CFMoto’s Papio XO-1 gets even more adorable
CFMoto is reportedly bringing a cool new version of its Grom-alike bike to the US, but will it come our way?
The grass is always greener, they say. Over in the United States, for example, they look longingly at the UK market and wistfully think to themselves: “Why can’t WE have the Yamaha XSR900 GP?”
Whereas we look back at them and sigh: “Why can’t we still have the Honda Fury?”
OK, we don’t do that. But I’m sure there are more than a few riders here (***cautiously raises hand***) who would like to see CFMoto bring its Grom-adjacent Papio XO-1 platform to this side of the Atlantic Ocean. We’ll be feeling that even more when the Chinese manufacturer rolls out its latest iteration: a fully-faired sportbike-inspired version that is simultaneously the coolest and most adorable thing we’ve seen this week.
Over in The Land Of The Free, they already have the Papio CL scrambler and half-faired Papio SS. We’re using the US naming here; the bikes may have different names elsewhere. Both are Grom-sized machines driven by an air-cooled 124cc single-cylinder engine equipped with six-speed transmission. Relying on a simple steel backbone chassis, the bikes claim 9.27 bhp and 6.8 lb-ft of torque. All of which is good for a mind-melting top speed of 56 mph.
US publication Cycle World reckons this new bike will actually replace the existing Papio SS. It observes that the updated Papio SS fully embraces mini sportbike styling, carrying over the twin headlights and retro nose cowl of the existing bike. It also features a pill-shaped cutout that most likely references the first-generation Suzuki GSX-R750.
New additions include full-length fairing side panels that curve into a bellypan, completely enclosing the engine. Even tiny, cosmetic winglets are integrated into the fairing sides, because maintaining downforce is vital on a machine capable of 56mph.
While the tank, seat, and tail are borrowed from the current Papio SS, CFMoto appears to have made ergonomic adjustments, according to Cycle World. The handlebars are now higher - mounted on risers extended above the top yoke - and the upper cowl features side extensions, likely to deflect airflow from the rider's hands.
US approval documents indicate no increase in the bike’s weight, despite the additional bodywork; it claims a curb mass of 114 kg. The Papio’s overall dimensions are very similar to those of Honda’s Grom. That bike is reasonably popular in the UK, so one wonders why CFMoto’s equivalent hasn’t arrived here yet.
It may be an emissions-related issue. Or, perhaps KTM - the former European distributors of CFMoto - is to blame. It’s hard to imagine folks at the nominally Austrian brand going for this sort of thing. They don’t really do kooky at KTM. Lunatic; yes. Cute and quirky; no.
Now that the KTM-CFMoto relationship has changed and Quadzilla have taken over as distributors in the UK, perhaps there’s hope. We’ve attempted to make contact with the team at Quadzilla to get clarification on this pressing issue. We’ll let you know when they respond.
Chris Cope is a fourth-generation journalist, originally from Texas. He has lived in the UK for roughly two decades and has been writing about motorcycles for most of that time. He has written for dozens of publications and websites in the UK, US, Canada, and Australia.
