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Fantic Caballero 500 Rally in the driving report

Offroad special model

For the 50th anniversary of Caballero Fantic presents the special model Caballero 500 Rally based on the Caballero 500 Scrambler presented in 2018. We were allowed to try out the new Fantic in a world exclusive near Venice.

Compared to the Scrambler, the rally should score points above all in the field and invite you to leave the asphalt strips in a controlled manner. Visually, you can do that at first glance. The LED headlight is protected by a grille in the special model, the front fender is mounted directly on the lower triple clamp, the tank has an army green cover and the side covers are adorned with the word “Rally”. Served with it F.antic for off-road fans stately 200-millimeter suspension travel, which means that the seat height is now 860 millimeters, and coarse-tread Michelin Anakee Wild tires (19 inches at the front, 17 inches at the back), which should master the balancing act between on- and off-road. Tea fork, which is 43 instead of 41 millimeters thick, is fully adjustable like the shock absorber and the swing arm is made of aluminum instead of steel. Since the handlebars protrude higher and further back over the tank, the seating position is more upright than on the standard Caballero.

The rally looks rather radical

That’s it for upgrades, otherwise Scrambler and Rally are the same – technically and in the quality of the workmanship, which is decent overall. Here and there you will find fine parts such as the footrest system milled from the full block, the noble fork bridges (with triple clamps below) and the chic golden stanchions. The handlebars and cockpit fall somewhat victim to the radical look, the switches are small and the display is not stingy with information, but is not easy to read.

Fantic

Visually, the Fantic Caballero 500 Rally knows how to please.

The lively 449 cubic single develops 40 hp at 7,500 rpm and 43 Nm at 6,500 rpm (manufacturer information). Even at low engine speeds, the torque is extraordinary for the class, increasing linearly to the peak at 6,500 turns. It quickly becomes great fun with the 160 kilograms according to the manufacturer to fire out of the corners. It’s easy to forgive that the engine is running out of breath at the top. The Fantic is particularly enthusiastic when it comes to the sound: the Caballero 500 Rally stomps out of the Arrow double exhaust even while idling, hammers confidently up the speed ladder and then babbles bravely towards the next bend when the accelerator is released. A pleasure with this background noise to step up and down the gears in the precise transmission.

Chassis tuned for road use

The chassis, which is comfortably designed for on-road use, gives the driver a confident feeling, but due to the concept, the relationship to the front wheel is somewhat lost. In the standard setup, the rally also swings slightly over waves in an inclined position at the front and rear. Despite their rough profile, Michelin rubbers hardly develop any vibrations; excessive grip is not their specialty. The fine Conti-ABS therefore intervenes even when the deceleration is less severe, even though the radial brake caliper from Brembo’s Bybre offshoot gently bites into the 320-millimeter disc. For a quick reduction in speed, you need to grapple and the controllability still leaves some room for improvement.

Fantic

The manufacturer charges 7,190 euros for the rally.

And off-road? No problem for the special Caballero: simply switch off the ABS at the push of a button and off you go. The rally masters gravel roads with flying colors, the chassis irons even coarser holes easily and smoothly and the linear power development of the single ensures an easily controllable, stress-free thrust. This is where the Fantic has found its optimal course and it masters even more demanding forest trails with the 19-inch front wheel and the large reserves of the long suspension travel. But she simply lacks the genes for real enduro operation. Although the rubbers on the footrests can easily be removed for optimal support, standing is difficult with a wide tank and an even wider rear fairing. Sure, the balancing act between on- and off-road calls for compromises.

From May for 7,190 euros from dealers

With the Caballero 500 Rally, however, these compromises are all too happy to accept. Turn off the main road onto the field or forest path whenever you feel like it – that’s what it’s made for. Interested parties can see it for themselves from May, when it should be available from the dealers. The price: 7,190 euros.

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