The 307 Aventura Rally grabs the sub-300cc segment and gives it a real shake
New to Australian shores, we get our first taste of a new model from an 80-year-old Spanish brand that might prove to be the leader of the small-bore adventure pack. But first things first: let’s get our tongues around the name. Rieju? The best approximation I have is “Ree Ay Hoo”. Reading like a post-Big Stoush II motorcycle company pro-forma, Rieju is a mash-up of the names of two guys with a passion for two-wheeled devices, flair, determination and vision. Starting with bicycle parts in the mid-1930s, their first moped hit the cobbled streets of Spain in 1947, followed by their first motorcycle, a 175cc four stroke in 1953. This was followed by a stylistically non-binary scooter/motorcycle in 1958, ironically called the ISARD (image above left). From 1959 to 1963, the road-going 175cc platform got an upgrade and was released as the JACA.
1964 represented a financial turning point for Rieju as they wangled a deal to supply tiddler Minarelli engines for both bikes and scooters. Apparently it’s not uncommon to see examples of these bashing along Spanish backroads to this day.
By the late 1970s, Rieju turned their attention to the enduro sphere. While still playing in the small-bore market, they asserted a strong presence, unashamedly off-road biased, leaning toward the late pubescent with a hooligan Supermotard 50cc offering. As the 1980s came to a close, the Marathon in 50cc and 74cc variants – one of Rieju’s most significant periods to date – settled in. A distinctive green bodywork (which I’m disappointed the Adventure Rally 307 didn’t use) established the brand so firmly that there is a strong Spanish demand for quality examples of these bikes to this day. They even pushed the boat out into automatic transmission territory during this time.
Come the early 1990s, Rieju seemed to have a knack for talking to the right people at the right time. They tied up deals for the Barcelona Olympics, Malaguti, Benelli and Castrol. What we now know as Supermotard was called a 50cc All-Terrain Moped. Rieju’s bikes and scooters entered markets across Europe, establishing the brand as one of quality and innovation. Toward the end of the 1990s, what looks awfully like the small-capacity ‘CBRR’ offerings from Japan gained a reputation for high quality and reliability.
By 2007 Rieju’s crystal ball was electric. Admirably, they ran with it, chasing e-bikes for both competition and city use while still catering to the hoon youth with small-capacity Supermotard and trail bikes.
By 2009 they were stepping out of their tiddler capacity niche, packing the Yammie WR 250 and 450 donks into high-end enduro bikes, punching out a few hundred postie electrics, various scooter models and exporting to over 20 countries.
In 2020 Rieju acquired the older Gas Gas off-road platform that KTM didn’t want, releasing them under their MR moniker. By this time, they were exporting to 40 countries and knocking out 12,000 bikes a year.
So… some 80 years since Rieju started rolling on two wheels, Australia gets a look in with the 307 Adventura Rally.
FAST-FORWARD TO NOW
Stumbling into the Urban Imports HQ at half past Sparra’s one grey, damp, cold Mudbourne morning, I spied some very tasty (and what turned out to be quite expensive) dirt bikes emblazoned with a name I’d only heard of a few days previously… Rieju. Bugger me, I couldn’t even pronounce it.
With a hot coffee in my cold mitts, I wandered out front to a line-up of small but tidy-looking ADV bikes. I have to fess up that I was quite anxious when I saw the talent assembled for our one-day test ride. A TT winner and a few gun off-roaders had me wondering what this silly old bugger had gotten himself into.
After an unusual, usual media presentation (the media manager was at a cop-shop after a road rage incident where a beaned-out nutter rammed him and brandished a machete), we struck out for Lancefield in the Macedon Ranges region.
This was an hour north of the soggy big smoke. Beauty… it’s starting to drizzle on country that had received a month’s worth of precipitation the day before… What could possibly go wrong?
OUT ON THE HIGHWAY
Spending an hour getting to the test site was a key part of the test in my view. Sure, a small-capacity bike might do okay off the beaten track, but what was it like to ride it there? Yeah, it whizzed along with portrait-orientated, iPad-like 7-inch TFT dash showing 8000 revs at 110 klicks but it didn’t feel buzzy or stressed. Any serious long-haul riding might be taxing, and I’d be inclined to trailer it close to the outback than ride it there. But… make no mistake, it feels like it will do it if you can!
The Dakar-inspired tower and screen gave me reasonable if not perfect protection, as did the 21-litre low-slung fuel tank and ancillary bodywork. That’s right: 21 litres. That’s a claimed range of 500km… Ozzie, Ozzie, Ozzie fuel capacity!
Powered by a Chinese-supplied 293cc liquid-cooled, four-stroke single, with a claimed 24.6kW (33.5hp) and a dry weight of 138kg, combined with a manageable 890mm seat height, the bike wasn’t as intimidating as the rider group. Despite claiming the most powerful engine in the 300cc class, this thing isn’t gonna stress your arm sockets. Mated with a six-speed gearbox and a slip-assist clutch, it has more than enough get up and want to tackle (and overcome) almost any dirt road the country has to offer. However overtaking on the highway takes a bit of planning.
No such case when it comes to stopping the little 307. Dual-piston calipers up front clamping on the 300mm wave disc have ample power and good feel. The rear stopper locks up and slides reliably when the ABS is switched off.
The 307 is designed not to require crash bars, thereby keeping it as light as possible. Hey, scratches are all part of the ADV cred.
Backlit switch blocks, wave discs, off-road footpegs with removable rubber inserts, adjustable suspension front and rear, hand guards that will take a minor spill and not explode on impact, shaped tank inserts with a bit of grip and the auto-brightening dash placed so it’s easily viewed in the standing position…. It all adds to the feel of a design package rather than a parts bin exercise.
Wizz-bangery is not a feature of this bike; easily switchable ABS that allows full rear wheel lock-up is about the extent of the tech to get one’s head around. It’s also refreshing not to have to master a new two-wheeled smartphone before heading out. It does have full phone mirroring, however, so you can put up your navigation app on the move.
Rieju’s accessory list has a slick-looking ‘Power Up’ kit for $1400, consisting of a lighter, freer-flowing muffler, CDI upgrade and air filter which they reckon will add another five ponies and 4Nm. I expect this to be a very popular upgrade. A 20mm lowering kit includes a shorter sidestand and there is an Öhlins rear shock and Andreani fork kit.
On the face of it, the Ree Ay Who 307 Aventura Rally (I wonder if it’s a translation thing that they meant to allude to the touring capability of the bike) is an entry-level bike, LAMS approved, non-threatening and balanced. It spins along dirt roads effortlessly and feels rock solid. When jumped over contour banks it lands impeccably and big hits leave it unflustered.
I survived the 4×4 tracks with only small undie skid marks to sort out afterwards. The bike was certainly ready for more!
✅ PROS – Simple, low tech, great ergonomics for my size, feels secure and planted off-road.
❌ CONS – Two holes in the front guard fire slop straight up into the cockpit, no heated grips offered or adjustable levers.
Competition
KAWASAKI 300 VERSYS – $9700 ride away
HONDA 300L RALLY – $10,699 ride away
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE
Type 293cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder with EFI
Transmission Six-speed
PERFORMANCE
Power 24.6kW (33.5hp) (revs not given)
Torque 27Nm (revs not given)
CHASSIS
Steel central spine frame
SUSPENSION
Front 43mm USD fork, compression/rebound adjustable, 235mm travel
Rear Linkage monoshock, adjustable, 235mm travel
WHEELS
Wheels Spoked 21in front and 18in rear
Tyres Michelin Tracker 80/100-21, 120/80-18
BRAKES
Front 300mm wave disc, two-piston caliper, ABS
Rear 240mm wave disc, single-piston caliper, ABS
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase 1420mm
Seat height 890mm
Dry weight 138kg
Fuel capacity 21L
PRICE/WARRANTY
$8990 ride away/two years
Contact urbanmotoimports.com
