CFMoto’s design studio is on fireplace proper now. With all the new bikes which can be popping out of its manufacturing facility, one has to surprise, what sort of inspiration are their designers on? Hit after hit, it looks as if the biker maker from Zhejiang province exhibits no indicators of slowing down.
Taking a step again from the new-new nameplates within the lineup, there was one bike that was quietly launched within the midst of those all-new fashions within the lineup. The CFMoto Papio XO-1 has received to be one in all our most favored bikes we’ve reviewed this yr, and it wasn’t as a result of it knocked our socks off when it got here to efficiency, not as a result of it was a knee-down corner-carving machine, however as a result of it was simply a lot enjoyable.
I had this bike for a few week earlier than I reluctantly returned it. Through the loaner interval, I additionally managed to “promote” one to a buddy, which is saying one thing as a result of a motorcycle as small, fashionable, and approachable as that is sort of a uncommon discover. The truth is, I considered choosing one up for myself for a time.
Nice design
It’s a motorcycle that doesn’t take itself too significantly. There aren’t any fake indicators of efficiency. All of the useful bits are coloured in black or silver as is the case with the fork and the rear suspension. That enables these bits to mix into the background and permit the purple and white panels of the Papio XO-1 to shine by. You’ll discover the cowl of this bike, the tank, the headlights, and even the tail part which additionally options a tremendous degree of element. CFMoto really drilled holes into the elements which have holes or appear like they’ve holes.
The checklist of nitpicks is few and much between. The headlights are moderately weak, however they do look good. The flip alerts are lifted from different CFMoto fashions save for the fronts that are an built-in set and customized fitted for the Papio XO-1, the rear passenger footpegs look extra like an afterthought than an integral a part of the mannequin’s design, and at last, the tank is a bit sq. which received in the best way of a few of our legs over a protracted experience.
Nonetheless, I’ve to say CFMoto hit the nail on the top. The bike doesn’t appear like it’s making an attempt too arduous to look sporty, it’s not making an attempt too arduous to be cool, it’s simply quirky and it appears to be like comfy in its personal pores and skin. It’s a well-designed bike that you just can not take too significantly, and that’s why we have been at all times met with smiles or questions concerning the bike in all places we went whether or not it was stopped at a purple gentle or pulling as much as one in all our favourite cafes. It’s so approachable and well-designed that you could’t assist however smile once you stroll as much as it or get on it.
It’s a 125cc air-cooled single, what do you anticipate?
Now, you could suppose that this bike put all of its eggs into the design basket, however you’d be half appropriate. The 125cc single-cylinder engine has a most energy determine of 9.4 horsepower and a max torque determine of simply 6.8 pound-feet. Nevertheless, the entire time that I used to be driving the bike.
I did attempt to get a great really feel of the suspension, clutch, gearbox, and brakes. The engine energy took a again seat for apparent causes. This bike doesn’t speed up like a bat out of hell, however you’ll be smiling ear-to-ear regardless due to how sluggish you’re going. You need to wring this bike out to rise up to any kind of pace and that’s sort of the purpose right here.
The suspension is fairly sorted for this bike—inverted forks particularly. Whereas I didn’t tinker round with the rear to get its preload excellent, the fronts have been surprisingly well-damped. The brakes have been high quality given the load class of this bike, and the clutch was gentle. It’s the gearbox that we discovered a little bit of a difficulty with as a result of it was a bit arduous to shift into impartial, and we additionally discovered ourselves hitting a false impartial sometimes. After we received used to the quirks although, the bike managed metropolis visitors fairly effectively, with its fueling and gearing meshing completely with low-speed crawling. Even with a low peak energy and torque determine, the bike has good fueling in the course of its powerband so there’s a good smoothness to the single-cylinder whilst you’re simply driving round.
At full tilt, nevertheless, you may be inspired to hold pace, brake much less, and just be sure you don’t decelerate an excessive amount of whereas cornering or rolling down the street. With this bike, anticipate to get again on top of things in possibly one to 2 enterprise days (kidding). It will be incorrect to anticipate the world of this engine because it’s simply an air-cooled energy unit, however I’ve to confess that it’s fairly sorted. It’s decently easy for a small-displacement engine. For its small measurement, I did should wring it out so much leading to a gas economic system determine of 77 miles per gallon. The tank has additionally about 1.9 gallons in capability, which is a moderately first rate vary. One full tank will final you over 100 miles relying on how sluggish or how sluggish you experience.
All of the fundamentals coated
The pod gauge on the Papio SS homes a whole lot of options in a tiny little bundle. It has a gas gauge, a low gas warning gentle, journey meters, a digital speedometer, a tachometer, and even a tiny shift gentle at 12 o’clock. The unit that I used to be capable of check was additionally had dual-channel ABS. It’s a fundamental system, nevertheless, however nonetheless good to have.
Somewhat too small?
Whereas this bike’s measurement is a part of its arsenal of charming options, it’s additionally its Achilles heel. Sadly, tall riders can have an issue becoming on this machine. That, and passenger lodging aren’t one of the best. The rear seat is tough and never a spot that you just need to be in for lengthy durations of time.
If, nevertheless, your peak is someplace within the ballpark of 5 toes and 4 inches tall to 5 toes and ten inches tall, then there’s a great probability that you just’ll be capable of match on this machine with little to no downside.
I’ve additionally talked about that it’s a sluggish bike, however let me be particular: the quickest that I’ve gone on this bike, going downhill, is about 75 miles per hour. You can be a little bit of a sitting duck on this bike within the face of fast-moving automobiles and larger bikes. Nevertheless, going quick just isn’t the purpose of a Papio anyway.
A fantastic newbie bike or an ideal second bike
If you’re beginning out and also you need one thing with model and a little bit of substance, then it is a nice decide. For the beginning value of about $3,299 USD, it’s undoubtedly not a foul deal. I imagine that you could nonetheless maintain this bike even after you’ve upgraded as effectively, which makes it an ideal worth. Newbie-friendly options on the Papio SS embrace its uber-accessible 29.9-inch seat peak and a curb weight of 251 kilos. Low and light-weight, it’s the right recipe for a newbie bike, minus the clip-ons.
On that be aware, even skilled riders will nonetheless be capable of extract worth from this machine. As a second bike, a little bit pit bike, or perhaps a city-slicking machine, it is a prime decide. It’s going to wrestle on lengthy stretches of street for certain, however in case you’re simply going from cafe to cafe, round city, to the retailers, and even as a workhorse commuter, it may possibly do this whereas your larger bike takes a break.
I significantly considered shopping for this bike for myself. Its model, first rate efficiency, and approachability make it an ideal deal for me at the same time as an skilled rider. I can even see that this bike shall be simple to deal with. You gained’t want a ton of oil, the engine is moderately uncovered for simple wrenching, the chain and sprockets are tiny, and the wheel and tire combo are available at simply 12 inches in diameter. I reckon that this bike shall be simple to keep up and get consumables for and that’s an enormous draw for both a newbie or a frugal motorcyclist.
Verdict: Why the heck not?
In the event you set your expectations proper, and in case you are eager on the design particulars of this bike, it’s simple to experience and even simpler to like. There are few bikes that actually illicit the identical reactions that this bike received throughout my time with it. It’s not a standard alternative among the many commuters in my space and that’s what makes it such a head-turner. You may’t assist however smile if you are on this bike and others can’t assist however smile whereas seeing somebody hunched over and tucked in making an attempt to get as a lot pace as attainable.
Essentially, it’s a Papio ST with fancy garments, however that’s its greatest asset. It’s simple to experience and much more charming clothed in neo-retro fairings. If you’re a newbie and in case you are in search of a less-than-full-size 125cc bike, it is a nice wager.
57 Photographs
Nevertheless, efficiency concerns can take a again seat with this one, no less than in my view. As a result of it’s such a head-turner, as a result of it’s so cute, and since it’s finished effectively, I’m certain that just about anybody can get pleasure from this bike. I additionally really feel that the CFMoto Papio CL, a.ok.a. the Papio XO-2 would even be a viable alternative if you’d like a scrambler of types. Personally, I just like the retro racer look that the SS has, however I can’t say that I didn’t additionally take into account the CL as effectively.
