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🐎🐎
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.
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
I started riding in 1978 and grew up riding in the California desert through the 1980's. Any desert rider from those days will tell you that that is a straight up dirt bike and I absolutely love it. They aren't sold here in the US but Im currently working on getting one from Mexico City, registering in Juarez with INT plates and using it here in the States. Some bikes are just so desirable that you just have to bite the bullet and go for it, even if it is a waste of money. You just can't put a price on some experiences. I can't wait!
I bought one of these (actually, the flat track version) last year and I absolutely love it. It's pure, raw motorcycling. Not great in town (as it's straining on the leash), but my, outside in the hills it's a joy to behold. Interestingly, I live in the Algarve, and a chap flagged me down on the Rally version of the same bike. This chap is a professional bike tourer, runs groups all around the world, and also owns a big workshop and garage in the UK. He told me that he loves the bike and that's something coming from someone who, when he took me to his Algarve house, had in his huge garage a Kawasaki H2, a Ducati Hypermotard, a Harley, a BMW GS, a Fazer, a KTM Duke, and four other bikes I've forgotten. His mod for the bike was a chain oiler... In short, highly recommended. PS I have the Arrow pipes, and I'd recommend them on this bike.
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.
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😂.
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!
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!
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.
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 🤣
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!
Another passionate review Freddie. Nicely done. This is my absolute dream bike. I remember the Fantic Caballero 50s in my early 70s sports moped days. You can see the styling heritage. I have owned many 500s out of 50 odd bikes and always found size and power optimum. The Fantic Caballero really hits the nail on the head.
But don't you get a bit fed up with modern habit of calling a bike 500 when it's clearly a 450 cc back in the 70s and 80s if they said it was 500 it would generally be 498 cc 🤷🏻♂️50 cc difference is a whole moped different 😋
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!
Fantastic review, good looking little bike it reminds me of the Gilera I used to rag around the fields on way back in the 1970s. Congratulations to you and Monika on reaching 50k, (I remember when it was under a thousand) and heres to the next 50k.👍
The real king of the modern classic is Motoguzzi. Continuous production since 1921 and all Italian. The other brands have a bolt on heritage for marketing purposes.
As someone who grew up a motorcyclist in Italy, I am not so fond of the brand. Guzzi survived as a defense contractor when army corps and police were bound to purchase Italian products. Brand recognition among the public was very, very low. Guzzi would have died a long time ago, if not for the fat contracts with the government.
@@superleggenda rubbish Police contracts were won in competition. Nobody made a utilitarian low maintenence high mileage bike for the forces or police in Italy as robust as the 500 singles or the first 700 v twins. Why was Guzzi the first non US bike that a US police dept bought? Guzzi has a large cult following worldwide and Italian enthusiasts in the know love Moto Guzzi. Ducatista? Pffft.
@@nachiketjoshi6594 Enfield stopped being made in Redditch England in 1971. Enfields in India have been made since the mid 50's. Moto Guzzi has been made in the same factory in the same town since 1921. I dont see too many historic Enfield bikes in historic racing circles. 500cc V8 anybody?
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'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. 👌
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🐎🐎
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.
A fairly good and honest review, must admit from what I remember back in the 70’s/80’s I though they had a reliability problem ( but I could be wrong as it was a few years ago ) although my mate had a fantic chopper back in the seventies and was the envy of the crowd. Superb camera work again.👍
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..
Good unbiased video. Another bike which is in the same market is the Mash X-Ride 650. Very similar in many ways. French built with Chinese components. A 650cc versus the Caballero's 500cc, power is probably similar, 163Kg so still reasonably light. A direct head to head comparison test would be really interesting. Obviously the Fantic heritage is a big pull and I think the design & style is better with the Fantc so that would be my preference but the Mash is probably the nearest as a direct comparison. I listen to your podcasts as well which I enjoy. 👍👍
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!!
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....
Glad to see you focussing on power to weight. Light weight is worth loads off-road. Not sure that the build quality is worse than RE - big lumps of metal add weight. I would like the Fantic in my garage. Thanks for the great vid.
The Benelli Leoncino Trail 500, at £5600 is a comparable bike to the Fantic, or the TRK 502 if you prefer modern style rather than retro. I would go for the Honda CB500X though every time at £6600. Nice to see and hear bikes that are not reviewed so much on u tube. congratulations on +50K subscribers.
i disagree, Caballero is the right weight with the right horsepower, is another match the TRK weight 230+ KG, and the other 2 are more weighted than Caballero by tens of kg
@@igioz My limit to off road is just on a campsite, never consider weight that much but for serious off road or green lanes as you say less weight a benefit.
I look forward to these videos like I used to the Saturday morning pictures. This is great stuff. 👍. No wonder you two are gathering such a following. Great bike. Highlighted everything a bike should be, and used to be. Light, simple, and a bike you can ride anywhere. So many modern bikes are fat too heavy, complicated and expensive. A modern XT500, definitely. Now, if Honda or Triumph made an equivalent?? Great stuff. Happy travels 👍
Wow.... Saturday morning pictures at your local cinema, great memories from the 1970"s, around the time my brother bought a Suzuki GT125, the beginning of my love of motorbikes.
There were rumors since 2019 and I think is already confirmed that Honda will launch a new model called CL500 scrambler and his little sister the CL250. Not as gorgeous as the Caballero but at least another little scrambler on the market. We'll just have to wait for the specs.
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.
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!
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 👍🏻
Freddie always finds these cool locations, quintessential British with this warm, feel-good factor. How he manages to film on so many sunny days, I have no idea! From an ex-pat (UK) who recalls soggy, damp, fusty and mould riddled Old Blighty! ;)
Viewed these at Krazy horse and was so impressed with the bike, must get out and test ride one as could be one for the future. Cheers Freddie and Monica
@@stevegascoigne1482 it’s the same rear shown in all the pictures on Fantic’s website, just has the mud guard removed. Tail would be legal where I live
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!
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 watch lots of TH-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.
Hey Freddie...hi from Cape Town, South Africa! Love your content, style and presence on camera....you deserve many more subscribers man. Awesome watching a guy making content about actually living out what most of us inagine biking life to be but dont have the time or guts to do. Loved the recent video on you repairing your bike too. All the best👌
I bought mine (actually the Flat Track version) used for £5200 with only 800 miles on it. First off, it always generates interest among people who see it - bikers and non-bikers alike. Looks are subjective, but it's hard to disagree that it's a good-looking bike. I've not put enough miles on it to say anything about reliability, but most modern bikes are pretty solid in that regard and I don't see it being any different. The build quality, as mentioned, is good without being exceptional. For the price, a little more attention to fit and finish would be nice, but I'm satisfied. My last bike was Triumph Bobber, which was way better put together but that's in a different league price-wise. The engine isn't unpleasantly vibey, but you get a lot of mirror-blur at high speed. It does sounds a feel a little 'clattery'. The exhaust note with the standard cans (also twin Arrows) is great and gives some dramatic pops and crackles. Motorway speeds are no problem but I can't see it being great for a lot of high-speed miles purely because of the aerodynamics. I've ridden mine from full to almost empty at A-road speeds without getting uncomfortable. Torque is great for a small engine, and it's a real blast on back roads. The light weight, tall seat and riding position make it a killer urban bike. I'm under 5'10" with short legs, so the seat height is right on the edge of what I can reach. I can tiptoe both sides, but the light weight makes leaning over at a stop no problem. There is an aftermarket lowering kit for anyone with shorter legs. The Flat Tracker is, if anything, prettier than the scrambler but also less practical. It's less pillion-friendly and there's no easy place to attach luggage. The fuel gauge stays above half-full for ages then suddenly dips almost to empty - I suspect there's a calibration glitch because there's still a few litres in there. Switchgear is a bit odd with a wheel for high/low beam and fiddly indicator rocker. I've mangled a hex head on a non-structural bolt just by unscrewing it, so a few replacements will be in order.
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.
Great review, as always. And the camera girl deserves an Oscar nomination for her camera work. Since the Himalayan will be attaching a 650cc engine in a year or two, that will be the bike that will kill all its competitors, though. Happy trails.
@@FreddieDobbs Rumor has it that RE will not be making a 650 Himalayan due to weight concerns. They will instead be making a 450 Himalayan. That would be an interesting comparison with this Caballero. I am also hoping that the 650 Meteor happens. It is slated for release this year.
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.
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 👍
Another great vlog. I like the look and retro look of that Fantic Caballero and also like the looks of the Ducati Scrambler but I would never buy an Italian car or motorbike. Honda are bringing out a Honda CL250 and CL500 Scrambler in late 2022, early 2023 (search it on TH-cam) based on running gear of the Honda Rebel 300/500. I would expect the Honda to be better quality and more reliable than a hashed Italian/China combination. £6,000 sounds expensive when one would expect the Honda CL500 with a twin to be the same price as the Honda Rebel at about £5,500.
803cc air cooled 2V Ducati motors as fitted into the Scrambler range (and the old 797 Monster) make 73 bhp, not 47. Quite a difference... I presume Freddie was referring to the learner compliant A2 version....
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....
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.
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.
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.
I traded my Triumph Explorer for a Fantic 500 Rally in November 2021. Ok that was an attachment at headline grabbing. The Explorer I bought new in 2012, had 54k miles on it. I also own a Triumph 800xc and had owned a Honda CRF250l which was stolen in September 2021. The Fantic was a sort of replacement for the Honda. Why, well have ridden all three bikes off road, the Honda was only used off road. I opted for the Fantic as it's replacement because it would do what wanted on green lanes but I would also ride it on the road for fun. The Big Tiger wasn't getting the use now my wife was riding. 2.5 k miles in on the Fantic and I love it. It makes me smile when I ride it for all the reasons described. It is also, in my view, the only true scrambler on the market. Royal Enfield's are underpowered, quirky looking and "functional". The rest are too heavy and too expensive for the average rider to take off road so are style exercises, form over function. The Fantic is a SCRAMBLER and the Rally is a better off road bike.
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.
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.
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 😎
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.
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.
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
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.
A friend of mine had a fantic motor 50cc is this the same company had it was the only one I ever seen as the rest of us had Yamaha fs1e as this was the early 70s . I enjoy your videos keep up the good work 👍👍
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. 🤟
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!)
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 !
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😁
Thanks Freddy. Another great video with useful content. I’m local to Crazy Horse and heading there to have a closer look and try and arrange a test ride 🎶
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!!
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 👍
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
I started riding in 1978 and grew up riding in the California desert through the 1980's. Any desert rider from those days will tell you that that is a straight up dirt bike and I absolutely love it. They aren't sold here in the US but Im currently working on getting one from Mexico City, registering in Juarez with INT plates and using it here in the States. Some bikes are just so desirable that you just have to bite the bullet and go for it, even if it is a waste of money. You just can't put a price on some experiences. I can't wait!
I want to hear how it went :)
I bought one of these (actually, the flat track version) last year and I absolutely love it. It's pure, raw motorcycling. Not great in town (as it's straining on the leash), but my, outside in the hills it's a joy to behold.
Interestingly, I live in the Algarve, and a chap flagged me down on the Rally version of the same bike. This chap is a professional bike tourer, runs groups all around the world, and also owns a big workshop and garage in the UK. He told me that he loves the bike and that's something coming from someone who, when he took me to his Algarve house, had in his huge garage a Kawasaki H2, a Ducati Hypermotard, a Harley, a BMW GS, a Fazer, a KTM Duke, and four other bikes I've forgotten. His mod for the bike was a chain oiler...
In short, highly recommended. PS I have the Arrow pipes, and I'd recommend them on this bike.
Great comment 👍. Do you know if the mapping is just a chip in the exhaust or am i wrong?
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
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😂.
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 ...
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 🤣
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.
Another passionate review Freddie. Nicely done.
This is my absolute dream bike. I remember the Fantic Caballero 50s in my early 70s sports moped days. You can see the styling heritage.
I have owned many 500s out of 50 odd bikes and always found size and power optimum.
The Fantic Caballero really hits the nail on the head.
But don't you get a bit fed up with modern habit of calling a bike 500 when it's clearly a 450 cc back in the 70s and 80s if they said it was 500 it would generally be 498 cc 🤷🏻♂️50 cc difference is a whole moped different 😋
@@kevindarkstar noted, but it is really about power to weight ratio.
who remembers the Fantic chopper moped from the 70's
@@richardbartlett6932 I owned one. 6 speed Minnerelli engine.
Genuine 60 mph.
Memories....
@@richardbartlett6932 me lol
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.
The format is so perfect ...it's been ages i saw such crip and informative review on any motorcycle. Perfect ...and engaging
My new Moto bike ! - Love it - Thanks for the cool information and test ! Greetings from Germany and Austria - 🏁🌄🍀🖐️✌️-Ride on !
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!
Fantastic review, good looking little bike it reminds me of the Gilera I used to rag around the fields on way back in the 1970s.
Congratulations to you and Monika on reaching 50k, (I remember when it was under a thousand) and heres to the next 50k.👍
Hugely appreciated and thank you for watching the videos, Shane!🙂🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
@@FreddieDobbs thank you for the fantastic vlogs you share.
The real king of the modern classic is Motoguzzi. Continuous production since 1921 and all Italian. The other brands have a bolt on heritage for marketing purposes.
Royal Enfield says hello to this comment
Totally agree 👍
As someone who grew up a motorcyclist in Italy, I am not so fond of the brand. Guzzi survived as a defense contractor when army corps and police were bound to purchase Italian products. Brand recognition among the public was very, very low. Guzzi would have died a long time ago, if not for the fat contracts with the government.
@@superleggenda rubbish
Police contracts were won in competition.
Nobody made a utilitarian low maintenence high mileage bike for the forces or police in Italy as robust as the 500 singles or the first 700 v twins.
Why was Guzzi the first non US bike that a US police dept bought?
Guzzi has a large cult following worldwide and Italian enthusiasts in the know love Moto Guzzi.
Ducatista? Pffft.
@@nachiketjoshi6594 Enfield stopped being made in Redditch England in 1971.
Enfields in India have been made since the mid 50's.
Moto Guzzi has been made in the same factory in the same town since 1921.
I dont see too many historic Enfield bikes in historic racing circles. 500cc V8 anybody?
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'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).
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🐎🐎
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.
A fairly good and honest review, must admit from what I remember back in the 70’s/80’s I though they had a reliability problem ( but I could be wrong as it was a few years ago ) although my mate had a fantic chopper back in the seventies and was the envy of the crowd. Superb camera work again.👍
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!!
Freddie! Absolutely love your videos. Keep them coming! Your personality and knowledge make for a truly great experience watching your channel.
Good unbiased video. Another bike which is in the same market is the Mash X-Ride 650. Very similar in many ways. French built with Chinese components. A 650cc versus the Caballero's 500cc, power is probably similar, 163Kg so still reasonably light. A direct head to head comparison test would be really interesting. Obviously the Fantic heritage is a big pull and I think the design & style is better with the Fantc so that would be my preference but the Mash is probably the nearest as a direct comparison. I listen to your podcasts as well which I enjoy. 👍👍
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!!
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....
Glad to see you focussing on power to weight. Light weight is worth loads off-road. Not sure that the build quality is worse than RE - big lumps of metal add weight. I would like the Fantic in my garage. Thanks for the great vid.
The Benelli Leoncino Trail 500, at £5600 is a comparable bike to the Fantic, or the TRK 502 if you prefer modern style rather than retro. I would go for the Honda CB500X though every time at £6600. Nice to see and hear bikes that are not reviewed so much on u tube. congratulations on +50K subscribers.
i disagree, Caballero is the right weight with the right horsepower, is another match
the TRK weight 230+ KG, and the other 2 are more weighted than Caballero by tens of kg
@@igioz My limit to off road is just on a campsite, never consider weight that much but for serious off road or green lanes as you say less weight a benefit.
@@stephenfleming7056 i agree.
But lightness is always a super power, in each condition
I look forward to these videos like I used to the Saturday morning pictures. This is great stuff. 👍. No wonder you two are gathering such a following.
Great bike.
Highlighted everything a bike should be, and used to be. Light, simple, and a bike you can ride anywhere. So many modern bikes are fat too heavy, complicated and expensive.
A modern XT500, definitely. Now, if Honda or Triumph made an equivalent??
Great stuff.
Happy travels 👍
Wow.... Saturday morning pictures at your local cinema, great memories from the 1970"s, around the time my brother bought a Suzuki GT125, the beginning of my love of motorbikes.
Thank you so much! This is exactly my thoughts; I would love Triumph, Honda etc to do an equivalent!
@@samgardiner771 yes.
I remember the 50cc scrambler from the 70's, racing down Sleaford High Street against Garelli and Gilera lookalikes!
@@FreddieDobbs If the spyshots are correct then I think Triumph have a single scrambler type bike under development!
There were rumors since 2019 and I think is already confirmed that Honda will launch a new model called CL500 scrambler and his little sister the CL250. Not as gorgeous as the Caballero but at least another little scrambler on the market. We'll just have to wait for the specs.
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.
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!
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 👍🏻
Freddie always finds these cool locations, quintessential British with this warm, feel-good factor. How he manages to film on so many sunny days, I have no idea! From an ex-pat (UK) who recalls soggy, damp, fusty and mould riddled Old Blighty! ;)
Ha ha when I watched this I was wondering, where is this idyllic sunny location? Australia? Doesn't look like Australia
I came to say wow you made the bike look so cool then i realized you actually make every bike look so cool.
Viewed these at Krazy horse and was so impressed with the bike, must get out and test ride one as could be one for the future. Cheers Freddie and Monica
Honestly a great looking bike. You’re right about the back end styling being on point right out of the box too. Looks like a fun ride
That rear isnt standard or legal.
@@stevegascoigne1482 it’s the same rear shown in all the pictures on Fantic’s website, just has the mud guard removed. Tail would be legal where I live
thank you for the inspiration, it has been a crucial part of me acquiring a Fantic Cabellero Rally 500
Regards, Brian
I did not think I could find a bike like this retro with a decent sound very tempted
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!
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 watch lots of TH-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.
Another Sunday and another brilliant video. Congrats on reaching 50,000 subscribers
Thank you for watching- it’s really appreciated🙂
That's the best review of the Fantic. Just subbed. Thank you.
Thanks for coming to see us!
Hey Freddie...hi from Cape Town, South Africa! Love your content, style and presence on camera....you deserve many more subscribers man. Awesome watching a guy making content about actually living out what most of us inagine biking life to be but dont have the time or guts to do. Loved the recent video on you repairing your bike too. All the best👌
Thank you so much- sending all my best over to you in SA!🙂🇿🇦🤜🏼🤛🏼
Congrats on 50k subscribers to you & Monika,well deserved 👊😉
I bought mine (actually the Flat Track version) used for £5200 with only 800 miles on it. First off, it always generates interest among people who see it - bikers and non-bikers alike. Looks are subjective, but it's hard to disagree that it's a good-looking bike.
I've not put enough miles on it to say anything about reliability, but most modern bikes are pretty solid in that regard and I don't see it being any different. The build quality, as mentioned, is good without being exceptional. For the price, a little more attention to fit and finish would be nice, but I'm satisfied. My last bike was Triumph Bobber, which was way better put together but that's in a different league price-wise. The engine isn't unpleasantly vibey, but you get a lot of mirror-blur at high speed. It does sounds a feel a little 'clattery'. The exhaust note with the standard cans (also twin Arrows) is great and gives some dramatic pops and crackles. Motorway speeds are no problem but I can't see it being great for a lot of high-speed miles purely because of the aerodynamics. I've ridden mine from full to almost empty at A-road speeds without getting uncomfortable. Torque is great for a small engine, and it's a real blast on back roads. The light weight, tall seat and riding position make it a killer urban bike.
I'm under 5'10" with short legs, so the seat height is right on the edge of what I can reach. I can tiptoe both sides, but the light weight makes leaning over at a stop no problem. There is an aftermarket lowering kit for anyone with shorter legs. The Flat Tracker is, if anything, prettier than the scrambler but also less practical. It's less pillion-friendly and there's no easy place to attach luggage. The fuel gauge stays above half-full for ages then suddenly dips almost to empty - I suspect there's a calibration glitch because there's still a few litres in there. Switchgear is a bit odd with a wheel for high/low beam and fiddly indicator rocker. I've mangled a hex head on a non-structural bolt just by unscrewing it, so a few replacements will be in order.
Thanks, Freddie, for a thoroughly honest review. This wouldn't tempt me away from my Royal Enfield Coninental.
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.
Great review, as always. And the camera girl deserves an Oscar nomination for her camera work. Since the Himalayan will be attaching a 650cc engine in a year or two, that will be the bike that will kill all its competitors, though. Happy trails.
This is a very good point! That will be a very interesting bike. I’m also hoping the Meteor 650 happens, too!
@@FreddieDobbs Rumor has it that RE will not be making a 650 Himalayan due to weight concerns. They will instead be making a 450 Himalayan. That would be an interesting comparison with this Caballero.
I am also hoping that the 650 Meteor happens. It is slated for release this year.
Himalayan with a 650 twin engine is surely an Interceptor with Scrambler styling.
hoping the Meteor 650 happens, me too. It would be for the only one that I would change my continental 650
@@FreddieDobbs I'm waiting on the 650 Super Meteor. I can't wait!
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.
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 👍
Another great vlog.
I like the look and retro look of that Fantic Caballero and also like the looks of the Ducati Scrambler but I would never buy an Italian car or motorbike.
Honda are bringing out a Honda CL250 and CL500 Scrambler in late 2022, early 2023 (search it on TH-cam) based on running gear of the Honda Rebel 300/500. I would expect the Honda to be better quality and more reliable than a hashed Italian/China combination.
£6,000 sounds expensive when one would expect the Honda CL500 with a twin to be the same price as the Honda Rebel at about £5,500.
These are very fair points and I do agree. Really appreciate the input, John🙂
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.
Another great video Freddie, some excellent camera and editing work, and a crackin soundtrack
803cc air cooled 2V Ducati motors as fitted into the Scrambler range (and the old 797 Monster) make 73 bhp, not 47.
Quite a difference...
I presume Freddie was referring to the learner compliant A2 version....
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....
The growth of this channel has been huge in the past year!
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.
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!
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
lovely motorbike. No frills, just poetry
I traded my Triumph Explorer for a Fantic 500 Rally in November 2021. Ok that was an attachment at headline grabbing. The Explorer I bought new in 2012, had 54k miles on it. I also own a Triumph 800xc and had owned a Honda CRF250l which was stolen in September 2021. The Fantic was a sort of replacement for the Honda. Why, well have ridden all three bikes off road, the Honda was only used off road. I opted for the Fantic as it's replacement because it would do what wanted on green lanes but I would also ride it on the road for fun. The Big Tiger wasn't getting the use now my wife was riding.
2.5 k miles in on the Fantic and I love it. It makes me smile when I ride it for all the reasons described. It is also, in my view, the only true scrambler on the market. Royal Enfield's are underpowered, quirky looking and "functional". The rest are too heavy and too expensive for the average rider to take off road so are style exercises, form over function. The Fantic is a SCRAMBLER and the Rally is a better off road bike.
I’d be interested to know how it’s going 2 yrs on. They look absolutely stunning.
I like it. Good power, nice look, solid heritage, T'was a nice day for it too Freddie!.
Awesome video and awesome content can’t wait for the next video Thank’s Freddie and Monika
Absolutely a classic simplistic beauty. Just my kind of bike, as a "gentleman". Fits my patina leather and hemp jeans nicely...
Not seen a Fantic Caballero since a lad in the village had the 50cc version back in 1976. They were quite fast for a moped, and well styled.
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.
thank you once again ,Freddie
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.
Enjoy your videos very much.Your music choice is also very cool.Thanks for that also.Ride safe and enjoy....
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 😎
Really enjoyed your review, love the look of this bike, hopefully grab a test ride at some point.
Bloody hell Freddie, over 50k subs. The world is your bi-valve mollusc 😀 I can remember when it was singles k’s.
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.
Just wanted a review, thanks to your video i crave this bike! Thanks for the video!!!
the motorbike
at its essentials terms
i love it
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.
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
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.
A friend of mine had a fantic motor 50cc is this the same company had it was the only one I ever seen as the rest of us had Yamaha fs1e as this was the early 70s . I enjoy your videos keep up the good work 👍👍
Yep I’m sure this’d be the same company as they specialise in small cc bikes
I've never seen these bikes in the USA but the power to weight ratio makes it very competitive...better than most in its class.
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!
Great vlog Freddie and Monica. Keep them coming please 👍🇦🇺
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!)
The music! Always so good.
Just Rode the Caballero 500 Scrambler from Krazy Horse probably going to buy one. Wonderful 500 you should consider it too.
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 review and a great looking bike. The little old lady at 18 mins was class 😂😂
Absolutely love this bike, super fantastic video !!!!
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 !
Freddie lean angle deminshes with rider weight compressing suspension, great vlog.
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😁
Thanks Freddy.
Another great video with useful content. I’m local to Crazy Horse and heading there to have a closer look and try and arrange a test ride 🎶
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!!
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.
Very well done video..great review....and even better videography.
What a great looking bike for mucking about with great 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 👍