16 Cobra CX50 SR
Now you’ve done it. You’re looking at a high performance 50cc motocross weapon. Your life is about to change. No more Saturday mornings sipping coffee, enjoying a relaxing morning. It’s time to roost!
Riding with your kids, or just taking them riding, is a fun experience. Hitting the track or trials, seeing their eagerness to learn and their sense of accomplishment upon improving has been very satisfying. Learning to competently ride, let alone race, is not for the weak. It takes gumption and grit to continually fail but charge back for more, all while learning lessons and improving. The really cool part of the experience is seeing it permeate in other “real life” aspects of their life. No more crying when getting hit with a soccer ball, “I’m a moto kid, is that all you got?” Stepping up to the Cobra is a big decision. One that will place you in the direction of what you will be doing with your boy for the immediate future!
The Cobra SR provides an exceptional platform to experience all of the above. With class leading suspension, and a powerful motor. Cobra has improved some small components on their 2016 bikes that will lead to an improved ownership experience. Better seals and adjustability will keep your wallet padded a tad bit longer, as well as minimize the time required to keep the bike performing properly. No matter what brand 50 your child rides, Dad will become a mechanic, as all of the little bikes need tuning, adjustment and maintenance quite frequently to keep everything running properly and safely. 50cc race bikes will require more maintenance than any other bike you will ever own. This is not related to just the Cobra, as the KTM offering requires roughly the same amount of work.
Changes
For 2016, the Original Cobra receives many refinements including an updated rear shock, improved fork, and several durability upgrades. Cobra has several class-exclusive features like a fully adjustable cartridge fork, twin-spar frame, three-way adjustable rear shock, and 5Gx 3-shoe auto clutch.
-New rear shock with improved high/low speed compression adjuster.
-All-new SKF fork seal swiper for more supple fork action.
-Improved steering head seals keeps out dirt, mud, and even high pressure water.
-Improved clutch cover sealing.
-Black, hard anodized wheels.
As an owner of a 2015 Cobra, looking at the changes, there was not anything that jumped out that made upgrading to the ’16 a must do…other than the need for a fresh bike. Both my boys love the look of the new black wheels. My older boy was excited to try the fork updates claiming less stiction in initial travel. For me, I’m excited about better seals and prepping a new bike with the knowledge gained from our ’15. Cobra‘s changes to the steering stem seal are very welcomed, as typically we re-lube the steering stem bearing at 25 hours, and have to replace it around 50. All of the updates and changes on the ’16 SR lead to a more refined machine that add up to a better experience for both the rider and Dad.
Power
With no changes to the power plant for ’16 I didn’t expect much of a difference. Immediately upon starting the ’16 though, there was an audible difference. The bike cracked to life, fairly crisp and clean for stock jetting. Being that I’m the Dad and not the rider, relaying how the bike runs is a little different than the standard DBT test. My 7 year old felt the bike was noticeably faster than his current ’15, remarking that it felt quicker than his ’15 ever did. Visually this appeared to be the case as well. My 5 year old, who has a ’15 JR model, loved the “big” power the SR offered. He went through a bout of blipping when he first got on the bike, but said it was just to “feel” the power!
Analytically, the clutch engages about 7200RPM. From there the bike pulls hard, eventually flattening out around 15,000. Being that there is not another gear to grab, you will regularly see the rider pinned endlessly at max RPM. The bike accelerates hard and comes on with a hit. Inexperienced riders will struggle with controlling the hit and chop the throttle, thus creating the dreaded “blip.” It is designed to be fast and for experienced riders. Overall the power is great on the SR. It provides ample power for the size of the chassis to get over obstacles it’s meant to, but large enough to make a parent clench!
One of the best additions I’ve done to the Cobra is install a Works Connection hour meter with a tach. The tach is INVALUABLE as it provides necessary information to what state the clutch is in. Knowing how the clutch is performing has helped me create a dialogue with my boys about how the bike is running that goes beyond “good” and “horrible.” Monitoring the clutch provided information to make better decisions and to know when we went too long on one component or another.
The clutch engages around 7200rpm when working properly. There are two issues that typically arise and will deviate the clutch performance, which can be seen on the tach. If the spring stacks loose tension, the clutch will engage below 7200rpm as there is not adequate force to hold the shoes in until the desired rpm. If the clutch is slipping, the RPM will rise above 7200 before engaging. Monitoring the engagement can be done by standing over the bike, slowly bringing the RPM up to engagement. When the clutch engages, you’ll feel it and see it on the tach.
There are three key maintenance items that need frequent care: to extend the life of the clutch, protect the motor, and keep it running properly. Changing the oil every couple of hours is a must do. Not changing the oil leads to drastically less life out of the clutch shoes, baskets, spring washers and CFD. Besides changing the oil, the CFD (Cobra Friction Drive) will need to be torqued often, at which time Contact/Carb Cleaner should be used thoroughly to spray out the clutch spring stacks. The clutch shoes have small ports on each side that allow you to spray debris out of the stacks.
The Cobra motor uses a friction drive system, dubbed the CFD, to protect the drive train (crank, transmission, clutch, chain), which is also claimed to improve tracking through choppy terrain. The CFD needs to be checked for proper torque often to operate properly. If the CFD is slipping, the motor will lose the “hit” it typically has, as well as not protect the drive train. Torquing the CFD does require draining the oil and removing the side case. You’ll need to change the oil anyway, and clean the clutch spring stacks as described above. Cobra recommends checking the CFD torque at 2 hours initially and extended out from there. After about 8 hours on the motor I check the CFD every 4 hours, with it almost always needing to be tightened to bring it back to specs. Draining the oil, removing the side case, cleaning the clutch stacks and torquing the CFD usually takes about 15 minutes, and is well worth it, providing peace of mind and a properly maintained machine.
All in all, the Cobra motor runs great and is easy to work on. Although it takes time to check the CFD, it’s better than fixing broken internal parts of which I had to do on other brands of bikes at a much higher rate.
Our Best Fat-tire Electric Bikes for 2023
The Best Class 3 Electric Fat Bike, 2023
A disruptive model when it first came into the fat-tire e-bike world, the Aventon Aventure set a new high bar for what consumers could expect from a sub-5000,000 electric fat bike when it first entered the market, and the followup Aventure 2 built upon that legacy. While many of its contemporaries have caught up in certain aspects, the Aventure 2 still stands out.
It’s not just the 750W Bafang rear hub motor or the 720Wh fully-integrated battery that have us so enamored with this electric fatty, it’s also that Aventon managed to chock it full of little features and extras that are still somewhat uncommon on many e-bikes in this category. It’s got a torque sensor which both allows for a more natural feel, and also gives it better battery efficiency making you go further without a larger, heavier battery. Throw in a full-color LCD display, metal fenders, a full Shimano Altus drivetrain, Tektro hydraulic brakes and, to top it all off, it’s just a really nice riding bike. The handling is sporty without being overly athletic and, though it is a bit heavy, it handles light doubletrack surprisingly well.
It also comes available in a step-over and step-through frames with a selection of good looking colors to choose from (a standout feature in a sea of black and white fat bikes).
The Aventure ships as a Class 2 e-bike, but like most of the bikes on this list it’s easily convertible to Class 3 through an app that paris to your bike, which gives it a top pedal-assisted speed of 28 mph. We’ve tested and even compared this bike head-to-head against some of its biggest competitors, and the results don’t lie: It’s a new breed of affordable electric fat bike.
To put it short, we’re really big fans of the Aventure and we think you would be too which is why it leads off our list of the best fat tire electric bikes of 2023.
Pro’s
- Unlocked to Class 3, this is an extremely fast and torquey e-bike.
- The full-color LCD display is great and features a percentage based battery readout
- The 720Wh battery is efficiency used for great range thanks to the torque sensor
- It’s got a unique styling for a fat e-bike that reminds us of another Aventon we really liked, the Level.
Con’s
- At 77lbs (we reviewed a large with the optional front and included rear racks), the Aventure is slightly heavier than many of its peers.
The Mokwheel Basalt
This beast of an e-bike has the brawn to carry its rider just about anywhere witha strong motor and 450 lbs payload capacity, and can be accompanied by some seriously impressive optional accessories.
Rad Power Bikes RadRover 6 Plus
The Best Class 2 Electric Fat Bike, 2023
We’ve long been fans of Rad Power Bikes’ RadRover line and many e-bikes on this list owe some thanks to the Rover for helping popularize fat tires into the mainstream. While there was plenty to appreciate with past iterations of the Rover, the RadRover 6 Plus is a marked upgrade over its predecessors in such a way that it demands to be seriously considered among anybody’s list for the best electric fat tire bikes.
There is a noticeable aesthetic overhaul compared to previous models that is largely credited to the new semi-integrated battery housed in a more modern, angular frame. There is also a unique dual display in the center and left of the cockpit that’s functional and just plain different.
But looks aren’t all that’s new here. Rad also added hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors to bolster the stopping power and keep riders more in control when needing to come to a stop.
In a category of e-bike that’s often singularly-focused on speed and raw power, the Rad Power Bikes RadRover 6 Plus takes a different, more measured approach. It’s got a 750W rear hub motor that’s very similar to what you’ll find on many other bikes on this list of the best fat tire e-bikes, but the power delivery from that motor is much more gentle, particularly at low speeds. What this does is give the bike a very predictable and controllable power delivery that’s friendly to new riders or those who want a bike that’s easy to ride, all while still being plenty torquey to help you summit hilly areas.
If you want easily-controllable power from a bike that’s backed by an industry-leading e-bike company, the RadRover 6 plus may be the best choice for you.
Pro’s
- The 750W motor feels refined – it’s got plenty of torque but it delivers it smoothly.
- The 672Wh battery delivers impressive range even for its size.
- The hydraulic disc brakes performed very well in our testing, and they added it to the newest Rover model while keeping the price relatively affordable.
- While it may be subjective, we really love the new look of the redesigned RadRover.
Con’s
- The LED screen on the left is noticeably less bright than the center one.
- The cable management feels a bit messy.
The Blix Ultra
With speed, power, and a myriad of options to add versatility, the Blix Ultra is practical and completely fun to ride.
Lectric XP 3.0
Best Ultra Affordable Electric Fat Bike, 2023
The Lectric XP 2.0 already stood out by proving to be a quality folding bike with a solid spread of features at a very reasonable price. The combined package of integrated features such as the rear cargo rack, lights, suspension, and fenders is something you would only expect to see on more expensive models. Now Lectric has raised the bar even further by packing the new XP 3.0 full of upgrades and new features, while keeping the bike at the same price of around a thousand dollars.
The new Lectric XP 3.0 features a motor with increased peak wattage and torque for better hill climbing, a better gear ratio for ease of pedaling, larger brake rotors for better stopping power, an improved suspension for a more comfortable ride, and optional accessories for increased passenger capacity.
All of that capability on a bike that can fold up and fit behind a seat or in a trunk made it easy to choose the Lectric XP 3.0 for the best fat tire e-bike of 2023!
Pro’s
- The XP 3.0 only adds to the already great value of the previous model. For the same price, the 3.0 offers upgrades to the baseline integrated features and even adds new ones.
- While the motor on the XP 3.0 is still a 500W rear-hub, it now features an increased 55Nm of torque and 1000W peak output.
- An improved gear ratio and larger high gear result in a more efficient application of rider input.
- Increased brake rotor size – now 180mm instead of 160mm – gives more responsiveness and efficiency braking despite being mechanical instead of hydraulic disc brakes.
- The 3.0’s suspension fork has an increased travel distance at 50mm, making for a smoother ride on- and off-road.
- The weight capacity of the rear rack has doubled to a max of 150lbs, allowing for additional passenger capacity.
Con’s
- We’d have loved to see the option to operate the XP 3.0 without its key in the bike, but that is one upgrade Lectric has not yet made.
- While the 3.0’s grips are improved, we still would prefer something a bit softer.
The Velotric Nomad 1
With sleek design, excellent range, and plenty of power for speed and uphill travel, the Nomad 1 offers solid value for its price.
SURGE Graphics Kit for CX 50
Shipping Times are currently within 1 business day!
Graphics Kit for COBRA CX 50
(Photo above is of a different model and is only to show style. This set will fit your CX 50 correctly)
Senge Graphics Inc state-of-the art digital printing process ensures a HIGH DEFINITION, long lasting product that will stand out from the others. We use highly aggressive adhesives along with ultra-thick over laminates to create extremely durable graphics that are guaranteed to stay where you put them and scratch free even through the toughest riding conditions. We use premium UV resistant inks that keep your graphics from fading for up to 8 years.
Decals Included:
- Left side radiator shroud
- Right side radiator shroud
- Front fender
- Rear fender
- Left and right fork tubes
- Swingarm decals
- Left side number plate (When you choose Number Plates Included or Number Plates with Rider I.D. option)
- Right side number plate (When you choose Number Plates Included or Number Plates with Rider I.D. option)
- Front number plate (When you choose Number Plates Included or Number Plates with Rider I.D. option)
Product Highlights:
- 22 MIL overall thickness
- Ultra High Gloss Thick Protective Coating
- FREE Rider I.D. with all Number Plates
- Made in the USA
Pre Printed Name/Number: If you would like your name and/or number preprinted please choose Complete with Rider ID. We will print any name and/or number you’d like on them at no additional charge. If you do not want a name on them, Please type BLANK in the name text box. Same goes for the number.
Custom Logos: When adding custom logos you must select logos that we have in our database. Once you begin to type, all matching logo options will pop up. Please select from the list available. You do have the option to remove the logo and change your selection.
If your logo is not in our database you must provide it in PDF or another vector format. If you cannot provide a vector image of the logo, we will type it out in a standard font.
Shipping times: All of our graphics are custom made to order and usually ship out within one business day. If you choose custom colors and logos we will provide a proof within one business day. Your order will ship the same day that we are given approval. Please choose the shipping method that works best for you. If you have any time restrictions, please contact us prior to purchasing. Shipping cut-off time is 2 PM Eastern standard time.
If you have any questions or problems ordering from our website, feel free to email us at support@sengegraphics or use our TEXT Only number (412) 275-4321
You will receive detailed Instructions with your purchase. Please watch our installation videos for tips.
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