Could the Rieju Xplora 557 be the UK’s Next Leftfield ADV Option?

There is a growing number of adventure motorcycles landing in the UK from relative unknown bike makers, with the latest being the Rieju Xplora 557.

We already get Rieju bikes here in the UK, in fact, we reviewed the dinky Rieju Aventure 125 last year, and we get that bike’s bigger sibling, the Aventura 500, over here too. The latter of those two bikes, though, is a fairly focused machine, with a proper 21-inch front wheel, an underseat rally-style fuel tank, and a whopping 190mm of suspension travel at both ends.

So, there’s a gap in the range for a more road-focused adventure touring bike from Rieju, and that is where the Xplora 557 comes in. With cast wheels (17-inch at both ends) and KYB suspension dialled in for road touring, it could be the perfect machine for a two-up tour - if it ever makes it here.

The frame of the bike is a simple steel trellis with a steel sub-frame, which is backed up by a cast swingarm. The braking system comprises four-piston calipers at the front, which bite down on 320mm discs and the whole system is governed by a two channel Bosch ABS system.

Up in the cockpit, you get a hefty looking seven-inch TFT dash, which beings with it Bluetooth connectivity for turn-by-turn navigation, calls, music and more. You also get radiator guards, hand guards and a luggage rack as standard, and there is a USB-C socket tucked away beneath the dash. Fancy a bit more year-round comfort and you can add the optional heated grips, with a top-case and centre stand also coming as an optional extra.

The only real downside to the bikes is that the little parallel twin-cylinder only produces a claimed 47bhp, and as it weighs in at 215kg (dry, so nearer 240kg fully fuelled), it’s not going to be the fastest way to cross a continent. That said, with a starting price in France of €6,199 (£5,200), it does look like a very cost-effective option in the on-road touring segment.

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