AJ1 Pro - A8

[Mumen Rider]

https://i.ibb.co/njkFM2n/aj1proa8.jpg (https://ibb.co/PgCdGp9)


https://aj1moto.com/collections/aj1-pro-series/products/aj1-pro-a8-nb300



This thread is currently a place holder for my newest purchase, it should arrive around the end of November or early December. I paid no where near the MSRP listed on that website even with shipping included. I opted for the full set lighting and speedometer, basically what you will find on the Templar X 250 so that's going to add time before my order ships by a couple of days.



I really have to say that GPX, Kayo, SSR Motorsports, and Orion are making a ton of money selling these bikes for the prices they do.

[Thumper]

Isn't AJ1 the outfit that has been selling Chinese engines? Looks like lots of good design choices and components. I've been thinking about the TM38 for a while now. This bike looks good.

[Mumen Rider]

AJ1 is a manufacturer of dirt bikes and they work with all the major suppliers from what I have gathered. The new TM38 looks nice, EFI seems to be a western market thing for now. The Trailmaster JHL Pro bikes look to be using many of the same components as the AJ1 bikes. I'm 99% sure that Trailmaster bikes are just relabeled Zuumav bikes. Depending on what bike and engine you're looking for you can save several thousand dollars buying direct from China. Vitacci also sells a 300cc TM38 type bike now called the "db-k8" in the states. They didn't even bother to hide the fact that it's a Zuumav K8 300.

[Mumen Rider]

https://i.ibb.co/PDvskPw/1733085267631.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)


It's finally arrived.

[Mumen Rider]

I just have to remove it from the metal frame now but I have to say the quality is even better than the Paladin 300. Every single bolt is a torx or hex, the kickstand is a direct KTM copy(dual spring), the rear suspension is labeled(300lb spring), the brake rotors are painted on the edges inside and out where they were machined, there are torque specs laser etched on components. For the money spent($2400) I am extremely satisfied. The newer G-26, H-26, K-26 Hengjian/XGZ models are out, based on the 23-24 KTM and I have found a supplier who has them cheaper than this AJ1 by a couple hundred. It also came with a jet kit for the carb.


Edit: The bolts for the metal cage around the bike are labeled 8.8! That's crazy. The nuts are captive nuts welded to the frame also.


https://i.ibb.co/jvndGPh/1733091751189.jpg (https://ibb.co/jvndGPh) https://i.ibb.co/4spDBFR/1733091751254.jpg (https://ibb.co/4spDBFR) https://i.ibb.co/QfKvCpZ/1733091751301.jpg (https://ibb.co/QfKvCpZ) https://i.ibb.co/Sn7MS2N/1733091751357.jpg (https://ibb.co/Sn7MS2N) https://i.ibb.co/G7qPSS7/1733091751415.jpg (https://ibb.co/G7qPSS7)

[buzz]

Whos the supplier??/

[Mumen Rider]

If you're actually interested in purchasing one just send me a PM and I will tell you which supplier I used.

[Mumen Rider]

https://i.ibb.co/Pr1SSkk/1733109457274.jpg (https://ibb.co/RgQ5588)


The front forks are two inches shorter than the Paladin and the seat isn't as thick so it also sits lower.

[OldGuy]

I am curious about the various suspension units being installed, and the quality potential. Revalving & respringing of forks isn't too difficult - I've never torn into a rear shock and would likely seek an appropriate replacement if needed. The quality of hardware is a great indicator that someone is serious about this product.


Direct purchase from China does save some $$ - there are risks as well, but having done this for a rather serious audio amplifier it's something I am willing to do. I am looking at ordering LiFePO4 cells, BMS, and case directly (48v for solar use), significant savings there as well.


Can you point me in the general direction of the "23-24 KTM clones you mention? Not asking for a specific supplier yet, just info on the bikes themselves. Are these different versions of the Chinese KTMs?

[Mumen Rider]

The quality of hardware is a great indicator that someone is serious about this product.


I agree, I would rate the quality of this bike above the X-Pro Paladin 300.



Direct purchase from China does save some $$ - there are risks as well


You can mitigate that risk by paying more for them to crate the frame up, the cost for that varies upon your supplier. It honestly isn't much.




Can you point me in the general direction of the "23-24 KTM clones you mention? Not asking for a specific supplier yet, just info on the bikes themselves. Are these different versions of the Chinese KTMs?


https://www.xgzmoto.com/


http://hjmotorcycle.com/


No current KTM dirt bike is made in China, everything sold out of there is a copy. GPX owners claim Hengjian Motorcycle has a license with KTM and blah blah blah but they don't and never did.






https://i.ibb.co/Cn2bW0v/1733325062881.jpg (https://ibb.co/sFHKt3Q)





Currently in the process of tearing the bike down to go through it for grease and torque everything to spec. So far I have managed to sheer a brake rotor bolt off and a radiator guard side panel mount(they are those annoying brass inserts that can spin if someone originally torqued them down too tight). The spark plug that came installed is an NGK(and a legitimate one at that according to my multi-meter and locally bought NGK to compare). The overflow bottle is located inside of the frame instead of being mounted behind a radiator like on the Paladin 300.

[Mumen Rider]

Oh boy, I found a supplier who is selling me parts at cost. I bought a complete wiring harness for $17 and complete engine gasket sets for $8 each. I'm going to replace all the terminals with deutsch DT and DTM connectors, they've hardwired the current road light kit on it. I inquired about a fuel pump for the Paladin 300 too, unavailable sadly.

[Dusman]

That’s awesome Mumen. I think your thread here will motivate some people to start looking at some of these direct suppliers instead of going through an American middleman so as to save some $.

[Thumper]

Oooo. A carburetor. Now you have my attention. Rear tire looks different than the one that came on the Paladin. Not DOT, I imagine, looks more aggressive.

[Mumen Rider]

It's a different Chinese brand, Cordial and you're right it's not DOT. It's a 120/90-18 tire.



The carb is a Nibbi PWK34, I have a PWK32 that I will use instead.

[OldGuy]

Interesting, XGZ is showing a 300 two stroke. It actually claims KYB fork, Brembo caliper, etc.


The current models of the KTM 790 are coming out of China, being built by CFMoto. Now if KTM is convinced of the quality there, it bodes well for at least some of these manufacturers. The real irony is that KTM has serious issues with their 2018-2020 KTM 790 engines built in Austria! Problem with cam wear is really biting them in the rear.


Edit to add: HJMoto is also selling a 300 2T, but for those of you up North, check out THIS crazy thing: http://hjmotorcycle.com/details.aspx?t=6&contentid=75

[Mumen Rider]

Some XGZ are made by HJ, they do have more variety than what HJ sells themselves. China does produce Brembo brakes and has been for years now, they also make brakes under different brands for example J.Juan, ByBre and AP Racing. The unbranded cheap Chinese calipers on Aliexpress are a copy of Brembo calipers without the logo. KYB used to manufacture in China but doesn't anymore so I think those forks would be counterfeit, which isn't surprising.

[OldGuy]

As I finish dialing in my Paladin this thread came back to mind. Please update as you progress. Also: what is this engine based on from what you can tell, and what sort of tuning/power delivery/usage is it designed for? Going back to the AJ1 website, they do describe versions as MX & enduro - and the 300 2T that I linked before - what I am getting at is are these going to actually offer similar performance? Could that 300 2T be anywhere near comparable to a KTM? What are you expecting performance wise from this bike?


Taking another look at your photos vs. the AJ1 site, the clutch is on the R side of the engine on your bike, but their pictures specifically show it on the left - this gets back to my questions about the engine itself: WHAT are they using, and what is it based on?



One more question, if I might: what are you seeking from this bike different from the Paladin? Please forgive if I'm pushing a bit too much, but getting over the shock of HOW GOOD the Paladin seems to be, and your exuberance about this bike being even higher quality, has me pondering a pure dirt bike (yeah, 300 2T!) in a few months.

[Mumen Rider]

Progress has halted, I am currently very sick with the flu for the last two weeks almost. The engine(NB300) I ordered mine with has the potential to make 27WHP when jetted correctly. It also shares bottom end components with the air cooled ZS172/175 which was another deciding factor, common parts availability and cheaper prices. The website pictures show the NC250/300 engine which is based off of a Honda I think. I can't tell you anything about the two strokes other than they are an old Yamaha engine. The AJ1 was ordered before the Paladin, I only bought the Paladin because of the really cheap price(at the time).



https://i.ibb.co/zVf6QVR/a81771e95ca93ec384538dc72bebabe7.png (https://ibb.co/XxJYjxs)

[Mumen Rider]

https://i.ibb.co/VcPm1RzL/1739405900807.jpg (https://ibb.co/C3T2cgYw)


Dual sport wiring harness complete, it was a lot more involved than I thought it would be. I now know how every single Chinese type dirt bike or dual sport is wired up, that's a plus. I threw a Mikuni TM32 clone with a 125main and a 38 pilot, runs fine but I haven't yet tuned it with my wideband.

[buzz]

looks good

[Dusman]

That thing looks great Mumen!

[Mumen Rider]

Mounted a Nicecnc KTM adjustable kickstand, the OE unit was too tall. It's a shame X-Pro went with a non-standard kickstand solution.



https://i.ibb.co/39nc1tJy/IMG20250227153543.jpg (https://ibb.co/67kFY6dR)


I also learned today that in Russia you can source a clutch cover for the NB300/CBS300 that has an actual hydraulic unit, not one of those hybrid cable hydro conversions. It's $300+ USD. Custom exhaust heat shields are available for China bikes over there too.