Rieju RS2 2006 — Specifications

Who knows Rieju outside of Iberian motorcycle enthusiasts? Very few people, which is a shame. Founded in 1934 by two Catalans, Luis Riera and Jaime Juanola, the brand from Figueres started by manufacturing bicycle accessories before moving into motorcycles in the mid-1960s. Nine decades of existence, a track record in national competition, and even a certain Carlos Checa — yes, the 500cc World Championship rider — who clinched a Spanish title under their colors. That's a heritage the RS2 carries without any inferiority complex.

Because this little 125cc sportbike doesn't do understated. The design is taut, almost aggressive, with a fairing line that vaguely evokes the big sportbikes of the era without slavishly copying their codes. The steel twin-tube triangular frame recalls in its proportions that of the Aprilia SL 1000 Falco — the comparison stops there, as the Italian machine used a far more noble aluminum-magnesium alloy — but the visual result is flattering. At 2,999 euros, about a hundred more than the Honda CBR 125 R, Rieju is clearly playing in the same category while claiming a sharper style than the Japanese machine.

Under the bodywork, no technical revolution — and that's deliberate. The 125cc four-stroke single-cylinder engine is Yamaha-sourced, air-cooled, with two valves per cylinder and a square bore of 54 x 54 mm. It delivers 15 horsepower at the rear wheel, or 11 kW, transmitted via a five-speed gearbox and chain. Top speed is capped at 120 km/h. On paper, it doesn't set the imagination alight. In practice, for a motorcycle tipping the scales at 110 kg dry, the power-to-weight ratio delivers enough liveliness to have fun on country roads without ever turning into a stress machine. It's the right balance for a new license holder who wants to develop their skills without frightening themselves.

The technical specification is reasonable without being spartan. The 35 mm Showa inverted fork up front and the rear monoshock with 120 mm of travel provide a sound foundation. A disc at each end, 100/80-17 and 130/80-17 tire sizes, a 10.4-liter tank. Nothing extravagant, but nothing to be ashamed of either. The mixed analog-digital instrument cluster deserves a special mention: well presented, it stands in sharp contrast to the usual austerity of entry-level machines.

What Rieju achieves with the RS2 is a coherent market position. The bike makes no claim to being an Aprilia RS 125 or a two-stroke Honda NSR — those knee-grinding machines beloved by track day riders. It targets the young A1 license holder who wants a fully faired sportbike that is reliable, easy to maintain, and capable of handling a road without falling apart after 10,000 kilometers. The Yamaha engine, with its reputation for solidity, provides reassurance on that front. On those grounds, the RS2 deserves more than a distracted glance at the back of a dealership.