VOLUME 63 ISSUE 28 JULY 14, 2026 P117
pounds heavier than the higher-
priced models. So now it is time
to see how it really works on
the trail.
RIDES AS GOOD
AS IT LOOKS?
The Fantic XEF250 TL is a nice-
looking bike, and it's just as
nice to ride. The seat is reason-
ably comfortable, with a grippy
seat cover. The 36-inch seat
height is about an inch lower
than on higher-performance
bikes, which is better for most
people who want an easy-to-
ride, non-intimidating trail bike.
Starting with the strengths,
the chassis and suspension
are much better than those
on entry-level trail bikes. The
Fantic FRS forks and shock
each have preload and rebound
adjustability but no compres-
sion clickers. As expected, it
is not up to the level of higher-
performance bikes, but you can
push it through rougher terrain
without doing anything unusual.
It holds a line well, and corner-
ing is predictable.
aluminum handlebars with
adjustable bar mounts, Domino
grips, billet triple clamps, braid-
ed steel brake lines, wave brake
rotors, an Arrow exhaust, twin
radiator cooling fans, a carbon-
fiber skid plate, a full-featured
dash, handguards and lights.
The 36-inch seat height and
21-inch-front and 18-inch-rear
wheels put it in line with full-
sized dirt bikes. But to maintain
a reasonable $6500 MSRP, a
few corners had to be cut.
The single-overhead-cam
249.6cc motor produces about
21 horsepower, which is a bit
less than the 25 to 26 horse-
power of 300cc entry-level
off-road bikes on the market.
That is also quite a bit less
than the 37 to 38 horsepower
of higher-performance 250cc
off-road bikes noted above.
The suspension, chassis and
brakes fall somewhere in the
middle of those two categories
of bikes. It's also in the middle
on the scale, weighing 286
pounds with a full tank of fuel,
about 35 pounds less than the
lower-priced bikes but about 30
