The name mightn’t be immediately familiar. But Rieju manufactures bikes in the 50cc to 300cc range, covering the commuter, scrambler, and enduro classes.
The company also acquired the rights to Spanish company Gas Gas’s offroad models. We’ve put together a list of their models currently available in the UK.
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About Rieju
Though their name mightn’t be immediately familiar to UK riders, Rieju has been operating in Spain since the 1930s. Like many Chinese import bikes on the market, Rieju offers small displacement, commuter-friendly machines.
But unlike their Chinese counterparts, Rieju also makes true off-roaders. They use engines made through a collaboration between Italian manufacturer Minarelli and Yamaha.
Reliability and Build Quality
Rieju’s commuter 125cc bikes feel closer to their Japanese counterparts than those imported from China. And their price sits between these markers. At about 2799 GBP, these bikes are appealing to cost-conscious commuters. The switchgear, brakes, suspension, cables, etc., are solid.
The off-road, supermotard and enduro bikes from Rieju are built to a completely different spec.
The MR range is designed to stand up to hard-trail riding, dirt-track racing, and competitive use. They use higher-end forks, gas mono-shock rear suspension, bigger brake discs, more powerful callipers, and many other improvements.
Both ranges are currently imported into the UK, and parts are available. Rieju strongly recommended having their machines serviced by a mechanic familiar with their design.
The Rieju Range
Rieju Century 125
Specs:
- Type: Single Cylinder 4t – 125c.c. 4 Valve
- Gearbox: 6 Speed Manual
- Cooling: Liquid Cooled
- Fuel System: Electronic Injection
The Century 125 is a cafe racer inspired by Rieju’s classic 175 models from the 1950s. There’s some retro appeal and some convenient, modern touches here.
The teardrop-shaped tank, knee indents, and tubular steel frame give it some classic appeal. But the digital dash, upside-down forks, electronic fuel injection, and liquid-cooled engine are not features found in 125cc machines of the past.
Those with a keen eye may notice a distinct resemblance to Mondial’s HPS 125. The Century 125 shares the same chassis and engine as that machine. They look pretty different once set up – the exhaust routing and sump guard differences see to that. And the engine they both share is a reliable workhorse that puts out the maximum 15hp of the class.
Rieju MR 300 Pro
Specs:
- Type: 2-stroke, Single Cylinder, Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox: 6-speed
- Cooling: Liquid-cooled
- Fuel System: Electronic Injection
The MR300 is an impressive enduro machine. Rieju owes some of its brand recognition to its racing team’s success in enduro events. And the pedigree shows here. This 2-stroke machine is built off the last generation of Gas Gas 300cc enduros. And the MR will hold up to any trail you put in front of it.
This Pro model is fitted with some high-end parts compared to the standard model. An anti-friction treated Kayaba front fork with red anodized XTRIG ROCS triple clamps make up the front end. A gas mono-shock provides rear suspension.
Gold Speed rims built on red anodized hubs give the wheels a distinctive, premium look. A funnel web air filter and cooling fan help you squeeze some extra performance out of the engine. This is a powerful machine that will satisfy veteran riders on the trail.
Rieju MR 200 Ranger
Specs:
- Type: 2-stroke
- Gearbox: 6 Speed
- Cooling: Liquid-cooled
- Fuel System: Electronic Injection
The MR 200 Ranger is an adventure machine for those looking for a slightly more casual experience. The rest of the MR series is set up for performance in enduro, hard off-roading, and super motard racing. The MR 200 opts for a lower seat, a more manageable engine, and a softer suspension setup. This makes it an excellent option for newer riders or casuals.
But there’s still enough power for some serious romping in the dirt. Rieju has just built an option for those who aren’t solely focused on performance. It’s neutral feeling, easy to handle, and delivers smooth, controllable torque.
We like that Rieju has opted to build a ‘starter’ model. It’s as reliable and durable as the rest of the range. But it’s a significantly less intimidating ride for newbies or those stepping off a commuter bike.
Rieju MR Ranger 300
Specs:
- Type: 2-stroke
- Gearbox: 6 Speed
- Cooling: Liquid-cooled
- Fuel System: Electronic Injection
This is Rieju’s 300cc MR in a tamer configuration. Like the 200 Ranger, this 300cc version features a lower seat, less torquey engine, and a softer, more forgiving suspension. There’s still plenty of power here. It’s just not tuned or specced as high as the rest of the MR range.
This bike makes sense for riders who want a capable enduro/off-road machine that doesn’t sacrifice comfort. It’s geared for having fun in the muck. But it won’t send you careening over a cliff with one errant touch of the throttle.
These bikes are an excellent idea for competent riders who aren’t into competitive riding. Wealthy farmers with a taste for the finer things could also use this as a field bike.
Rieju MRT LC Pro 125
Specs:
- Type: 4-stroke
- Gearbox: 6-speed
- Cooling: Liquid-cooled
- Fuel System: Carburettor
The LC pro is lightweight and fun and built around a liquid-cooled, 4-stroke Yamaha engine. Some weight is shaved down using an alloy silencer and a compact, dual-beam chassis. The riding position is upright but comfortable. An adjustable seat height means you can dial in the perfect position. And the shorter frame means throwing the bike around with your body weight is easy.
A rear mono shock helps to reduce overall weight further. The front uses high-end, 40mm Marzocchi upside-down forks. The large, heat-dissipating discs (300mm in font and 200mm at the rear) are stopped by a powerful, radial-mounted AJP dual-piston calliper. Steel-braided hoses complete an impressive braking system.
As standard, the bike ships with Pro Alloy handlebars, Domino grips, handguards, fork protectors, and a digital instrument panel. All in all, this is a fun-looking 125 with an excellent power-to-weight ratio.
Rieju MRT 50 LC
Specs:
- Type: 2-stroke
- Gearbox: 6-speed
- Cooling: Liquid-cooled
- Fuel System: Carburettor
This is an excellent example of a 50cc with decent, ‘full-sized bike’ aesthetics. It uses the same compact, dual-chassis frame as the rest of the range. This keeps the weight down and evenly distributes the bike and rider’s weight. The wheelbase is longer than many other 50cc bikes from other manufacturers. This helps the LC handle some uneven terrain.
The engine is the latest NG, liquid-cooled, 2-stroke from Yamaha Minarelli and produces respectable power for its class. The LC also features a close-ratio, 6-speed gearbox.
Low-profile tyres on alloy rims make the wheelset stand out and help to keep this smaller bike in proportion. The brakes also borrow many ideas from Rieju’s more premium line. The front uses a 260mm wavy disc, and the rear has a 200mm disc. These dissipate heat faster than standard brakes and perform well in high-stress situations.
This is a cool, entry-level supermoto – way better than what smaller bikes for younger riders used to look like.
Rieju Strada 125
Specs:
- Type: 4-stroke
- Gearbox: 6 -speed
- Cooling: Liquid-cooled
- Fuel System: Injection
This is Rieju’s take on the affordable commuter. Their website lists it as a functional alternative to public transport. And with its low price tag and excellent fuel economy, this is a compelling alternative.
The electronic, fuel-injected engine boasts a whopping 100 kilometres on about 1.9 litres. And it’s comfortable too. Many single-cylinder 125cc bikes can feel buzzy and full of vibration. Here, a built-in balance shaft minimizes the issue.
The suspension comes in the form of telescopic forks up front and dual rear shock absorbers with pre-load adjustment. They aren’t as high-performance as those on other Rieju models. But the suspension here offers a comfortable ride in urban environments.
The Strada is a popular choice in Spain for commuters. And we can see why. It’s a simple machine in the style of Honda’s CBF – lightweight, agile, and fuel efficient. It doesn’t look as cool as some enduro models from Rieju. But the performance and value are there.