Rieju coming to Australia
Rieju is Spain’s oldest active motorcycle manufacturer, celebrating over 75-year in production, and recently acquired the former award winning GasGas Enduro platform, upon which they’ve developed their own offerings.
For 2021 Urban Moto Imports will be bringing their premium hand-built enduro machines to Australia, and are in the process of re-establishing their enduro network across the country.
Joseph Elasmar – Urban Moto Imports CEO
“We are excited to be introducing Rieju motorcycles into Australia & New Zealand for our past and future customers. Rieju may be a new name in Australia & New Zealand, but its ancestry is smothered in Spanish Enduro pedigree. Rieju pickup the development where our former Enduro range left off, making it one of the most exciting and capable models in the off-road, two-stroke Enduro market to date. We look forward to building on Rieju’s 75 year heritage, whilst also continuing to support our past GasGas Enduro owners.”
Rieju is currently expected to launch in Australia late February and in New Zealand in March, with the dealer network to be announced shortly. Prices will be announced in February and online parts and accessories ordering will also be introduced soon after.
Better known for small capacity motorcycles and racing enduro 80cc machines, with multiple Spanish Championship wins, the likes of Marc Marquez, Pol and Aleix Espargaró, Tito Rabat and Carlos Checa took their first steps and achieved their first triumphs at the controls of a Rieju motorcycle.
Rieju also participated in Dakar as far back as 2009, when the brand developed the enduro Marathon 250 and 450 models which were campaigned by the Tot Curses team, with Filippo Ciotti taking a win in the standard production class on a Marathan 450 in 2011.
For the 2021 Dakar Rally, Joan Pedrero and Oriol Mena are competing in the FN Speed – Rieju Team in the Elite category, with Marc Calmet also representing the brand in the Marathon/Rookie category. Pedrero and Mena are both ranked within the top 25 in the overall rankings following Stage five, in 22nd and 23rd respectively.
Rieju is a family-owned business, producing 17,000 vehicles a year, covering a range of 38 different models and exporting to over 30 countries, including the USA, and exports 90 per cent of those vehicles. To date they’ve produced more than 500,000 units, with two-stroke enduro models in the 200, 250 and 300 cc capacity now on offer.
Rieju’s involvement in the sport has not been limited to participation in existing championships, but it has organised its own promotion cups with the philosophy of the brand being to help young people and developing the product in the demanding field of competition. An example of this is the Rieju Supermotard Championship (from 2000 to 2002) with more than 100 riders from Spain, or the Rieju RS3 RR Speed Cup, created in 2014 and still current today, which cradles young riders who will be part of a new generation of World Champions.
Jordi Riera – Rieju Motorcycles CEO
“It is my great pleasure to welcome Urban Moto Imports to the Rieju family and we look forward to working closely with them to distribute and grow our widening range of performance motorcycles that we have been producing in Spain since 1942. Rieju is one of Europe’s leading sellers of 2T manual gearbox machines and we are certain that the Urban Moto Imports team can replicate this sales success in Australia & New Zealand.”
Rieju’s “Hard Off-Road” two-stroke Enduro range will feature premium specs such as KYB Suspension with Twin Chamber Forks, Nissin Brakes, Magura Clutch, Direct Reed Valve VForce 4 Intake, Exel & Goldspeed Rims, Renthal Bars and Grips, XTRIG Rocs Triple Clamps, Dual Mapping, FMF PowerCore 2.1 Exhaust Muffler and much more.
Rieju offerings are expected to include the MR Pro available in 250 and 300cc versions, designed to be ready to tackle the mountains, or be fitted with a race number and raced enduro. The MR Racing will be available with a 250 or 300cc liquid-cooled 2T engine, with Kayaba suspension and Nissin brakes for a high level of specification, at a great price according to UMI.
The MR Ranger will also be available in a 200 and 300cc version, designed to be suitable for all types of riders, with light and easy handling, an eye for light enduro and without sacrificing comfort or usability.
Rieju Australia & New Zealand will also be looking to support local riders in state and national events, with any interested riders encouraged to submit their enquiry to [email protected].
UMI, a well-established and 100 per cent Australian privately owned company currently representing MV Agusta, Royal Enfield, Benelli, Peugeot, Super Soco and now Rieju, is celebrating over a decade as a leading motorcycle distributor in the region. Major plans for expansion in 2021 include a new state-of-the-art purpose built facility, along with the roll out of the Online Dealer System 2.0. UMI also promises continuing new steps to further streamline all processes to deliver exceptional dealer and customer service into the future.
