Preview: Imola 500 Not Yet on the Market

This report is based on technical specifications published ahead of the market launch, manufacturer information from EICMA 2024, and experience with the identical MM460 engine from the earlier Stealth 500 road test published by Motorradonline in April 2026. At the editorial cutoff date, the Fantic Imola 500 had not yet been delivered to the German market. Schrems Racing lists July 2026 as the expected delivery date. No Imola 500 road tests were available at the time this article was written.

Who Is Fantic? From Enduro and Trials to an A2 Sportbike

Fantic Motor was founded in Italy in 1968 and is known for its enduro and trials motorcycles. In 2020, Fantic acquired engine manufacturer Motori Minarelli from Yamaha, including its expertise and production facilities in Bologna. Since then, Fantic has been developing its own engines entirely in Italy.

The Imola 500 is the brand’s first production sportbike—a conceptual step from off-road terrain to the racetrack. Motorradreporter describes the design as a “compact, streamlined monocoque construction.” Motorradonline compares its design language with Massimo Tamburini classics such as the Ducati 916 and MV Agusta F4.

The Imola shares its technical platform with the Fantic Stealth 500. The fundamental difference is that the Stealth is a naked bike with an upright riding position and wide handlebar, while the Imola is a fully faired sportbike with clip-ons, winglets, and a forward-leaning riding position. Engine and electronics are largely identical, although the Imola engine is likely to receive a sharper sporting calibration.

Engine: MM460 “Cuore Italiano”—45 hp, Up to 10,000 rpm, Forged Piston

MM460. Single-cylinder, four-stroke, DOHC, four valves, 463 cc, liquid-cooled. Bore is 96 mm, stroke 64 mm—a short-stroke design intended for higher engine speeds. A forged piston is used, as in racing engines. Maximum output is 45 hp at 8,000 rpm, maximum torque 42.5 Nm at 7,000 rpm, and the rev limit is approximately 10,000 rpm. Engine weight is less than 40 kg.

Motorradonline extensively tested the identical engine in the Stealth 500 over Apennine mountain passes in Umbria and Tuscany: “At 3,000 rpm, the engine comes strongly to life, then adds another substantial kick from 7,000 rpm. From there, it drives the Fantic energetically out of corners and even spins eagerly to 10,000 rpm.” Vibrations are described as typical for a single-cylinder engine and noticeable only through the footpegs.

The character is civilized at low rpm and distinctly sporty above 7,000 rpm. Ride-by-Wire uses a 46 mm throttle body. A slipper clutch and Arrow exhaust come standard.

As for license classification, 45 hp corresponds to approximately 33.1 kW—below the A2 limit of 35 kW. The Imola 500 is A2-compatible.

Chassis and Frame: Mixed Frame, Aluminum Swingarm, Monocoque Fairing

The frame combines a tubular-steel trellis front section with aluminum side plates—the same architecture used by the Stealth 500. The aluminum swingarm has a lower reinforcing brace, which Motorradonline compared with GP motorcycle designs in its Stealth test. The Imola’s full fairing uses monocoque construction and structurally shares its foundation with the Stealth platform.

Imola 500-specific suspension details, including suspension travel and adjustability, had not been fully published before the editorial deadline. Based on the Stealth 500 and the chassis philosophy of the Imola line, a sport-oriented setup with high-quality suspension components can be expected.

Brakes and Electronics: Bybre by Brembo, IMU-Based Cornering ABS

Up front is a Bybre radial caliper gripping a 320 mm brake disc. Bybre is Brembo’s subsidiary for the mid-price segment and represents a quality feature in this class. There is two-channel ABS plus Cornering ABS based on IMU inertial-measurement data.

Multi-stage traction control is also IMU-supported. Four riding modes are available: Street, Rain, Track, and Custom. A 5-inch TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity comes standard. The electronics package is comparable to the Stealth 500’s and is significantly more sophisticated than the standard equipment on comparable A2 motorcycles priced below €10,000.

147 kg: A Very Light A2 Sportbike

147 kg total weight. That is the figure Schrems Racing lists for the Imola 500, and it is consistent with the Stealth 500 specifications. Motorradonline describes the Stealth 500 as the “lightest A2 bike” in its class.

Seat height is 820 mm. That makes the Imola taller than comparable sportbikes such as the Kawasaki Ninja 500 at 795 mm and Honda CBR500R at 790 mm. For a fully faired sportbike, however, the figure remains reasonable.

Imola vs. Stealth: Same Platform, Different Positioning

The Stealth 500 and Imola 500 share their engine, frame, electronics, and much of their suspension. What separates them is positioning. The Stealth is a naked bike with a wide handlebar, upright riding position, and greater everyday comfort. The Imola is the fully faired sportbike with clip-ons, winglets, and sportier ergonomics.

If you are looking for Apennine mountain passes and racetracks, choose the Imola. If you want urban everyday usability with sporting character, choose the Stealth.

Motorradonline’s verdict on the Stealth: “The well-executed single is agile and nimble in everyday riding—but above all, its sporty and lively character makes it ideal for mountain passes and backroads.” The same should apply to the Imola in an even more focused form.

Market Launch and Price: Still Pending

Expected delivery: July 2026. An official list price for the Imola 500 had not been announced at the editorial cutoff date.

The Stealth 500 naked-bike version is available for €6,690, according to MK Cycle Shop for the 2026 model year. As a fully faired sportbike with winglets and clip-ons, the Imola 500 would normally be positioned above the naked-bike price. A premium of €500–€1,500 appears realistic, but that is speculation.

Confirm both price and delivery date with your Fantic dealer before buying.

Verdict

The Fantic Imola 500 (MY2026) is Italy’s most ambitious contribution to the A2 sportbike segment: 45 hp, 463 cc, DOHC, forged piston, 147 kg, monocoque full fairing with winglets, Arrow exhaust standard, Bybre radial caliper, IMU-based Cornering ABS, four riding modes, 5-inch TFT—all developed and produced in Italy.

The MM460 engine has already been validated in Motorradonline’s April 2026 Stealth 500 road test as “fast, agile, and ready for mountain passes.” Confirm the price and final specifications with your dealer. Deliveries are expected to begin in July 2026.

 

Quick Check

+ 45 hp / 33.1 kW at 8,000 rpm + 42.5 Nm at 7,000 rpm from 463 cc DOHC—engine completely developed and produced in Italy by Motori Minarelli in Bologna. Forged piston. Up to 10,000 rpm. Arrow exhaust standard. 147 kg: Motorradonline calls sister model Stealth 500 the “lightest A2 bike” in its class. Bybre radial caliper, a Brembo subsidiary; IMU-based Cornering ABS; multi-stage traction control; four riding modes; 5-inch TFT; Bluetooth

+ Monocoque full fairing with winglets and clip-ons: design language at the level of small supersport motorcycles. Motorradonline’s verdict on the identical engine in the Stealth 500, April 2026: “Rapid attack on the A2 class; agile in everyday riding, ready for mountain passes.” A2-compatible at 33.1 kW. 100 percent Made in Italy. 2-year warranty, Fantic standard

 

– Not yet available, with deliveries expected in July 2026. No official price published. No dedicated Imola 500 road test was available before the editorial deadline—engine impressions are based on the Stealth 500 road test. Stationary noise not published

– Full fairing and clip-ons mean sporty ergonomics that will not be equally comfortable for every riding style or type of road. Single-cylinder engine produces noticeable vibration through the footpegs at higher rpm, according to Motorradonline’s Stealth test. Fantic’s dealer network in Germany remains relatively limited—check workshop coverage before buying

 

Technical Specifications: Fantic Imola 500 (MY2026)

Make / Model: Fantic Imola 500 (MY2026; Fantic’s first production sportbike; full fairing with winglets; A2); manufacturer: Fantic Motor S.p.A., Asolo, Treviso, Italy; engine: Motori Minarelli S.p.A., Bologna, Italy, Fantic subsidiary since 2020

Availability / Price: Expected to be available from July 2026, according to Schrems Racing. No official list price published before editorial cutoff. Sister model Stealth 500: approx. €6,690, MY2026 naked bike

Engine: MM460 “Cuore Italiano”; four-stroke DOHC single-cylinder; 463 cc; liquid-cooled; four valves; forged piston; 96 mm bore / 64 mm stroke; 45 hp, approx. 33.1 kW, at 8,000 rpm; 42.5 Nm at 7,000 rpm; rev limit approx. 10,000 rpm; engine weight below 40 kg; Euro 5+; completely developed and produced in Italy

Final Drive: Ride-by-Wire with 46 mm throttle body; slipper clutch; six-speed transmission; chain final drive; Arrow exhaust standard

License: A2, with 45 hp = 33.1 kW, below the 35 kW A2 limit; confirm homologation class with dealer

Weight / Seat Height: 147 kg; 820 mm seat height

Frame: Mixed construction with tubular-steel trellis front section + aluminum side plates; aluminum swingarm with lower reinforcing brace; monocoque full fairing

Suspension: Sport-oriented; confirm details including suspension travel and adjustability with dealer before purchase

Brakes: Bybre radial caliper, Brembo subsidiary; 320 mm front disc; 230 mm rear disc; two-channel ABS; IMU-based switchable Cornering ABS

Tires: Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV; 110/70-17 front / 150/60-17 rear, based on Stealth 500 specification

Electronics: Four riding modes—Street, Rain, Track, Custom; multi-stage IMU-based traction control; IMU-based Cornering ABS; 5-inch TFT display; Bluetooth connectivity

Stationary Noise: Not published; Tyrol limit 95 dB(A)

Warranty: 2 years, Fantic standard

Imola vs. Stealth 500: Engine, frame, electronics largely identical. Imola: full fairing with winglets, clip-ons, sporty ergonomics. Stealth: naked bike, wide handlebar, more upright riding position, greater everyday comfort. Stealth 500 approx. €6,690.