Can you green lane a Rieju Aventura 500?

Holloway ratings

Four separate scores, not one blended number, so you can see what's actually driving it.

Full specs

What we actually found

The Rieju Aventura 500 is a purpose-built long-distance overland machine distinguished by its extraordinary twin 20-litre fuel tanks (40 litres total). With partial fuel it behaves much like a standard 500cc twin, approachable, agile, with an easy 840mm seat height and tubeless 21"/18" wheels that handle trail debris cleanly. Fully brimmed, it gives an astonishing 550+ mile range, ideal for multi-day remote routes where petrol stations are non-existent. Carrying that much fuel in wet British mud does demand muscle and smooth throttle control, though.

Pros for green laning

• Unmatched 40-litre dual-tank capacity: twin independent 20L tanks give a range of up to 550-600 miles between fill-ups.
• Accessible 840mm seat height: a low, narrow seat base gives confident ground reach on off-camber trail stops.
• Tubeless 21"/18" spoked wheels: allows full off-road tyre fitment with easy trailside tubeless puncture repairs.
• Standard protective equipment: comes with wraparound crash bars, an aluminium sump guard, a radiator grille, and pivoting footpegs.

Cons and limitations

• Heavy when fully brimmed: carrying 40 litres of fuel pushes wet weight past 225kg, making slow-speed balance very top-heavy.
• Modest 190mm suspension travel: the suspension stroke can blow through on sharp rocky washouts.
• Modest 47.5hp twin: an A2-compliant 500cc twin requires revving to maintain high speeds when fully loaded with camping luggage.
• Firm dual-tank switchover: managing independent tank balances requires remembering to toggle fuel pumps on long trips.

Based on manufacturer specifications and independent motorcycle press reviews.