Enduro21 tests Rieju’s MR300 Hard Enduro Gomez Replica, the 300 two-stroke limited edition model ready for extreme enduro – plus we take the chance for a look at why retail prices, standard equipment parts and specification of new enduro bikes matter.

Standing before you is a bike with special graphics and an exclusive model edition number plate, yes. But more importantly its price tag considering the long list of standard equipment parts fitted, the powerhouse 300cc two-stroke engine and quality suspension make it a new bike you should be interested in.

Yes, it is a bike born from the old Gas Gas models and no, some major elements haven’t changed much in the best part of a decade (stay tuned for fuel injected models in development) but the Rieju Hard Enduro Gomez Replica is a bike with massive things in its favour.

Enduro21 jumped at the chance to test this limited edition model from the Spanish manufacturer to ask if Rieju’s enduro models are worthy of your attention compared to other new bikes in 2024.

The parts you ask for 

People cry out for certain things on a standard off-road bike, especially in hard enduro. Things like a kickstart, a fan, a bit of protection from the rocks and logs. Basically the stuff some manufacturers charge you extra for like you’re buying a car.

The long list below of additional parts fitted to the Gomez edition MR300 Rieju, the moist exclusive one in the range which should offer something meaningful if you are one of those people.

Gomez Hard Enduro edition technical highlights:

• AXP Racing Xtreme 8mm HDPE sump guard/skid plate
• Front disc protector with cooling air vents
• Polisport fork protectors
• Red anodised aluminium rear disc protector
• AXP Xtreme chain guide in red
• Metal radiator protectors
• Machined clutch cover, more resistant and thicker, signed by RIEJU Power Parts Factory
• Front and rear grab handles.
• High-grip stainless steel footpegs
• Radiator fan
• Shorter transmission with a 12-tooth sprocket
• Mitas Terraforce extreme tyres
• High-quality Kayaba 48mm closed cartridge fork with DLC anti-friction treatment bar, fully adjustable
• Kayaba shock absorber, linkage type
• Exclusive colours with the Gomez 89 number plate
• LED front headlight

Add to it useful gearing and carburettor settings, a specially made exhaust system and benchmark standard off-road equipment like brakes and suspension. It’s all the good stuff packaged together in one bundle of a bike.

What you have to weigh-up is do you want all of that for much less than a direct rival in the showrooms (like, 2.5K less) for probably what amounts to the same amount of reward. Is it worth such a massive saving to opt for a bike which has a few years under its belt?

What’s it like to ride?

The answer to that question should be in the seat of the pants alwasy we think, as much as the wallet, and that’s why Enduro21 jumped at the offer from Rieju to test the Gomez Replica, the higher-spec and exclusive model in the MR300 enduro line-up. 

First up, we must say this was a brand new bike when we rolled it out the van with around 40km of running-in on the clock. That wasn’t an issue except it took a while for it to soften up and feel like it was bedded in, initially it felt stiff and we felt awkward fresh back from Erzberg.

Plus, like always, it feels bad to be the first rider to make a few scratches on a brand spanker so steady away it was (it’s a dirty job and all that...).

Once bedded in though, the standard settings on the KYB suspension, the zip of the engine, precision in the gearbox and a familiar stability to the chassis made it an easy bike to enjoy.

A key feature of the Rieju Enduro range (they label it Hard Enduro but it is in fact just enduro except for this model – others are the Six Days, Racing and Pro editions in 300 and 250 capacities) is the tried and tested chassis.

Critics will say it hasn’t changed in years but with neutral steering and a familiar feel, in reality we just got on with riding it more than we worried about how old it was or worrying about any details. Did it feel as nice as the new Sherco we tested the same week? Well, no. But once on the pegs did it matter much? Not a lot. 

Addictive sound and motor

What quickly came across most was a zip to the motor which we can’t remember feeling on the MR Racing model previously tested.

The customised OXA Gómez exhaust system and specific Keihin PWK 36 carburettor settings are designed to improve the bike’s performance in Hard Enduro. In actual fact they create a peachy two-stroke which felt and sounds and runs sweet in any enduro or trail conditions.

We had a mixed bag of weather during our test but Gomez rep was untroubled by slow and sedate trail riding, or a sprint enduro test. The throttle response and feel for the back wheel are precise and that OXA header pipe has a lively ‘ting’ sound to it.

The jetting in the Keihin carburettor is 170/40, Rieju tell us, and combined with the V-Force reeds, that OXA exhausts system, this is one crisp motor. It was a little bit addictive to ride to be honest, too throttle-happy is how I would describe myself in getting carried away with the power and throttle response.

Literally carried away actually and, after getting a bit tired in the arms fomr holding on, it was helpful to have a softer map option to use. The edge taken off the relentless surge of power, it was more manageable in a an extreme switchback, slick and rocky climb up through some trees.

Having a 12-tooth front sprocket is a handy and common change for hard enduro too. The Gomez replica comes with that as standard to help with the slow-speed riding and we found it was a useful addition, partly also because it made second gear useble for all the times we rolling through technical sections (as opposed to slowly picking your way through something in first gear). 

Tried and tested chassis set-up

Another issue to address is the frame which was originally developed by GasGas a decade ago. Now, as then, the handling is neutral and though you can say the rivals in the showroom handle better, notably the Sherco range which is a very close design match, there’s nothing intrinsically wrong here.

The Rieju does a bit heavier but if you use the engine and the clutch to do the hard work on a hard enduro hill or rock garden, the flip side of that is a bike which sticks to a line and is a predictable, not skittish.

On fast and more traditional enduro conditions where a stability of the chassis, the suspension standing up to choppy acceleration bumps or a dose of moto track that stability feels like a good thing. Don’t count this bike out as only built for hard enduro by the way, it works just as well anywhere.

We didn’t weigh the bike, we must admit, but some bikes feel naturally heavier and this is one. You notice it when lifting it on and off the bike stand or loading/unloading from the back of a van. 

Big up the KYBs

A crucial element is the KYB suspension. With its coated stanchions, this set of forks are peachy and, matched by a rear shock, are almost a relief. As ever with KYBs the adjustable range makes it useful for all types of riding and riders without the need for a specialist.

Our test took in a typical enduro test, some moto track and obviously some technical, extreme enduro and there’s no question this KYB suspension makes you feel confident everywhere, faster in the fast stuff but happy to drop off a two-metre rock step or clatter into a big log. 

The suspension is not the only parts fitted which can also be found on a Yamaha, the Tokico brakes are the too.

Boxfresh

As mentioned already, our test bike came to us new and as such a couple of parts came loose in the first ride – the chain block and oil filler cap for example plus the sump guard lost a fin off the side. Those things felt like normal(ish) from a new bike and the guard will be a warranty issue and easily replaced.

The front grab strap kept dropping down the fork leg annoyingly and, partly to protect the fork from getting scuffed (from mud underneath), we unbolted and took it off. They are substantial though and a good, meaningful touch on that parts list.

You can also see a few things around the Rieju which don’t quite fit in terms of practicality, neatness or design like that same starter motor hanging off the side as we found on the GasGas models.

It doesn’t help by attracting attention every start-up by making a distinctly different sound. It attracts attention and collects mud too and although it worked without problem on our test, we look forward to the anticipated new Rieju motor with hopefully a starter motor packed out of the way.

Not to make a list of negatives but another thing is the switch gear on the handlebars. Rieju is not alone in having too much going on from standard, although a lot of that is down to meeting homologation regulations. Whatever the reason we’d be swapping out some of the buttons and simplifying things if this were our own bike.

Access to the air filter is easy as pie from the left side panel but the airbox cover itself feels a bit too plasticky, if that makes sense, and the poppers didn’t fit too well when you push it back on. Compared to other manufacturers, this was an area Rieju have saved some manufacturing money.

Verdict:

The biggest reason to buy a Rieju Gomez Hard Enduro edition are the ones we’ve barked on about already: the parts fitted, the exclusivity and the price.

It certainly stands out in a crowd and all the extra parts fitted are worth their weight in any enduro situation but come back to the price again and look how much you get compared to, say, a KTM.

The recently launched 300 EXC Hard Enduro edition is certainly a more developed and advanced off-road motorcycle which is something you have to take that into account. But in the UK that KTM retails at 11,800K for a bike which has a similar, arguably lesser spec as this Rieju.

Yes, price is important but not everyone wants the cheapest of Chinese bikes or the most expensive of Austrian bikes either. Lot of people don’t head to those ends of the scale because of what it represents and looks like, cost or availability of parts. Instead they head in the middle for the best enduro bike cache.

So where does that leave you? There are some obvious options from other European manufacturers, including bikes with big updates this year like Sherco, but Rieju is in the same ballpark.

Rieju 2024 prices:

MR 300 REPLICA GOMEZ  LIMITED EDITION "89": £9195/10.173,40€

MR 300 RACING  (Black/Green): £7795/8487€

MR 300 Pro (Black/Red):  £8995/9536.65€

MR 300 SIX DAYS Spain will be £9295/10.173,40€ (not available yet, more to follow) while previous MR 300 SIX DAYS models is also still available in some very limited numbers (in the UK now with 20% off at £7745).

In essence it’s easy to point a finger at a dated engine and frame design but it’s much easier to shrug and say, “so what? What real wordl difference will that make to me when I go for a ride?” If you want a 300cc two-stroke which you can ride straight into any enduro, look at Rieju’s range.

If you want an exclusive one fitted with useful parts for 2.5K less than the orange equivalent, check out the Gomez replica. The price is good, the suspension is ace, it handles well, the motor is a rocket, and it ticks a lot of boxes.

Photo Credit: Vision Off Road Media + Enduro21