Motorcycle specifications FanticCaballero 700 Scrambler 2024 The handsome rider

For some time now, Fantic Motor has been letting us hope for the arrival of its big scrambler. The Caballero 700 is a tasty blend of traditional design, a certain evocation of the motorcycle and, at the same time, modernity with its equipment and engine. Will it have the success it deserves?

The Caballero myth

Fantic Motor emerged in Italy at the end of the 70s, in 1968. At the time, the brand was concentrating on small-displacement models that were popular on the domestic market. As early as the Milan Motor Show in 1969, the brand presented the Caballero 50 cm3, which quickly became a hit with the public, with up to 10,000 units built each year, making it the most widely produced moped (50 cm3) in Italy.

With success, Fantic increased the bike's displacement and went on to win numerous Enduro titles, including the Six Days.

So much for the roots of the model we're interested in today. The Caballero, after reappearing in a 500 cm3 single-cylinder version, changed its universe once again to become a more versatile motorcycle. Far from being yet another roadster or the antepenultimate modern trail bike, this Cabarello offers neo-retro like the Triumph and Ducati Scrambler, with an extra touch of exclusivity, that of Italian craftsmanship.

Ride with elegance

The first thing that comes to mind when we look at this new model is the urge to say "what a beautiful machine! The curves are simple, natural and free of line torture, and everything, from the small headlight plates to the number plates, is well thought-out. In fact, it's the very image of a timeless motorcycle, its design unaffected by the passage of time.

The Caballero takes on the attributes of the scrambler style, with a small round light incorporating an LED daytime running light, large handlebars, side-mounted exhaust and 19-inch spoked wheels at the front and 17-inch at the rear. The wheels are shod with Pirelli Scorpion STR, a versatile rubber well in keeping with the spirit of this machine, which is equally at home on the road and on cross-country trails.

The cockpit features a 3.5" TFT color display with Bluetooth connection.

A modern chassis

The Caballero 700 boasts an innovative tubular steel beam frame, which encloses the engine and is extended by a cast aluminum swingarm. The details also include some very attractive aluminum components, such as machined frame side plates, fork tees and machined fork legs.

Up front, Marzocchi is responsible for the suspension, which comprises a 45 mm inverted fork and a preload-adjustable monoshock. The shock absorber is mounted on pushrods. Suspension travel is 150 mm.

In terms of braking, the Caballero uses a 330 mm front disc clamped by a Brembo 4-piston caliper. The rear benefits from a 240 mm disc with a single-piston Brembo caliper. Braking is controlled by an inertial ABS system that can be deactivated (more on this later).

The chassis is complemented by a 13-liter fuel tank. Fantic claims a dry weight of 175 kg, giving a kerb weight with all fluids of 195 kg.

Engine: Japanese heart, Italian spirit

Fantic Motor has opted for a block of choice for its big scrambler. Yamaha's Twin Parallel CP2 is unanimously acclaimed by critics for its many qualities: character, performance and Euro5 standards. This engine is well represented in the MT-07 and Ténéré 7, but also in the XSR 700 and the "sporty" R7.

But Fantic didn't just graft it onto the chassis. The Italian manufacturer has reworked the intake, exhaust gas management and engine mapping, so that the twin-cylinder engine matches the spirit of the bike.

The 689 cc engine delivers 74 bhp at 9,000 rpm. Torque is highly available, constant at 60 Nm from the very first piston revolutions and up to 8,000 rpm. Peak torque is 70 Nm at 6,500 rpm. So, this twin-cylinder is full as an egg! Approved fuel consumption is 4.9 l/100km, which is good for a theoretical range of 250 km with the 13-liter fuel tank.

In terms of assistance, Fantic has equipped its Scrambler with ABS and traction control. Both can be disconnected. Three riding modes can be selected from the handlebars: Street, Offroad and a fully customizable mode.

accessible hand-sewing

Small as it is, and despite the beauty of some of the parts offered on the machine, manufacturer Fantic manages to offer its motorcycle for under 10,000 euros. Priced at 9,990 euros, the Caballero 700 doesn't even charge for its exoticism, originality or beauty. What's more, this Italian beauty is less expensive than Triumph's Scrambler 900 or Ducati's entry-level Scrambler, while offering more power. It has what it takes to follow in the footsteps of its predecessors. It comes with a 2-year parts and labor warranty.

Vincent Beaucousin - Manufacturer's photos