Australian trainer and vlogger Barry Morris evaluates the AJP PR7, KTM 690 Enduro R, and Husqvarna 701 Enduro in a new video. He draws on his extensive experience with big-bore single-cylinder motorcycles to assess their suitability for riders seeking high-performance options. The review highlights differences in power, features, and market availability.
In a video published on March 10, 2026, Barry Morris, an experienced Australian motorcycle trainer and vlogger, provides a head-to-head comparison of three prominent big bore thumper motorcycles: the AJP PR7, KTM 690 Enduro R, and Husqvarna 701 Enduro. Morris, who describes himself as having spent countless hours on such bikes over two decades and personally owns an AJP PR7, questions which is the best thumper currently available, especially given the limitations of Japanese 650cc models, which he calls 'plodders' lacking high performance.
The AJP PR7 stands out as an unconventional choice. Manufactured in Portugal by AJP, it uses an engine derived from the old Husqvarna 600 design, originally produced when BMW owned Husqvarna and built bikes in Italy. The engine is now made by SWM in Italy and includes a six-speed gearbox and hydraulic clutch—features absent in most Japanese 650s. It also incorporates electronic fuel injection (EFI) from Athena. In the United States, the AJP PR7 is sold as an offroad-only machine with an MSRP of $11,499. However, it is available as street-legal in other markets. Recently, Triple Clamp Moto announced plans to import it to Canada, and it is gaining traction in Australia, as evidenced by Morris's video.
In contrast, the KTM 690 Enduro R and Husqvarna 701 Enduro are more established options worldwide. Morris notes that these bikes offer significantly more horsepower, which could be a deciding factor for many riders. Previous ADVrider articles have covered the KTM 690 platform and Husqvarna 701 in detail, allowing riders to compare Morris's views with their own experiences.
The review emphasizes the street-legal (or street-legalish) nature of these thumpers, positioning them as alternatives to less powerful Japanese competitors like the Kawasaki KLR 650, which is the only such model with EFI but not truly Japanese-made.
