AI Spotlight
This Ultralight Entry-Level Adventure Bike Looks Like an Absolute Blast
The Dakar-inspired bad boy is designed in Spain, made in China and tough enough to go anywhere it pleases.If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn moreBased in northeastern Spain, specifically the small town of Figueres, birthplace of Salvador Dalí, Rieju may not be on the radar of most American motorcyclists.But considering what it’s doing in the off-road space lately, that may not be the case for much longer.If the Aventura Rally 307 rides half as good as it looks, we’re all in for a treat. - Credit: RiejuThe brand’s burgeoning entry-level ADV, the Aventura Rally 307, is the rare small-displacement bike where the specs seem impossible and the prospects feel impossibly fun.Should this bold beauty land stateside (fingers crossed!), it could have better-known brands scrambling to catch up.Small thunderConsidering how much the adventure bike segment has been growing lately, this bike seems perfectly positioned to meet the market of newer riders looking to hit the trails.While it is manufactured in China as part of a partnership with Chinese moto monolith Loncin, the Aventura Rally 307 retains roots that are quite Iberian.With nearly 11 inches of ground clearance, the bike is capable of surmounting a wide range of technical terrain. - Credit: RiejuRieju’s R&D team tested the bike in the Touareg Legend Rally, which traces the original Dakar Rally route, without assistance, putting both off-road chops and long-distance capability to the test.What emerges is a bike that not only channels timeless Dakar style but backs it up with some tempting numbers.Switchable ABS means you can opt for maximum security or choose to kick up dirt, your call. - Credit: RiejuThat starts with the beating heart, a 293cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine Rieju says is the most powerful in the 300cc category.While 33.5 horsepower and 20 ft-lbs of torque might not seem that potent, it should feel especially lively, propelling a bike with a dry weight of just 302 pounds.Roads optionalThat number jumps to 353 pounds with a full tank, but that’s because Rieju went big with fuel capacity, more than 5.5 gallons, making longer-distance adventures (300-plus miles before fill-up) more realistic.Other figures add juice to the Aventura’s go-anywhere promise, including 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels bouncing along on some serious suspension.The adjustable suspension travel offers a generous 9.25 inches of give, front and rear. - Credit: RiejuThe adjustable 43mm upside-down fork and progressive rear shock offer a bonkers 9.25 inches of travel, letting you take a look at the road less traveled … and then veer off where there is no road at all.That degree of compression, as well as the bike’s low weight, takes some of the edge off the 35-inch high seat.So do rider-friendly features such as a slipper clutch and fully switchable dual-channel ABS system.Contrary to popular belief, this screen is not in fact as big as an iPad (I checked). - Credit: RiejuOn a semi-related note, as much as this bike taps into Dakar’s glory days, it’s very much a modern machine.Full LED lighting helps you see and be seen, while a seemingly massive 7-inch vertical TFT display pairs with your smartphone to keep key data, navigation and more at your fingertips.Availability and pricingThe Rieju Aventura Rally 307 is available overseas starting at £4,599, which roughly converts to $6,235 USD. (An R version with a skid plate, Michelin Tracker tires and a racing red paint scheme starts at £4,999, roughly $6,770.)The Spanish brand currently offers a couple of fun-looking dirt bikes stateside; here’s hoping they bring this sweet ADV over, too.Rieju Aventura Rally 307About the Author: Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.