FANTIC CABALLERO 500 RALLY (2019 - on) Review

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating: 4 out of 5 (4/5)
Annual servicing cost: £160
Power: 43 bhp
Seat height: Tall (33.9 in / 860 mm)
Weight: Low (331 lbs / 150 kg)

Prices

New £6,999
Used N/A

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes
4 out of 5 (4/5)

For the kind of machine where low speed thrills, lightweight simplicity and style is more important than brute power and technology, the Caballero Rally 500 is a credible and affordable alternative to the retro mainstream. It looks fantastic, is well equipped, fun and with its rugged styling and longer travel suspension the Fantic has a proper ‘big bike’ feel to it.

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine
4 out of 5 (4/5)

Taller suspension and blocky rubber gives the Rally a tougher stance, genuine off-road potential and more room for taller riders, but the suspension sinks low enough not to be a problem for shorties at a standstill either.

Stability and grip are hampered slightly by the off-road rubber, but thanks to the Fantic’s chunky front end and balanced chassis the Rally is still grippy and predictable. Fitting the Scrambler’s Pirelli Scorpion STR dual purpose tyres would be a big improvement for pure road action.

Fantic Caballero 500 Rally right side

Engine

Next up: Reliability
4 out of 5 (4/5)

Powered by a robust 43bhp, 449cc liquid cooled single cylinder motor, produced by Zongshen in China, the Fantic has a light clutch, smooth gearbox and easy power delivery.

Packed with character the Rally is easy to control at low speed, but wind up the wick and you’re rewarded with a deep airbox bellow, a spitting exhaust note on the overrun and just the right amount of power for backroad blasting and green lane heaven. Never once do you ever feel like you’re riding a ‘small’ bike and yearn for something bigger, even on A-roads.

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value
4 out of 5 (4/5)

Tried and tested Italian chassis parts shouldn’t cause any major problems and although it’s early days, there have been no reliability issues for the Caballero 500 range so far.

Fantic Caballero 500 Rally number board

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment
4 out of 5 (4/5)

The Fantic Rally 500 is remarkable value for money when you consider the level of equipment, styling touches and thrills on offer, especially compared to its scrambler-shaped (but bigger-engined) rivals like the Ducati Scrambler, Desert Sled, BMW R nineT Scrambler and Triumph Street Scrambler.

Equipment

4 out of 5 (4/5)

A rugged Caballero Scrambler 500 on stilts, the Rally has 50mm more suspension travel, adjustable forks, remote rear compression damping, cross-braced handlebars, sump bash plate, radiator guard, headlight grill and an aluminium swingarm, replacing the Scrambler’s steel item. Michelin Anakee Wild tyres and an army-green plastic fuel tank complete the more serious off-road look.

Like its Caballero 500 sisters the Italian-built machine is loaded with quality kit: Arrow pipes, a carbon fibre exhaust guard, spoked wheels, anodised rims, a radial Bybre caliper, wavy disc and a Brembo master cylinder. Yokes and bottom frame sections are CNC machined from aluminium – something usually the preserve of Italian exotica rather than a sub-seven grand mud-plugger.

Specs

Engine size 449cc
Engine type Liquid-cooled, 4v, single
Frame type Tubular steel backbone
Fuel capacity 12 litres
Seat height 860mm
Bike weight 150kg
Front suspension Fantic FRS 41mm USD forks adjustable for rebound and compression damping
Rear suspension Single Fantic FRS rear shock adjustable for preload and compression damping
Front brake 320mm wave disc with Bybre four-piston radial calipers.
Rear brake 230mm rear disc with single-piston caliper
Front tyre size 110/80 x 19
Rear tyre size 140/80 x 17

Mpg, costs & insurance

Average fuel consumption -
Annual road tax £84
Annual service cost £160
New price £6,999
Used price -
Insurance group -
How much to insure?
Warranty term Two years

Top speed & performance

Max power 43 bhp
Max torque 32 ft-lb
Top speed 105 mph
1/4 mile acceleration -
Tank range -

Model history & versions

Model history

2019: Fantic Caballero Rally 500 introduced.

Other versions

Fantic Caballero Scrambler 500 - Same engine and chassis spec as the Rally with lower travel, non-adjustable suspension and dual-purpose Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tyres. 

Caballero Flat Track 500 Scrambler spec with 19in rims and flat track style seat unit and tyres, Big-wheel handling isn’t as sure footed as the Scrambler on the road.

Owners' reviews for the FANTIC CABALLERO 500 RALLY (2019 - on)

1 owner has reviewed their FANTIC CABALLERO 500 RALLY (2019 - on) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your FANTIC CABALLERO 500 RALLY (2019 - on)

Summary of owners' reviews

Overall rating: 4 out of 5 (4/5)
Ride quality & brakes: 4 out of 5 (4/5)
Engine: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Reliability & build quality: 4 out of 5 (4/5)
Value vs rivals: 4 out of 5 (4/5)
Equipment: 3 out of 5 (3/5)
Annual servicing cost: £160
4 out of 5 Reignited my biking passion again.
15 September 2023 by Redpat1

Year: 2023

Annual servicing cost: £160

Still breaking in so will review more after a while so the following these are my initial thoughts after a month or so and several hundred miles. Spares are readily available in most cases (same as all makes), and warranty claims are apparently ok if you have a decent dealer. I feel I definitely fall into the that category. It feels like a high quality machine and certainly rides like it.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

The front brake is more than adequate. I've seen people moaning about a single disc on the front. The bike isn't massively powerful and only weighs around 150kgs! The rear brake also feels absolutely adequate for this bike and the balance feels right. The ride is lovely, probably the best I've ridden and believe me I've rode a lot of bikes of all types and sizes over the years. Why can't all standard suspension be this good from purchase! The seat is fairly comfortable and will be fine for day to day use. Haven't ridden with a pillion yet. The bike feels most at home on beautiful curving A and B roads, an absolute joy that has reignited my love of biking again. Something that was at a low ebb over the last few years.

Engine 5 out of 5

I love the engine. I have the race exhaust and map upgrade but even so I rode a standard bike on the initial test ride. The engine is punchy with plenty of torque throughout the range. It will always feel agricultural compared to a 2,3 or 4 cylinder bike but I knew what to expect, after all it's a fairly big single. It has certainly started to bed in and smooth out since purchase. It will pull right up to and above the legal speed limits, what more do you need for day to day use. I wouldn't want to do cross country journeys on the motorway but would be more than happy to do shortish spells on them but this bike is very at home on any other type of road including a bit of single track. Being a single there are a few vibes but nothing that wouldn't be expected on this type of engine, I'd go as far to say that it's more refined than I'd thought it would be. It's a little snatchy in traffic but nothing I'm not used too and certainly doesn't spoil the ride, it's just raring to go. I'm going to fit the heavier flywheel to smooth out the initial throttle response and improve the lower end power even more.

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

The general quality is very good. Finishes look quality, materials are solid. Again, time will tell after a winter or two, I have the acf-50 and lanoguard at the ready. I have all the accessories fitted as per the explorer model and they also seem robust and of a good quality too. I am very happy so far, long may that continue. After test riding a few other bikes from some of the major brands I found the Fantic was at least as good if not better by comparison. I think people need to put their snobbery to one side and ride this brand with an open mind, I think you'll be surprised.

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

Just about to book the 1st service. Only the consumables are charged on the 1st service at the dealership I purchased from. Insurance and tax were reasonable compared to the bigger bikes I've had. Fuel seems at about the right level but this always reflects the way it's ridden. The fantic accessories seem well priced when compared to manafacturers such as triumph and HD. The quality also seems comparable although the range is smaller and after market parts are harder to find.

Equipment 3 out of 5

Apart from abs there isn't much to speak of. The standard anakees feel fine on all terrain, I'll report again into the cold and wetter months. The display is fine...and functional. Although, the fuel gauge is more of a prediction than a measurement. It's ok though, just keep an eye on your mileage and you'll be fine. I had side rack, rear rack, side pannier and race exhaust and map from new directly from the dealership. All seem very good so far, no complaints in that area as of writing.

Buying experience: I bought from inta motorcycles in Maidstone's. A small privately owned dealership that specialises in off road and used bikes, so are very at home working and prepping this type of bike. They are a no thrills dealership with none of the bells and whistles of large dealer groups but they have it where it counts in abundance. If there are issues they will do all they can to get it sorted and then some. I traded in and added a ton of accessories so although I officially paid the list price when all totted up and added together it was a nice deal getting everything I wanted and then some at a reasonable price. The bike was well prepped by the dealer and their mechanics actually spoke to me and advised me on running in and care of the bike, a nice touch. Good down to earth, no bull dealer.

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