I'm so glad you have now seen the benefit of this bike and its fuel capacity. As someone that uses a bike as their only form of transport all year round in the UK for work and pleasure, this as you said is a game changer. I'm fed up with all modern bikes coming with tiny fuel tanks (just so they can claim a low weight) most seem around 14 litres. That's fine if you only go for an hours ride on a weekend but the motorcycling industry has abandoned the people that use their bikes for everything. The only bikes that come with big capacity tanks are expensive GS's and the like, and your average person cant afford them and even if I could I would never spend 20K for something that will get punished on UK roads in UK weather. I cant believe the likes of MCN haven't picked up on this bike at all and I hope Rieju start pushing this bike into the mainstream so people like me can get hold of them as this is a bike I have been waiting for, for a long time. Great size engine for everything, enough power, great MPG, fantastic tank range and to top it off great looks. Keep up the brilliant videos Nathan.
Another no bullshit vid from the most honest vlogger on RUclips . Great info, Nathan. Looks a great bike . I’ve bought into the Chinese ‘shite’ and ordered a Voge DS900X . Another bike that looks anything but cheap.
Said it before the Chinese are coming big time. Makes me wonder why no one else has done the twin tanks on an everyday bike before. That insurance tip was valuable and great information. As always its so interesting to hear your views on the bikes Nathan. I reckon these more affordable bikes are the way forward for the mass market. So many bike dealers going bust in uk with huge stocks of expensive bikes. Love to hear your comments on the area your travelling in. Very inspiring. All the best.
For touring in Europe a 500km range is more than enough. The 40 litre capacity is a gimmick that simply makes the already heavy motorcycle heavier than it needs to be.
@@davidmatthews3093 It is a quite heavy bike I agree.You don't have to fill the second tank all the time but having the option is very good on a long journey I reckon especially through rural areas like central Spain off the major routes. Like Nathan says one less thing to worry about.
Thing is...even with 19L fuel missing, that's 13.68kg. On a 75hp 180kg bike, sure does make a difference. On a bike thats basically 240kg and 48hp...its gonna be slow anyays And like every other adventure bike, nobody takes them on actual offroad where weight matters. Fireroads, gravel and stuff can be done on any bike I personally think, the 1000km range is great for ppl that commute a ton, combined with 3.5L/100km mileage that sounds great
Good interesting video. There’s a woman I follow on YT called ‘age no limit’ - she’s in her early 60s who has a Spanish/chinese Macbro Montana 500cc which I believe is only sold in Spain. I think it’s deliberately made to look like a baby GS but she went from Spain, through Europe all the way up to Nordcap and back again with pretty much no bother, so I suppose these types of bikes are here to stay. Looking forward to the next episode
It always amazes me that so few Britons are willing to even TRY to communicate with Spanish people (and in this case, mechanics). Spain has more bike riders than any other country in the whole of Europe. They should have just gone to a local mechanic and they'd have sorted the bike out. Even if the mechanic doesn't speak English, I can pretty well guarantee that he'll know someone who does, and there are plenty of young Spanish people who are just dying to have the opportunity to use their English, especially if you buy them a drink. And quite honestly, it's not about speaking English,it's about speaking BIKE. I live in Catalunya (N.E. Spain) and I can promise you, the people here are some of the friendliest, most hospitable people you can meet, and virtually everybody is a biker or ex-biker.
@@christiangrendel9893 Thank you. I've (so far) learnt some 8 or so languages, to a greater or lesser extent, and I've always done so through some interest or other (usually, but not exclusively, bikes). It's amazing how much you learn when you have nothing in common other than an interest and a desire to learn.
Yet another great Chinese bike, though value for money & overall package I'd take the Voge 525dsx with luggage for £1,000 less. I also like the big bike feel of the Benelli 502X for £1,700 less without luggage. Great area to ride Nathan, thanks for sharing.
My Honda CB 500x was on flat road sideways to the wind, and leaning into it on stand. A strong gust lifted it off the stand and dropped it on the ground in the RH side.
@@davidmatthews3093 Not sure what point you're trying to make in relation to my comment that a larger capacity means you can buy more fuel in a particular place. You seem to be suggesting that an extra 20 kg of fuel (OK, petrol is a bit less dense than 1kg/ltr but it'll do for sake of argument) is enough extra weight to halve the mpg, or even substantially reduce it? Doubt that very much, but what do I know, I've only been riding bikes for 40 years.
Excellent video as usual sir. I was talking to Nathan in Streffords in Worcester, I gather you guys know each other and was looking at his Kove 450 Rally. What a beast. I think Nathan and Amanda have got a great team going there and I would definately be looking to support those guys particularly as the BIG dealerships are having major issues lately. That Rieju looks like a quality piece of kit and it more than compares with my NX500 which I love. The amount of kit you get that Rieju as standard for £6.5k is mind blowing considering I spent 7k on the NX with hand guards and centre stand. I am missing the upper bars, 12 volt socket, bash plate just for starters let alone extra fuel tanks. What a machine. Excellent informative review as well top job. Interesting you have got grouding with that centre stand with 190 clearance though. Always look forward to your videos mate, stay safe and upright. By the way, I know tyres are personal but I was looking at Mitas E07 Plus for my NX as the Dunlops as good as they are are wearing out real quick after just 3k. The Mitas ia a 60/40, reviewers say they are great on road which is where I am mostly, what's your take? Cheers. 👍
Good update video, mate. Those screen start up times are soooo much quicker that Triumphs..! In terms of 'branding', it was a wise move on KTM's part to put CF Moto under their umbrella. Some of these bikes are making real time inroads into UK bike sales and buyer confidence nowadays, and rather than being a mere copy, some of them like this one, have some genuine USP's. Thanks for the update, Keep safe.
Another great real world review and good to hear how the Rieju is performing well. If I were a little younger I'd probably go for it over the CHMoto but for me weight is an important factor, though the fuel range is one less thing to worry about as you say. I am really impressed with the chinese bikes coming out and look forward to you final review.
Your point about the weight is spot on. Everything already fitted. Same on a Voge 525 or Himmy 450. Something a lot of the press fail to mention. Spec an NX500 to the same level and I'm sure there would be no difference. And £6500. Plus that range if you need it. I must admit 300 miles is usually my take it easy comfort level on bumble roads. Ride safe 👍
Let's hope the guy gets his bike home OK Looks like another proper adventure bike at the right price leaving money for the adventure Once again I popped into my local Honda dealership to find no one else in there I think once people give these bikes a try the big brands will have to merge to keep going Safe travels Nathan, and please give us the update on the servicing and cost
I thought you'd come around to the double tank set up😉. I can't see me buying another bike and certainly not a brand new one but it's still always interesting to see what's out there. Nice mini review. I look forward to hearing a fuller review and opinion on the Reiju at the end of the tour. Have a great trip,Nathan. Ride safe
Great to see a positive review of a chinese bike.I find most reviews of chinese bikes especially in europe are negativly expressed just because of china.But hey I own a MT800 CF Moto and I love it …and so far its runnig great.
Thanks for posting and your thoughts about the Rieju 500 so far. Its sure a very different kind of adv-bike. 40 liter petrol capacity is a lot! Maybe the additional tank should be around 10 liters and then make a storage space for a tool kit, spare parts, drinks and snack, el pump for tires etc etc? And also at 230-240 kilos a 70-80 HP engine would be a bit more exiting…. But an interesting bike!
when I first saw this bike at Eicma, I thought it was everything a new CB 500 X needed to be, in terms of suspension, rims etc. With the additional weight I think the power output will be the bike's biggest downfall. The A2 'adventure' segment isn't short of decent bikes, but a bike like the Aventura with similar output to the Tenere ( esp. mid range torque) would be a genuine contender....
Yet another cracking little bike form the far east - I’ve been ruminating over when to get my last new bike for a year now as there are just so many good mid capacity ADV bikes coming to market currently. My top three would be this, the 450MT and the Kove 525dsx, though I keep wondering if I’d miss the extra grunt of something outside the A2 segment. It’s a difficult one because after a lifetime of super bikes I’ve come to realise I don’t need all that excess power now. Really love the CP2 motor in the T7 at around 70bhp, which would just give that little bit extra on the long stretches of the motorway getting to somewhere like you are. I’m torn but must make a decision soon or I’ll just keep procrastinating forever!😂
Thanks Nathan, a nice little update. The Japanese big 4 need to up their game or they will soon be overwhelmed by these exciting and affordable bikes. Always been a Honda fan,(owned over 30 of them) but their updates on bikes like the NX500 are not that exciting. And what is with the rubbish colour options these days, next year’s NT1100 is offered in black, white or grey! I would buy one if they were orange, red, yellow or blue with an electric screen. These Chinese derived bikes are offering all the bells and whistles for less money and it’s becoming very hard to ignore.
I wondering how much off road would be with just lower tank loved my lil Ajp lower centre of cavity . Big Dave from keeps try to convince me to try crf 1100 good stuff Nathan
Rieju is a SPANISH company. They are based just up the road from me in Figueras, and have been around since the 1930s, but only really started exporting in the 00s. Although the company is Spanish, it is also Catalan, so the name is pronounced "Ri-ay-joo", not "Ri-ey-hoo" (as it would be if it was Spanish). The company has historically been associated with small (50cc) bikes, and it is only in the past 20 years that they even had anything bigger than that. This would be why they buy the bike from China and bedge engineer it. I'm really pleased that you seem to like the bike BTW, Franco passed laws to ensure that Spain had enough fuel stations for all the country (there was a similar law for pharmacists/chemist's), and because even farmersa need access to fuel, most fuel stations still continue. It is a rare thing to see an abandoned fuel station, and that is usually because road layouts have changed.
Thanks David. Yes I know rieju is a Spanish company. I think the slight oily water with the 500 is that the marketing material suggested it was a Spanish made machine. Nothing wrong with Chinese made badge engineering if they're honest about it. But yes, I do like the bike. Very good really. Interesting about the Franco rules. I did think there was a lot of pharmacies around. Great country
The Chinese are definitely upping their game, looks like a great travel bike for the back roads, my only reservation is that while it may have 600 mile range, if you are travelling with others, you are still looking for fuel after 200 miles for them. Great if travelling solo though. Enjoy the rest of the tour!
I like the bike, but for that size of bike I think the 500cc is going to feel a bit slow. I had a CBR 500R and that felt slow with me and a pillion, so with just me, full tanks and a bit of luggage on the Rieju I reckon it's going to feel similar. This chassis would be better with a 65-70hp CP2 like engine. One advantage I see with the independent tanks (instead of rear just pumping to the front like some bikes), is if you're just taking it offroad for a day, you can fill just the rear tank and have the gas weight pretty low down.
@@davidmatthews3093 Yes. Everyone else has managed just fine with their single tanks. But I've liked having the two. And there's more to the bike than it just having two tanks.
Some interesting bikes coming out of China atm and great that you showcase them in an objective manner. A quick question, I have a Guzzi V85TT that I cannot get on with, specifically its too big and top heavy and the neutral to first engagement or lack of it, drives me nuts. I'm interested in the Voge 525 and Benelli 702 as a replacement for principally on road touring. Which would you recommend, or would you go for something else say the CF Moto 450? Cheers Alan
Regarding breakdown insurance, the lad at ridespain did a video about it a few months back. Lots of insurers don't cover an accident only a breakdown. you need to read the small print.
They seem to be putting out some good looking bikes. When I was in Mallorca in Summer I spotted a Reiju MRT 125 that looked cracking. I’d never heard of them till I saw that so did a bit of googling on the brand. If I was a 17 year old, I’d be all over that MRT like a rash..even at the ripe old age of 52 I’m tempted ha ha!..tell you what though, the big four need to give themselves a bloody good shake and wake up..China (and RE too tbf) are making the bikes people want..wakey wakey Japan, in ten years you’ll be overtaken
Almost all breakdown policies only cover you for ‘breakdown’ not an ‘accident’ - even 5 star de facto cover is only for mechanical or electrical breakdowns. For accidents your costs are usually covered under your insurance. The AA and RAC will help you with recovery following an accident ( with a service like accident assist) but they will charge - which you then have to claim under your insurance.
I would keep minimum fuel in top tank & msot of the fuel in under seat tank to keep weight low & down. Where's the battery & air cleaner housed if fuel under the seat?
Interesting note on the recovery service Nathan. Surely the insurance should cover the accident/enable a claim back for recovery costs? I always carry Industrial size Tie wraps, superglue, waterproof duck tape, Liquid Metal/epoxy on a trip just in case but I think an off like that would be a challenge and I might consider jacking the trip in. Best of luck to those fellas 🤞
I get it - it’s a decent package for £7k. But a quick scan of Autotrader brings up a handful of Honda CB500xs for between £4 and £6k (at the top end, they’re the last of the model, so 0 miles 2023 plates). Nothing against Chinese bikes, but taking depreciation, spares, insurance etc into consideration, Id go for the Honda every time.
Yes, totally understand why people would buy a Honda. It's a safe choice. A sensible choice. And a great bike. But if everyone bought Honda 500Xs the world would be a pretty dull place.
@@nathanthepostmanNot for the people who bought them, they would be too busy enjoying the ride. I find it bizarre that one of the best real world touring bikes is criticised for being too reliable.
@@davidmatthews3093I called it a great bike. But if that's all we bought then that's all Honda would make. And yeah, Honda are complacent and lazy. Great that the Chinese are using existing tech to innovate.
Great video Nate! Are you going to do a fuel remap on it or something to get a little more power? or would you say it is sufficient for what you want to use the bike for?
To be honest I just tend to accept the engine's for what they are and find most performance enhancements pretty disappointing. Will just leave it stock
It is important to check your insurance and make sure you are covered for repatriation after RTC, although if riding off road might not be so easy, what you can do is get it back to the road and call recovery it works.
2 x 20 liter fueltanks is 7 liter better than my 2011 R1200GSA (33 L) I maybe have to downsize bike for my next trip to NorthCape from Oslo? Only one refilling will be impressive to NorthCape,but with with camping gear and a heavy biker (100 kg) it will be wise to only use 5 liter on the backtank.😊
Back in the 60s they were saying the Japanese are coming. Initially the bikes and cars were cheap but spares were more costly. The cars rotted very quickly but look at where they are now. If you want reliability it is Japanese. Will the Chinese be equivalent time will tell.
The Chinese are supplying affordable bikes into the uk , which in my book is a real step forward , eventually there may be a lot more motorcycles on the road , thanks also to RE of India . The Japanese have had it good for 50 years , change is happening.
The Chinese manufacturers are going to do to the Japanese manufacturers what they did to the British manufacturers in the 70’s and 80’s. They are coming and it’s only a matter of time.
More power to them! Prices are completely out of control. When did motorcycling become a sport exclusively for the rich? Even used bikes pricing is insane. $4000 for a 10 year old KLR with 15,000 miles? China is coming to save the day!
Well, maybe. One big difference is that by the 70's, British bikes were pretty shit - poor build quality, poor reliability, leaky and underwhelming. The Japanese bikes were much better, and cheaper (mostly). The Chinese bikes are only cheaper than the Japanese, not better, and the reliability, parts availability, etc., has yet to be proven.
Nope, not yet. The Japanese re invented the wheel and made unique bikes that nobody else did, and most punters wanted. Currently the Chinese are just copying and selling at cost to get footholds in markers. They are not re inventing the wheel, nor brainstorming, just selling stuff cheaper than anyone else....MT450 maybe the exception to the rule.
@@davidmatthews3093 Thats your opinnion ,,my useage will be different,,and maaybe I intend to use outside Europe... and you are not forced to use the extra tank,,,it just means you have more options..
Very interesting, I agree with others who make the comparison with Japanese bikes in the1970s. Then, people said they were rubbish, look what happened. Set aside the political argument, maybe the Chinese will force the European and Japanese manufacturers to up their game?
More and more of these well priced, competent bikes appearing from China. And when you look at what just happened to Completely Motorbikes, and other dealers selling well established or premium brand bikes, then affordable, real bikes are what people are clearly after. Try and get an MT450 or a Voge 900DX, the waiting lists tell the story. On recovery. A buddy broke down in Spain last year and his recovery company (RAC or AA, I can't remember) just left him out to dry. He ended up getting a lucky lift back to the UK where he was able to fix the bike. European recovery.... don't waste your money.
You don't know what has got into the engine. Easy for some splinters of metal to be in there. This could ruin the engine. Beautiful dash. Two tanks sound good. Not light, but a lot is petrol, plus it's got all the extra bits which people stick on their new purchases of more expensive bikes. Most BMW GSs you see look like Christmas trees. Nick
Seems my comments on two very touchy subjects regarding Chinese bikes,namely dealer network and service,and Uyghar slave labour in Chinese motor production has been erased from the comments section. Hmm,strange that.....
@@nathanthepostman I don't see how. Dealer network and spares availability are crucial factors when buying a new bike,the bike can very quickly become a scrap PITA if spares aren't available. I also believe insurance premiums are much higher on Chinese vehicles due to a lack of spares availability If slave labour is being used in Chinese vehicle production it's no wonder their bikes are cheap to buy.
I have a cf moto 450 mt and my dealer is very local and got me the parts I wanted to add no trouble. Try getting parts and repair work on the new triumph 400s
But if you go right back to the core logic of your statement all bikes are a rip off of the first bike with an engine ie 2 wheels and an engine. I never u deratand this comment ?
@@mattstringer7838 that’s a poor analogy, you could say that about “ anything “ if it didn’t have 2 wheels and an engine then it wouldn’t be a motorcycle ! if the engine was missing it would be a bicycle or 3 wheels a tricycle- in basic terms . For example Moto Guzzi and Royal Enfield are original in design ( they don’t look like other brands ) with ADV bikes the AT doesn’t look like the Suzuki 800 DE , or Yamaha T7 , I will give credit to we’re credit is due the Kovo 450 is very original in design as the CEO was a passionate rider / racer and build a fantastic bike that wasn’t “ copy and paste “ unfortunately he has resigned “ probably because he wanted to innovate and the other board members share were more interested in just ripping off other brands - hence the new Kovo 800 that users the KTM 790 engine. I know it’s tempting to buy a “ cheap bike “ that will have great resale value NOT “ and I know we are in hard times well buy a good quality secondhand Japanese bike , if you get it at the right price then when sell it on will not lose much or even make money .
If this bike had a 750cc, 270 degree crank engine , i'd be all over it like a rash, the 180 degree engines just don't do it for me unfortunately. Great looking bike though...
Interesting bikes, I hope Japan etc will get the finger out and respond quickly. Will I ever buy Chinese bike? No ! I've virtually no choice when it comes to the like of a phone but multiple thousands of pounds? No way ! Firstly don't know what parts availability will be like in say, 5 - 10 - 15 years? More importantly, belligerent dystopian dictatorship that supports Russia and north Korea. Companies that are subsidised, employ cheap or even labour in virtual slave conditions, that never have to compete on an even level and turn a profit. I'd sooner pay more or get an older bike from a country that isn't actively trying to undermine our western nations.
Almost impossible to find anything that doesn't have Chinese parts, bikes or fridges or wherever, but I'll not buy one of their bikes. I'm actually v interested in them as a bike as they're building the bikes I want, but not gonna support them with my cash.
Why would you fill up in England when fuel in Spain is a lot cheaper ? Arrive in Spain on reserve and fill up. Every Cent counts. I'm a stingy bas*ard.
Would you like to explain that rubbish comment ? 50 years ago they said the same thing about the Japanese bikes. Get over it, If manufacturers had been making the bikes we want, and weren't overpriced to the hilt, we wouldn't have the interest in these well made bikes. Besides, the Chinese make engines for Honda, KTM, BMW and quite a few others, it pays to educate yourself on your chosen subject before mouthing rubbish online....
It is an interesting comment. Here in Spain in Valencia the other day I noticed the popularity of Chinese bikes; keeways, voge, benelli, rieju, especially the 125 to 500cc class of bikes. Clearly the young riders are buying them over the established Japanese brands, probably because they're more affordable. I guess you could argue Chinese bikes are saving the industry, and keeping young riders on two wheels.
As the owner of both a Japanese motorcycle and. Chinese one I believe that you are talking from a position of ignorance. Modern Chinese bikes are opening up the enjoyment of motorcycling to more people as their competent bikes as so much more affordable.
I'm so glad you have now seen the benefit of this bike and its fuel capacity. As someone that uses a bike as their only form of transport all year round in the UK for work and pleasure, this as you said is a game changer. I'm fed up with all modern bikes coming with tiny fuel tanks (just so they can claim a low weight) most seem around 14 litres. That's fine if you only go for an hours ride on a weekend but the motorcycling industry has abandoned the people that use their bikes for everything. The only bikes that come with big capacity tanks are expensive GS's and the like, and your average person cant afford them and even if I could I would never spend 20K for something that will get punished on UK roads in UK weather. I cant believe the likes of MCN haven't picked up on this bike at all and I hope Rieju start pushing this bike into the mainstream so people like me can get hold of them as this is a bike I have been waiting for, for a long time. Great size engine for everything, enough power, great MPG, fantastic tank range and to top it off great looks.
Keep up the brilliant videos Nathan.
Another no bullshit vid from the most honest vlogger on RUclips . Great info, Nathan. Looks a great bike .
I’ve bought into the Chinese ‘shite’ and ordered a Voge DS900X . Another bike that looks anything but cheap.
As always, an honest and comprehensive review. viajes seguros! 🙏
Said it before the Chinese are coming big time. Makes me wonder why no one else has done the twin tanks on an everyday bike before. That insurance tip was valuable and great information. As always its so interesting to hear your views on the bikes Nathan. I reckon these more affordable bikes are the way forward for the mass market. So many bike dealers going bust in uk with huge stocks of expensive bikes. Love to hear your comments on the area your travelling in. Very inspiring. All the best.
For touring in Europe a 500km range is more than enough. The 40 litre capacity is a gimmick that simply makes the already heavy motorcycle heavier than it needs to be.
@@davidmatthews3093
It is a quite heavy bike I agree.You don't have to fill the second tank all the time but having the option is very good on a long journey I reckon especially through rural areas like central Spain off the major routes.
Like Nathan says one less thing to worry about.
Thing is...even with 19L fuel missing, that's 13.68kg. On a 75hp 180kg bike, sure does make a difference. On a bike thats basically 240kg and 48hp...its gonna be slow anyays
And like every other adventure bike, nobody takes them on actual offroad where weight matters. Fireroads, gravel and stuff can be done on any bike
I personally think, the 1000km range is great for ppl that commute a ton, combined with 3.5L/100km mileage that sounds great
Always smile when I have a coffee.. and your “update” appears !
Good interesting video. There’s a woman I follow on YT called ‘age no limit’ - she’s in her early 60s who has a Spanish/chinese Macbro Montana 500cc which I believe is only sold in Spain. I think it’s deliberately made to look like a baby GS but she went from Spain, through Europe all the way up to Nordcap and back again with pretty much no bother, so I suppose these types of bikes are here to stay. Looking forward to the next episode
Macbor is actually a Kove, just rebranded to Macbor, like in Greece its called Daytona Motors
It always amazes me that so few Britons are willing to even TRY to communicate with Spanish people (and in this case, mechanics). Spain has more bike riders than any other country in the whole of Europe. They should have just gone to a local mechanic and they'd have sorted the bike out. Even if the mechanic doesn't speak English, I can pretty well guarantee that he'll know someone who does, and there are plenty of young Spanish people who are just dying to have the opportunity to use their English, especially if you buy them a drink. And quite honestly, it's not about speaking English,it's about speaking BIKE.
I live in Catalunya (N.E. Spain) and I can promise you, the people here are some of the friendliest, most hospitable people you can meet, and virtually everybody is a biker or ex-biker.
David, that's one of the best comments I've read in a long time. Here in Germany the same. "They speak BIKE"
@@christiangrendel9893 Thank you. I've (so far) learnt some 8 or so languages, to a greater or lesser extent, and I've always done so through some interest or other (usually, but not exclusively, bikes). It's amazing how much you learn when you have nothing in common other than an interest and a desire to learn.
Yet another great Chinese bike, though value for money & overall package I'd take the Voge 525dsx with luggage for £1,000 less. I also like the big bike feel of the Benelli 502X for £1,700 less without luggage.
Great area to ride Nathan, thanks for sharing.
yeah but every bike needs a "unique selling point"..... and I like the options those two tanks give..
Great, real-world review. I enjoy your sense of humour. Slightly concerning that the bike was blown off its side stand by a gust of wind!
Oh it was more than a bit wind. We were in a storm at the top of a hill! But it doesn't stand quite upright
My Honda CB 500x was on flat road sideways to the wind, and leaning into it on stand. A strong gust lifted it off the stand and dropped it on the ground in the RH side.
Great update. Safe travels 😊
One great advantage of that big fuel capacity is you can pick and choose where you fill up and take advantage of the best pump prices.
Carrying all that extra weight around is going to spoil that theory. A range of 500km is more than enough in the real world.
@@davidmatthews3093 Not sure what point you're trying to make in relation to my comment that a larger capacity means you can buy more fuel in a particular place. You seem to be suggesting that an extra 20 kg of fuel (OK, petrol is a bit less dense than 1kg/ltr but it'll do for sake of argument) is enough extra weight to halve the mpg, or even substantially reduce it? Doubt that very much, but what do I know, I've only been riding bikes for 40 years.
Excellent video as usual sir. I was talking to Nathan in Streffords in Worcester, I gather you guys know each other and was looking at his Kove 450 Rally. What a beast. I think Nathan and Amanda have got a great team going there and I would definately be looking to support those guys particularly as the BIG dealerships are having major issues lately. That Rieju looks like a quality piece of kit and it more than compares with my NX500 which I love. The amount of kit you get that Rieju as standard for £6.5k is mind blowing considering I spent 7k on the NX with hand guards and centre stand. I am missing the upper bars, 12 volt socket, bash plate just for starters let alone extra fuel tanks. What a machine. Excellent informative review as well top job. Interesting you have got grouding with that centre stand with 190 clearance though. Always look forward to your videos mate, stay safe and upright. By the way, I know tyres are personal but I was looking at Mitas E07 Plus for my NX as the Dunlops as good as they are are wearing out real quick after just 3k. The Mitas ia a 60/40, reviewers say they are great on road which is where I am mostly, what's your take? Cheers.
👍
There are only a couple of places in Canada where one could use the range, but I like the idea of active weight distribution and no range anxiety.
Very interesting about the insurance, good to know. Great recap on the bike as always mate, looks ace out there.
Good update video, mate. Those screen start up times are soooo much quicker that Triumphs..! In terms of 'branding', it was a wise move on KTM's part to put CF Moto under their umbrella. Some of these bikes are making real time inroads into UK bike sales and buyer confidence nowadays, and rather than being a mere copy, some of them like this one, have some genuine USP's. Thanks for the update, Keep safe.
Another great real world review and good to hear how the Rieju is performing well. If I were a little younger I'd probably go for it over the CHMoto but for me weight is an important factor, though the fuel range is one less thing to worry about as you say. I am really impressed with the chinese bikes coming out and look forward to you final review.
Looking forward to hearing more about this one. Not particularly drawn to Chinese bikes but this one is more appealing
Looks good, I think if price was squeezed down to 6k there would be a bun fight. Just finished long way home- good read👌
Always carry jbweld.
Great stuff for those times.
Fixes crankcases easily.
Saves terminal damage at times. 😎
safe travels fella - sounds like a good 1st 500 miles
Your point about the weight is spot on.
Everything already fitted.
Same on a Voge 525 or Himmy 450.
Something a lot of the press fail to mention.
Spec an NX500 to the same level and I'm sure there would be no difference.
And £6500.
Plus that range if you need it. I must admit 300 miles is usually my take it easy comfort level on bumble roads.
Ride safe 👍
Good video. I have no issue with unknown brands…… as long as you can get all spares straight away and for at least seven years.
Let's hope the guy gets his bike home OK
Looks like another proper adventure bike at the right price leaving money for the adventure
Once again I popped into my local Honda dealership to find no one else in there
I think once people give these bikes a try the big brands will have to merge to keep going
Safe travels Nathan, and please give us the update on the servicing and cost
I thought you'd come around to the double tank set up😉. I can't see me buying another bike and certainly not a brand new one but it's still always interesting to see what's out there. Nice mini review. I look forward to hearing a fuller review and opinion on the Reiju at the end of the tour. Have a great trip,Nathan. Ride safe
Great to see a positive review of a chinese bike.I find most reviews of chinese bikes especially in europe are negativly expressed just because of china.But hey I own a MT800 CF Moto and I love it …and so far its runnig great.
Thanks for posting and your thoughts about the Rieju 500 so far. Its sure a very different kind of adv-bike. 40 liter petrol capacity is a lot! Maybe the additional tank should be around 10 liters and then make a storage space for a tool kit, spare parts, drinks and snack, el pump for tires etc etc?
And also at 230-240 kilos a 70-80 HP engine would be a bit more exiting….
But an interesting bike!
Up early Friday morning, Nathan video, get in!
when I first saw this bike at Eicma, I thought it was everything a new CB 500 X needed to be, in terms of suspension, rims etc. With the additional weight I think the power output will be the bike's biggest downfall. The A2 'adventure' segment isn't short of decent bikes, but a bike like the Aventura with similar output to the Tenere ( esp. mid range torque) would be a genuine contender....
Yet another cracking little bike form the far east - I’ve been ruminating over when to get my last new bike for a year now as there are just so many good mid capacity ADV bikes coming to market currently. My top three would be this, the 450MT and the Kove 525dsx, though I keep wondering if I’d miss the extra grunt of something outside the A2 segment. It’s a difficult one because after a lifetime of super bikes I’ve come to realise I don’t need all that excess power now. Really love the CP2 motor in the T7 at around 70bhp, which would just give that little bit extra on the long stretches of the motorway getting to somewhere like you are. I’m torn but must make a decision soon or I’ll just keep procrastinating forever!😂
Thanks Nathan, a nice little update. The Japanese big 4 need to up their game or they will soon be overwhelmed by these exciting and affordable bikes. Always been a Honda fan,(owned over 30 of them) but their updates on bikes like the NX500 are not that exciting. And what is with the rubbish colour options these days, next year’s NT1100 is offered in black, white or grey! I would buy one if they were orange, red, yellow or blue with an electric screen. These Chinese derived bikes are offering all the bells and whistles for less money and it’s becoming very hard to ignore.
Great to hear your unbiased enthusiasm.
Could you tell me where you got the front/side panniers?
Cheers
if people are happy with the power and the weight , then it's good buy , also looks smart for an adv ;;
Sweet ride!
I wondering how much off road would be with just lower tank loved my lil Ajp lower centre of cavity . Big Dave from keeps try to convince me to try crf 1100 good stuff Nathan
Rieju is a SPANISH company. They are based just up the road from me in Figueras, and have been around since the 1930s, but only really started exporting in the 00s. Although the company is Spanish, it is also Catalan, so the name is pronounced "Ri-ay-joo", not "Ri-ey-hoo" (as it would be if it was Spanish).
The company has historically been associated with small (50cc) bikes, and it is only in the past 20 years that they even had anything bigger than that. This would be why they buy the bike from China and bedge engineer it.
I'm really pleased that you seem to like the bike
BTW, Franco passed laws to ensure that Spain had enough fuel stations for all the country (there was a similar law for pharmacists/chemist's), and because even farmersa need access to fuel, most fuel stations still continue. It is a rare thing to see an abandoned fuel station, and that is usually because road layouts have changed.
Thanks David. Yes I know rieju is a Spanish company. I think the slight oily water with the 500 is that the marketing material suggested it was a Spanish made machine. Nothing wrong with Chinese made badge engineering if they're honest about it. But yes, I do like the bike. Very good really. Interesting about the Franco rules. I did think there was a lot of pharmacies around. Great country
The Chinese are definitely upping their game, looks like a great travel bike for the back roads, my only reservation is that while it may have 600 mile range, if you are travelling with others, you are still looking for fuel after 200 miles for them. Great if travelling solo though. Enjoy the rest of the tour!
I like the bike, but for that size of bike I think the 500cc is going to feel a bit slow. I had a CBR 500R and that felt slow with me and a pillion, so with just me, full tanks and a bit of luggage on the Rieju I reckon it's going to feel similar. This chassis would be better with a 65-70hp CP2 like engine.
One advantage I see with the independent tanks (instead of rear just pumping to the front like some bikes), is if you're just taking it offroad for a day, you can fill just the rear tank and have the gas weight pretty low down.
Must admit Nathan, riding through Spain this week too, I’d quite like that fuel range. Having suffered two days of range anxiety on the 690🫣
Yes it's a big old place isn't it!
@@nathanthepostmanBut you still don’t need to lug all that extra weight around. A range of 500km would be more than enough. It’s a gimmick.
@@davidmatthews3093 Yes. Everyone else has managed just fine with their single tanks. But I've liked having the two. And there's more to the bike than it just having two tanks.
Some interesting bikes coming out of China atm and great that you showcase them in an objective manner. A quick question, I have a Guzzi V85TT that I cannot get on with, specifically its too big and top heavy and the neutral to first engagement or lack of it, drives me nuts. I'm interested in the Voge 525 and Benelli 702 as a replacement for principally on road touring. Which would you recommend, or would you go for something else say the CF Moto 450? Cheers Alan
Regarding breakdown insurance, the lad at ridespain did a video about it a few months back. Lots of insurers don't cover an accident only a breakdown. you need to read the small print.
They seem to be putting out some good looking bikes. When I was in Mallorca in Summer I spotted a Reiju MRT 125 that looked cracking. I’d never heard of them till I saw that so did a bit of googling on the brand. If I was a 17 year old, I’d be all over that MRT like a rash..even at the ripe old age of 52 I’m tempted ha ha!..tell you what though, the big four need to give themselves a bloody good shake and wake up..China (and RE too tbf) are making the bikes people want..wakey wakey Japan, in ten years you’ll be overtaken
Very interesting.
Visually that bike is a winner. Centrestand surely better for fuel gauge?
Almost all breakdown policies only cover you for ‘breakdown’ not an ‘accident’ - even 5 star de facto cover is only for mechanical or electrical breakdowns.
For accidents your costs are usually covered under your insurance. The AA and RAC will help you with recovery following an accident ( with a service like accident assist) but they will charge - which you then have to claim under your insurance.
I would keep minimum fuel in top tank & msot of the fuel in under seat tank to keep weight low & down. Where's the battery & air cleaner housed if fuel under the seat?
Interesting note on the recovery service Nathan. Surely the insurance should cover the accident/enable a claim back for recovery costs? I always carry Industrial size Tie wraps, superglue, waterproof duck tape, Liquid Metal/epoxy on a trip just in case but I think an off like that would be a challenge and I might consider jacking the trip in. Best of luck to those fellas 🤞
I get it - it’s a decent package for £7k. But a quick scan of Autotrader brings up a handful of Honda CB500xs for between £4 and £6k (at the top end, they’re the last of the model, so 0 miles 2023 plates). Nothing against Chinese bikes, but taking depreciation, spares, insurance etc into consideration, Id go for the Honda every time.
Yes, totally understand why people would buy a Honda. It's a safe choice. A sensible choice. And a great bike. But if everyone bought Honda 500Xs the world would be a pretty dull place.
@@nathanthepostmanNot for the people who bought them, they would be too busy enjoying the ride. I find it bizarre that one of the best real world touring bikes is criticised for being too reliable.
@@davidmatthews3093I called it a great bike. But if that's all we bought then that's all Honda would make. And yeah, Honda are complacent and lazy. Great that the Chinese are using existing tech to innovate.
Great video Nate!
Are you going to do a fuel remap on it or something to get a little more power? or would you say it is sufficient for what you want to use the bike for?
To be honest I just tend to accept the engine's for what they are and find most performance enhancements pretty disappointing. Will just leave it stock
It is important to check your insurance and make sure you are covered for repatriation after RTC, although if riding off road might not be so easy, what you can do is get it back to the road and call recovery it works.
Its not just a Hengjian, but upgraded during 2 years by Rieju engineers
Ok great. It'd be great to hear what they changed
A BMW R1300 GS, costing over 30,000 euro, does not have backlit switch gear. This bike does!
2 x 20 liter fueltanks is 7 liter better than my 2011 R1200GSA (33 L)
I maybe have to downsize bike for my next trip to NorthCape from Oslo?
Only one refilling will be impressive to NorthCape,but with with camping gear and a heavy biker (100 kg) it will be wise to only use 5 liter on the backtank.😊
Back in the 60s they were saying the Japanese are coming. Initially the bikes and cars were cheap but spares were more costly. The cars rotted very quickly but look at where they are now. If you want reliability it is Japanese. Will the Chinese be equivalent time will tell.
They're are getting there fast, these newer bikes are very well made....
Is that button to change the fuel pumps over ?
Would like to see this bike in the U.S. market.
Any word on when you guys get the Kove 800x?
Too 'big' to add to my fleet but keen to try one
@@nathanthepostman im really interested on your take
How many percentages of your trip on this bike are tarmac? And what's the hardest surface you'll be riding?
This tour is 100% tarmac. I probably do more tarmac tours than trail
The Chinese are supplying affordable bikes into the uk , which in my book is a real step forward , eventually there may be a lot more motorcycles on the road , thanks also to RE of India . The Japanese have had it good for 50 years , change is happening.
Nathan, the Spanish pronunciation of Rieju is Ree eh ch (pronounced as the ch in loch,a guttural sound like clearing your throat ) oooh.
The Chinese manufacturers are going to do to the Japanese manufacturers what they did to the British manufacturers in the 70’s and 80’s. They are coming and it’s only a matter of time.
Yep. With Cinese stuff you just have to be careful with the ”original” spare parts. They have often poor quality.
Spot on Wurz, couldn’t agree more
More power to them! Prices are completely out of control. When did motorcycling become a sport exclusively for the rich? Even used bikes pricing is insane. $4000 for a 10 year old KLR with 15,000 miles? China is coming to save the day!
Well, maybe. One big difference is that by the 70's, British bikes were pretty shit - poor build quality, poor reliability, leaky and underwhelming. The Japanese bikes were much better, and cheaper (mostly). The Chinese bikes are only cheaper than the Japanese, not better, and the reliability, parts availability, etc., has yet to be proven.
Nope, not yet. The Japanese re invented the wheel and made unique bikes that nobody else did, and most punters wanted.
Currently the Chinese are just copying and selling at cost to get footholds in markers. They are not re inventing the wheel, nor brainstorming, just selling stuff cheaper than anyone else....MT450 maybe the exception to the rule.
Haha someone said in your last video that the fuel range was unnecessary but sounds like it's anything but.
Were the other bikes unable to get fuel in Spain?
@@fullthrottle2008 Does that matter !!! the two tanks give options,you aren't forced to brim both tanks..
@@lipsee100 So fill them 1/2 full and fill up with everyone else then?
It does not need that range anywhere in Europe. A range of 500km is more than enough.
@@davidmatthews3093 Thats your opinnion ,,my useage will be different,,and maaybe I intend to use outside Europe... and you are not forced to use the extra tank,,,it just means you have more options..
Very interesting, I agree with others who make the comparison with Japanese bikes in the1970s. Then, people said they were rubbish, look what happened. Set aside the political argument, maybe the Chinese will force the European and Japanese manufacturers to up their game?
Why do insurance companies defraud us. It should not be called breakdown cover. We buy it for recovery in times of distress
More and more of these well priced, competent bikes appearing from China. And when you look at what just happened to Completely Motorbikes, and other dealers selling well established or premium brand bikes, then affordable, real bikes are what people are clearly after. Try and get an MT450 or a Voge 900DX, the waiting lists tell the story. On recovery. A buddy broke down in Spain last year and his recovery company (RAC or AA, I can't remember) just left him out to dry. He ended up getting a lucky lift back to the UK where he was able to fix the bike. European recovery.... don't waste your money.
This is where BMW excels with its breakdown service on bikes. If you buy a BMW a man in a BMW van will come and sort you out!
Oh Ja! Mit der Lederhose !
😂
You don't know what has got into the engine. Easy for some splinters of metal to be in there. This could ruin the engine. Beautiful dash. Two tanks sound good. Not light, but a lot is petrol, plus it's got all the extra bits which people stick on their new purchases of more expensive bikes. Most BMW GSs you see look like Christmas trees. Nick
On the positive side it bleeds under pressure like a human, almost!
A Poland guy did 1073 km on one filling of tanks
240 kg with only 48 hp is indeed a bit out of balance!
Seems my comments on two very touchy subjects regarding Chinese bikes,namely dealer network and service,and Uyghar slave labour in Chinese motor production has been erased from the comments section.
Hmm,strange that.....
I haven't deleted them but to be honest I tend to glaze over those arguments because they're for another time and place
@@nathanthepostman I don't see how.
Dealer network and spares availability are crucial factors when buying a new bike,the bike can very quickly become a scrap PITA if spares aren't available.
I also believe insurance premiums are much higher on Chinese vehicles due to a lack of spares availability
If slave labour is being used in Chinese vehicle production it's no wonder their bikes are cheap to buy.
Simple answer is don't buy a Chinese bike and don't watch a video about a Chinese bike @@johnwood4448
I have a cf moto 450 mt and my dealer is very local and got me the parts I wanted to add no trouble. Try getting parts and repair work on the new triumph 400s
What slave labour mate, don't post false, one eyed garbage and it will probably get posted....
The premium motorbike companies source their components from China.
A complete “ ripe off from the front from a AT ! , and rear a GS 700 or 800 they are SO original NOT
So what?
@@jonm7272 you mush be Chinese and speak basic English
But if you go right back to the core logic of your statement all bikes are a rip off of the first bike with an engine ie 2 wheels and an engine. I never u deratand this comment ?
@@mattstringer7838 that’s a poor analogy, you could say that about “ anything “ if it didn’t have 2 wheels and an engine then it wouldn’t be a motorcycle ! if the engine was missing it would be a bicycle or 3 wheels a tricycle- in basic terms . For example Moto Guzzi and Royal Enfield are original in design ( they don’t look like other brands ) with ADV bikes the AT doesn’t look like the Suzuki 800 DE , or Yamaha T7 , I will give credit to we’re credit is due the Kovo 450 is very original in design as the CEO was a passionate rider / racer and build a fantastic bike that wasn’t “ copy and paste “ unfortunately he has resigned “ probably because he wanted to innovate and the other board members share were more interested in just ripping off other brands - hence the new Kovo 800 that users the KTM 790 engine. I know it’s tempting to buy a “ cheap bike “ that will have great resale value NOT “ and I know we are in hard times well buy a good quality secondhand Japanese bike , if you get it at the right price then when sell it on will not lose much or even make money .
If this bike had a 750cc, 270 degree crank engine , i'd be all over it like a rash, the 180 degree engines just don't do it for me unfortunately. Great looking bike though...
I think you are living in the dream world sold by the motorcycle press. Get out there and taste reality.
7:34 min: Stop scaring the locals. Unlike you they are NOT on a holiday. 🤣
It's ok as long as everyone you ride with has the same . But if the others are on another bike you will still all have to find fuel for them anyway.
I'm enjoying watching other people fill up. And often we ride solo or with different riders
Don't be surprised if the goverment add a tax or duty to the chinese bikes, get them while thet are cheap
Interesting bikes, I hope Japan etc will get the finger out and respond quickly. Will I ever buy Chinese bike? No ! I've virtually no choice when it comes to the like of a phone but multiple thousands of pounds? No way ! Firstly don't know what parts availability will be like in say, 5 - 10 - 15 years? More importantly, belligerent dystopian dictatorship that supports Russia and north Korea. Companies that are subsidised, employ cheap or even labour in virtual slave conditions, that never have to compete on an even level and turn a profit. I'd sooner pay more or get an older bike from a country that isn't actively trying to undermine our western nations.
What new bike would you buy that different feature Chinese components? The only answer is second hand Jap/euro bikes
Almost impossible to find anything that doesn't have Chinese parts, bikes or fridges or wherever, but I'll not buy one of their bikes. I'm actually v interested in them as a bike as they're building the bikes I want, but not gonna support them with my cash.
Why would you fill up in England when fuel in Spain is a lot cheaper ? Arrive in Spain on reserve and fill up. Every Cent counts. I'm a stingy bas*ard.
Because no petrol station Greggs in Spain
It's pronounced.. Raqu..
Cheap Chinese crap going to destroy the motorbike industry.
Just like the Indian/Thai/Brazilian one has....🥸
Would you like to explain that rubbish comment ? 50 years ago they said the same thing about the Japanese bikes. Get over it, If manufacturers had been making the bikes we want, and weren't overpriced to the hilt, we wouldn't have the interest in these well made bikes. Besides, the Chinese make engines for Honda, KTM, BMW and quite a few others, it pays to educate yourself on your chosen subject before mouthing rubbish online....
It is an interesting comment. Here in Spain in Valencia the other day I noticed the popularity of Chinese bikes; keeways, voge, benelli, rieju, especially the 125 to 500cc class of bikes. Clearly the young riders are buying them over the established Japanese brands, probably because they're more affordable. I guess you could argue Chinese bikes are saving the industry, and keeping young riders on two wheels.
As the owner of both a Japanese motorcycle and. Chinese one I believe that you are talking from a position of ignorance. Modern Chinese bikes are opening up the enjoyment of motorcycling to more people as their competent bikes as so much more affordable.