Fantic release their first twin - the Caballero 700 Scrambler

Fantic has revealed their first modern-era twin-cylinder machine with a 700cc Scrambler joining their Caballero range.

Fantic are making the most of their partnership with Yamaha, announced at the beginning of 2021, as the bike uses the 689cc, liquid-cooled Euro5 engine seen in the MT-07, Ténéré 700 and R7.

There has been no re-tuning of the CP2 twin either as Fantic claim the Caballero will hit the showrooms in April next year boasting 75bhp and around 50lb.ft of torque, identical to the R7 and considerably more than the 40bhp and 31lb.ft of torque of the Caballero 500 Scrambler.

Elsewhere the 700 sports the same 19in front and 17in rear, aluminium, spoked wheels as its small-capacity sibling.

The engine sits in a single backbone style frame made from CrMo steel attached to an aluminium swingarm, giving it a wheelbase of 1460mm – 35mm longer than the 500 version.

One of the most immediately obvious differences between the two capacity scramblers is the exhaust system. The new two-into-one-into-two set-up runs under the engine, over the swingarm to exit in roughly the same position. Both machines have a seat height of around 830mm.

Connecting frame to wheel will be a 45mm upside-down fork made by VRM-Marzocchi. The Italian manufacturer also supplies the rear monoshock with preload adjustment.

Brembo is the manufacturer of choice for the calipers, with a four-piston unit gripping the 330mm front disc and a two-piston, 245mm set-up on the rear.

In another first for Fantic, cornering ABS will be standard on the 700. The system will sense the bike’s lean angle and fine-tune the braking response accordingly.

Traction control also makes its debut to the Fantic line-up, with both rider aids and three rider modes – road, off-road and custom – manipulated via a 3.5in TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity.

A 14-litre fuel tank may be a little on the small side, although the claimed 180kg kerb weight should prove competitive when it comes to commuting or a bit of back-lane scratching.

An expected price tag of around £9000 may put some off, although stylish looks, proven engine and handling potential could tempt many.