KIWI RIDER JANUARY 2021 VOL2 | Page 24

DIRT NEWS

RIEJU HEADS TO NZ

S pain ’ s oldest motorcycle manufacturer , Rieju , is officially heading to Kiwi shores with the appointment of Urban Moto Imports as the Australasian distributor of the brand . The first examples of the hand-built Rieju enduro line are expected to start arriving from February , with the bikes based on the last of the pre-KTM era GasGas two-strokes . “ ​We are excited to be introducing Rieju motorcycles into Australia and New Zealand for our past and future customers ”, says Urban Moto Imports CEO Joseph Elasmar . “ Rieju may be a new name in Australia and 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 . ​ “ The Rieju brand is expected to launch here in New Zealand in March – UMI is currently firming up its local dealer network for the brand – with pricing to be announced next month . While we don ’ t know exactly what pricing will be at this stage , UMI has indicated that the Rieju lineup will be priced “ very competitive .” Online parts and accessories ordering will also be introduced soon after , which should aid in the prospective ownership experience or the relatively unknown brand on our shores .

Who Is Rieju ? With 75 years in the business , Reiju is Spain ’ s oldest active motorcycle manufacturer , an impressive feat in itself yet the company is 100 per cent family owned to boot . The wider factory produces 17,000 vehicles a year across 38 different models , with the bikes we ’ re about to see this year based on the 2017 + GasGas range , the rights to which Rieju bought off GasGas ’ previous owners , Torrot , last year . Rieju ’ s “ ​Hard Off-Road​ “ two-stroke Enduro range features premium spec components including KYB Suspension with Twin Chamber Forks , Nissin Brakes , Magura Clutches , Direct Reed Valve VForce 4 Intake , Exel and Goldspeed Rims , Renthal Bars and Grips , XTRIG Rocs Triple Clamps , Dual Mapping , FMF PowerCore 2.1 Exhaust Muffler and more .
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