First ride: Rieju MRT Trophy Supermotard

Rieju MRT Trophy Supermotard

Two-stroke fun on a 50cc off-roader

Rieju says that the MRT 50 has been the UK’s best-selling geared 50cc bike for the last 18 months. With an initial glimpse of the machine, it’s easy to see why: this may be a 50cc moped but it has the looks of a bigger and meaner bike. The 870mm seat height gives it a lofty appearance and the 17” wheels add to the big bike looks.

Engine

The Trophy Supermotard is powered by a Yamaha Minarelli 50cc liquid-cooled motor, made in Spain near Barcelona. The power is delivered through a six-speed gearbox and chain drive. Our test bike was brand-new (zero miles on the odometer) and the gearbox was a little tight, but Rieju assured us that after a proper run-in the gears would become looser.

This bike is kick-start only (no electric start). It’s easy to use once you get the hang of it (and remember to open the fuel tap and use the choke).

Ride

Riding comfort was good. Because of its height there’s lots of leg space and you can see over the tops of cars on busy city streets. The downside of the off-road spec is that the seat is designed for performance, not comfort. It’s on the hard side, but as these bikes are unlikely to do long journeys, it should be perfectly acceptable to most riders.

Equipment

There’s three bikes in the MRT 50 stable: the Supermotard, the Pro Supermotard, and the one we tested, the Trophy Supermotard. They all share the same engine, frame and most other parts. The difference is in the brakes and suspension. Our test bike had inverted 41mm forks and an adjustable rear mono-shock absorber. They offered a smooth ride and didn’t compress too much, even with a larger gentleman riding. The brakes are pretty high spec for a bike this size, with a 300mm front disc at the front and a 220mm rear disk. They were more than capable of bringing the bike to a quick stop.

Should I buy one?

The MRT Trophy Supermotard comes with a two-year parts and labour warranty, showing that Rieju is pretty confident with the build quality. If you’re looking for a moped with the looks and spec for some off-road action, this bike is worth trying. There are 60 nationwide Rieju UK dealers and you can even use an online customiser to make sure the bike is right for you from the start.

SPEC:

ENGINE: Minarelli 50cc, two-stroke

SUSPENSION: Front: inverted 41mm fork. Rear: adjustable mono-shock

BRAKES: Front: 300mm wavy disc. Rear: 220mm wavy disc

WEIGHT: 85kg (dry)

SEAT HEIGHT: 870mm

CONTACT: riejumoto.co.uk

PRICE: £2,899