Italian manufacturer Fantic turned plenty of heads with its unveiling of the XEF 450 Rally at the recent EICMA show.
The bike will be taking on the 2022 Dakar Rally with the veteran rider, Franco Picco, behind the bars but the most exciting news is that the company plans on releasing the bike as a production model.
Based on the XEF 450 enduro model which runs a Yamaha engine (based on the WR450F), as well as KYB suspension, the Rally has been gifted striking bodywork highlighted by the nav tower.
The 30-litre fuel capacity seems to be integrated into the bodywork and placed low in a similar manner to what KTM has been running.
A large 300mm front brake rotor is needed to help pull up the greater mass while no Italian bike would be complete without a Selle Dalla Valle seat.
There has been no word on Australian pricing or availability as yet but the XEF Rally should go on sale in Europe around June 2022 at a pricing of around 15,000 Euros ($24,000 AUD).
FANTIC TAKES ON DAKAR
“The Dakar represents a myth capable of exceeding the limits of the motorsport thanks to the appeal and the adventure which always have been key points of this competitions, including legendary feats of the pilots and the motorbikes committing a race in the desert for two weeks. An extreme race where it is fundamental to ride an agile, fast and extremely reliable vehicle. For the first participation of Fantic, we have the aim of crossing the finish line at Jeddah to mature experience thanks to the contribution of a valuable pilot such as Franco Picco, a Dakar pilot since always, the perfect person who will guarantee us amazing feelings”, Mariano Romano CEO of Fantic Motor.
