RIEJU RR50 (1998 - on) Review

Overall rating

The Rieju RR50 has been around for a long time and it still has a basic, trials style appeal to many a 16 year old. Showa suspension, tall seat, big bike feel and a fair bit of speed ( once de-restricted ) from the Minarelli 50cc motor, which has 6 gears.

• Read: top 50cc scooters and mopeds

There was also an RR125 in the late 90s, which used a punchy Gas Gas trials sourced motor.

Ride quality & brakes

The Rieju RR series use high quality Showa suspension from Honda, so the bike offers a classier ride than many budget trail style 50cc machines from the Far East. The seat height is a lanky 890mm, so you feel perched up on the bike, but that's no bad thing sometimes. Basic saddle on the RR series however, so comfort isn't that brill.

Engine

For a mere moped, the Rieju RR50 has plenty of zip, once you derestrict it, which should only be done once you're 17. Ahem. Moving on, the RR50 makes the same 8bhp as the RS2 Matrix Rieju, which has a racy fairing to squeeze another few mph from it, but the RR should be capable of 50mph. The RR125 uses the same trailie bike chassis, so it goes very well indeed and makes a useful off-roader.

Reliability & build quality

The Minarelli water-cooled motor is used in all kinds of Italian, French and Japanese badged 50cc machines. It can take some serious stick and there are a few aftermarket tuning kits/upgrades about for it as well - might blow up once tuned to buggery however. The chassis is tough enough to handle regular off-

Value vs rivals

The Rieju RR series are expensive machines for sure, but the prices of the 50cc models has fallen by a few hundred quid in the last few years as the Chinese trailies have arrived in large numbers. £1700 isn't a huge price for a such a stylish 50cc motorbike. The RR125 is getting a rare sight now, but makes a great used 125cc class buy if you can get a good one. Find a Rieju RR50 for sale.

Equipment

The RR Rieju machines look pukka, no doubt about it. Proper suspension, neat headlight and nose fairing, mirrors and disc brakes front and rear. It's a well equipped little bike, as you'd expect for something that costs two grand brand new.