This is a 249cc bike. | The FB Mondial Pagani 300, whose styling evokes the image of a classic racing machine, captivates riders.

It’s fun to be able to street ride while enjoying the racing atmosphere.

FB Mondial Sport Classic 300 (Pagani 1948) … 580,800 yen (tax included)

The form of the bike, complete with its cowl, is truly sporty and cool. However, this sports styling isn't modern; it's reminiscent of a cafe racer from the 1980s. Speaking of personal details, as someone who owns a 1980 125cc single-cylinder sports bike customized in a cafe racer style, I felt a sense of familiarity with the FB Mondial Pagani 300, even though it was my first time seeing it. The 
Pagani 300 features halogen headlights and wire-spoke wheels. However, it's not simply a nostalgic pursuit. The rear is equipped with an inner fender and a swingarm-mounted license plate holder. The round monocular meter is also fully digital with an LCD display. While reminiscent of the cafe racers of yesteryear, modern technology is incorporated throughout to create a modern sports model.

Although it's called a 300cc, the engine displacement is 249cc, meaning it's a light motorcycle model and doesn't require vehicle inspection. Considering a 250cc, the body is compact. It weighs just 153kg, making everyday handling no problem. However, because it's equipped with clip-on handlebars, I found my hands getting pinched between the tank and the handlebars when the steering was fully locked. The steering angle isn't particularly large, either. When 
straddling the single-seater seat and placing my hands on the clip-on handlebars, my upper body leans slightly forward, despite the compact body, resulting in a fairly aggressive position. However, the bike isn't cramped overall, and I didn't experience any inconveniences riding around town. One thing I did notice was that the semi-up dual exhaust on the right side interferes with putting my feet down. Smaller riders might find it a bit daunting to reach the ground. By the way, I didn't have any issues with foot reach.

A single engine with a lot of vibration but good pickup at low and medium speeds

The bike is powered by a 249cc water-cooled SOHC 4-valve single-cylinder engine with a maximum output of 17.0 kW at 8,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 22.5 Nm at 6,500 rpm. Compared to its rival, the Suzuki Gixxer SF250, its maximum output is slightly lower. However, the difference is so slight that it can be said to be roughly equal in terms of performance. However, the bike is geared towards the mid- to low-speed ranges, which ultimately benefits street use. 
Starting the bike with the electric starter, it emits a rather loud single-cylinder sound from the semi-up exhaust. Warming it up in the early morning might require some care. 
Once started and accelerating to get into traffic, the engine revved up hurriedly, and without much effort, I reached 50 km/h around third gear. There were minor vibrations and the engine felt a bit rough and unsmooth, but the torque was solid from low RPMs, making it easy to handle. Also, in the mid-range of around 5000 rpm, it responds well and shows a crisp power feeling. I feel that the engine's strengths and characteristics can be better demonstrated by driving at low to mid-range revs rather than forcing it to high revs. 
In any case, I think it has enough performance to enjoy driving on city streets, and is also well suited to Japan's winding roads, which are full of tight mountain passes. Of course, it will handle cruising on the highway without any problems, but you may not be able to expect much comfort in terms of vibration.

Achieve smooth street riding with just the right amount of suspension

The classic cafe racer-style body weighs just 153 kg, making it easy to start riding without any worries. The low, separate handlebars limit the steering angle, and when fully locked, your hands get caught between the handlebars and the tank, so you have to be a little careful. However, I found the handling to be excellent. In terms of 
handling, the bike is incredibly light and easy to turn. Turning left and right at intersections and other points in urban areas is frequent, and 90-degree turns are a breeze. While we didn't test drive on winding roads, the Pagani 300 certainly handles tight winding roads with ease. 
The suspension, with 40mm inverted forks in the front and dual shock absorbers with sub-reservoirs in the rear, isn't particularly high-performance, but it doesn't flap around when going over gaps. The 17-inch wire-spoke wheels also seem to help cushion the impact. Furthermore, the brakes, a Φ280mm front single disc equipped with a radial mount caliper and a Φ220mm rear single disc, both have no shortage of stopping power. In any case, the suspension is perfectly adequate for riding on public roads. I felt that this was a bike that could be used without any stress, from commuting around town to touring on the weekend, and that it was easy to enjoy cafe style riding.

Detailed explanation

Main specifications

type	Single cylinder / 4-stroke / SOHC / 4-valve
Engine displacement	249cc
Bore (inner diameter) x stroke (travel)	77 × 53.6 mm
Compression ratio	11.5:1
Maximum power	17.0 kW / 8,500 rpm
Maximum torque	22.5 Nm / 6,500 rpm
Lubrication method	Wet sump
Cooling system	water cooling
Intake system	EFI
Starting method	Electric Starter
Transmission type	6-speed return
fuel tank	9.5 L