2024 FANTIC XX125: STOCK VERSUS FULL-RACE VERSION

On Nov 3, 2024 Last updated Nov 3, 2024

Fantic is an Italian manufacturer that platform-shares dirt bikes with Yamaha.

Q: FIRST AND FOREMOST, WHAT IS THE FANTIC XX125?

A: Fantic is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer with a trick up its sleeve. The Italian brand has a contract with Yamaha that allows Fantic to purchase 2024 Yamaha motocross models and modify and re-brand them as Fantics. It’s crazy to think that Yamaha would give all four of its motocross models to a small Italian brand to sell under a different brand name, right?

However, there is one major stipulation in the Yamaha/Fantic contract. Yamaha agreed to this deal for the European market, but they instructed Fantic not to sell platform-shared YZ models in Yamaha’s biggest market, which is the USA. That means that Fantic cannot sell the XX125, XX250, XX250F or XX450F in America, which begs the question of how MXA got not just one 2024 Fantic XX125 but two of the rare machines. How did we get these two bikes here? We didn’t. These are not MXA’s test bikes! They belong to SoCal two-stroke entrepreneurs Pasha Afshar and Nick Mairose, who privately managed to get them to California. We didn’t ask any questions; we just rode the bikes! In this test we compare the stock Fantic XX125 against a stock 2024 Yamaha YZ125, and, as an added bonus, we then test a full-race XX125 built by Pasha.

Q: WHAT SEPARATES THE FANTIC XX125 FROM THE YAMAHA YZ125?

A: Although Fantic marketing doesn’t plainly say it, the Fantic XX125 platform-shares the running gear, frame, suspension and engine with Yamaha. At its core, the 2024 Fantic XX125 is a slightly modified version of the 2024 Yamaha YZ125. It’s very similar to what Husqvarna and GasGas do with KTM. Here’s a list of the differences.

(1) Engine. The XX125 uses a YZ125 engine with a different piston, connecting rod, cylinder head and reworked cylinder.

(2) Pipe. The XX125 comes with its own Fantic pipe and silencer, made by European exhaust manufacturer Arrow. It uses a cast-aluminum silencer that complies with FIM sound regulations.

(3) Electronics. The XX125 uses a GET CDI black box, and it comes with a map switch. The first map is standard. Map two delays ignition timing to make for a mellower power delivery. Map two would only be beneficial in ultra-tight trail riding or for a beginner rider. Yamaha doesn’t have a map switch on its two-strokes.

(4) Airbox. The Fantic subframe and airbox are Fantic’s own design. Well, sort of. The XX125 intake is a KTM copy. It literally uses a Twin Air filter from the 2022-and-prior-model KTMs that easily pops into place with rubber grommets. Fantic also copied the KTM-style airbox cover that features tool-less removal.

(5) Aesthetics. The Fantic bodywork is unique. It has a special fuel tank, subframe and plastics. It uses Domino grips and has a different handlebar from the YZ with a Fantic handlebar pad.

The Fantic XX125 is only available in Europe, but that didn’t stop Pasha Afshar from sneaking bikes stateside.

Q: WHAT’S THE BACKSTORY ON FANTIC?

A: Although you may never have heard of them, the Fantic motorcycle brand is not new. It has been around since 1968 and makes much more than just re-branded Yamahas. Fantic makes a rally bike, scrambler-style “Caballero” street bikes, enduro bikes that are street-legal in Europe, Supermoto bikes and motocross models. Oh, we should mention they have a full lineup of electric mountain bikes, electric mopeds and even an electric scooter.

Currently, Yamaha doesn’t bring any street-legal off-road bikes into the European market, so Fantic picks up where Yamaha leaves off, because they’ve homologated multiple enduro models for street use in Europe. You can get an XE125 off-road version of this two-stroke, which is road-legal in Europe. Pretty cool!

Motori Minarelli is an Italian engine manufacturer that began making 125cc motorcycle engines back in 1951; they made agricultural engines as well. Motori Minarelli and Yamaha began collaborating in 1990, and Yamaha’s ownership of the Italian engine company continued to grow. In 2020, Fantic acquired 100 percent of Motori Minarelli. The Yamaha connection remained part of the deal, allowing Fantic to platform-share Yamaha’s high-performance race bikes and enduro models.

Motori Minarelli still manufactures the engines for the XE50, XEF125 and additional enduro Fantic models. The most unique Fantic machine is the XE300 two-stroke. This bike is 50-percent Yamaha and 50-percent Motori Minarelli. It has a Yamaha YZ250 chassis with a 300cc, fuel-injected two-stroke engine made by Motori Minarelli. Like the current KTM 300cc two-strokes, the XE300 has a hydraulic clutch, an electronic power valve and electric start.

All YZ125, all the time.

Q: HOW DOES THE FANTIC XX125 COMPARE TO THE YAMAHA YZ125?

A: As always, context is important. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but a real test rider knows that you need to test bikes back to back to get a true comparison. After analyzing the design and layout of the 2024 Fantic XX125, we took it to SoCal’s Glen Helen Raceway for a private test. MXA’s test riders were impressed with the XX125 after a couple hours of riding it.

We’ve spun hundreds of laps at Glen Helen on YZ125s over the years, and we thought the Fantic was one step ahead of it—that is until we unloaded a 2024 Yamaha YZ125 and took it out for a comparison. We had two bone-stock bikes—the XX125 Fantic and a YZ125 Yamaha. Both had fresh Dunlop MX34 tires mounted, and, surprisingly, the Yamaha felt faster. Our testers were flabbergasted, but the dirt dyno doesn’t lie. The YZ125 picked up quicker off the bottom end and revved longer on the top end. The Fantic’s best power trait was in the midrange. The XX125 took longer to get going and signed off sooner, but something about the pipe, piston and cylinder head helped the Fantic XX125 run just a little better in the meat of the powerband.

The Fantic airbox is completely different from Yamaha. It copies KTM.

We never expected the stock Yamaha to be so competitive against the Fantic version. Given that the Fantic had a GET ECU, Arrow exhaust and high-compression head, how could it not romp the base model that it was founded on? That’s a fair question. We thought it was because of the closed-off airbox. Fantic borrowed KTM’s air filter design, using KTM’s 2022 and prior-model-year Twin Air filter and an airbox cover with zero vents in it. We have plenty of experience drilling holes in Austrian air boxes. KTM now includes a vented cover when you buy the bike.

To test this hypothesis, we pulled the airbox cover off the XX125 and rode a few laps without it. Besides being extremely loud, it didn’t make a noticeable difference in power; however, Fantic’s air-boot shape is unique. The filter has a large volume, but the area underneath the filter is tight. Our intuition tells us the more open and straighter design of the YZ air boot is the way to go.

The Fantic comes with an Arrow pipe and silencer.

As for the chassis, the Fantic XX125 did feel taller. The seat is bigger, wider, grippier and much softer than the stock YZ125 seat. The new YZ seat is round, flat and hard. The Fantic’s seat was taller and thicker and had more of a traditional shape with a flat top featuring a ribbed gripper seat cover, which is stock.

As for handling, the Fantic XX125 handles like a dream. It’s lightweight. The aluminum frame is perfect, and the suspension is plush. Plus, the XX125 engine makes good power in the midrange, which helps its handling. Of course, it handles exactly like a Yamaha YZ125, because all the factors that contribute to superb handling come part and parcel with the platform-shared Yamaha chassis, layout, suspension and geometry. Pasha and Nick Mairose both bought Fantics. Nick left his stock, and Pasha went all out with the mods.

Q: WHAT DO WE REALLY THINK?

A: The MXA test riders enjoyed our time on the 2024 Fantic XX125, but it was a frivolous test on our part. This bike is not for sale in the USA, and we doubt that it ever will be. Its rarity makes it seem more precious than it really is, because in truth, it is just a slightly modded Yamaha YZ125 wrapped in red and white plastic. It has some charms of its own, but unless you live on the Continent, you’d have to find a European dealer to sell you a Fantic XX125 and then arrange to have it shipped to the USA. It would be a lot easier to buy a Yamaha YZ125, send the engine to Pro Circuit for the Ryan Villopoto kit, and have DeCal Works make you red and white graphics.

The Pasha XX125 is a race-ready version that runs as good as it looks.