Fantic Caballero Scrambler 700 (2023 - ) review

This new 700 is a follow-up to the original, 2019 500cc single-cylinder version which was already a great starting point given its authentic ‘retro-mod’ scrambler style, fun handling and decent quality. This new 700 builds on that with extra performance and credibility given it’s now Yamaha rather than Zhongshen powered and has longer-legged ability. Virtually no other ‘scrambler’ is as enticing to look at or ride and there’s extra refinement and quality, too.

Being a heritage-inspired retro scrambler the Scrambler 700 has a slim but upright, trail bike inspired riding position. That’s great for newbies and relative novices as the Caballero 700 is accessible and undaunting, which also means it’s both a great ‘fun’ bike and nimble and sprightly when blatting around town. On the slight downside it also means it’s a little bit ‘dinky’ and exposed, so it’s neither a long-distance nor a pillion-carrying machine. As a Sunday toy or round town commuter it’s not a problem, though.

Scramblers by their very nature are more about show than go and the Caballero Scrambler, even in this new 700cc form, is very much true to type. Its trail style riding position precludes motorway or distance work, as does the fact there’s no weather protection and little provision for luggage. Yet nor is it a serious off-roader. On the plus side, it’s easy and nimble to ride, making it a great city bike and, although arguably too precious to be a year-round commuter, it’s an attractive, short-hop Sunday fun bike, too.

The use of the Yamaha twin cylinder ‘CP2’ engine introduced for the lively MT-07 is a significant step-up, performance-wise, over the old 500 single. For context in 2021 Fantic bought Motor-Minarelli, the company that previously built the CP2 engine for Yamaha, hence its use here). With 689cc and 70 horsepower in place of the 500’s 39 horsepower it has getting on for twice the power and a smoothness – albeit still with thrummy character – that makes this incarnation of the Caballero far more potent and effective. That performance is also among the best in this category and beats the 65 horsepower of the Triumph Scrambler 900 while being both proven and engaging. Some diehards may say the twin can’t match the traditional character of the old single but most riders will disagree. Brakes-wise it’s more than a match for most rivals, too. Although there’s just a single front disc it’s a big at 330mm and gripped by a Brembo four-piston, radially mounted caliper with more than enough power and feel.

As with the rest of the bike, the Caballero 700 has significantly better cycle parts and chassis components than most of its rivals in this class. Front forks are 45mm inverted Marzocchis while at the rear there’s a Marzocchi monoshock, both of which compare favourably with the fairly basic telescopics and twin shocks of the Triumph, though in defence of the latter it retains a more authentically retro vibe as a result. The Fantic is also compact, respectably light at 188kg dry and has fairly stumpy steering geometry. On the downside, there’s an oversize 19-inch front wheel and semi-knobbly Pirelli Scorpion STR tyres, whose grip isn’t the best. Once dialled in, though, the ride is firm yet sufficient, the steering quick and sufficiently precise and the Caballero’s a hoot to hustle along twisty roads.

Although visually virtually identical to its 500cc single-cylinder little brother the twin-cylinder Caballero 700 costs getting on for £3,000 more, which is hard to justify. It’s also around £1,300 more than Yamaha’s identically powered XSR700, so there’s already a premium for paying for the 700. Once beyond that hefty purchase price the new Caballero should be reasonably cheap to run, though. It’s fairly economical, easily returning over 50mpg while hunger for consumables such as tyres, chains and brake pads isn’t likely to be excessive, especially with that single front caliper. On top of that the Yamaha engine only requires the expensive valve check service every 24,000 miles.

Another area where the new 700 version should shine over the 500 single. As discussed, where the older bike is powered by an engine from Chinese firm Zhongshen, the new 700 is powered by the brilliant CP2 twin from Yamaha’s MT-07, as built by Motor Minarelli and proven ever since the MT-07’s launch in 2016. On top of that the Caballero is beautifully put together, for the most part uses high quality components and has a premium sheen few bikes of this type can match.

Other benefits of that Yamaha-sourced engine included a proven service record, parts availability and reasonably wide service intervals. Overall, service-wise, you should have few complaints. Warranty-wise, all Fantics comes with the industry-standard, two-year, unlimited mileage, manufacturer-backed guarantee covering all parts and labour.

A retro scrambler is never going to be sprinkled with as much high tech and luxury as, say, a modern superbike or tourer. That said, it’s also a ‘retro-mod’ so weaves in plenty of modern tech and, as one of the more premium of its type, isn’t shy of a bit of luxury and class. CNC-machined alloy plates give an air of quality, and although switchgear and mirrors are generic, off-the-peg items they’re better quality than many. Instruments come courtesy of a small but classy-looking round TFT screen, there are neat, tactile enamel tank badges, lean-sensitive traction control and ABS and that posh Brembo front brake caliper. For a bike of this type it doesn’t really want for anything.

If you subscribe to the retro scrambler style, fancy an easily enjoyable ‘fun’ bike for Sunday rides or blatting around town and are prepared to pay a little more for some extra performance and quality the Fantic Caballero 700 Scrambler is arguably the best of the bunch. In this new 700cc twin-cylinder form it now has the performance and stature the original 500cc single cylinder version lacked. It’s also well-styled and specced with the reassurance of that proven (and effective) Yamaha engine. Less favourably it’s also one of the most expensive in its class and, likes all of this type, not especially versatile or practical. If you like the looks and style you’re unlikely to be disappointed, though.