This Small, Super-Approachable New Scrambler Promises Value Valhalla

CFMoto’s latest Papio CL revives the joy of nimble city commuting and light off-road adventuring without breaking the bank.

Close-up of a black CFMOTO motorcycle engine with visible bolts and cooling fins.

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By Steve Mazzucchi

Published August 14, 2026

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Updated 22 hours ago

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To paraphrase an oft-uttered cliché about Texas, everything’s bigger in, well, America.

That applies not only to our geography and portion sizes but also our motos, as 75 percent of the bikes sold here are 750cc and larger.

White and red CFMOTO Papio motorcycle with dual round headlights parked on grass. — The CFMoto Papio CL starts at $3,299, making it one of the most affordable scramblers on the market.

Yet there is no denying the appeal of a compact, affordable and versatile package, and I have been encouraged to see more and more small-displacement bikes break stateside.

The latest example, CFMoto’s latest Papio CL, checks those coveted boxes and more, slaking an underrated thirst for low-stakes two-wheeled bliss.

Small thunder

While I would not suggest that a moto enthusiast adopt this little rig as their primary option, it offers a lot of appeal for smaller-scale urban errands and off-road adventures alike.

Person wearing a white helmet and black jacket riding a black CFMOTO motorcycle on a city street. — The engine produces 9.4 horsepower and 6.8 lb-ft of peak torque, modest figures that keep things low-stakes and fun.

After all, the 126cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine makes 9.4 horsepower at 8,250 rpm and peak torque of 6.8 lb-ft at 6,500 rpm, numbers that should not go anywhere near a highway.

(As Youtuber Gixxer Jesus can tell you, the bike is lucky to get over 60 miles per hour.)

Two riders wearing white helmets and jackets riding white CFMOTO Papio motorcycles on a street with buildings and an American flag in the background. — The new Papio CL (right) is one of two 126cc bikes CFMoto offers, the other being the café racer-styled SS (left).

However, with its 29.9-inch seat height and 251-pound curb weight, what this scrappy six-speed can boast is high approachability and agility, making it ideal for zipping through urban gridlock and ripping around on dirt.

Those qualities are supported by solid performance components, including disc brakes, an upside-down fork, a preload-adjustable rear monoshock and beefy lugged rubber wrapping 12-inch alloy wheels.

Person wearing black helmet and jacket riding a white and black motorcycle on a dirt surface. — Alloy wheels with aggressive lugged tires give the Papio CL legitimate dirt credibility to match its scrambler looks.

The new Papio CL also offers more tech than you might expect at its sweet $3,299 starting price, including dual-channel ABS, traction control, full LED lighting and a 3-inch round LCD display.

You can also outfit it with such accessories as a USB-C connector ($40) and a water-resistant 5L roll-top pannier ($200).

Motorcycle dashboard with speedometer and rearview mirror, with rider wearing gloves and gray jacket. — A 3-inch round LCD display and full LED lighting round out the Papio CL’s tidy tech package.

The latter offers just enough storage for a fun micro adventure sure to remind you why you got into motorcycles in the first place.

Availability and pricing

The 2027 CFMoto Papio CL is available now in Nebula White and Nebula Black starting at $3,299.

Black CFMOTO CL1 motorcycle with dual rearview mirrors and disc brakes on white background.

CFMoto Papio CL

Starts at $3,299

About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.

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