Cuore Italiano: Why the MM460 Is a Promise

Fantic acquired Motori Minarelli from Yamaha in 2020. The result of that acquisition is the MM460—an engine developed and produced entirely in Bologna, in a country that has treated sporting single-cylinder engines as an art form for decades. This gives the name “Cuore Italiano” an authenticity beyond just a marketing slogan. The MM460 has 463 cc, DOHC, four valves, a forged piston, Ride-by-Wire, and revs to 10,000 rpm. It weighs less than 40 kg. Those are engineering features you would not normally expect in this price class.

Motorradonline tested the Stealth 500 in April 2026 on the Apennine mountain passes between Umbria, Tuscany, and Romagna. Its verdict: “A rapid attack on the A2 class; agile in everyday riding, ready for mountain passes and backroads.” As for the engine, it pulls strongly from 3,000 rpm, delivers more energetic thrust from 7,000 rpm, and revs to 10,000 rpm. Vibrations are noticeable only through the footpegs—a good result for a single-cylinder engine of this size. The test lasted several hours, and the riding position remained comfortable.

147 kg: The Lightest A2 Bike in Its Class

147 kg total weight. Motorradonline calls the Stealth 500 the “lightest A2 bike” in the headline of its road test. That is a meaningful claim in the A2 naked-bike class: Kawasaki Z500, 196 kg; Yamaha MT-03, 168 kg; Honda CB500F, 191 kg. At 147 kg, the Stealth delivers a completely different riding experience.

The Motorradonline test rider, at just under 1.80 meters tall, writes that the motorcycle “feels very compact, not to say small”—but remains comfortable. Seat height is 810 mm, a practical figure for a naked bike in this performance class. Combined with the 147 kg weight, it makes the Stealth manageable for a wide range of rider sizes, including in city traffic.

45 hp at 8,000 rpm: Character, Not Just Numbers

The specifications are 45 hp at 8,000 rpm, 42.5 Nm at 7,000 rpm, and a rev limit of approximately 10,000 rpm. That corresponds to around 33.1 kW, making it A2-compatible with the 35 kW limit.

What the numbers do not reveal is an engine with two personalities, according to Motorradonline’s test. Below 7,000 rpm, it is civilized and manageable, “disguised at lower revs as a friendly, harmless naked bike.” Above 7,000 rpm, it reveals its sporting character: energetic thrust that drives the Stealth out of corners all the way to 10,000 rpm. Motorradonline references the model name itself: “Stealth,” named after the stealth bomber, for how that high end power delivery surprises the rider.

Ride-by-Wire operates through a 46 mm throttle body. A slipper clutch provides cleaner downshifts. There is a six-speed transmission. An Arrow exhaust comes standard—a component that would normally cost extra. Euro 5+.

Frame and Suspension: Mixed Frame, GP-Style Swingarm

The mixed frame combines a tubular-steel trellis front section with aluminum side plates—a construction Motorradonline described on the previous Stealth 125 as “unique in its category,” providing greater rigidity at lower weight than an all-steel frame.

The aluminum swingarm has a lower reinforcing brace that Motorradonline compares with GP designs, providing more stable traction without additional weight.

The Motorradonline test involved several hours of riding on Apennine mountain passes without fatigue, even at an aggressive pace. The ergonomics, with a wide, slightly curved handlebar, create an active, forward-leaning riding position that feels agile without becoming tiring.

Braking comes from a Bybre radial caliper—Bybre is a Brembo subsidiary—with a 320 mm front disc and 230 mm rear disc. There is IMU-based Cornering ABS and switchable traction control. Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tires come standard, making the Stealth the only 500 in its class fitted with this tire from the factory.

Four Riding Modes, 5-Inch TFT, Bluetooth: The Electronics Package

Street, Rain, Track, and Custom. Four riding modes determine engine character, traction-control behavior, and Cornering ABS intervention. The electronics package is considerably more sophisticated than the norm in the sub-€7,000 class.

A 5-inch TFT display with Bluetooth provides smartphone integration for navigation and notifications. An IMU supplies the data for all dynamic rider-assistance systems.

€6,690: The Price Argument

€6,690, according to MK Cycle Shop for 2026. For comparison, the Kawasaki Z500 SE costs around €6,900, the Yamaha MT-03 around €6,900, the Honda CB500 Hornet around €7,800, and the Aprilia Tuono 457 around €6,600.

The Stealth costs roughly the same but weighs around 40 kg less. Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tires and an Arrow exhaust come standard—equipment that would cost extra on many competitors.

Fantic’s dealer network in Germany is smaller than those of the Japanese manufacturers. Before buying, locate your nearest service partner and clarify the maintenance intervals.

Stealth vs. Imola: Naked Bike or Sportbike

The Stealth 500 and Imola 500 share their engine, frame, and electronics. The Stealth is the naked bike: wide handlebar, upright riding position, no fairing, no winglets. The Imola is the sportbike: monocoque full fairing, clip-ons, sportier ergonomics.

If you want everyday flexibility and backroad riding, choose the Stealth. If you want the fully faired sportbike experience, choose the Imola, expected from July 2026 with no official price announced yet.

Verdict

The Fantic Stealth 500 (MY2026) is the most convincing new arrival in Germany’s A2 naked-bike segment this year: 147 kg total weight, 45 hp, a Made-in-Italy DOHC engine with forged piston, Arrow exhaust, Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV and Bybre radial caliper standard, IMU-based Cornering ABS, four riding modes, Bluetooth—all for €6,690.

Motorradonline’s April 2026 road test confirms it: agile in everyday riding, strong on mountain passes. That makes it the strongest price-to-performance proposition in this test series below €8,000.

 

Quick Check

+ 147 kg: Motorradonline calls the Stealth 500 the “lightest A2 bike” in its class, April 2026. 44 kg lighter than Kawasaki Z500 at 196 kg; 49 kg lighter than Honda CB500F at 191 kg. 45 hp DOHC single-cylinder with forged piston, revving to 10,000 rpm: “rapid attack on the A2 class,” according to Motorradonline. Arrow exhaust + Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV standard

+ Bybre radial caliper, Brembo subsidiary; IMU-based Cornering ABS; four riding modes—Street/Rain/Track/Custom; 5-inch TFT; Bluetooth—electronics package above the class norm. €6,690: less expensive than Z500 and CB500, but considerably lighter. Made in Italy, with Fantic in Asolo + Minarelli in Bologna. 2-year warranty

 

– Stationary noise not published—confirm with dealer before purchase against Tyrol’s 95 dB(A) limit. Fantic dealer network in Germany smaller than those of Japanese brands—locate a service partner before buying. Single-cylinder engine: vibrations noticeable through the footpegs at high rpm, according to Motorradonline test

– A2-compatible at 33.1 kW; unrestricted A license not required, no upgrade to higher power possible because the motorcycle is not restricted. Fuel capacity 12 liters

 

Technical Specifications: Fantic Stealth 500 (2026)

Make / Model: Fantic Stealth 500 (MY2026; naked bike; A2); manufacturer: Fantic Motor S.p.A., Asolo, Treviso, Italy; engine: Motori Minarelli S.p.A., Bologna, Italy, Fantic subsidiary since 2020

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 (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, 45 hp = 33.1 kW, below the 35 kW A2 limit

Weight / Seat Height: 147 kg; 810 mm seat height

Fuel Capacity: 12 liters

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

Suspension: Full specifications not yet published; sport-oriented setup

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

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

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

Warranty: 2 years, Fantic standard

Stealth vs. Imola 500: Identical engine, frame, and electronics. Stealth: naked bike, wide handlebar, upright, everyday-flexible, available now, €6,690. Imola: full fairing, winglets, clip-ons, sportbike ergonomics, expected from July 2026, no official price.

Price in Germany: €6,690, MK Cycle Shop MY2026