€1599
C A B R I N H A M OTO The Moto is a new model line for Cabrinha in 2019 and is pitched as a versatile, all-round-fun three strut freeride kite. Sitting somewhere between the Drifter and Switchblade, where does the Moto fit? Well, it’s less grunty and generally has a lighter and more nimble feeling on the bar than the Switchblade and will be more suited to lighter riders or those who want a more playful kite. You can throw it around all over the place without severe consequences, and it provides exceptionally predictable and rounded power delivery. Even when the wind is very inconsistent it seems to sit there perfectly and drive forward, smoothing out the gusts immaculately. It has the same consistent, silky smooth bar feeling you come to expect from a Cabrinha kite, which is something of a brand trademark and manages to traverse the whole product range. This divided our test team a little, with some loving the silky handling and some looking for a bit more feedback at the bar. Unhooked, the Moto is again a smooth and progressive experience with relatively gentle, consistent power delivery to load up with and little back stall tendency. Its boosting capability was much better than expected, as the relatively high turning speed translates the power upwards really effectively and there is a decent sheeting to lift performance on the bar, leading into lovely, neat and tidy, controlled transitions. Looping doesn’t forward pull a great deal, but you can get the kite quite low and level, which looks impressive for the pilot as it climbs fast and consistently. It’s a fast, responsive, enjoyable kite to ride, and has decent crossover potential into multiple disciplines, and with two struts less than the Switchblade its significantly lighter weight gives it quite an advantage for early starts foiling and drifty wave use for those less ‘twintip focused’ riders. The XO version runs up to a 12m and provides a more feminine graphic design for the ladies, but otherwise is the same kite. There’s nothing spiky or surprising about the Moto, apart from just how incredibly smooth and fun to fly it is. The Moto truly has a huge range of application, and is a very refined debut for the model. T E C H N I C A L D ATA :
10 3.04 0.304 No 6 4 3 14.64 7.5-8 Yes 2 total Yes Front loops / Steering knots 8 Yes No
Construction Canopy material TE material Bridle material Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type
Volae 2DR double ripstop Double 2DR in center and 2DR with Dacron on wingtips 2mm sheathed Dyneema 3 step zigzag / single overlay Standard High Tenacity Dacron 8 7 Cabrinha Sprint valve
TheKiteMag.com
sheet Upwind ability Usable range LiftDownwind on sheeting drift / leeward ability Hangtime Pop / slack test Ease of relaunch Kiteloop power test
7 8 7 6 8 8 7 9 8 9 7 7 6 9 8 9 8 8 9 8 9 7 7 8 9 9 8 8 7 8
Downloop catch from sent jump test Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability
Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability
Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed
Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch Top end ability
Linear power development on sheet Poor
Good
Excellent
Usable range LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling
Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)
PARTICIPANT
Ease of relaunch
UNITS SOLD
Pumping / deflation and valve Turning speed system Bar pressure Rigging simplicity Loop radius Self land Practicality (subjective 0-10) Bag size Bar feedback Repair kit quality PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD Lateral stability - 12 o’clock test Travel friendly Stability at/ Zenith - front stallvalve Pumping deflation and system Oversheet to stall test (10 hard to stall) Rigging simplicity Pumping / deflation and valve system Self land Rigging simplicity Bag size Repair kit quality Self land Travel friendly Practicality Bag size
7 9 5 6 5 6 7 9 5 6 5 6
Repair kit quality Pumping / deflation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size
AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference
UNITS SOLD
Upwind ability Downwind drift/leeward ability Pop / slack test KiteloopDynamic power testHandling Attributes (subjective 0-10) Downloop catch from sent jump test PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability Downwind drift/leeward ability Low end ability Pop / slack test Bar feedback when depowered Kiteloop power test Top end ability Downloop catch from sent jump Linear power development on test sheet Forward board speed Usable range Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low S U end B J E Cability TIVE TEAM FEEDBACK: Hangtime Bar feedback when depowered Ease of relaunch Top end ability Dynamic Attributes Linear powerHandling development on
Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime
Physical Attributes Size tested Kite weight (kg) Kg per m2 # Pulleys # LE hangpoints # Steering hangpoints # Struts LE diameter at widest point (cm) Recommended pressure (PSI) Line deflectors Battens Self-rescue handles Line attachments Ease of maintenance (0-10) Valve protection Tuning points
Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT
20 180 356 176
Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor
Good
Excellent