Trial Tube - The Ultimate Twin Shock - Fantic 2 Stroke Trials Bike

We had a request to get a Twin Shock on the channel and I when I was offered this bike I could not resist!
Even in 4K the video quality doesn't give this machine the justice it deserves to the viewer. A pleasure to ride and an icon for the ages, as this was the first smaller CC engine trials bike to be brought into the UK to conform with the new sixteener laws. Meaning young riders were confined to a less powerful bike. This was one of the first purpose built trials bikes from a European brand (Italian). Which Quickly Became something of an icon and a trial winner! Especially for the youth riders. But trust me it had no lack of power!
Sit back and taker a trip down memory lane as we even have our take on the epic Kickstart winning machine!
This is Trial Tube.

[@bluesdude1194]

My first proper trial bike was a Fantic 200, after getting upgraded to an intermediate rider a part exchanged it for a brand new Fantic 245.

[@donalfredoconforti2185]

Bravo una grande moto qui in Italia si trovano a 1000€ usate. bravo hai guidato bene. Con simpatia. Mi dispiace molto che FANTIC abbia fallito. Il 240 è stato il loro modello TOP..

[@lektro808]

That first up hill left floater was awesome! ✊🏻🤘🏻👍🏻

[@s.r.t.8758]

So, I live in the U.S. (sadly) and I had never heard of Kickstart. Now, I've gone down a rabbit hole of Kickstart and I can't quit watching. Great channel, Danny! Thanks.

[@TrialTube]

Haha glad I could enlighten you to the world of Kickstart. Old but gold!

[@jimh3362]

I love the twin shock feature. We need more!! So many good twin shocks and so little time.....USA

[@vxlgsi]

I have a 125 version of this. Had it for 27 years it was my second bike after a Whitehawk ty80 which I also still have.

[@francescxavierbulto9848]

Love to see some pics of the TY

[@TrialTube]

Thats what we like to hear! Gonna have some more Yamaha content coming soon on the channel as well!

[@richiehall4832]

Good to meet you this week mate and learn from you, definitely hooked and will see you again soon at Trialday. Great video and loved seeing fantics when i was younger never got to ride one though lol

[@TrialTube]

Thanks man!! It's great to hear you guys have got the bug!!! Really looking forward to having you guys back.

[@bruceryhti2178]

Brings back memories of my 1972 160cc Cotton!

[@chrisstoddart4342]

Great video. Full of fun too. Thanks Danny

[@TrialTube]

Thanks man!!

[@francescxavierbulto9848]

Twin shock is a different kind of riding but we do benefit from the new styles of riding.

[@MrTag1969]

Great video again Danny 👍👍 Lovely bike in great condition 😁 Keep it up fella Always great watching 👍

[@TrialTube]

Cheers bud, really appreciate you watching!

[@markhudson5449]

Immaculate bike. I had the Fantic 240 and loved it

[@kelvynbettridge]

Danny Butler, I’m loving the mixture of content in each video. Its forcing me to go back and watch each and every video to be sure I dont miss anything from IDB

[@TrialTube]

Glad to hear it and some of the older ones are golden lol

[@BazzyPredPop]

I’m really enjoying working my way through your brilliant videos. I’ve had an old beamish Suzuki stuck in the back of my shed for years I’ve just dug out with a view to having a blast. More than happy to see you charge about on old montesas, bultacos and Ossas from the 70s or even the late 60s 😬👍❤️

[@TrialTube]

Will have to get my hands on some more of the classics and thank you for the support! More content coming soon!

[@davidevorider2002]

Loved the KICK START take

[@marshallgroover3983]

I still compete on my 75 TY175 ( got new) and still have my TY80 from way back when. love the video,

[@Dmorrow68]

Love watching! The Fantic reminds me of my TY175 that I compete on: awesome! Too bad that we can’t seem to get a waterproof boot, I always feel silly avoiding walking the river-bottoms..... And I can never get over how many trials riders wear non-trials-specific gloves; controls are so important and gloves are the contact point to the controls...

[@robertlloydevans9966]

My first bike was a fantic 303 1989 (250cc), it was actually a mono but still a great bike. That had a forward Kickstarter and lovely gold rims 👍

[@derrickanderson2783]

"I'm a tiny Danny Butler.." hahahahahaha LOVE IT!!

[@lifebehindbars5974]

Cracking little bike, that. Great vid... keep it up!!

[@stephendean7756]

Proper nice bike remember them well in the 80s

[@spannersnapper]

bostin danny thanks for the contrast to new stuff plus the kit review was a bonus!

[@pomsters3264]

Even now in 2021 the most common tune people do when they see Peter Purves is Kickstart, not Blue Peter or Crufts etc but Kickstart. There's an interview with him on youtube somewhere, were he talks about it ... He never imagined Kickstart would become as popular has it did

[@pinsxthree]

I just picked up a runner rear kick 200 for $400 (in the woods near Aberdeen WA). It is a runner but missing the original rear wheel and the seat. I was just going to pilfer parts, but now -- thanks to your video -- I might have to fix it up.

[@TrialTube]

Awesome find !!!

[@leighclifford7808]

Great video

[@highlandrab19]

Trick for boots is either keep going at them with the waterproof sprays or if you aren't bothered about breathability then smearing a thin layer of candle wax on them can work too

[@TrialTube]

Thats a great boot hack for sure buddy!

[@hughrobertson-payne914]

Great channel Danny, just found it yesterday. I’m 52 and fancy taking up trials, always wanted to but never did apart from having an old TY175 to kick around on years ago. Just been on a trials day in Wales where they stuck me on a Scorpa 250 then a TRS 300 which I promptly destroyed a fence with after misjudging an obstacle and decided I need to learn more and get some instruction on a less powerful bike, it was too much for me on a first outing! So I’m loving all the info and your reviews. Just need to decide on whether to go for a twin shock (I used to love the look of the Fantics) or a 10-15 year old beater (or maybe even a Beta!) to get started on. Great content, keep it coming 👍

[@TrialTube]

Hey Buddy, The channel is on a summer break right bow as we have a lot going on in the real world but we will be back in September with more reviews, info and exciting silliness. Great to hear you are coming into the sport again and watch put for them fences!! If it was me I would steer clear of the twin shock whilst learning. (But that is just me). Great to have you with us.

[@phildavies5110]

Great Videos Danny, I had a Fantic 200 after and italajet 100. Still own a Fantic 305 and just bought myself a Beta 300 to get back into trials after a few years on Motocross. Great times and sport.👍👍

[@TrialTube]

Thanks man and some of the best memories have two wheels involved! Great bike choice for the return by the way!

[@Enduro.Trials]

Nice lookin' ride!

[@Simon-fr4ts]

I owned a 240 back in the mid 80's. They are supposed to be worth a bit now for a good one. My dad later had one of John Lampkins ex works Fantic 301's. I loved riding that bike, it seemed to have a lot of power back then compared to my older 240.

[@TrialTube]

Oh 100% worth a whole heap of pennies nowadays and you just wouldn’t believe the heritage and support for these machines! Shame we lost the brand in the late 90’s

[@aixonoterre7335]

I love the crispy sound of the FanticMotor. Very good video! I would like to see a comparative between Fantic 240 and Montesa 242.

[@junemvalente6948]

Actually that one doesn't sound crisp.

[@johnhassall1782]

Good idea testing older bike's, I used to dream of owning a fantic back in the day 😍, a lot of folks can't justify big bucks on trials bikes,, but an under 2 grand modern budget bikes round up would be good to see 🤔

[@junemvalente6948]

Under 2 grand would exclude Fantic 200s!

[@johnhassall1782]

@@junemvalente6948 probably and most classics 🤔

[@johnbell6854]

I had one just like that it had no breaks and engine would start in reverse if you coughs it wrong you didn’t know until you let the clutch out and went flying backwards but overall very reliable and tough me how to crash properly I am big fan of the brand and still own a 309 from 1991 which I have owned from new and still used in loacal event’s

[@TrialTube]

That’s dedication!

[@robertslinger5119]

Ossa Grippers had a conical back drum on same side as sprocket too. Also the good thing about NCB wellies was they didn't leak.

[@TrialTube]

Haha you are right and I rushed that bit, you are fully correct about the wellies too

[@jacobmabsolutelegend3072]

OMG been watching this channel for a while now, love that 200 , bought one when i was 16 for £200 and rebuilt it, kept it a few years and sold it for £450 in 1998, how gutted am I :( also just realised why i recognise you....Butlins in the summer,,great show :)

[@TrialTube]

I was indeed on stage at Butlins! Lol that’s my other job lol. Great to cross over to two worlds! Thanks for the support on the channel btw!!

[@jacobmabsolutelegend3072]

@@TrialTube no problem!

[@jacobmabsolutelegend3072]

@@TrialTube are you back at butlins this summer ?

[@TrialTube]

@@jacobmabsolutelegend3072 unfortunately not my show got ripped off for a cheap knock off version…

[@johnhassall1782]

Sounds sweet!

[@TrialTube]

It did indeed!!

[@junemvalente6948]

Not the best sounding Fantic 200 I've heard.

[@adrianrouse5148]

The fantic spares were the bikes that started the hopping them about for position. You could do it on the spanish bikes but they were heavy.

[@77katsu96]

凄く、いい音ですね👍最高ですね🤩👍

[@wi4292]

that was ace

[@TrialTube]

Glad you enjoyed the video don’t forget to share (pretty please!)

[@davidrendell6009]

You need to do more twinshock and aircooled mono vids!! Great vid!

[@TrialTube]

Thanks a lot, even thought this is one of the lowest viewed videos on the channel….so it’s hard to see the benefit of this content…

[@davidrendell6009]

@@TrialTube I'll get sharing

[@TrialTube]

@@davidrendell6009 that’s how I get inspired to make more 👍

[@Prestonesfpv]

Nice test of a cool bike 😊 but please turn down the silly fluff, it makes it look like tv for kids

[@TrialTube]

Funny you say that our youngest viewer is 4. Our oldest 88. You are right though, best just make it for miserable people…

[@chrisangove8997]

Fantic 200 actually only 156cc, but it pulled Colin Domett sidecar outfit one season!

[@TrialTube]

It was plenty powerful I won't lie!

[@badlarry172]

that wouldn't have killed my majesty i can tell you✌ nice bike tho

[@Girraffe_o_]

When my dad was younger he had a fantic 100 and 125 and now he’s got a beta 2t and a bultaco 340 but he said the 125 was terrible because if you lost grip that was it you couldn’t get it back

[@TrialTube]

Like a 4rt 🤣

[@mikesimmons7830]

Bultaco had the same rear hub layout decades earlier

[@TrialTube]

They did indeed, I missed that at the time. Also a bit before my time maybe lol

[@russtaylor2122]

Old joke: Helmets must be worn... 'But mine's new...!'

[@davidemarsu7098]

1:55 I can confirm. I'm italian

[@elliot909k4]

we need a Vertigo!

[@TrialTube]

Coming soon the channel!

[@thomaswooo4850]

Nooooo go green Dam that fantic is nice

[@thomaswooo4850]

And special beta must be the factory ?

[@TrialTube]

Not telling

[@marksaunders9572]

Darn good vid though Mr Butler. Any chance you can do some other early bikes, may one or two per season ! Please

[@TrialTube]

Thanks bud they take a “very” long time to make and happy to have some other early bikes on the channel. Just getting ahold of them. As most people contact me and then we make a plan. But at the moment because of the situation I am literally getting them loaned to me. Next weeks we are looking at my favourite bikes of all time!

[@francescxavierbulto9848]

@@TrialTube It would be nice if Mr Eric Boocock ( 70s world Speedway Rider) would lend you a bike or too. I could tell you a piss funny tale about the 98 Strines trial but I don’t think Eric would thank me.....” you know what I’m talking about Eric....Glug Glug” 😉

[@marksaunders9572]

@@francescxavierbulto9848 🤣

[@ka4172]

Sideplastics broke like glass.Would be nice having a "seven days" .

[@leaflee2066]

I really wanted to see someone fall off the balance beam then a St John's ambulance guy fall down the pit as he ran to help, all to the background track of Peter Purves laughing his head off!

[@TrialTube]

Just can’t get the production value of these one-man production teams lol

[@Gracievision]

So I've only gone and bought one. Not saying I'm going to be attempting some of things Danny does though.

[@TrialTube]

A Fantic? Amazing!

[@Gracievision]

@@TrialTube Yes, a 1982 125cc which will do for me and the sort of riding i'll be doing. It's probably the bike I should have bought when I first had a go twenty-five years ago.

[@TrialTube]

@@Gracievision beauty!!

[@ianstagg846]

I had a Fantic 125 then the 300 & my last Fantic 303 Then I stopped riding in trials.

[@TrialTube]

No time like the present to start again?

[@ashharrison9410]

Great fun. What year Fantic is it?

[@TrialTube]

I am gonna say 84…

[@anthonysprinks1253]

Ajs. I took my test on one (and passed) .No lights ,no electric horn.

[@TrialTube]

Proper times!

[@TrialTube]

Proper times!

[@TrialTube]

Proper times!

[@ritid69]

I had the 240 years ago…..kicked over forwards

[@TrialTube]

That’s the way in a Fantic

[@ritid69]

@@TrialTube yes, my K~Roo had it as well, was a bit of a bummer if you didn’t catch the firing in the right position and crack your knee on the handle bars

[@davidrendell6009]

Fantic 200 is only 156cc quite pokey for a little motor!

[@TrialTube]

It was decent!

[@mikejames4271]

Why are trials boots so much shorter in height than they used to be?? Forward kickstart was the future, bit like Video 2000 and vhs in my opinion. That 200 was carrying a non Fantic back mudguard and a gloss tank which never existed which was running as rich as you like. Love the vids though!

[@TrialTube]

I knew many would have more knowledge on this one than myself. “But before my time.” The bike was built at the end of the day and always ran cold (due to my filming). I am super happy you enjoyed the video though. Next weeks details are all on point though! 😉

[@roystonjones1369]

How about a test on a vertigo and a trs👍

[@TrialTube]

Coming up! We have content lined up for weeks 👍👍

[@Girraffe_o_]

For waterproof trials boots I recommend sidi’s

[@TrialTube]

The younger brother tested them. They died...RIP. Cheers for watching

[@Girraffe_o_]

Yea your one of the only British trials channels I’ve found so far

[@francescxavierbulto9848]

@@Girraffe_o_ SIDIS were great back in 2000 then they changed the design and then oh no. Hebo were great but my favourite for a fair few years was Diadora, yup you heard that right. Still back to Hebo and no change for 10 years.

[@ericlietsch994]

Sidi boots was okay but it did a good job protecting my shins. I still have it in my garage!

[@2E0VPF]

Is that helmet mouldy too?

[@TrialTube]

Nope lol, that’s why I got a new one! Lol

[@marksaunders9572]

Urm... dont most old british bikes have the rear drum mounted with the sprocket. Come to think of it most old rear drum equiped machines....?

[@TrialTube]

Maybe, I just went off old memories lol

[@dietznutz1]

How wide are the front tyres on that ?

[@TrialTube]

Standard trials sizes my dude!

[@dietznutz1]

@@TrialTube dam you replied quick ! I'm new ish to trials and the standards of stuff I wasn't aware there was a standard what is the standard width ?

[@TrialTube]

@@dietznutz1 off the top of my head I am honestly not sure as trials tyres have been the same for a long time. Best to search for Michelin x-light trials front and rear.

[@dietznutz1]

@@TrialTube thanks I have bough some kenda k262 and I couldn't find a width so I just assumed they were all the same, I couldn't stomach spending 200 just on tyres, I am doing up a 1988 fantic 201 monoshock to go riding with

[@TrialTube]

@@dietznutz1 the Fantic dwarves the love!

[@francescxavierbulto9848]

My mates 303 what a bike. You think they can’t perform....they can

[@TrialTube]

Oh they are incredible!

[@francescxavierbulto9848]

@@TrialTube we was down in Kirkheaton woods / Quarry in 2004 trying to recreate the National boys from 87. The old man Andrew who was 52 at the time was a Surgeon. He had a photographic memory and laid out their sections as best we could. All lined up on our new Gassers, Scorpa SY’s and the very last offerings of the 315 trying to emulate those guys. Easy? No! You think you are good, hell you even can win West Yorkshire trials but these were hard sections. To think you could just potter along and clean them was a fools game. Quick Edit, a fair few were on air cooled mono in 87 but Twinshock was still the order of the day..I.e money constraints.

[@Gracievision]

Doesn't this just show that trials bike development is just about fashion and selling bikes that what you actually need to ride?

[@russtaylor2122]

Sounds like an old MZ when not flat out...?

[@TrialTube]

Just flat maybe 😬😜

[@russtaylor2122]

Mixture a bit rich maybe? What carb do they have?

[@TrialTube]

@@russtaylor2122 unsure for this one it was a long time ago now

[@russtaylor2122]

No worries man. Subbed and shared, good watching...!

[@markr5132]

Good Channel BUT... Way too many graphic explosions, dogs bla bla bla slowing down the flow of what could be a great channel. You guys are overdoing it the gimmicky crap!! Otherwise the channel is awesome! Trial on guys!!

[@TrialTube]

I have a very wide demographic. Like very wide! Youngest viewer is 6 and the oldest is 91. So it’s difficult as different people like different things! But thanks again for the support

[@ericlietsch994]

I rode Fantic 200 that belongs to Jack Stites who used to ride USA National or World. I can’t remember that far back. My best friend brought this bike from Jack Stites. Very nice bike back then.

[@ericlietsch994]

Jack Stites and his wife were regulars in Florida Trials Association. I rode in the same class as his wife does and she beat me regularly. They were Tryals Shop in Tampa. I remembered they regularly stock Fantic bikes, they moved to NY.

[@TrialTube]

Stunning machines and so incredible to ride. Full of character!

[@ericlietsch994]

@@TrialTube I still have the VHS Factory Fantic Teams warming up for World Round in NY. Hah aha I don't have VHS player anymore. I think Bernie Schieber was in it also on Fantic.