About AJP Motos
IN 1981, AND AT THE AGE OF ONLY 22, ANTÓNIO PINTO OPENED UP A MOTORCYCLE REPAIR SHOP SPECIALIZED IN MODIFYING ENDURO AND OFF-ROAD MOTORCYCLES
Later, in 1987, AJP Motos was founded and its first creation presented: the ARIANA, equipped with a 125cc two-stroke engine from Casal, bearing the name of António Pinto’s daughter who was born that same year. This bike was produced in a limited series of 25 units, but already presented original technical solutions that would be further explored in future models. In 1991 AJP established a partnership with Petrogal (Portuguese Petroleum company – now Galp Energia), whose major results were the development of the AJP Galp equipped with a 50cc two-stroke engine and of a wide range of synthetic oils for 2-stroke engines, as well testing unleaded petrol.
From 1991 to 2000, AJP participated in the National Enduro Championship with the GALP 50, winning five consecutive titles from 1996 to 2000. AJP also participated in the National Baja Championship with victories in 1996, 1997 and 1999. 2001 represented a turning point for the company: the launch of the AJP PR4 with a 125cc four-stroke engine. Once again, innovation was present in this model, which featured the fuel tank under the rider’s seat and a solid cast aluminium swingarm, both innovative components that are still present in current models. The location of the fuel tank allows an improvement of the dynamic behaviour by reducing the gravitational axis of the motorcycles. The PR4 125cc marked the beginning of AJP’s exporting activity, with the first units being shipped to several European countries such as France, Germany and Great Britain.
In 2003, AJP moved to a new factory in Lousada and in 2004 presented a new version of the PR4 with a 200cc 4-stroke engine. Despite offering a more powerful engine, this model shared the same components as the original 125cc model.
Thanks to this version, AJP expanded its business to Spain, Poland, Italy and Greece. In 2007, the AJP PR3 200cc MX is launched. The model featured a new frame concept developed by AJP with aluminium beams bolted to a steel cradle. The simplicity and lightness of this solution revolutionized the bike and its visual appearance, presenting a more modern and attractive design. Soon after, the PRO version was launched, with a set top quality suspension components. Weighing just 89 kg, the PR3 became the lightest four-stroke 200cc enduro bike in the world, with its short wheelbase providing the agility of a competition bike.
By the end of 2008, with the homologation of the PR3 series for road use with both 125cc and 200cc engines, AJP had a strong increase in sales. In 2009, AICEP Capital Global becomes a partner of the project ad its participation provided the company with the necessary financial resources to further develop its expansion plan. In late 2009, AJP presented its most ambitious project to date: the PR5 series! With EU homologation for road use, the PR5’s 250cc engine was equipped with an electronic fuel injection system and featured all the technology developed by AJP through the years: fuel tank under the seat, composite frame (aluminium beams bolted to a steel cradle) and solid cast aluminium swingarm.
The AJP PR4 240 Enduro Pro - The ultimate do-it-all off-road bike. This motorcycle has it all: a class-leading low seat height, fully adjustable Marzocchi forks and Sachs shock, bullet-proof 240 size engine with factory oil cooler, electric and kick start, hybrid Aluminum/Steel frame, 520 o-ring chain, full enduro lighting, and extended coverage skid-plate. All these high-end components are mounted to a chassis graced with the shortest wheelbase by far of any full-size enduro bike. To round-out the packaging – we’ve made the fuel cell translucent to better see the actual fuel level, then moved that cell from its traditional location up high and forward to a lower, more mass centralizing place directly under the rider’s seat. -Seat height - 920 Mm (36.2 Inches) If Adjustable, Lowest Setting.
Praised by the specialized press worldwide, the all the PR series opened up new markets for AJP, such as Malaysia, Japan, Brazil and Australia.