Production of the “Rīga 5” moped began in 1966, and it differed significantly from previous models of this brand, which used springs rather than a telescopic fork for front-wheel suspension, allowing the fork to flex forward. The moped’s design was also completely revamped. It was equipped with a D5-series single-speed engine started by pedaling, which made the moped lighter and easier to handle. Initially, the rear wheel was equipped with a classic bicycle hub and brakes. But after 1968, a version with drum brakes on the rear wheel went on sale; for a time, both versions were produced in parallel, but over time, the drum brakes completely replaced the bicycle-style hubs. The frame near the handlebars was also reinforced, as the frames of earlier models often cracked when riding on rough roads. The moped was produced until 1971, when it was replaced by the next model in the series.
