The 2024 Cabrinha Moto XL Apex is a testament to innovation and refinement in the kiteboarding industry. This new model, part of the Apex Series, promises to elevate the riding experience. This comprehensive review’ll explore the key features, performance, and improvements that make the Moto XL Apex a remarkable addition to the Cabrinha lineup. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or a beginner, this review will explain why the Moto XL Apex might be the perfect kite for you.
The Apex Treatment: Enhancing an Already Remarkable Kite
Cabrinha has given the Moto XL Apex the Apex treatment to enhance a remarkable kite. This version offers a lighter feel and even more playful handling than its predecessors. The Moto XL Apex features a 3-strut, moderate aspect ratio hybrid design with reactive wing tips, fast and efficient profiles, and a reduced coning of the arc shape. These unique attributes enable the Moto to fly at incredible speeds through the wind window.
Design and Material Enhancements
The 2024 Moto XL Apex showcases several vital improvements in materials and design. The Ultra HT material, exclusive to the Apex Series, provides strength and responsiveness. The Nano Ripstop Canopy, known for its durability and stability, has been enhanced with a 3mm double ripstop pattern, increasing tear strength. The Apex bridles are thinner, have lower elongation, and optimize efficiency and steering. The Sprint 3.0 inflation system and TPU bumpers also improve airflow and durability.
Versatility and Performance
The Moto XL Apex is ideal for freeride, surf, freestyle, and foiling, offering excellent performance across various disciplines. Its light bar pressure and fast steering make it incredibly user-friendly, while the absence of pulleys provides outstanding feedback. The kite’s design, featuring an elegant three-strut frame, produces a crisp and light feel in the air, enhancing overall control and maneuverability.
User Experience: What We Love
Three noticeable features immediately stood out during our 2024 Cabrinha Moto XL Apex testing. The highly light bar pressure is immediately apparent upon launching the kite. Secondly, the responsiveness of the kite’s turning is impressive. These two significant improvements are why Cabrinha renamed their light wind kite the Moto XL. The third feature is the pop, hooked in and unhooked, which is incredible with this kite. Combined with responsive feedback, the Moto XL Apex is a fantastic boosting kite.
Performance in Lightwind Conditions
In areas with light wind conditions (10-15 kt), the Cabrinha Contra has long provided the ability to have fun. However, the Moto XL Apex represents the next chapter of light performance. The light bar pressure, responsive turning, and incredible pop make it a standout kite in light wind conditions.
Cabrinha’s Design Philosophy
Threshold winds have always been the most formidable challenge for any kite designer. Cabrinha’s approach with the Moto XL Apex was to create a kite that blends power and playfulness. The lightweight Ultra HT material and new Featherlite bladders reduce the kite’s weight, enhancing its lively feel.
Design Profile
- 3 Strut / Moderate aspect ratio hybrid design
- Reactive wing tip
- Fast, lean, and efficient profiles
Key Features
- NEW Ultra HT: Strong, stable, responsive material exclusive to the Apex series.
- NEW Apex Bridle: Thinner and lower elongation bridle for optimal efficiency and reactive steering.
- NEW Bi-directional pure profile panels
- NEW Feather Lite bladders
- NEW Ultra-Reactive steering response
- NEW Refined low-end performance for better upwind ability
- NEW Contra DNA: Modernized Moto agility and handling.
- NEW Effortless relaunch in the lightest of wind conditions
- Nano Ripstop Canopy: The benchmark in durability, stability, and responsiveness.
- Trailing edge EVA rigidity battens
- Durable TPU Leading edge bumpers
Moto XL Apex vs. Cabrinha Contra
A comparison with the Moto XL Apex is inevitable since the Cabrinha Contra has been in production for nine years. Technically, the Moto XL Apex sits further forward in the wind window than the Contra. This positioning allows for better upwind efficiency and lighter bar pressure. However, in gusty light conditions, the Moto XL Apex is more prone to front stalling than the Contra. Despite this, the Moto XL Apex’s overall performance improvements far outweigh this minor drawback.
Testing and Prototyping
During testing, the lighter-weight bladder material, which is 20-25% lighter than the stock material, showed astronomical performance improvements. This design enhancement contributed significantly to the Moto XL Apex’s superior low-end performance, allowing us to use the 13m kite more often than the 15m.
Overall Review
Cabrinha’s goal with the Moto XL Apex was to create a light kite that is fun to ride, powered up, and boosts exceptionally well. The finalized version of the Moto XL Apex is a massive improvement in light wind kite technology. Kiteboarders who previously had no interest in light kiteboarding should try the 2024 Moto XL Apex.
Final Thoughts
The 2024 Cabrinha Moto XL Apex is a remarkable kite that combines ease of use with high-end performance, suitable for various disciplines and skill levels. Its user-friendly design, quick and responsive steering, and impressive performance make it an ideal choice for beginners and advanced riders. The innovative use of lighter-weight materials, such as the new Featherlite bladders, positions the Moto XL Apex as the lightest three-strut kite in the Cabrinha range, offering unmatched performance and ease of handling.
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