / Adventure dual-sport) — specifically compared between 2018 vs 2025 (post-facelift) models.
Key features & what changed (2018 → 2025)
Both bikes share the same core qualities (chassis, ergonomics/ride position). The creator describes the PR7 as a “bike you don’t have to do anything with” for touring/adventure use (e.g., Morocco/Dakar-style trips).
1) Chassis / handling
- Both are described as having excellent, fully adjustable chassis.
- The creator claims the swingarm, bottom brackets, and even the engine base are identical.
- Main setup changes are minor, mostly adjusting for with/without luggage.
- Verdict: the chassis is not a major reason to choose 2018 vs 2025.
2) Lighting upgrade (major complaint on 2018)
- 2018 lighting: only “ordinary halogen-like” lights; felt like a weak point.
- Aftermarket LED-like solutions cost roughly ~15,000 CZK (plug & play style), which the creator didn’t want to pay.
- 2025: comes with improved lights.
- Impact: the difference is described as “like crazy,” tested in Morocco (Atlas/Sahara) and Czech Republic.
- Pros: better illumination; no need for upgrades.
- Cons (for 2018): likely requires spending to match 2025 capability.
3) Crash protection / handguards
- The creator dislikes 2018 plastic guards:
- After crashes, they “jump or bend badly”
- They feel like they don’t protect well.
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Community view added for contrast:
Aluminum/metal handguards can be “stupid” — argued that they can stiffen the handlebars and reduce desired flex.
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2025: includes more suitable metal/aluminum-style guards from the factory.
- Implication: no need to change them.
4) Cooling / fan behavior (big improvement)
- 2018: in slow technical riding (and hot conditions), they felt it might overheat.
- Mentions heat noise / frequent fan running sensation
- Example: Hungary at ~40°C
- Considered stronger fans or a manual fan switch (fan control concept like some Husqvarna setups).
- 2025: cooling is described as “solved.”
- Better airflow / vent design: heat escapes much better than on 2018
- Fans cycle: turn on, shut down for a while, then resume (better regulation overall)
- When stopped, 2018 would often run fans at full speed; 2025 rarely does this.
- Pros: less overheating worry and less annoying fan behavior.
- Cons: none explicitly mentioned for 2025 cooling.
5) OBD / diagnostics readiness
- 2018: OBD integration described as complicated due to a Delphi control unit and extra hassle.
- 2025: OBD is plug & play with an updated AEN(A)/new control unit, connecting immediately to their DMD tablet.
- Temperatures mentioned as monitorable:
- water temp, oil temp, engine temp, etc.
- Caution: some OBD devices can drain the battery even when the key is off.
- Creator advises choosing devices that turn off properly (some have a physical button / auto-off).
6) Cold-start issue (major known 2018 drawback; resolved on 2025)
- 2018: cold-start problems are described as a known issue (Delphi-related), affecting cold mornings globally.
- Creator notes that tips/videos exist to address it.
- 2025: described as resolved.
- Example: started in the Atlas overnight around -2°C with bikes frosted/iced.
- A Husqvarna had trouble starting, while the new PR7 started without problems.
- Pros: reliable starting in cold conditions.
7) Airbox / dusty riding reliability (Morocco/Dakar prep)
Creator prepared for Morocco/Dakar and found the 2018 approach might need attention.
- 2018:
- Smaller air intake conceptually similar to the idea used on other bikes
- Uses a paper filter
- Concern: paper filters may not hold up in dunes/dust
- Usual solution: add a foam filter overlay
- Must be monitored and replaced regularly
- 2025:
- Airbox intake better covered
- Foam filter system from the factory
- A groove around the foam interface is designed to prevent dust/mess from entering the airbox if foam is removed/cleaned
- Claims to avoid dust bypass issues seen on other bikes (mentions needing to grease contact areas on a Husqvarna 701)
- Reported result: after driving Sahara portions, they could change filters, but in their case it wasn’t even really necessary, suggesting the system works well.
8) Engine braking / throttle-map character
- The creator says engine braking behavior changed from 2018 to 2025.
- 2018: strong braking effect when releasing throttle / engine brake (compared to having braked on a naked bike); feels abrupt.
- 2025: below about 1500 RPM, engine braking becomes smoother:
- Early abrupt change nearly caused a near-rear-end situation at a stop
- After getting used to it, the creator says it becomes less demanding/less “alertness required” in the field
- Smoother feel in both down and up performance transitions
- Pros (2025): smoother riding; easier control in technical riding.
- Cons (transition): creator needed time to adapt to the changed behavior.
9) Minor notes
- Mentions a different saddle, but believes it doesn’t matter much.
User experience / travel use (context)
- Creator rides in places like Romania, Hungary, Morocco.
- They prepared the 2018 bike thoroughly for Morocco:
- bike disassembled/checked
- they report no major problems found
- bearings/linkage inspected; they also looked into the engine (before head gasket work) and found everything fine.
- Overall theme: PR7 reliability is strong, especially when properly maintained and prepped.
Pricing & buying comparison
- Estimated new price for 2025: around ~320 (currency not specified; implied CZK/EUR-scale), “320 plus or minus.”
- Used 2018/older price range: about ~180 to ~250.
- Availability: when older PR7s appear on the market, they sell quickly (“gone immediately”).
- Buying guidance:
- Older bikes can be a good buy if priced right and maintained.
- Creator doesn’t see it as a “trap” requiring constant investment, though 2025 improvements reduce upgrade hassle.
Overall pros and cons (as stated)
Pros of 2025 (compared to 2018)
- Much better lights (less need for expensive upgrades)
- Improved cooling and fan control behavior
- OBD ready and easy to connect
- Cold starts resolved
- Redesigned airbox/foam system for dusty environments
- Smoother engine braking / throttle-map behavior
Pros of 2018 (within the creator’s experience)
- Same core chassis/ergonomics
- Can still be extremely capable and reliable for adventure with proper maintenance/prep
Cons of 2018 (as stated)
- Cold-start issues (Delphi-related)
- Inferior stock lighting
- Plastic protection/guards can deform after crashes
- Cooling/fan behavior can feel problematic in slow hot terrain
- OBD integration is complicated
- Dust/airbox solution may require more attention
Quantitative / numeric points included
- ~15,000 CZK mentioned for aftermarket lights (not bought)
- Cold-start example: -2°C in Atlas; also references 40°C in Hungary
- Engine behavior threshold: smoother under 1500 RPM (as described)
- Price ranges:
- New: ~320
- Older/used: ~180 to ~250
Comparisons mentioned
- Dismissed “push to limit” chassis comparison (e.g., Tomy/other riders), because rider weight isn’t at that extreme limit.
- Cooling/fan concept compared to Husqvarna manual fan switch logic.
- Airbox/foam concept compared to Husqvarna and KTM (creator claims foam overlay support is lacking there).
- Cold-start compared indirectly: a Husqvarna had trouble starting while the 2025 PR7 did not.
- Engine feel compared to older “Japanese naked bike” style engine braking behavior.
Verdict / recommendation (concise)
- Between 2018 and 2025: the creator strongly implies 2025 is the better “no-upgrade-needed” choice, especially for lights, cold starts, cooling, OBD convenience, and dusty airbox reliability.
- Buying used 2018: it can still be a great bike, but expect to deal with (or upgrade) known weak points and ensure thorough maintenance/prep.
Different speakers’ / community views noted
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The creator references Ondra Vlk’s viewpoint:
Metal/aluminum handguards can be counterproductive because they may reduce desirable handlebar flex.
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Other implicit references:
- they cite examples/videos from the channel/community for preventing or resolving cold-start issues
- they mention riders who understand Dakar prep alerted them to airbox considerations.