2026 Cabrinha Moto Apex Review | Brazilian Brothers

The Brazilian Brothers are back home in Prea with a full-length review of the 2026 Cabrinha Moto Apex. They took the kite out in a wide range of conditions in Brazil to deliver a final verdict on its performance and help you decide whether it's deserving of a place in your quiver.

A kiteboarder cruises across the water with the Cabrinha Moto Apex.

Overcoming the Moto's Past

To be completely honest, when Cabrinha first sent this kite, the Brazilian Brothers were not overly stoked. For many years the Moto was a closed, almost C-shaped kite that simply did not perform well. While the previous generation, the Moto X, was a step in the right direction, it still did not quite hit the mark for big air and jumping.

The 2026 Moto Apex is a completely different beast. It features Aluula material on the struts, and the entire kite is better overall. If you have not had a great experience with previous versions of the Moto, the brothers highly recommend trying this year's because it is a complete redesign. In fact, they felt Cabrinha could have named it something else entirely.

Close-up of the Aluula struts on the Cabrinha Moto Apex.

Intuitive Feel and Stability

When you first put the Moto Apex in the sky, you immediately notice how intuitive it is. It has good feedback on the bar and you know where the kite is at all times. It is a very direct kite, and any input on the bar immediately translates into the kite moving. It is a rapid kite, and the Brothers were surprised by how stable it is in the sky. They could not frontstall or backstall the kite no matter how hard they tried.

In terms of bar pressure, it is moderate. It is not overly light or stiff. It sits in a sweet spot right down the middle, which gives you enough feedback without being fatiguing.

First-person view of the control bar.

Jumping and Vertical Lift

The 2026 Moto Apex has much better vertical lift than previous generations. While it may not jump as high as a five-strut dedicated big air kite like the Rebel D/LAB or a Slingshot NXT, it is an impressive three-strut freeride performance kite. Once you sheet that bar, you are going to go up, even if you do not hit the sweet spot perfectly. It is easy to gain height.

Regarding hangtime, the brothers were pleasantly surprised for a freeride kite. However, it is a more technical kite when it comes to coming down softly. Because it is such a fast kite, you need to nail your heli-loops and downloops to land smoothly. If you are looking for a kite with easy hangtime that is simple to downloop and land, you should look at the Switchblade. The Moto is a more versatile and faster kite than the Switchblade, but the downside is that it is harder to land your tricks because of that speed.

A kiteboarder performs a trick in the air.

Looping Performance

The looping performance of the Moto Apex is a highlight. The kite is fast, and although it has moderate sheeting pressure, it has decently light steering pressure, which makes kiteloops easy. It travels across the window quickly and recovers on a dime. One of the brothers was performing multiple one-handed kiteloops almost immediately because the kite felt comfortable, even in strong conditions. It is a high contender for looping, performing more consistently and with less yank than the NXT or the Rebel, making it excellent for riders looking to progress through kiteloops.

A kiteboarder loops the Cabrinha Moto Apex.

Ease of Use and Versatility

The Moto Apex is easy to use with a big sweet spot for jumping. It provides the confidence to pull boogie loops almost immediately. The only drawback in ease of use is the descent from big jumps, which requires good kite control. If you are still working on your downloops and heliloops, the Switchblade might suit your needs better. However, for those who have those skills dialed, the Moto Apex is a massive upgrade.

A kiteboarder begins a jump on the Moto Apex.

Brazilian Brothers Unfiltered

So, what's the Brothers' honest option of the 2026 Moto Apex? This is a much better kite than any previous version of the Moto. It offers:

Much better vertical lift.
A wider wind range on the high end.
An intuitive bar feel that is easy through the loops.

Where It Shines

Looping performance.
Bar feedback.

Where It Should Improve

Consistency of lift on landings (it is not as easy to come down softly as a Switchblade).

Overall, the 2026 Cabrinha Moto Apex is an amazing freeride kite for anyone primarily riding a twintip who also wants to dip their toes into foiling or strapless riding. It is a massive upgrade from Cabrinha that the Brazilian Brothers thoroughly enjoyed.

Rubens stands on the beach, holding the Moto Apex.