Mark Berg of Central Powersports Distributing drove out from Texas final week and left us with a wild, various group of check bikes for upcoming points. There was an electrical trials bike, two Italian dual-sports and some Spanish two-strokes. But the craziest of all of them is the AJP PR7. We’ve solely caught glimpses of this bike in recent times. Jeff Schlagel up within the Pacific Northwest was the AJP importer for years, however he lately bought the enterprise to CPD, which additionally handles Rieju, SWM and Electric Motion. Mark simply couldn’t stand the thought of somebody promoting weirder bikes than him. So what’s a PR7? If you had been round within the days earlier than Husqvarna was bought by BMW (and subsequently by KTM), you may bear in mind a motorbike referred to as the TE630. It had one of many final motors to be designed by the Italian engineering workforce earlier than they had been all dismissed. If you actually look intently, you’ll be able to see some similarities that go all the way in which again to the unique Husqvarna 510 of the ‘80s. That was probably the most superior off-road four-stroke of its time.
The AJP PR7 has a advised retail worth of $11,499
These days, the PR7’s motor is a 600cc DOHC four-stroke with Athena/GET gas injection. It has a hydraulic clutch and a six-speed gearbox. The body is like nothing else on earth. It has a metal steering head bolted to solid aluminum aspect beams. The gas tank is situated below the seat and it makes use of Sachs suspension, entrance and rear. All the elements have a really excessive cool issue. The exhaust system is a downswept titanium Doma with a carbon-fiber finish cap and the brakes are Brembo. It has a fairing that appears prefer it might have come proper off Ricky Brabec’s Dakar bike and two radiator followers. Stock tools consists of wrap-around handguards, an aluminum skid plate and a coolant overflow tank.
The main instrument is a pill that syncs along with your cellphone.
One of the toughest elements about testing a motorbike just like the PR7 is determining the place to check it. If the Sonora Rally was subsequent up on the calendar, we’d take it straight there. As it was, the timing was proper for the 24 Hours of Glen Helen. We didn’t formally enter it within the race–that may take a workforce of riders, a trailer of spares and a world of dedication. The PR7 was the proper chase car. It carries 4.5 gallons of gas and has loads of room for instruments and elements.
Mark Tilley on the AJP PR7.
First of all, the elephant within the room, in case you can pardon the imagery, is the bike’s weight. All that bling and rally tools doesn’t make for a light-weight bike. The PR7 weighs over 400 kilos with a full tank. How a lot over? We don’t know. That’s as excessive as our scale goes. It’s roughly irrelevant, as a result of 5 minutes on the bike tells you extra about its supposed function than 10 pages of specs. It’s simply an excessive amount of bike for a closed course, even one just like the 24-Hour.
The bike is definitely as slim as a typical 450 motocross bike. The seat peak may even be somewhat decrease. When you begin using, although, it’s clear that it doesn’t like low speeds. There’s simply an excessive amount of mass there. The quicker you go, the higher it will get. In truth, the PR7 is extra highly effective than virtually any off-road race bike. The motor is downright wonderful, particularly in terms of low-end. It’s not motocross energy, although. It has thick, clean torque like four-strokes had within the olden days. The powerband begins early and ends early with deep, rumbling pulses moderately than a shrill buzz. The 600 doesn’t depend on RPM to make its level, and that’s emotionally satisfying if nothing else. Unlike the four-strokes of the previous (we referred to as them thumpers, bear in mind?) the AJP is clear and civilized. It doesn’t cough, backfire or flame out. It actually does mix the very best of each worlds.
As the24-Hour went on,the whoops bought larger and larger with each passing hour. The PR7 has about the very best fork that Sachs gives. It has 48mm tubes with a closed cartridge and the piggyback shock is absolutely adjustable. Both ends had been tremendous soft when the course was clean, however they had been shortly overwhelmed. The rear, specifically, is just too comfortable for actually tough terrain. Can or not it’s beefed up? We don’t actually know. When you’re speaking a couple of 400 pound bike, most suspension outlets can be in uncharted territory. We hope to get to know the bike somewhat higher earlier than Mark returns with one thing even weirder. There are not any rallies on the calendar proper now, so we would must make up our personal. The check will seem within the January, 2024 print version of Dirt Bike.
2024 NGPC SERIES
The 2024 National Gran Prix Sheddule is out! For subsequent yr, bear in mind to enroll in contengancy. All the foremost O.E.s are concerned. It’s free cash–in case you plan on racing anyway, that’s.
AUS SX THIS WEEKEND
Supercross season by no means ends! You can watch spherical two of the Australian supercross collection Friday evening by clicking the picture. Round One in Adelaide was an enormous evening for workforce HRC Australia, Froth Honda Racing’s Dean Wilson (SX1), Boost Mobile Honda Racing’s Max Anstie (SX2), and Repco M9 Honda’s Parker Ross (SX3) took out their respective class honors in a tightly contested opening spherical of the FOX Australian Supercross Championship.
KC FOUNDATION EVENTS
The Kurt Caselli Foundation is devoted to enhancing the protection of off-road and motocross occasions throughout the nation. With an annual security price range of $120,000, we help varied security initiatives that may be discovered on our website. This November, we’re supporting 11 races/occasions throughout 12 organizations in 6 states throughout the nation!
Together, we ARE making a distinction for the higher in our bike neighborhood — THANK YOU to our great donors and partners who worth the protection of riders and racers!
Organizations who use TKCF course markers ought to comply with the course marking guide to make sure a correctly marked course. The KCF will not be liable for course marking.
You can click on the logos under or occasion dates to study extra/signal as much as take part.
Adventure Rally & Camp offered by Honda
Support Provided:
Provided on-site 1-hour every day First Aid expertise seminar with AHA licensed, Riders 1st Responders teacher
Onsite KCF sales space and raffle help
AMRA (Arizona Motorcycle Riders Association)
Support Provided:
An in-depth course marking information and tutorial video.
Course marking supplies together with pink directional arrows, risks, street crossing, and course merge/cut up signage.
Medical Feather Flags (signifies medical workers location)
An in-depth course marking information and tutorial video.
Course marking supplies together with pink directional arrows, risks, street crossing, course merge/cut up signage, and orange directional arrows for youth.
Course Worker Safety Vests
Caution Flags
UMORA (Utah Motorcycle Off-Road Racing Association)
Support Provided by TKCF:
An in-depth course marking information and tutorial video.
Course marking supplies together with directional arrows, risks, street crossing, and course merge/cut up signage.
Donated PCI Race Radios to allow race personnel to speak with LESAR medics for quicker response time in medical emergency conditions
Last week, Mark Berg from Central Powersports Distributing drove all the way from Texas to Southern California to deliver several bikes for testing in future issues of Dirt Bike magazine. As the U.S. distributor for Rieju, Electric Motion, SWM, and now AJP, Mark brought a variety of bikes, but the one that had everyone excited was the Rieju 300MR Racing. This bike is the standard edition of the 300 two-stroke model. Rieju is a Spanish brand that took over the production of the bikes previously known as GasGas. Stefan Pierer acquired a majority interest in GasGas three years ago, specifically for the trials bikes. During that time, the two-stroke off-road bikes were temporarily discontinued until Rieju took over.
2024 Rieju MR300 Racing
What sets Rieju apart is its commitment to quality. The MR300 Racing, priced at $9,699, is not considered a budget brand. It comes with premium parts and is not associated with any Chinese parent company. While it may be less expensive than Husky’s TE300 model, it is by no means cheap. The bike has a slightly old-school feel, with a motor that dates back several years and lacks fuel injection and an electronic power valve. It is equipped with a Keihin Carb and an externally mounted electric starter. Rieju uses KYB suspension and includes an FMF silencer/spark arrestor as standard. One notable feature is the USFS-approved spark arrestor, which is uncommon on modern two-stroke bikes. The bike also features Nissin brakes, billet hubs, a backup kickstarter, map switch, handguards, a skid plate, and frame guards.
Pete Murray on the 2024 Rieju MR300 Racing.
One of the standout features of the Rieju 300MR Racing is its spacious and comfortable layout, which resembles what a 300 two-stroke from Honda might look like. The motor offers excellent torque, with spot-on jetting. It’s worth noting that it may run a little lean on pump gas when the weather cools down. In terms of power, it falls between the KTM 300XC and the 300XC-W, with a more aggressive feel than the XC-W model, especially at lower RPMs, but not quite matching the sheer power of the XC. Many riders find the XC too aggressive for off-road use, particularly in the green map. The Rieju 300MR Racing is comparable to the KTM 300XC in the KTM’s mild map. While the Rieju has its own mild map, it primarily affects the top-end power while leaving the bottom-end mostly untouched.
On the downside, the Rieju motor vibrates more than KTM or Husky models, and the suspension can feel slightly stiff. Although the 2024 Rieju model hasn’t been weighed yet, last year’s model without fuel weighed 242 pounds, which is a bit heavy, but further testing will provide more accurate information. A full test of the Rieju 300MR Racing will be featured in the January 2024 print edition of Dirt Bike magazine.
AJP’S NEW DISTRIBUTOR
Central Powersports, the U.S. distributor for various brands, is now also the distributor for AJP. AJP is a Portuguese brand that sources parts and components from around the world. While its smaller bikes use Chinese motors, the flagship PR7 model comes equipped with an Italian-built SWM motor. The PR7 is reminiscent of the SWM Superdual X, which was tested in 2019 and shares similarities with the 2011 Husqvarna TE630. The AJP chassis is designed for rally use and features a tower that houses a GPS-linked tablet. Currently, the PR7 is intended purely for off-road riding, but plans for a dual-sport version are underway. Look out for a short riding impression of the PR7 in the upcoming Dirt Bike magazine.
the PR7 is in full rally configuration as delivered. The price is $11,499.
CARSON BROWN’S KDX
Carson Brown and his KDX220.
Carson Brown and his father Duane share a passion for older bikes, frequently finding hidden gems and turning them into rideable machines. These bikes are not just for display—they are ridden hard. In their latest venture, they brought down a retro Kawasaki KDX220 last month. It was incredible to witness Carson’s skills on such an iconic bike from the past. Stay tuned, as there are big plans for this bike.
2024 HUSQVARNA NORDEN 901
2024 Husqvarna Norden 901
Husqvarna recently unveiled its 2024 Norden, which boasts several updates. The Cornering Motorcycle Traction Control (MTC) now offers ten different levels of rear wheel slip when the optional Explorer Mode is engaged. The bike also features a new USB port, hazard warning lights, and an updated exhaust system.
Technical highlights of the 2024 Husqvarna Norden 901 include:
New grey and yellow graphics for a distinct appearance
Revised Cornering sensitive Traction Control with 10 levels of adjustable rear wheel slip in Explorer Mode
New exhaust system for EURO 5+ compliance
New USB port on the side of the dashboard
New hazard warning system
Bosch Cornering ABS
Chromium-molybdenum steel frame with engine as stressed member
889cc parallel-twin engine delivering 105 hp peak power and 100 Nm of torque
Adjustable WP APEX suspension for exceptional comfort on and offroad
Four selectable ride modes (Street, Rain, Offroad, optional Explorer)
Ride-by-wire throttle with adjustable response (in Explorer mode)
Standard Easy Shift function (up and down Quickshifter)
PASC Slipper clutch
Tubeless spoked wheels with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires for balanced on and offroad performance
Large 19-litre fuel tank offering a range of up to 400 km
Optional Connectivity Unit for TbT+ navigation, phone calls, and music from a rider’s smartphone
That’s it for this week’s update. Be sure to check back for more exciting updates in the world of dirt biking!
The effectiveness of London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) has been a subject of debate, with no clear consensus even among scientific studies. So, it’s not surprising that the expanded version, now the world’s largest such zone, is not receiving unanimous support.
There are several arguments against it, some of which I can understand to varying degrees:
It may not make a significant overall difference, considering that London’s air quality is already improving and more polluting cars will naturally be phased out over time.
Many people don’t particularly want to drive around London but have limited alternatives.
It could disproportionately affect those who can least afford it, especially shift workers.
If the goal is truly to improve air quality, other measures such as banning domestic fireplaces and wood burners could be more effective. However, these measures may not bring in revenue for Transport for London.
Applying the ULEZ to those visiting Heathrow airport could result in significant costs for holidaymakers.
The inclusion of motorcycles in the ULEZ may be seen as pointless.
If authorities didn’t want us to drive diesel cars, they shouldn’t have encouraged their use for the past two decades.
Ultimately, some argue that the ULEZ feels like an attack on personal freedoms.
On the other hand, there is a compelling counter-argument to the issue of personal freedoms, questioning whether we should have the freedom to harm the health of others, particularly infants.
With conflicting viewpoints and no consensus, the ULEZ appears to be a divisive topic, potentially impacting votes on the peripheries of London. Interestingly, the protesters causing damage to ULEZ infrastructure, including about 500 cameras according to the BBC, don’t seem to be as unpopular as other recent dissenters. Nevertheless, the ULEZ is now in operation.
Munich. MINI, in collaboration with Lovecraft, is bringing creativity, self-realization, and community to the heart of Munich’s city life. The Lovecraft project is taking over a vast open space and eight floors to create a cultural warehouse and social hub spanning more than 25,000 square meters. This visionary project aims to redefine urban coexistence through innovative use of space. MINI is a long-term partner in this endeavor and actively contributes to its development.
Lovecraft is not MINI’s first venture in temporary urbanism collaboration in Munich. In 2021, MINI played a significant role in the Sugar Mountain project, which has now become a well-established meeting place. Lovecraft, formerly one of Munich’s largest department stores, is being transformed into an open cultural space.
The central meeting point within this vast building is the redesigned escalator located in the middle. MINI has transformed this escalator into a walk-in sculpture, connecting the floors through wooden stairs and slides. With bold colors and typographic elements, the redesign represents the concept of #BIGLOVE and showcases the diverse interests that visitors can enjoy in this unique space.
Lovecraft offers community areas, a food court, and a meeting theater. A wide range of cultural events, exhibitions, and fairs will be hosted, providing a varied program for visitors. The co-creation areas aim to foster the joint development of ideas and new projects. Additionally, two floors are dedicated to integrated movement areas for sports activities, including soccer, ping pong, and skateboarding. In the future, the Zero Waste Arena will provide opportunities for repair, reuse, and sharing.
The positive energy and creativity of Lovecraft extend to the exterior as well through augmented reality windowpanes and various art projects.
This central meeting place in Munich embodies MINI’s approach to “creative use of space” and exemplifies collaboration and collective creation for the future. By encouraging shared experiences, thoughts, dreams, and actions, this space offers urban society the opportunity to collectively envision the future. It invites all visitors to engage in an exciting experiment, aligning with MINI’s brand promise of sparking individuality to enhance people’s lives.
The official opening of Lovecraft will take place on September 9th and 10th in the heart of Munich.
McPherson College in Kansas has received a remarkable $1 billion donation from an anonymous donor. The college made the announcement on July 21, sharing the extraordinary news. The donor initially promised to double-match every $1 donation made by others until June 30, setting a cap of $500 million. However, the college raised a staggering $342 million, surpassing expectations and prompting the donor to increase the cap and contribute a total of $1 billion. With the existing endowment and other commitments, McPherson College will have an endowment of almost $1.6 billion, making it the largest of its kind for any small college in the US.
This news is particularly significant in the automotive world because of McPherson’s extensive automotive restoration program. According to the college’s website, it is the only four-year bachelor’s degree program of its kind in the country. The program offers various focuses, including historic auto tech, restoration management, communications, restoration design, and auto restoration tech.
The program goes beyond just rebuilding old Buicks. The school has also received a generous donation of a classic Ferrari from another donor. Currently, students are preparing a 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 S Cabriolet that they restored for the 2023 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where they aim to win rather than simply showcase the vehicle.
The $1 billion endowment will be used to expand academic programs and assist with college affordability. It is named the Ward-Burkholder Endowment after two of the school’s alumni who later became professors at McPherson.
McPherson College President Michael Schneider expressed his gratitude for the anonymous donor’s historic contribution. He stated, “Today is historic, not just for McPherson College, but for all small liberal arts colleges in America. I am incredibly grateful to our anonymous donor for giving us an unprecedented opportunity – and responsibility – to build and implement our strategic vision of becoming a destination learning community. We have also been given an amazing opportunity to honor two legendary alumni and professors, Dr. Ward and Dr. Burkholder.”
Founded in 1877, McPherson College offers more than 40 areas of study and has approximately 800 students.
Unlock Your Automotive Passion and Explore the Road Ahead
