FB Mondial has always been one of those motorcycle brands that seemed destined for greatness but never quite got there. It had the heritage, the racing wins, the Italian flair, and the kind of backstory gearheads love. Yet somehow it kept missing the breaks, overshadowed by louder and more aggressive companies.
In a way, Mondial is that friend from school who had all the potential in the world but ended up taking the scenic route through life. Heck, maybe that’s like you. Sometimes I feel that’s how I’ve lived my life so far. And honestly, that’s fine. Not everyone becomes a Ducati or Honda. Some of us are just trying to do our thing, stay afloat, and make something cool every once in a while.
Which brings us to the Spartan 600, Mondial’s newest entry in the “mid-size cruiser-ish bobber-ish modern retro” segment. And when you look at it, you can’t help but think you’ve seen this movie before. It’s got touches of Kawasaki Eliminator, Honda Rebel, maybe a hint of Triumph Bonneville Bobber, all mixed together with an Italian-inspired twist. It’s familiar enough to feel comfortable, but different enough to make you stop and squint and go, “Wait, what exactly is this supposed to be?”
Let’s dive right in, shall we?
Under the tank, the Spartan 600 runs a 554cc parallel-twin with a modern DOHC setup and eight valves. Mondial claims 55.4 horsepower and 39.8 pound-feet of torque, with peak torque arriving at 6,500 rpm. It’s not a fire-breather, but it’s way more than enough for cruising around town or taking relaxed weekend rides. Power delivery looks friendly and predictable, which is exactly what this kind of bike should feel like.
The ergonomics lean into that vibe, too. The seat height sits at 27.9 inches, which is very approachable, especially for new riders or anyone who just wants something easygoing. The bike rides on fat 130/90-16 front and 150/80-16 rear tires, giving it that chunky planted look that bobber fans love. The fuel tank holds 4.6 gallons, and the whole thing weighs in at about 450 pounds wet. Not heavy enough to be intimidating, not light enough to feel flimsy. Think of it as someone who works out just enough to stay in shape but also orders dessert with zero guilt.
And yes, even though Mondial is proudly Italian in design and heritage, their modern bikes are mostly manufactured in China. That’s just the reality of how the revived brand operates. Some riders care, some don’t, but the tradeoff usually means more competitive pricing while still keeping that European design DNA.
Styling-wise, the Spartan 600 checks most of the boxes riders in this category are looking for. It has a clean silhouette, a nicely shaped tank, minimal bodywork, a round LED headlight, and simple lines that lean more toward “modern classic” than full-on cruiser. The wide rear tire gives it presence. The low seat makes it look confident and relaxed. And the layout is unmistakably parallel-twin, which has quietly become the go-to architecture for middleweight cruisers everywhere.
So what does all this add up to? The Spartan 600 looks like a motorcycle that reflects exactly where Mondial is today. A heritage-rich brand with flashes of glory, now operating in the modern global motorcycle industry, still figuring out what it wants to be. It borrows inspiration left and right, it plays with familiar formulas, and it isn’t pretending to be the next big disruptor. It’s just a cool, approachable, nicely styled bike with the decent specs and the right attitude.
And maybe that’s why it’s interesting. Not every bike needs to redefine a segment. Some exist simply because a company wanted to make something fun, familiar, and enjoyable for riders who don’t need a life-changing machine. Mondial probably won’t reclaim its legendary racing status anytime soon, and maybe it isn’t trying to. Maybe the Spartan 600 is the brand just letting us all know that it’s still here.
Source: FB Mondial
