You might not have heard too much about Rieju of late - but the Spanish firm makes some of the sweetest small-bore bikes around. It sources 50cc two-stroke and 125cc four-stroke motors from Yamaha's Italian subsidiary Motori MInarelli, and bolts them into trick little supermoto, enduro and race-replica chassis. The results are two-wheeled catnip to young riders - and completely hilarious for old duffers like me. The last time I rode a Rieju, we went to a local Kart track, and had far more laughs than I've had on many full-fat superbikes...
And now Rieju's making a big push into the UK. The parent firm has signed a deal with Three Cross Motorcycles in Wimborne to import the ace little machines, and is aiming to expand its position against the wave of cheaper Chinese machinery that's taken over of late. Three Cross is a legendary name in the business of course - it's been importing Peugeot scooters since 1994, but was also the main distributor for Cagiva, MV Agusta, Benelli and Moto Morini in the past.
The range includes the RS3 sportsbike and the supermoto-styled Trophy and Marathons - any of which will rock your world at 16 (in 50cc form) and 17 for the 125 versions. The two-stroke 50 is, of course, restricted, but can be rendered full power again. And it's almost worth the slow progression for the ring-ding smoking fun they provide.
We'll be trying to find our roots again on one of these soon...
For more information, telephone 01202 810100 or visit www.riejumoto.com or www.3xmotorcycles.com/
