Rieju
Spanish motorcycle manufacturer known for small-displacement mopeds, road motorcycles, enduro bikes, and electric two-wheelers.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Rieju is a Spanish motorcycle manufacturer headquartered in Figueres, Catalonia. The company is best known for compact motorcycles and mopeds, particularly products in the small-displacement range from approximately 49 cc to 500 cc. Its portfolio has historically covered commuter mopeds, lightweight road motorcycles, trail and enduro machines, dual-purpose motorcycles, and, more recently, electric scooters and delivery vehicles. Rieju products have been distributed throughout much of Europe and in other international markets. The business originated in 1934, when Luis Riera Carré and Jaime Juanola Farrés established an enterprise making bicycle accessories. The name Rieju was formed from elements of the founders' surnames. Their initial plan to construct a factory was interrupted by the Spanish Civil War: the unfinished premises were taken over for use as a truck depot, and the site was returned only after the conflict. Rieju resumed industrial activity in 1940, initially concentrating on bicycle accessories and later moving into complete bicycles and powered two-wheelers. In 1942 the company became a Sociedad Limitada and began producing bicycle models and components. Its first moped appeared in 1947, when an auxiliary 38 cc French Serwa four-stroke engine was fitted to a bicycle. The vehicle produced approximately one horsepower and reached around 40 km/h. Rieju followed with the No. 2 in 1949, adding a more powerful engine and a gearbox designed by the company. Subsequent models increasingly adopted the appearance and layout of conventional motorcycles. A major technical and commercial step came in 1964, when Rieju reached an agreement with Minarelli to manufacture engines under licence. The resulting Jaca model developed into an important product family and was followed by derivatives such as the Confort and TT. The company experimented with an automatic-transmission moped in 1978, although that product did not achieve comparable success. During the 1980s Rieju broadened its range, increased production, and became one of Spain's prominent moped sellers. Competition success, especially in enduro, also helped establish the brand beyond the commuter market. Rieju began a more deliberate international expansion in 1994, exporting motorcycles across Europe. By 2006, exports reportedly accounted for about 60 percent of sales, demonstrating the importance of foreign markets to the company's operating model. The brand continued to emphasize lightweight motorcycles and Spanish production while using established engine suppliers, including Yamaha-Minarelli power units on later road models. The company entered electric mobility in 2011 with the Mius electric scooter. It subsequently developed commercial and urban electric products, including the Nuuk CargoPro electric delivery scooter launched in 2021 and the E-City range introduced in 2022. In 2020, Rieju acquired rights to Gas Gas off-road two-stroke models, allowing it to continue producing a related enduro range during the transition of the Gas Gas business under KTM ownership. In July 2024, Rieju acquired Spanish electric-scooter manufacturer Win Life Electric Vehicles S.L., together with related intellectual property and rights to the RAY 7.7 electric scooter. This transaction expanded Rieju's position in larger electric urban scooters as well as its established small-motorcycle business. Rieju's current identity combines accessible, relatively small-displacement motorcycles with specialist off-road products and an expanding electric portfolio. Its positioning is generally value-oriented rather than luxury-focused, with products aimed at new riders, commuters, enthusiasts, delivery operators, and enduro users. The company remains active and privately held.
History
Rieju was founded in 1934 in Spain by Luis Riera Carré and Jaime Juanola Farrés. The founders initially intended to manufacture bicycle accessories and acquired land for a factory, but the Spanish Civil War disrupted construction. The unfinished building was requisitioned by the Republican government and used as a truck depot. After the war, the premises were returned, with an additional storey constructed during the conflict treated as compensation for the period of use. The company resumed production in 1940, making bicycle accessories. In 1942 it was formally organized as a Sociedad Limitada with capital of one million pesetas. At that time, Rieju produced bicycles and components and employed approximately 35 people. Its first powered two-wheeler arrived in 1947: a bicycle fitted with a 38 cc Serwa four-stroke auxiliary engine. The vehicle had roughly one horsepower and a top speed of about 40 km/h. The No. 2 followed in 1949 with a more powerful engine and a Rieju-designed gearbox. Further numbered models gradually moved away from bicycle styling toward the appearance of motorcycles. In 1964 Rieju partnered with Minarelli to manufacture engines under licence. The Jaca, introduced during this period, became an important model and was later developed into the Confort and TT families. Although the Jaca's mechanical specification allowed a higher speed, Spanish moped regulations limited it to approximately 40 km/h in the relevant configuration. Rieju also attempted an automatic-transmission moped in 1978, but the model was commercially unsuccessful. The 1980s brought increasing production, greater product variety, and a stronger position in the Spanish moped market. Rieju's participation in enduro competition contributed to the brand's sporting reputation. Its first recorded endurance championship victory came in the 1979–1980 season, when Jordi Piferrer Taulé won the 80 cc category of the Spanish Championship on a Rieju Marathon. Rieju began exporting more systematically in 1994. European markets became central to the company, and by 2006 exports were reported to represent approximately 60 percent of sales. The company continued to build lightweight road and off-road motorcycles, using licensed or supplied engines where appropriate. The 2011 RS3 50 and RS3 125LC were examples of its road-oriented expansion, while the same year marked its first electric scooter production with the Mius. The company broadened its off-road position in 2020 by acquiring rights to Gas Gas two-stroke off-road models. Rieju continued to offer versions of the associated enduro platform, including Pro, Racing, and Ranger variants aimed at different experience and price levels. It introduced the MR200 in 2022 by adapting the MR250 platform with a smaller-displacement top end and crankshaft. In 2023, Rieju added the MR Pro 125, its first four-stroke enduro model, using a liquid-cooled Minarelli engine. Electric mobility became a larger part of the business during the 2020s. The Nuuk CargoPro, launched in 2021, targeted delivery and utility users, while the E-City, introduced in 2022, addressed urban riding in two performance classes. In July 2024 Rieju acquired Win Life Electric Vehicles S.L. and rights connected with the RAY 7.7 electric scooter. The transaction expanded the company's electric product and intellectual-property portfolio. Rieju therefore entered its current period as an active private manufacturer with three interconnected strengths: accessible small-displacement motorcycles, specialist enduro products, and an expanding electric-mobility business.
- 2024
Win Life Electric Vehicles acquired
[1]Rieju acquired Win Life Electric Vehicles S.L., its intellectual property, and rights to the RAY 7.7 electric scooter.
- 2022
E-City introduced
[1]The company launched an electric urban scooter in variants corresponding to 50 cc and 125 cc classes.
- 2021
Nuuk CargoPro launched
[1]Rieju introduced an electric delivery scooter for commercial and utility applications.
- 2020
Gas Gas off-road rights acquired
[1]Rieju acquired rights to Gas Gas off-road two-stroke motorcycle models.
- 2011
Entry into electric scooters
[1]The Mius became Rieju's first electric scooter to enter production.
- 1994
European export expansion
[1]Rieju began opening its business to additional markets and exporting models across Europe.
- 1979
First recorded endurance championship victory
[1]Jordi Piferrer Taulé won the 80 cc category of the Spanish Championship on a Rieju Marathon during the 1979–1980 season.
- 1964
Minarelli licensing agreement
[1]Rieju agreed to manufacture Minarelli engines under licence and launched the Jaca model.
- 1947
First moped
[1]Rieju fitted a 38 cc auxiliary engine to a bicycle, creating its first moped.
- 1942
Formal incorporation
[1]The company became a Sociedad Limitada and began producing bicycles and bicycle components.
Products and positioning
Value-oriented Spanish manufacturer of lightweight motorcycles, off-road bikes, mopeds, and electric two-wheelers.
Moped · 1964
Jaca
Introduced after Rieju's 1964 Minarelli agreement, the Jaca was a significant early Rieju model. It used a Minarelli engine manufactured under licence and developed into later Confort and TT derivatives. Although its mechanical output allowed a higher theoretical speed, the moped configuration was constrained by Spanish regulations. The Jaca helped move Rieju's products toward a more recognizable motorcycle form.
Enduro motorcycle
Marathon
The Marathon was an important Rieju off-road motorcycle and the machine associated with the company's first recorded endurance championship victory. Jordi Piferrer Taulé rode a Marathon to the 80 cc category title in the Spanish Championship during the 1979–1980 season. The model represents Rieju's long-standing effort to use competition and lightweight off-road motorcycles to strengthen the brand beyond the moped market.
Road motorcycle · 2011
RS3 50 and RS3 125LC
The RS3 50 and RS3 125LC were road-oriented motorcycles introduced in 2011. They formed part of a broader product expansion that year and were produced in Spain with Yamaha-Minarelli engines. The two models addressed different displacement classes while retaining Rieju's focus on relatively lightweight motorcycles for younger riders, commuters, and entry-level users.
Electric scooter · 2011
Mius
The Mius was Rieju's first electric scooter to enter production. Built at the company's Catalan plant, it marked the beginning of Rieju's sustained move into electric urban mobility. The model extended the company beyond combustion-powered mopeds and motorcycles and provided an early foundation for later commercial and city-focused electric products.
Enduro motorcycle
MR enduro range
The MR family is Rieju's principal modern enduro platform. It has been offered in Pro, Racing, and Ranger forms, with the Pro positioned as the highest-specification version and the Ranger aimed at less experienced riders and more price-conscious enthusiasts. The range also includes displacement and engine variations, including the MR200 and the four-stroke MR Pro 125 introduced in the 2020s.
Electric delivery scooter · 2021
Nuuk CargoPro
Launched in 2021, the Nuuk CargoPro is an electric utility scooter designed for delivery and commercial operation. Its stated specification includes a 6 kW motor, a range of approximately 100 to 120 kilometres, and a top speed of about 90 km/h. The model demonstrates Rieju's attempt to address fleet and professional-use mobility rather than only private urban commuting.
Electric scooter · 2022
E-City
The E-City, introduced in 2022, is an electric scooter developed for urban travel. It was offered in two versions broadly corresponding to 50 cc and 125 cc combustion-scooter categories. The lower-performance version was described with a 45 km/h top speed and range of up to 70 kilometres, while the higher-performance version was described with a 75 km/h top speed and range of up to 160 kilometres.
Electric scooter
RAY 7.7
The RAY 7.7 is an electric scooter whose intellectual-property and product rights became part of Rieju's portfolio through its 2024 acquisition of Win Life Electric Vehicles S.L. The transaction gave Rieju access to a Spanish-developed electric scooter project and broadened its electric range beyond smaller city and delivery vehicles.
Brand decisions
2024
Acquire Win Life Electric VehiclesM&ABackground
Rieju was expanding its electric-mobility activities beyond its earlier Mius, Nuuk, and E-City products.
Action taken
In July 2024, Rieju acquired Win Life Electric Vehicles S.L., including its intellectual property and rights to the RAY 7.7 electric scooter.
Aftermath
The acquisition broadened Rieju's electric product portfolio and strengthened its access to Spanish electric-scooter technology.
2020
Acquire rights to Gas Gas off-road two-stroke modelsM&ABackground
Rieju sought to reinforce its off-road motorcycle business while Gas Gas was undergoing a corporate transition associated with KTM.
Action taken
Rieju purchased rights to Gas Gas's off-road two-stroke motorcycle models.
Aftermath
Rieju continued production of related enduro motorcycles and offered Pro, Racing, and Ranger variants for different rider segments.
1994
Expand into European export marketsStrategyBackground
After strengthening its position in Spain, Rieju sought additional demand for its lightweight motorcycles and mopeds.
Action taken
The company began exporting models across Europe and opened itself to broader international markets.
Aftermath
Exports later became a substantial part of the business; by 2006 they were reported to represent about 60 percent of sales.
Share of sales represented by exports. Approximately 60% (2006)
1964
Adopt licensed Minarelli engine productionStrategyBackground
Rieju was expanding from bicycles and early mopeds into more capable motorcycle products and needed a stronger engine platform.
Action taken
The company entered an agreement with Minarelli to manufacture its engines under licence and used the arrangement for the Jaca model.
Aftermath
The Jaca became an important model and developed into later Confort and TT derivatives, helping establish Rieju's motorcycle identity.
Sources1 sources
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