The Fantic Caballero Scrambler 500 | The Sub £7k Lightweight Italian
Вставка
- Опубліковано 27 вер 2024
- Thank you to Krazy Horse in Bury St Edmunds for lending me the bike for the day. krazyhorse.co.uk/
_________________
This is a motorbike I’ve been keen to test ever since I saw it in the flesh a year ago.
How does this reasonably priced Italian Scrambler compare to its rivals- the likes of the Royal Enfield Scram 411, the Triumph Scrambler, BMW RnineT Scrambler and Ducati Scrambler… and is there enough room in the market for it?
_________________
The Bike:
A 2022 Fantic Caballero Scrambler 500
Arrow exhaust (£1,000 extra)
450cc
40hp
150kg
Water Cooled
_________________
Partners:
QUADLOCK:
www.quadlockca...
My Usual Bonneville Quad Lock setup: Wireless Charger, Vibration Dampener, Handlebar Mount Pro, iPhone Case, USB Charger
SIZZAPP:
sizzapp.com
Motorcycle tracker and rider's mate
XLMOTO:
bit.ly/3q34JDM
Your one stop motorcycle shop- from biking gear to tools and everything else.
HOOD JEANS
www.hoodjeans....
The highest safety rated motorcycle jeans
_________________
Locations:
- Folk Cafe, Fornham Business Court, The Drift, Fornham St Martin, Bury Sait Endmunds IP31 1SL
- Krazy Horse, Empire House, Business Park, 3 Lamdin Rd, Lark Valley Dr, Bury Saint Edmunds IP32 6NU
_________________
Gear for the Trip:
Daytona Cruiser Helmet
Broger Moto California Jeans
TCX X-Blend Boots
Broger Moto Florida Jacket
Throttle Snake Glove Trotter Gloves
_________________
My personal motorcycle: 2010 Triumph Bonneville 865cc (the base version)
_________________
Buy us a coffee:
- www.buymeacoff...
__________________
Find me on:
- INSTAGRAM: / dob.bs
- GEAR AND MORE: www.freddiedob...
- PODCAST: Freedom Machines With Freddie Dobbs
- FACEBOOK: / freddiecmdobbs
__________________
- Filming and editing: @monikameraki (Instagram)
__________________
Music:
Steffan Carlen - Did I Make You Wait
The Devil's Sway - Trippy
Lofive - Crazy Like That
*Some affiliate links may be used. You won’t be charged a penny for clicking on them, but I may get some commission from any purchases*
Thank you all for the heads up and my apologies on the Ducati Scrambler spec mistake. To confirm; the Ducati Scrambler 800 has 75 horses, and the Ducati Scrambler 400 has 41 horses🐎🐎
Someone is pretending to be you and offering giveaways mate.
Actually, you were right! what you needed to correct is the Name, Ducati scrambler SixtyTWO. Thats' the 40hp version of the Ducati scrambler and If I remember correctly they are very closely priced as their big brother hence why you don't see a lot of them.
Take a look at the new Caballero 700. That's the one i think! Cheers and thank's for a great review!
the ducati scrambler is the best bike i have rode since i was a kid, and i have rode a lot of bikes. But heck is the maintenance expensive! However, the joy of the ride and its strengths, and how it eats up the tightest winding bends, is incredible. Ducati scramblers are highly addictive. Which is probably why i own 2 and am considering a third
Hi Freddy
I have enjoyed your Video and your Comments on the Caballero
I do agree with many what you have said.
I own the Caballero since almost two years now and I am still fascinated by its agility, its lightweight easy handling and the good looks. People often ask me about the bike….
For longer tours it is still fine rididing, even with paniers. Just have been to the Pyrenees and I didn‘t regret preferring it to my R-Nine-T.
As you mentioned ,all that counts is weight and tyres. Since we went OffRoad a lot , it was a wise decision I think.
Sometimes i feel the engine runs a little bit „high“… it is like I want a gear more or some PS more…
But overall never have been unhappy.
Looking at the market for competitors, you mentioned everything allready. I would be interested in The Himalayan, but I rather wait for the 650cc, which i hope, they will build..
Keep on going with your nicely made videos. I love your Honest-Guy-Style. I can identify myself with your road and bike experience’s. It seems all trustworthy and reliable. I love your little misfortune ( Rain, stolen Laptop etc.) and the leger way of yours to handle all .
To bad Monica is not to be seen to often.
Excuse my bad english writing
Greetings from Hamburg, Germany
P.S. actually I plan to visit Krazy Horse because of you….😂
Fantic have hit the sweet spot with the Caballero. I love the design. It reminds me of the trail bikes we used to ride in the 70s and 80s. Bikes like this remind you just how much pure fun a motorcycle can be. Great review - I'm not surprised you were impressed.
Don’t DM that Telegraph number Rick. It’s a scam
The Fantic for the price is a very decent bike. The engine is from a factory that makes Suzuki engines. Just needs a sump guard, a set of Michelin Trackers and the front mudguard lifted a bit for muddy tracks and you’d be well sorted. I’d take the Fantic over an Enfield for the weight advantages off-road any day. Lack of weight costs money! Great vid Freddy!
Really glad you enjoyed it Steve! Thank you for confirming this as I wasn’t 100% sure it was the Suzuki engine factory🙂
It's a great motorbike! Actually a Fantic Caba with these features exists and it's called Fantic Caballero Rally. It has all the features you mentioned and it's a little bit higher!
@@carlalbertocolombo461 yes I saw that one but forgot about the changes. Certainly better if you like searching for trails. Thanks for the reminder.
Yes Caballero Rally would be my choice as well, maybe a bit to tall for me, I am 5, 10 a bit
taller maybe. As a second bike this is perfect next to my BMW R9T custom set up. This kind of weight you can’t take off RE Int,not 60 kg, even though it’s a great bike with a great price, this is more purposeful, way more for me.
They've bought Minarelli now, so they will be making the engines and the rest of the bikes in Italy soon, well within 2 years ...
Ive had the rally version for 6 months. Its been out in all weathers and temperatures. It really is a great all rounder if you like the styling. I wouldnt want to spend hours on the motorway but who would on a naked 450cc bike, itll do short journeys no problem and exceed the national speed limit.... apparently. Its in its element on country lanes and B roads. The race exhaust, remap and heavy fly wheel do give it a little more oomph, not that it was a slouch in the first place. Ive had many bikes of all types and power and this little fella hits a sweet spot with me, it does everything i need at a good level of comfort and at a decent pace. Build quality seems absolutely fine and on a par with the big manufacturers bikes ive owned, i would say better than a few of them. Its one of those bikes that if you click with it then youll love it. Isnt that the same for all bikes😂.
I rode Fantic two stroke Motorcross bikes I the 80's in Belgium. The thrill of being a youngster off road with a bike where performance was not the top issue will stay with me for ever. Top vid!
Great video, Monica did a great job on the camera, thank you both!
I love my Caballero Scrambler 500. As a women who struggles with her health, my Anni really looks after me. I don't get out on it as much as I would like, but the Caballero's weight is great and makes it ideal for me. I had a Triumph Tiger 850 sport for a few months, but I found that on longer rides it's weight took too much out of me and I wasn't enjoying it.
The Caballero is great fun! In fact my husband, who loves Triumphs and has both a T120 & Tiger 900 GT, has had to buy a Caballero after having so much fun on mine 🤣 he loves buzzing round the country lanes. It a bike to consider if you just want to have fun and put a smile on your face 💜
Oh and I'm not sure that back end is standard on that one, I think you might find it has some sort of tail tidy on. Our two definitely have more going on at the back 🤣
The format is so perfect ...it's been ages i saw such crip and informative review on any motorcycle. Perfect ...and engaging
I've owned my Fanti c Scrambler 500 for 3 years now, no issues at all (8000mls). I'm only 5'6" but because it's so light, the seat height is not an issue. Brilliant on the twisty bits!! Loads of grunt , and ok for 95mph. The only downside for me is the small clock, too fiddly & service interval.
Lovely review Freddie - great to see someone over six foot getting on with and understanding the genre of motorbike more than many other reviewers. Cheers!
My first bike at 16 years old in 1982 was a Fantic and it broke my heart. I was desperate to get a bike, but I couldn’t afford a used Suzuki ER50 or Yamaha so paid £150 for a used Fantic. It was a pile of junk and I had problems with it right from the start and quickly learned the big end had gone on it, so I only used it a few times. My friend had a similar unrestricted Gilera with no issues. I learned an important lesson and as soon as I started working full time I got a Yamaha DT125LC which restored my passion for bikes. So, quite unfairly, I always associate the brand Fantic with one of my teenage disappointments.
I had a Fantic superped back in the day and it was fine apart from a half arsed pedal arrangement whereby one pedal could brought down to form a sort of footpeg rather than fitting actual footpegs. Certainly a lot faster than Fizzies and Hondas.
Trouble is a second hand led was always going to be ragged with an inch of its life. And with poor if any mechanical sympathy or maintenance. Same engine in the Gilera so can’t blame the bike. I had a Fantic GT and loved every minute and would also love to have it back. But as a country road tool I’ll but a Fantic without a doubt
@@grahamkorn6236 Supermopeds had folding pedals or non-folding pedals, but they had to have pedals to be a moped. Common sense prevailed and government decided pedals were a poor way of categorising motorcycles. Unfortunately they limited power output instead, choking perfectly good little bikes.
My new Moto bike ! - Love it - Thanks for the cool information and test ! Greetings from Germany and Austria - 🏁🌄🍀🖐️✌️-Ride on !
You visited the Folk Cafe in Bury St Edmunds. One of my favourite places. Been considering that bike as a new toy.
It’s a brilliant little cafe- Bury St E is beautiful in general- I loved it!
@@FreddieDobbs Bury St Edmunds has so meny fabulous cafe's that have made me a little too fat lol.
I've been eagerly waiting for this review on the Caballero 500, your style of presentation coupled with your enigmatic enthusiasm is the modern day version of Keith Floyd, by far the most entertaining motorbike channel on the Net. 👌
Although unlike Floyd, Freddie is sober (we hope).
Freddie! Absolutely love your videos. Keep them coming! Your personality and knowledge make for a truly great experience watching your channel.
Thanks for the review Freddie and Monika. The Fantic does sit it in a place all on its own. The only comparison I can that I can think of is offerings from Benelli and SWM. I, myself, have a Kawasaki W800 for the road and a customised Kawasaki KLE 500 dual sport for the road and off-road. A perfect combination. Wouldn’t mind one of those MV Agusta’s for spririted riding though!!
I did not think I could find a bike like this retro with a decent sound very tempted
What a great review, and what a fantastic looking bike. I would note that lightweight is key to fun over power for a bit of off road fun, and the plastics are made as such so that they are cheap to replace if you bash or damage them.....key for an off road bias bike. The Royals are good value, but their Scram is not a great looking machine...... Mutt make a great 250, but down on power, still looks good. Great vid both...love it!
Went from a FS1E to the crem de la crem as a 16 year old - the Fantic GT.
The thing did a genuine 50mph... Wrote it off going over a humpback bridge in Norwich city centre in 1977. Austin 1100 with a family of 4 doing a u turn on the other side. Beat copper saw everything. Fortunately.
My first ever trip in the back of an ambulance....
I would recommend anyone interested in buying this bike to also test drive a second hand BMW G650 Xcountry. Both weigh about the same, BMW has more hp, is a bit more robust and better build quality with the famous rotax engine which is easy to maintain. You might end up saving about 3000 pounds.
Rotax made in China.
I love the look of this thing! The size and power would keep me either in town or trailering it on holiday or to more interesting off-road environments. My Ducati Scrambler, with its 73 HP could be properly ridden to almost any destination … multi-day trips, camping, whatever. On the Duc, I could pack everything needed for a week on the road - and keep traffic in the rearview!
I've ridden the Ducati Scrambler too, well a Desert Sled, and the Caballero wouldn't be far behind. Yes it has less power, but a LOT less weight :)
I have the same 2022 scrambler. Fair review. Not got a problem with quality of plastics, not BMW but more than ok. Problem I have is that having spent 20 mins, there is almost nothing I know about the riding experience. If anyone is interested, there are more informative reviews out there. PS. My bike is fault free, amazing sure-footed handling with enough power to make it A road capable and B road brilliant. No intrusive vibes, but the seat isn't great for comfort. I swapped to the Brown seat from the Rally variant which gives you 100mile comfort. Every time you park, someone will want to look and chat !
I came to say wow you made the bike look so cool then i realized you actually make every bike look so cool.
I had the 50cc version in 1975. It crushed the Japanese competition on performance and for an entry level bike, oozed style. This version has the same style and I am impressed with weight and performance.
Freddie, I remember the Fantic 50 Chopper from the 70’s, it was legendary in the day for its amazing looks but rarely seen thanks to poor reliability and very limited dealer network. The new Cabellero looks great from a distance but doesn’t live up to a closer scrutiny and has a lot of cheap parts, which after a few thousand miles may start to look shabby. I also suspect the resale value will be low due to the lack of ‘mainstream heritage’. Congratulations to you both on 50k, very well deserved, you have one the best motorcycle vlogs out there and a unique style that makes each of your videos more like a collectors item. Pleas keep them coming.
Absolutely a classic simplistic beauty. Just my kind of bike, as a "gentleman". Fits my patina leather and hemp jeans nicely...
I watch lots of UA-cam bike content. Your delivery is a breath of fresh air. Stick with this format. Far to many you tubers are same same copy the last guy.
Really good review, you hit the nail on the head. Price is too high. I'd also compare it to the KTM 390 adventure. Similar performance, light weight but much cheaper, ditto the Husky 401. I had a Fantic moped as my first bike so the nostalgia is strong, but I don't feel this range are good value for money, would be hard to sell on and limited service support. Love a go on one but not own one sadly.
Great video. I just test rode one and agree the Arrow pipes are too loud, but it really surprised me in terms of how well it rode, and how much fun it was. For the price, spec and looks there is nothing much to compete with it.
Morning Freddie and Monica 😉 congratulations on the 50k what an achievement, you deserve the recognition, the amount of hours and enthusiasm you give. I have not found that coffee shop (didn't know it existed) but looks like a handy stop. The fantic looks a cool bike 👍
Congrats on 50k subscribers to you & Monika,well deserved 👊😉
When you think back to what an actual classic Scrambler was, I think of the Triumph 650s from the 1960s. Weight, around 160kg, power around 40bhp. In its day, such a bike was primarily designed to go racing off road weither it be trails, motocross or desert racing. Of the classic style scramblers offered by other manufacturers today, only the Ducati 800 Desert Sled has any off road pretentious out of the box and it weighs in at just over 200kg. 50 kg more than the Fantic. Dynamically the Fantic Caballero Rally is comparable to the capable but long in the tooth Suzuki DRZ400S. It has a couple of advantages over the DRZ, modern fuel injection and 6 gears instead of 5 on the DRZ. This is why the Caballero are such a fantastic bike, it’s not just a coffee house cruiser, it is actually capable as a trail bike where competitor models from Moto Guzzi, Triumph, Enfield and Ducati are not. Just trawl through You Tube, people are actually taking these bikes on narly single track trails, to remote places in mountainous terrain where MotoGuzzi V7s, Triumph Street scramblers and Enfield Interceptors are rarely if ever seen.
Another Sunday and another brilliant video. Congrats on reaching 50,000 subscribers
Thank you for watching- it’s really appreciated🙂
The growth of this channel has been huge in the past year!
Love the way you stand back and give it a good coat of looking at from all angles..I do the same with my Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 ( 400cc ).it's needed pannier supports, a small front fairing with deflector and various little upgrades to make it a 150miles a day touring bike including a re-upholstered seat. the fabric is 35 kilos lighter than the scrambler with proper off road credentials..Great review..Definitely a classy machine..Any bike is an adventure bike..the trip is the adventure and the bike is the tool..this is a nice tool for the job and again, a few tweaks and it would make a great all day bike..the weight is 125 territory and you are right!..The weight is a massive positive to off road performance & handling..appreciate your reviews and honest approach to quality & value..
Fabric??🤣🤣Fantic even🙈
Not sure the 47hp is correct for the 800 scrambler..my 400 is 41!!
Price I paid was £6300 and that was for the luxury version.
Had mine for a year, absolutely smitten. I’ve named it Basil. Had loads of bikes of all capacities, ridden for 44 years and this is my favourite. I bought it on a whim as I’d grown tired of a KTM 990 SMT with modified seat which added half an inch too much height. It’s too much money until you live with it for a while, then it seems like a bargain. I’ve never smiled so much since I first got on two wheels.
Thanks Freddie great little review. Good to have you back in Sunny Suffolk 😃👌🏻….but looking forward to the adventures in Cornwall too! Ride safe Cheers Dan 👍🏻
I think Fantic have really nailed the looks. It’s very much a ‘modern take on the classic’ unlike the Royal Enfields which are as ‘retro’ as they could possibly be.
My dad was looking at the Cab but ended up going with a RE Trials 500.
If the Fantic proves itself well over a couple of years I think people will be more willing to take a chance on one.
Very fair point!
Nice bike, great review! Can you review the Husqvarna 401 Svartpilen? 150kg, lightweight, naked scrambler, similar proposition to this?
Wow after hearing the specs and bhp i think this can beat my enfield scram 411 and serve the same purpose, with a lower sitting height. This is perfect for Koh Lanta island! My first bike was a Honda XR 75 in 1976, and the Fantics, Ossas, Montesas, and other seventies trials bikes and scramblers were among the bikes i raced against in the local quarry in Clifford Yorkshire! This bike is highly reminiscent of my era and the pure scrambler experience! Except we never had fuel gauges and mirrors. 40 bhp in a 450 against the 27 bhp in the enfield scram 411 is going to make a big difference
Just test rode one this afternoon. For my use, commuter to get through city traffic and have some fun in the weekend, perfect! I have other bikes so I don't need to use it for longer highway rides or holidays or daylong blasts with friends ... So I just ordered a flat track. I was looking at an RnineT but that's too heavy for the city and not comfortable enough for long trips and more than double the price, the triumph scrambler 1200 was on my list much better for touring than the BMW but still a lot of bike for the city so ...
Thanks for another great video!
Freddie lean angle deminshes with rider weight compressing suspension, great vlog.
Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is a quality built retro motorbike for the price having a twin.
Royal Enfield will more than likely survive with production in India compared to Fantic being a hash of a Chinese engine and Italians putting a motorbike together.
Sorry, but in Italy Fantic is quite a piece of history in motorbikes!
…quality I’d take the Fantic over any RE any day of the week though….
Got my Scrambler since 2020... never had a problem, it's very funny ( 40 hp on 150 kg are enough, you DON'T need 100 hp to enjoy riding ), 20 km with a litre and I ride quite fast, thanks to Aprilia ex-engineers that designed the motorcycle frame. Not counting all the times that people stares at it or tell me how beautiful it is...
@@fragu123 you might want to check out this: ua-cam.com/video/9GAUo8eUXeU/v-deo.html
Spoiler alert: RE engines are better built than Honda or BMW.
lovely motorbike. No frills, just poetry
Wow, that looks like an entry level Ducati and I like it even more than the Duc's scrambler style. Great job. I can forgive the cheap plastic parts because those are small items that will probably be easily replaceable with aftermarket parts (hopefully). What is much more difficult to replace are things like the nicely machined triple clamp and reversed fork. Those look very well done on here, but are much cheaper looking on the RE (which I do have). I really like the Italian flare here. BUT this will never beat the RE in exhaust note, especially with a custom exhaust.
Fantic should go world-wide with this one. 50hp (w/Pipe) at 150kg....KTM's 390 and the Himalayan would be in serious jeopardy. Excellent video as always Freddie!
Yes! Start with Canada please.
I nearly bought the rally version of this bike for light green laning after going from a BMW G650GS Sertao to a Honda CRF 250L, but off road you need to stand up over rough ground/rocks but the exhaust bulge digs in your right leg making any more than a few minutes too painful to stand up on this bike.
Now got a Yamaha XVS 1100 Dragstar Bobber 😎
Brilliant Video as ever. Great video filming by Monica !! The Fantic definitely has the best power to cost ratio sown up.
A Royal Enfield 411 Scram, add a £200 Tec Cam ( easy to fit ) which gives a 4 hp increase in power might be the best value for money combination I reckon !! Unles other folk vote otherwise of course....
Another great video Freddie, some excellent camera and editing work, and a crackin soundtrack
I like it. Good power, nice look, solid heritage, T'was a nice day for it too Freddie!.
Great video, I'm just looking at this bike and the Scram as a second bike for commuting so I watched with interest. I just wish this was a grand less and it would be - for me - a real contender for what I want, which is cheap price and high MPG and something that will put a smile on my face. The Scram still has it and the performance cam which adds about 20% to the top end makes it even more attractive. Thanks for a great review and video.
Drew, we think along the same lines- I agree with absolutely everything here
There’s another bike that’s a bit of a hidden gem, imho, in the entry level scramblers area, and it’s the Benelli Leoncino (=lion cub) 500 Trail. For under 6k EUR, you get a 500cc 47HP bike that weights a bit less that 200kgs (iirc) and is really “chuckable and flickable”. I rode mine from Rome to London, and toured all the way to Cornwall and back in 2 people (with camping gear and all), cruising at 120km/h with no problem. Sadly, its Italian heritage has been a bit lost since Benelli is now a Chinese owned company, so the Leoncino is designed in Italy (Pesaro) but manufactured in China - however, I still think they’ve still done a great job with it, particularly at that price point. I might be biased though since it’s my first bike :) I’d be curious to hear what you think about it (and also about the Motoguzzi V85TT: I did a test drive and I fell in love!)
Anybody looking at the aircooled twinshock trials class with bikes from the early 70's to mid 80's the late 70's Fantics are arguably the pick of the bunch.
She's a little honey Freddie, I'd certainly like one as my fun/commute bike but....... the dealer network isn't great, if these were more available over a wider area they'd sell well at that money. A beautiful retro with nothing to really dislike. Well presented Freddie. 🤟
Thanks Steve and a very relevant point re dealer network!
Need these in Canada. These would work well on the endless gravel roads.
thank you once again ,Freddie
A friend of mine has had his eye on this for a while but Judith keeps saying NO ! 🤣 If I was in the market for this type of bike I think the Benelli Leoncino 800 trail would come into play , as for the Chinese connection people have mentioned I can't comment , iv'e just bought a Moto Morini X-Cape ....awesome bike !
Wish they would import to the US, this is EXACTLY the type of motorcycle I want
Really enjoyed your review, love the look of this bike, hopefully grab a test ride at some point.
The music! Always so good.
Your boots, they’re just so sick❤️
Dear friend,
Love the video, and, just to inform that next year the Fantic will lunch a Caballero 700, with the yamaha cp2 engine, same engine of the tenere 700, and that is a game change, price near the 10.000 euros, and with more electronics..., it obliterate any royal enfil, and probably be a better of road bike then the triumph scrable. Wishing you and Monica a happy Holiday season and a great 2023.
Just wanted a review, thanks to your video i crave this bike! Thanks for the video!!!
Your reviews are excellent and congrats to you and Monica for exceeding 50k. The Caballero looks a great proposition for a mix of on and off road riding. The brand was really well know and stood out as being that bit different in the early 80's,, particularly their 50cc machines 👍
Hi Freddie the 800cc Ducati scrambler has 73hp as standard the Ducati scrambler sixty2 is a 400cc scrambler that has around 40hp I’ve had both and they are great bikes. I think the Fantic looks the part.
Thanks Ian, appreciate it!🙂
Actually I think they still had to re-map that bike. As you have the upgraded exhaust system to the shorter, race type one, the motor will be needing more fuel not to run too lean. I'm getting my Cab500 remapped in spring, the operation includes the remap, it's a necessity.
I've seen these at a local dealer and at a glance, they look amazing. I agree with you though, super stylish but nasty in some places. Notably the plastics and cables and routing. I've never ridden a Scram either. But Enfield have the budget end of the market to themselves. And although peak power on the Fantic is higher, I'm betting the torque and feel of the Enfield would be much better.
The Himalayan is a weird bike, much much better than the sum of its parts. It'll never off-road at speed but it will tractor over everything all day, even with an inexperienced rider on board.
[Full disclosure, I own one].
The main thing is that kills the Fantic for me is the price. You could get a really nice Guzzi or Bonnie for that money, or very close to a used Himmy and a used Interceptor. They're too dear for what is not a premium product
Do they make a 150Kg bike ? I could afford a new version of both those bikes, the Fantic 500 at that price as a better option for me. You can’t compare it to an Enfield, they are chalk and cheese. In the end it comes down to perceived value and at £6300 the Fantic is a unique bundle of fun. I was getting bored with biking and close to packing in all together until I bought one.
Congrats to you both on passing the 50k subscriber mark! Just saw one of these at the ABR Festival… the CCM Spitfires also looked so cool!
Great vlog Freddie and Monica. Keep them coming please 👍🇦🇺
Freddie & Monica, I have a request for a vlog that I think you can do better than anyone else! Imagine you have 9,000 pounds, not a penny more. I want you to kit us out with everything we need to start being a motorcyclist, including warm and cold weather clothing, helmet, boots, armor, etc., etc. Don’t forget insurance (let’s assume mid forties with bike garaged), breakdown coverage if you think we need it, and whatever else we need! Maybe you could even give us a couple of different options based on styles of bike but let’s assume mainly on-road use with a few weekends away each year so may need some pannier space and enough power to keep up with traffic.
What a great looking bike for mucking about with great video :)
The cheap plastics can be a good thing on a bike that is used for off-road - so long as the plastics are cheap to replace when damaged.
For example, you can buy a MX bike for £10k and a complete set of replacement plastics only costs £150.
the motorbike
at its essentials terms
i love it
Great video Freddie & the style of the bike is really good BUT are take the Royal Enfield anytime!
Next thing they bring back the '70s Fantic Chopper in the traditional 50 and 125cc complete with ape hangers and sissy bars!
Love your reviews, thanks! Such a cool bike. Coming from the motocross world, I'm a sucker for that single cylinder bark :)
Good and honest review. Keep up the good work Freddie.
Awesome review Freddie.
In regards to the plastic panels on the bike I would argue that 1. They are staying true to there Moto X heritage and 2. That if your going to be scrambling the bike and probably dropping it a fair bit then plastic panels will not only last through a bit of bashing about they will also be a bit cheaper to replace (you would hope).
Once again great review.
Keep up the great work!!
Finally Fantic Caballero 500. Thanks man
Great small capacity scrambler, one I plan to buy as my second ride in a couple of years time. By then I will have finished my R9T Roadster and made IT perfect. Still some big investing, special aftermarket components, like Nitron suspension and straight OPEN headers, K&N filter and LED Lights fron and back, Unit garage panniers and so forth.
I don't want to say anything stupid amongst the bike aficionados but I do actually like this bike ,so here goes I'd like it in black! PS Someone mentioned Gileras , brings back memories of Libya late 60s desert and Italians.
Freddie, Freddie, Freddie.... I think you've upped your game! Great informative vlog and extremely well produced and presented. Look out Henry Cole..... Freddie's coming!!!
Thank you, Andrew🙂
If I had to choose between the Caballero and the Interceptor I'd go for the former no doubt. Lovely looking bike, fun offroad, full of character.
Nice bike for sure even so it has a 450cc engine but they call it 500cc.
If I had spare money and a garage, I would buy it because it's an all round motorbike and the engine size is just right.
A comparative note regarding the weight, my Piaggio Beverly 350 (a scooter) weights 180Kgs dry!
Another bike to compare with the Fantic is the Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 (wire wheel model), which is similar power & weight, but it's MUCH cheaper, however the Fantic wins on styling (classic/retro). The Fantic looks like it would be okay for off road. If they priced it for the same or less than the Svartpilen 401, it would gain some sales.
Well done on getting to 50k subs Freddie. Always enjoy watching your videos.
You're like a slightly more rugged Quentin Wilson but for motorbikes in delivery. Good stuff!
Great and honest vid, on the strength of your review I've just ordered one, now need to find out where to get the tail tidy used on the one you reviewed, keep up the good work young fella as I've also just ordered those £45 jeans on the pub lunch vid😁
Great video again. Love your honest opinion on these bikes
The Caballero 125 is amazing as well. Top end 125 model, would most definitely recommend to anyone willing to start off riding. The exhaust makes an amazing sound aswell vs other 125.
However, the only issue imo is the how customizable these bikes are as opposed to other models (such as the XSR700 for exemple, though it is not a scrambler). Can't wait to see this bike getting adopted more widely and spare parts manufacturers starting to produce new exhausts, etc.
Oooo Freddie, a serious contender for my first big bike. I fell in love with the Triumph Street Scrambler and second hand prices make that accessible. But, this has the looks and a much better weight for me. I don't mind the plastic but may have to change the seat. For bimbling round the lanes of North Devon with the occasional burl to Exeter or Dartmoor AND green laning this may be better. Thanks.
only just discoverd your channel freddie very good
Looks nice, certainly has the styling dialled. While not a completely fair comparison, in Australia these are basically twice the price of a Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 with similar weight and power.
Another great video Freddie. Currently riding the 125cc Caballero which shares the same frame and parts as the 500 but with the current Yamaha Minarelli engine. This year Fantic acquired Motori Minarelli from Yamaha, so possibly a new engine may end up in the 500? A Ducati Scrambler Nightshift would be my choice. Keep up the good work!
actually, if you consider the 12L tank. the actual weight that normally you are handling is 160kg because the claimed 150kg is the weight of the bike DRY. Now if the Italians made their magic and managed to keep that weight down then it must be truly a magnificent bike to ride. What does it feel like 40hp? If someone ever rode a CB500F, Which I had for 3 years, it's basically that but with 20kg less.
when I had the CB I once noticed how the bike was feeling better when I reached half gas on the Tank and sad to myself how it's nicer to handle this bike, it feels better when it is lighter. So as a big bike this caballero must be a real pleasure to ride. One thing that I wish tough is a lowered Version, maybe with 1 to 1 1/2 inches less as an option from the factory. country roads like the one shown here won't need all that ground clearance, plus the skid plate and Chromoly chassis are more than enough.
Please give the svartpilen 401 a try :)
Another brilliant review and video 😎👍🏻
You forgot to mention the legend that was the Fantic Chopper.
Congrats on 50k man! I remember when you were on 2k. I think I’d pick the XSR 700 over this bike.
Hugely appreciated Stevie and thank you for sticking around!🙂 I think I agree- I’d probably go for the Yamaha
@@FreddieDobbs the channel has got better and better. I only started watching to check out a mutt review.
I am glad that i have a honda cl 500 scrambler.
I think I'd go for the Scram over this. At 2/3 of the price I don't think it'd be any less than 2/3 of the fun and I'd have no worries re parts and servicing because of the RE dealer network.
Saying that, this is all only a guess as I've never even seen a Fantic in person. It looks cool though.
I think I agree with you Wayne🙂
well done ,, i thought you were totally all in on this bike, but your talk was much better and fair than i thought it would be , if you want a 450 off road bike then get a wr450 yam [ 8000 plus ] the fantic has made use of its limited power by being as light as poss, hence the plastic bits . whereas the r enfield has a ; pile em high ; strategy where they don't worry about the weight too much = as it costs more to shave it off than to put it on ;;; horses for courses , the motor sounds a bit harsh because its an off road quad bike type motor = they all sound like that ;;