Rieju

Rieju is a manufacturer of mopeds and motocycles based in Catalonia, Spain. The company name is based on that of its founders, Luis Riera Carré and Jaime Juanola Farrés. Originally created in to manufacture bicycle accessories, the company’s inception was put on hold by the Spanish Civil War. In 1934, Rieju was able to get its start. After over a decade developing its brand, Rieju moved from accessories to producing entire bicycles, and then into motorbikes with its first model, “the No. 1.” This moped ran on a French Serwa engine, and was released in 1947.

1953 brought with it the first bike with an engine designed by Rieju. This model proved a successful venture for the company during a difficult decade for Spanish industries as a whole. Rieju produced 5,000 bikes by 1961 and another 4,000 by 1965.

The company was less prosperous with its first scooter, the ISARD, released in 1958. Its strange design and high price point forced the company to discontinue the model in 1960. However, Rieju entered a new market with a line of sportbikes called the JACA, which were great commercial successes in the late 50’s and early 60’s.

In 1964, the company entered into an agreement with Italian engine company Minarelli that marked a new era for Rieju. The new cycles released with Minarelli engines were used as police vehicles, and powerful all-terrain bikes were added to the Rieju product line by the mid-70’s.

All-terrain bikes meant racing bikes, and in 1979 Rieju’s Marathon series was unveiled at the Barcelona Exhibition. A later model, the Sprint, would go on to win several Enduro championships in the 1980’s.

After celebrating the company’s 25th anniversary in 1994, Rieju decided to enter the French motorcycle market with an appearance at the 1994 Paris Exhibition. The 90’s would also foster a new line of motorcycles called the MRX series, as well as a revamped bicycle line. Rieju was able to strengthen its imports and exports through the rest of the decade. As the century turned, the company organized a Supermotard National Championship which ran from 2000 to 2003. New off-road bikes were introduced to compliment these tournaments, including the popular RS2 model.

Recent years have seen a new series of motocross bikes designed in conjunction with Yamaha, as well as the in-house built Tango. This bike can be used both as an enduro and trial competition bike, and is currently Rieju’s flagship motorcycle.

Related Information:

Malaguti Scooters

CoolSports