THE NEW RIEJU MODELS! The old Gas Gas models have continued under a new name - Rieju. For 2021, the models have only minor changes so this review will still applicable. As of 2021, Rieju still has only made minor changes. Unfortunately the heavy weight persists. They haven't changed the unreliable e-start, although we hear it's bathed in oil now which should help a bit. The engines are still soft at the lower revs. But if the price is cheap, we think it's still a good option in the two stroke market! Unfortunately they are priced not much less than the competition in Australia... so why pay so much for a six year old design? If you don't know about Rieju, read below... Unfortunately KTM is becoming a huge multinational trying to buy up the competition, such as Gas Gas. The good news? Rieju in Spain has bought the intellectual and industrial property used to build GasGas enduro models which will continue under the RIEJU brand. And the Ranger will continue as the Rieju MR300 Ranger! adbmag.com.au/editorial/rieju-to-manufacture-enduro-models-on-gasgas-platform/ The investment made by RIEJU will see the GasGas 300 two-stroke as we know it today manufactured under the RIEJU brand at its plant in Figueres, Spain. Distribution of new bikes will start in June. Rumours are circulating that suggest RIEJU is currently updating the platform to modernise a few key aspects including relocating the starter motor. Jordi Riera, CEO of RIEJU, S.A. said “This agreement allows RIEJU an immediate presence in the off-road competition segment with larger capacity machines than usual for Rieju, as well as a significant expansion of our client portfolio, and important openings to new markets. We are very excited for this new adventure and the enormous challenge that this entails. We have enormous experience in our design, manufacture and distribution structure, so we are convinced that this project will be a success for our company." RIEJU was founded in 1934 and currently manufactures more than 12,000 motorcycles annually in its facilities in Figueres near Barcelona and exports 85% of its production to more than 40 countries. It’s known for producing small-to-mid capacity scooters, trailbikes and roadbikes.
@@crosstrainingenduro I haven't... They seem to be a rare opportunity around me. I am just starting to understand the utter goodness of the counterbalanced 2t though! It won't be long until my journey to the dark side is complete!
Thanks for another great vid, keeps me sane while I cant ride for a while as my back is giving me curry once again. My bush pig and EC300 keep taunting me everytime I go in the garage, cant wait to get back up to glassy and wam to shake up this old body and pretend to be young again ! Till then it's on the couch watching your vids for some skills to try out to stop old bad habits from self teaching. Cheers mate
@@mikehickman3635 very Happy mike did have the luxury of getting to ride a friends and have a dealer very close..have had lots of gassers though and would have another
I'm a long time ktm owner. My bike was due replacing and after looking at the ktm range I decided to try a rieju 300 Pro. First off the bike looks amazing but I'm finding quality issues. First ride out about 80 miles. Speedo randomly jumps from 0-126 mph for no reason, fuel tap dripping, Bolts falling off, carb kept dumping fuel. Good clean fixed the carb. And last the starter will lock up now and then. Need to use the kick start at that point but starter will work most of the time. Other bits, the horn button is before the starter so every time you hit the starter you hit the horn first.
Nice one mate! Barry, you wont like to hear that the ranger is not continued. KTM sells the "old platform" covering the "Phoenix" bikes like 2018 GP/EC and 2019 EC and Ranger models. There are rumors that TRS in Spain may buy the old platform and continue with EC's and Ranger's. But currently that's just hearsay. The Gassers built by KTM will be KTM's with red plastic and cheap components. So nothing any of us would buy anyway ;-)
@@crosstrainingenduro I talked to KTM and they said it will take at least a few weeks till they will say who the new owner is. They also said that all rumors are wrong and it is not TRS. If the new owner decides to continue the Ranger you'll be able to get one but probably with a new brand name. Wouldn't bother me as I know its a brilliant bike...
I think your theory about parts availability for ten years might be a touch optimistic. Look at the Italian Husky for instance, I know some specific parts for those are hard to come by.
Great review. I wish the GasGas ranger was more available in the US, as I think it would sell very well given the popularity of the Beta Xtrainer and the fact that it would probably be significantly cheaper. As it sits now, I’ve yet to see one in the wild. I’m curious what KTM will do with GasGas. Leaked materials suggest that they’re pretty committed to keeping and expanding the range, but the big question is whether it will just become a different color KTM.
I worry about parts availability for these true Gas Gas models now that the Orange Demon has their hands on the company. I've lived through the same thing with the Husky TE449 I own when they took over that company.
Do you guys in Australia already have the 'good' Chinese dirt bikes available? Here in Brazil, the Mxf250ts(gpx250tse USA) is becoming quite a good choice for those that want an affordable 2 smoker. It's very mellow, but with a surprising grunt at the bottom for a 230cc engine. If you get the chance, do a review on one. The handling is phenomenal.
@@crosstrainingenduro Let's hope for a reply... I would like to know how the USA version compares to the Brazilian one. We got a different pipe and bigger carb here.
I have read up alot about gpx's tse250, It does look like it has very nice power, the bike runs really GOOD i was actually surprised it was from china. What intrigues me most is they have bought the design rights from Yamaha for their DT230 engine which was an absolute awesome engine but even though the engine might be the exact same it is still made in china with chinese material and the price is still quite high for the price (5000usd) when you consider you can get a NICE 300 from a european brand and know the reliability is going to be good. But having said that the bike does have alot of potential and i will be keeping a close eye on how they go for the future
@@ItsSweetShot In regards to reliability of the engine, it's made by one of the biggest engine manufacturers in China, Loncin, they provide engines for very demanding motorcycle markets suchs as India and China. Here in Brazil they say to have sold around 800 Mxf250ts(Gpx) so far, complaints about the engine are unheard of, same for the suspension, FastAce seems to make quite good components. The rest of the bike does lack some quality control, welds, threads, fittings...But the engine and suspension more than make up for this. The prices here are a bit less than half what you would pay for a big brand dirt bike, and with the main difference being after sales support. The ktm guys buy their bikes new, walk out the dealers door...And they're on their own. With Mxf it is quite the opposite.
Better forks than a 2018 300RR?! This has the bike sold to me.. AM currently running a modded 2017 Beta XT (oil, springs and shims) - it's still way off in terms of stability. Looks like the Ranger maybe next on the list!!
our local suspension guys are one of the best in the business and while my xtrainer was massively improved they said they could only do so much with what is essentially repurposed trials suspension from olle. see what you think of the ranger if you can get a test ride. the KYB used isn't quite top shelf like the KYB SSS on the yamahas but it is good, in my dodgy opinion!
@@crosstrainingenduro having looked on eBay UK there appears to only be 1 Ranger for sale (at what seems to be a bargain!)... There seems to be a distinct lack of parts as well.... worrying!?
I spoke to the uk importers middle of jan and they said yes, ec racers end of feb. but in reality it`s not going to happen, we are told they are not being built, not going to happen. they did say would get a 2021 model ktmgas racing enduro this autumn but it wont be the gasser as we know/love them now.
totally agree. I'd probably buy an Xtrainer now, if anyone had one in stock near me, but think i'd like the Ranger more. Either would probably be more than adequate for my meager needs, just feel cheated out of the Ranger. And now Barry's teasing us again with unabtanium :-( . but love the videos anyway.
Hello, I just bought a rieju ranger, could any owner tell me where to buy a carbon tailpipe protector? for the racing and the pro yes I have seen them but for the ranger not ...thanksss
Hello, do you or anyone know if the header of the 300 racing model fits the ranger 300? Thinking about buying either the xtrainer (where the rr300 pipe fits in) or the ranger. Nice to have the option to get easily more power. regards
From what I hear it's only minor tweaks for the first Rieju models but the following year they'll put a different electric start in it and get into some other major updates... I hope they keep the carb too!
@@crosstrainingenduro Hi, thanks for the video, I subscribed to your interesting channel! Maybe you can help me decide. I am now faced with the choice of buying a new Beta xtrainer 22 or Rieju ranger 22. I am going to switch to these motorcycles from my bull - drz 400). My height is 176 cm, weight is 80kg. The experience of riding hard enduro is modest, so I wanted a lightweight and not tall bike for training. What are the strengths and weaknesses of these two models? I am very interested in your opinion!
Which model do you have? Call your dealer, some early 2018 bikes had issues that were fixed under warranty.. I had bike no. 11 so one of the first ones (until it got stolen) and they sent me a different flywheel. I changed the cable that goes from the battery to the frame for a bigger one and also removed the paint on the part that holds the starter engine as this has to make good contact. I had no issues in winter once the engine was warm. It'll never work when the engine is cold.
12psi is way too high even with tubes. You can run 9 and ride smooth if you have an 18" rear. I ran 9psi all over the most jagged shit full send in Utah
@@crosstrainingenduro Yeah I also like to err on the side of caution at times. I once over-tightened a front rim lock and broke it right before a race. I ran 13PSI just to make sure the bead didn't slip and rip the valve stem off my tube. It was a Goldentyre fatty and 13PSI actually worked pretty well. I'd normally pull off and let some air out if I can feel that my tires are that high. I can feel if my tire pressure is wrong, gauge or not.
