Basecamp North

JOYRIDE: The Amazing AJP PR7 Adventure

topdog — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 13:42:27 +0000

Heavy Weight

Everybody’s talking weight-loss, yet most, considering themselves “adventure riders”, keep forking over their cash for pear-shaped, bloated machines. Is it the promise of power or the perceived image that tugs on your credit card, or do you honestly need the 100+ horsepower bolted to a 250-kilogram travel platform.

I am guilty of not asking myself this question while following the trend—if not blindly, then seriously nearsighted. After two decades riding loud Italian street bikes, I started my role stradling one of the absolute heavyweights of the adventure segment, a BMW boxer.

Stubborn, Stubborn Man

At 189 cm and 100 kilos, I am not a featherweight rider by any stretch of the imagination, so I felt pretty comfortable and well matched behind the speedo of the big lump. But all comfort ended when I encountered a dead-end trail with the nose pointing south. Turning 250 kilos of dead weight embedded in wet moss does not make for my kind of adventure.

Resistant to waking up, I’ve continued to trade my way through other heavy bikes until this summer, when I faced the unanswered question: What’s keeping you from choosing a different route and riding a lighter bike?

Fit For Adenture

To help me answer this question, I got help from trusted friends at AJP Nordic in Stockholm, who made a 2023 PR7 Adventure available for a few days stint along the ribbon of gravel roads, part of the Trans European Trail.

Throwing my leg over the tall sadle, the AJP felt unfamiliar yet comfortable. The riding position was nearly perfect, with all critical controls right where I wanted them, from foot lever angles to the thumb-operated remote for the impressive multi-functional Android tablet.

The light weight and narrow profile served up a real eureka moment, even before I pressed the start button. Hello, brave new world!

Gearing Up

When ordering a PR7, you’re presented with a number of options. In my case, “somebody” had opted for the race-mapped edition with 65 horsepower on tap rather than the standard model’s 46. Still a sucker for extra power on anything, the promise of extra “go” was welcome.

In preparation for a week on the road, I used a MoskoMoto Rackless 40 and a small duffle from the same brand. MoskoMoto also sent me a couple of their new tank bags to review: the cavernous “hat box” Hood tank bag and the minimalistic Gnome. I chose the ladder, which proved a tad too minimalistic, but more on that in a separate review.

Fitting bags and miscellaneous gear to the PR7 is a piece of cake. Not only does the no-nonsense bike design allow for easy access to critical components for service, but it is also super convenient for customizing your bike. Modern bikes all wrapped in plastic panels may look chic, but in most cases, the bikes are designed by industrial designers driving Alfa Romeos.

The AJP is a dream in this regard. The thoughtful way this bike is designed and built should be the gold standard of adventure bikes. Great job!

Hokus Pokus Free

Before rolling off, I kept note of the fact that the PR7 has no ABS, traction control, or programable riding modes. Maneuvering past new EU regulations, the PR7 is classified as a motorcycle for one person, the rider. The absence of passenger footpegs proves the point. (There are no back- and armrests available in the ordering form; this is a motorcycle.)

Another common detail with “pain in the ass” potential, the side stand sensor, has also been dropped. As soon as you take the weight off the stand, it folds up.

The guys at AJP have built a motorcycle around riders with enough confidence in their own basic abilities, rather than trusting dongles and button-pushing sequences to activate the desired level of hokus pokus. Having owned and loved an early cult bike from KTM, I just love this approach.

Power Is Nothing Without Control

The 65 horsepower from the 600 cc single is plenty to move the PR7 along, even with the combined tonnage of myself and my gear. For the bike alone, the scale stops at a mere 165 kg with all fluids in. For an adventure bike, this low weight is hugely important.

A 6-speed gearbox provides excellent ratios for all kinds of technical riding. The fuel delivery system forks power out in a rather snatchy fashion, but it is not at all problematic once you get used to it. Riding this bike up and over obstacles is easy. Even when your trust in your own abilities wears thin, support from this easy-to-control bike never fails. The generous ground clearance left me stunned, riding boulders on an old forest machine track. The 17-liter fuel tank gave in excess of a 300-kilometer range without the risk of running out.

I found the secure handling of the PR7 gave me room to push my limits and increase confidence as the miles racked up. I figure the main reasons for this are the agility of the geometry and the lack of bulk. Even with luggage, the bike handles like a smaller bike—well balanced and planted.
A couple of evening runs without the weight of the panniers revealed another positive characteristic under heavy acceleration and breaking: the bike steers and tracks like a true enduro bike. It´s fun and forgiving. The adjustable Sachs suspension allows for 300 mm of travel at the front and 280 mm at the rear.
Brembo brakes efficiently bring everything to a standstill in the typical composed manner. A single disk, both front and rear. The front disk has a dual piston caliper.

Small Issues

The couple of issues that plagued me during the week can be attributed to my own physical frame and my lifelong allergy to the Android platform. As an Apple fan, I never made friends with the anti-Christ-like behavior of the foreign operating system. For this, I take full responsibility.
In the couple of days I succeeded in operating the tablet without issues, I found it brilliant for route tracking, bike stats, and map information. With this fully functioning unit, you can check email, surf the internet, find the nearest restaurant, and order a pizza. Amazing convenience and a standard feature from AJP.

The other unfortunate detail was my inability to find a comfortable standing position on the bike in its standard configuration. The distance between the sadle and footpegs was too short, and the handle bar too low. Standing up resulted in a curled up, cramped, and painful posture—not at all conducive to bike control. Luckily, this is easily remedied with lowered pegs and a bar riser.

My Recommendation

So, is the AJP PR7 Adventure 650 a real adventure bike? If your definition of adventure riding is the same as mine, the answer is a resounding yes. During my week of riding the PR7, it more than satisfied my expectations. Its predictable and competent handling over different surfaces and at different speeds is a testament to what weight loss brings to an adventure bike. I would be happy riding this bike for a spirited evening stint or for weeks and months on adventures anywhere. In my estimation, the AJP PR7 should be an obvious choice for adventuring the Scandinavian outback.

Recommending this bike comes easy and with but a single exception: If your idea of adventure riding is a four-day highway run to Norcap and back, I would choose another bike. As much of a joy the PR7 is on winding B-roads, it is ill-fitting as an asphalt burner. That´s where 250 kg, 150 hp, and the optional backrest should be considered.

Warranty & Dealer Network

So you´re intrigued. I don´t blame you. The PR7 is a bloody good bike and you owe it to yourself to ride the bike before you put your money down for your next purchase. If you don´t like it you are richer by an experience. If it crawls in under your skin like it did mine, you´re in for a new chapter as an adventure rider. If you come from one of the heavy weights the AJP will show you down paths you never would dare on your old locomotive. And it will show you skill and confidence that comes naturally with it´s weight class.

AJP is a small brand compared to the giants, but that can work at your advantage. If the service and commitment we´ve experience after working with AJP Nordic for the last couple of years is an indicator for how AJP treats fellow motorcycle riders, you will be in the best hands. Find your distributor and start the dialogue there. https://ajpmotos.com/pages/dealermap

All AJP products are covered under the standard EU 2 year warranty rule. Service and warranty procedures are governed by your national distributor. Availability and delivery times may vary.

Basecamp North / Bibow

Good Winter Gear

topdog — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 16:39:27 +0000

Fake or real – plastic or organic?

So you finally invested in that great jacket or anorak you’ve been ogling and googling for months. But, as you’ve probably already notices, there’s something funny about the fur-looking-thing lining the hood. What animal is it? Chances are it´s not from an animal at all. It is most likely, fake fur.

Fake fur gained popularity in the 90´s when animal rights activists started shaming animal fur. In the following decade, outdoor clothing brands caved to activism and replaced their commonly used coyote fur with a fake substitute. Perfectly fine is you like the look and mostly plan to sport the garment walking high street, but if you plan to explore the outback in a blistering snow storm, disappointment awaits.

In the age of wokeism, veganism and fear of action oriented activists – we tend to take the easy way out on the matter of choosing animal fur.

But in fact, sticking to your guns on the matter is justified by solid arguments. Unless you are a devoted vegan, of course. In that case, our reasoning is always wrong.

What is Fake Fur

Fake fur is plastic. You know, the material made from coal and petroleum. Fake fur is typically fibers made from acrylic and polyester, glued in place. It is not biodegradable and ends up in nature as micro plastics. Fake fur shed harmful fibers every time it is used or when you clean it. We find it in the ocean, rivers and lakes, harmfull to the creatures that live there.

The Natural Alternative

Real fur – or let us just call it fur – comes from animals. It is 100 percent natural, high performing, durable and completely biodegradable. Fur insulates by trapping heat and filtering wind. If cared for properly it will outlast fake fur by a huge margin. If you buy from a responsible source, it is also sustainable.

Which is warmer

Fur is performing at a level that no plastic fur can match. With it´s natural undercoat, the real deal is warmer. Further more it sheds moisture and snow much more efficiently than the fake stuff. Snow and water is contained close to the surface, and won’t melt and freeze between layers. By staying fluff allowing for air to circulate, fur will not clog and deflate like fake fur will. It dries quickly if it gets wet.

These two images illustrates the difference quite well. Real fur shed even heavy snow, stays lofty and maintains it´s insulating properties. Fake fur collect any precipitation,
gets wet and soggy before collapsing in a slushy mess.

Made from animals

Those who chose fake fur do so because they think it´s better for the environment. But unless you object to killing animals all together, utilizing fur is by far your best choice – both for performance and when it comes to environmental impact. If purchased from a responsible and legal source, all fur comes from animals legally hunted or trapped according to strict regulations, in both North America and Europe.

Donor animals are not under threat of distinction or unnecessary suffering. They are hunted in numbers that rather protect species from overpopulation. For most hunters and trappers, selling fur is an important source of income that has sustained families of small rural communities for generations.

Choices

The outdoor industry is booming as more people want to experience and explore. “No such things as bad weather”, they proclaim –“ just the wrong clothing.”

True, but proper gear can make a huge difference. Mostly a question of comfort, but it can also be the difference between safe and sorry.

In the matter of fake fur, we doubt that your very life will ever depend on it. But if you’re concerned about the environment and well being of creatures big and small, you may want to think again. Because the fake stuff doesn’t come without negative impact to us all.

For shear performance we take our advice from the Sámi, Inuit and explorers alike. Go natural.

2 måneder med ABUS Modrop på hovedet

topdog — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 16:34:46 +0000

Abus Modrop – en allrounder på hovedet

Med min nye cykelhjelm har jeg forladt mit gamle hipsterlook og forhåbentlig også opgraderet min sikkerhedsfaktor.

Den bedste cykelhjelm er den du altid har på, har nogen sagt. Måske stammer citatet fra Poul Nyrup Rasmussen – jeg kan ikke huske det – men det lyder fornuftig, for en god hjelm er måske det vigtigste grep for at komme sikkert igennem cykelturen. Forfængeligheden behøver heller ikke lide, med det brede udbud fra de mange producenter af kvalitetshjelme.

Pas på knolden

Jeg bor langt ude på landet og cykler sjældent i trafik. For min del er det ture på mountainbike der lokker med smalle grusveje og smalle spor igennem skoven. Som motorcykelkører igennem fire årtier går der hurtigt en djævel i mig også på cykel, og personlig sikkerhed sørger jeg altid for, enten træstammerne passerer med 150 eller 25 kilometers hastighed.

Lav vægt – lækker komfort

Det første indtryk der rammer mig med min nye Abus MoDrop hjelm, er pasformen. Zoom-Ace heder systemet der ved hjælp af en drejeknap lader sig indstille til brugerens hovedform og størrelse. Tilpasningen er også højde-justérbar og hageremen fordeler trækket ved hvad Abus kalder TriVider, et justerbart plastbeslag.

Hjelmen sidder behageligt fast på “knolden” og vægten er minimal på omkring 330 gram. De fleste hjelme i denne klasse har en vægt på mellem 300-450 gram, afhængig af stødabsorberingsteknologi.

MIPS og Quin

MoDrop fåes med eller uden MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) og kan også udstyres med Quin-sensor – et accelerometer, der detekterer styrt og automatisk sender en alarm til et valgt telefonnummer. Både MIPS og Quin øger sikkerhedsfaktoren, men betyder også en smule ekstra vægt. Som standard benytter Abus EPS som stødabsorberende komponent i hjelmen.

Skyggen er justerbar og fremstillet i et fleksibelt og bøjeligt materiale, der beskytter ansigtet ved et styrt. Med skyggen justeret op er der plads til et par full size goggles. Den nederste del af det 2-delte skal, er støbt i et beskyttende hårdt materiale, en meget lækker detalje i sort lak.

Luftig sag

Hjelmen har 6 luftindtag, de forreste med indebygget fluenet – en dejlig detaljer og til en thumbs up fra alle der har prøvet at få et hidsigt insekt ind under hjelmen. Varm luft ventileres ud med hele 8 luftudtag bag på hjelmen. Abus forsikrer os om at hjelmen er “hestehale-kompatibel”….. det har jeg (af naturlige årsager) ikke haft mulighed for at prøve

Efter 2 måneders brug

De fleste moderne letvægtshjelme byder på god pasform og komfort. Kvaliteten fra anerkendte producenter er generelt meget høj. Så langt skiller Abus Modrop sig ikke fra konkurrenterne. Der hvor hjelmen imponerer, er i den overbevisende kvalitet og finish man får for en virkelig konkurencedygtig pris. Efter 2 måneders brug har vi ikke opdaget svagheder i materiale eller konstruktion. Hjelmen kan justeres til en perfekt pasform og bliver på plads igennem stød og slag fra terrænet. Den matte finish tåler tæsk fra grene og kviste, uden at blive ridset.

Abus Modrop fåes i 7 farver og 3 størrelser der passer hoveddiameter 51 cm til 61 cm og koster fra omkring 800 kroner.

Basecamp North / Bibow

Good Winter Gear

topdog — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 16:30:46 +0000

Fake or real – plastic or organic?

So you finally invested in that great jacket or anorak you’ve been ogling and googling for months. But, as you’ve probably already notices, there’s something funny about the fur-looking-thing lining the hood. What animal is it? Chances are it´s not from an animal at all. It is most likely, fake fur.

In the age of wokeism, veganism and fear of action oriented activists – we tend to take the easy way out on the matter of choosing animal fur.

But in fact, sticking to your guns on the matter is justified by solid arguments. Unless you are a devoted vegan, of course. In that case, our reasoning is always wrong.

What is Fake Fur

The Natural Alternative

Which is warmer

These two images illustrates the difference quite well. Real fur shed even heavy snow, stays lofty and maintains it´s insulating properties. Fake fur collect any precipitation,
gets wet and soggy before collapsing in a slushy mess.

Made from animals

Choices

The outdoor industry is booming as more people want to experience and explore. “No such things as bad weather”, they proclaim –“ just the wrong clothing.”

True, but proper gear can make a huge difference. Mostly a question of comfort, but it can also be the difference between safe and sorry.

For shear performance we take our advice from the Sámi, Inuit and explorers alike. Go natural.

2 måneder med ABUS Modrop på hovedet

topdog — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 08:47:56 +0000

Abus Modrop – en allrounder på hovedet

Med min nye cykelhjelm har jeg forladt mit gamle hipsterlook og forhåbentlig også opgraderet min sikkerhedsfaktor.

Pas på knolden

Lav vægt – lækker komfort

MIPS og Quin

Luftig sag

Efter 2 måneders brug

Abus Modrop fåes i 7 farver og 3 størrelser der passer hoveddiameter 51 cm til 61 cm og koster fra omkring 800 kroner.

Choosing Your Adventure Vehicle

topdog — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 10:06:57 +0000

Choosing a vehicle for adventure touring is a very personal one with plenty of considerations. Some are practical, some technical and some deeply rooted and personal.

Image enters into it as well. Do you have a secret desirer to appear macho or is a green profile more important. Are you traveling alone or with your family.

Size matter

RVs are becoming more popular, but most overlanders searching for a peace and quiet in rural areas opt for a smaller package. And honestly, the large RVs do not belong on the narrow gravel roads we usually travel along.

For that reason we count them out in this overview.

For many, big wheels and a matching rumble from a V-engine is a must. This, of course, translate into high running cost. On the other hand, large trucks and vans are sometimes found in the bargain department if you are looking for something used.

Modern SUVs have taken over the slot previously held by slightly more off-road oriented vehicles. Unfortunately, many of the cars in this category is designed more for looks than action. Plastic details, chrome, wide low profile tires and lack of all wheel drive generally lower the functionality off pavement. And overlanding is all about leaving pavement behind, right?

On All Four

All wheel- or four wheel drive greatly adds to an adventure travel vehicles usability. Most cars, vans and trucks sporting this feature also have extra ground clearance and beefier suspension. Some even have reduction gearboxes and differential locks of some sorts.

Taking your vehicle off-road isn’t an option in any part of Scandinavia – no matter if we are talking public or private land. This very strict policy makes a lot of sense. Protection the natural environment and leaving no trace is the way to go for all adventurers, even if our vehicles are capable of transversing rocks and mud. With that said, all wheel drive will get you unstuck and out of trouble in many situations and that is important when you are an hours or two away from a good neighbor with a John Deere. It is a feature we recommend.

Room for Gear

Cargo capacity is all important if you plan extended trips. Not only do you need room for your personal gear, you will also need room for food, water, cooking and other camping gear. You’ll be surprised how much you can cram into a smaller vehicle, but constantly unpacking all your stuff in order to access that coffee brewer at the bottom, quickly turns into a real pain in the ass. Organizing your gear in cases or boxes is always a good plan.

Determining the sweet spot between the size vehicle and the volume of your gear can make a big difference.

If you travel with bicycles, kayaks or a canoe you’re faced with even more decisions. Do you prioritize carrying the load inside your vehicle or on the roof or an extra rear rack. Your roof is prime real estate and can be used for load bars, a rack or even a roof tent. Adding weight to your vehicle’s highest point does not add to it´s drivability, but most adventure travel vehicles are not outfitted for high speed chases, so pay attention to your vehicles load maximums and use your rooftop sensibly. Anything you carry inside your car will benefit from higher safety against theft and will invariably arrive cleaner and dryer.

Extras

Make a dry run before you embark on your first adventure with a new vehicle . Spend a weekend in your driveway to explore the best ways to pack. Make sure your electrical system is in good shape. Running a refrigerator, charging mobiles, tablets, cameras, drones and items of your digital life, takes electrical horsepower. Be prepared for this.

Make sure to put all important items at the top of your assembly. First aid kit, coffee making gear, travel and insurance documents, etc.