WHEN WILL I BE ABLE TO BUY A FANTIC IN THE USA?
Dear MXperts,
I would like to buy a Fantic XX125, but I can’t afford to fly to Europe to have one shipped back to the United States. I assume that some enterprising dealership must be selling black-market Fantics somewhere in America.

As you obviously know, the Yamaha-based Fantics, including the 125cc two-stroke, 250cc two-stroke, 250cc four-stroke and 450cc four-stroke, cannot be imported into the USA. The Fantic motocross models are based on the YZ125, YZ250, YZ250F and YZ450F in a cooperative deal between Fantic Motor and Yamaha Europe. Yamaha USA does not want Yamaha-based Fantics to compromise Yamaha’s market share in the USA.

MXA has tested the Fantic XX125, and featured a one-off Fantic XX300 project bike in our May issue, but these bikes were ordered in Europe and shipped to SoCal. However, there is good news. Fantic Motor has announced that starting in the summer of 2025, they will be importing two models to the USA—the XE300 two-stroke and the XEF250 four-stroke—and they hope to expand to additional models later in the year.

Central Powersports Distribution (CPD) in Marshall, Texas, will be handling all of the logistics. CPD also imports Rieju and AJP motorcycles. They are looking for dealers to carry Fantics, and you can find existing Fantic dealerships by going to www.fanticmotorusa.com.

How are they getting around Yamaha USA’s embargo on Fantics in America? That’s simple. The 2025 Fantic XE300 enduro is built by Fantic, and its 300cc two-stroke engine is built by Motori Minarelli and features electric start, an electronic power valve, fuel injection, oil injection, 10 modes of traction control, and two ECU maps. But, the Fantic press-release photos reveal a Yamaha YZ250 aluminum frame. The MSRP is $11,599.

The 2025 Fantic XEF250 is more trail bike than motocross/cross-country racer. It features a chromoly perimeter frame with a 249.6cc, liquid-cooled, six-speed, four-stroke engine with electronic fuel injection and an Arrow exhaust. The MSRP is $6499.