Mondial released in Australia
There’s a new name in the Australian LAMS market – FB Mondial. But those that know their two-wheel history will know that FB Mondial is not so new. In fact, the name dates back to the 1920s (first as FB in 1929, then FB Mondial from 1948), but has been reinvented for the new millennium.
Modern Mondial
The new FB Mondial is the second revival of the Italian motorcycle brand since 1979 and came about in 2014 when Count Pierluigi Boselli, a descendant of one of the original founders, allied with Cesare Galli, a former technical director of Fantic Motor.
After signing a deal to access the Chinese production resources of Piaggio, FB Mondial was reborn, combining Italian style with full-volume production capacity.
Officially announcing their return in 2015, FB Mondial relaunched with the Hipster 125 and Hipster 250; two café racer/scrambler-style customs in the same mould as the HPS 300 shown here.
At INTERMOT 2016, an SMX Supermoto and SMX Enduro were added to the range, while the EICMA show in 2017 saw the 125cc ‘Hipster’ rebranded as HPS 125 and a 250cc version – the HPS 300 – launched in two forms: a café racer/scrambler in the style of the 125cc version; and a faired sports version, which is labelled the ‘Pagani 1948’ in tribute to Cirillo ‘Nello’ Pagani, who scored FB Mondial’s first race win in the 125cc class.
At last year’s EICMA show, a Flat Track 125 was the newest addition to the growing FB Mondial range.
The HPS 300 was released to the European market in 2018 and is now available in Australia; imported through Ministry Moto and available through a selected dealer network that includes Gasoline Motor Co. in Sydney.
Mixed Messages
Visually striking, the FB Mondial HPS 300 combines café racer and scrambler elements. Café racer touches include the subtle seat hump, bar-end mirrors, mild rearsets, a bobbed chrome front mudguard and slim tank with knee cut-outs. Scrambler elements include the wide handlebar, high-mount exhaust and chunky tyres on wire spoke rims.
There are some elements unique to the HPS 300, too, like the teardrop headlight, high-mount radiator and offset instrument pod.
On paper, it’s a mixture that shouldn’t work, but on the HPS 300 it does, especially in the mix of chrome, gloss and matte black that’s one of the two colour options available. In fact, the HPS 300 looks more like a custom build than a factory bike.
HPS Spec
While it may be designed in Italy, the HPS 300 is built at Piaggio’s Zongshen factory in China, using an engine developed for recent Piaggio models, but matched to an FB Mondial-specific frame and related cycle parts.
The 249cc DOHC 4V four-stroke single features EFI, TLI ignition, wet sump lubrication and an 11.5:1 compression ratio.
Producing a listed 18.5kW at 9000rpm and 22Nm at 7000rpm (making it LAMS legal), this liquid-cooled compact single meets Euro 4 and ADR requirements, with the option to derestrict the exhaust for a more distinctive note.
Matched to the Piaggio engine is a 6-speed transmission with chain final drive.
For suspension, the HPS 300 features a 41mm USD front fork and twin remote-reservoir rear shocks, with 90mm front travel and 120mm rear travel.
The 18-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels are shod with semi-knobby 100/90-18 and 130/80-17 tyres, respectively, with braking consisting of a 280mm drilled disc with a four-piston caliper at the front and 220mm drilled disc with a single-piston caliper at the rear. ABS is standard.
To suit the LAMS market, dry weight is 135kg, seat height is an accessible 785mm and riding position is neutral, despite the rearests. Other measures include 155mm ground clearance, a 9-litre fuel capacity and 2016mm x 765mm x 1060mm (LxWxH).
Local Focus
With the local rollout of FB Mondial commencing in October, the HPS 300 should be in selected east coast dealerships by the time you read this. Gasoline Motor Co. in Sydney have a demo model available for test rides now.
Local pricing is $6,890 (+ ORCs), with a 2-year warranty standard.
For full specs and more info, go to https://www.gasoline.com.au/
