Review: 2021 Super SOCO CPx electric scooter

Electric bikes and scooters are a category that continues to expand. Our first electric test was only a few years ago, the Fonz NKD. We now have an Electric category that is rapidly filling. The latest battery powered beast on review is the stylish Super SOCO CPx scooter.

The CPx s available with a single battery from $7,690 rideaway and comes with a 2-year 10,000km warranty.

Super SOCO have a range of five models here, the TC MAX (two versions) the TC, CUx SE Ducati and the stock CUx. Check out their website here for more info on those models…
The Super SOCO TC MAX is one of my favourite scooter/moped category machines, electric or not. It is fun, zippy, great handling and very well finished, so I was eager to get the CPx in for review after my TC MAX experience. The CPx is the same price as the TC MAX, so I expected big things…

The Super SOCO CPx is a medium sized scooter that is roomy and comfortable.

The large pillion seat and rack are very handy.

The CPx has some great features, such as LED lighting, reverse, linked brakes, large 16in and 14in wheels, a screen, USB port, a dual battery capability, centre-stand, a keyless ignition, alarm, wheel lock and riding modes, so it is well equipped and on par with similarly priced scooters in the features area.

The CPx handles well, with plush suspension, stable yet zippy steering and a comfy ride position for even a taller rider.

Speaking of price, the CPx is up there, however, we must remember that this is new technology and as electric scooters become more popular and further developed, they will come down in price. For now, those wanting to go electric will be paying a premium in all categories of two wheeled battery power. It does come with a 10,000km and two-year warranty, so that is good news…

Huge seat. The CPx is tall for a scooter.

There are enough pillion foot positions for two pillions.

Fantastic screen for great weather protections.

LED lighting is stylish, safe and economical.

Grocery bag hook.

LCD display dash.

Powered by a torque rich 4.8kW motor, the CPx is the most powerful in the Super SOCO range and is aimed at the 125cc petrol scooter market. Would you save money over a petrol scooter? Maybe, depending on battery price when the time comes to replace it. Right now an additional battery will set you back $2,300 so we can assume a price of $2000 – $2300, or around 1600L of fuel (over 30,000km on a 125cc petrol scoot, which would be close to due for an engine rebuild by then).

The CPx is perfect for short trips and commutes in urban areas. Acceleration is not a strong point, so no lane filtering to the front of the lights unless you want to be run down by the cars!

Super SOCO claim three to four hours charge time for the battery, and I regularly had it charged at the four-hour mark. Range is claimed to be 75km with one battery (as tested). I was not able to get more than 55km from a full charge and that was being as careful as I could, averaging 50km/h with necessary bursts to 60 – 80km/h. The ride modes are not much use in urban areas, probably only for CBD traffic. I kept it on full power at all times. Dual battery optioning would be a must for me but the $2300 premium would be a tough call to make.

Out on more open roads the CPx will sit on 80km/h happily but battery life will drop to 30-40km range.

Around town it is a perfect little scooter.

On one trip of open road (70km/h) I only just made it home (32km return, 16km each way) and the CPx was in limp mode for the last 5km (walking speed even at full throttle, but with 10 per cent showing on the dash). I think 60 – 65kmkm would be possible in a CBD environment based on my testing.

The CPx is suitable for CBD to outer CBD use and shorter ride. Speed limits over 80km/h challenge the CPx.

The styling of the CPx is modern and I think it looks fantastic in the Titanium Grey as tested, with the yellow GT stripes and the 3D badging. The wheels look great, and the fit and finish are not too bad, however, overall there is a feel and look that is cheaper than the competition and even the TC MAX. The switches, black plastics and paint are not quite as premium as the price suggests… all of the money is in the battery and motor technology. Personally, I’m OK with that for sure…

Easy access fast charge point for easy charging.

Removable batteries mean you can have one charging while the other is in use…

There is room for a second battery, which adds $2,300 to the R/A price.

There is a kill switch under the seat.

Like most electric scooters, storage is compromised by batteries, however although a helmet won’t fit under the seat, with the single battery model as tested there is some room for some shopping and there is a handy grocery bag hook on the front bodywork. Dual batteries would negate any under seat storage capacity though. Super SOCO have included an enormous and sturdy rear rack for owners, so that is very handy and would also easily accomodate a large top box.

The enormous rear luggage rack could accomodate a top box easily, or a carton of beer as I happily tested!

The riding position is very comfy. It is roomy, even for taller riders such as myself, and the handlebars are well placed for commuter comfort. The screen does a great job and the seat is wide and very plush, as is the huge pillion seat. There are actually three foot positions each side for rider and pillion.

The Super SOCO CPx is definitely a neat looking scooter.

Low speed climbs such as carpark ramps are no problem at all.

“It soaks everything up and with the soft seat, you really get a luxurious ride over even the big bumps… the CPx will easily sit on 60, 70, 80km/h and I pushed it to 90km/h on flat road and 105km/h downhill…”

The centre-stand is handy, the CPx is narrow and I was able to park it under the roof eve at my front door landing, keeping it tucked away and dry and on charge each night. The side-stand is easy to flick down but the CPx has a fair lean on it on the stand. Speaking of which, there is a stand on each side, how cool is that? I only used the left one!

The CPx has a key fob and the ignition switch can be used keyless, the key only needed for steering lock application.

The left switchblock has high/low beam, indicators and horn, which is really quiet and cartoon-like!.

The right switchblock has kill, ride modes and the reverse button.

Waterproof USB point but no closing glovebox.

Out on the road the CPx is a pleasant scootering experience. The suspension is soft and underdamped but that doesn’t matter, it is not a MotoGP bike, it soaks everything up and with the soft seat, you really get a luxurious ride over even the big bumps. The CPx is slow off the mark, as mentioned, but it will easily sit on 60, 70, 80km/h and I pushed it to 90km/h on flat road and 105km/h downhill.

I enjoyed cruising around on the CPx, particularly morning rides to check out my local beaches. It’s a fun, comfy and very quiet ride!

Where the CPx falls short a little is climbs. Even a gentle incline at traffic speeds will cause speed to drop away. It’s strange, as at low speed I tested it from a stop up and down a few steep driveways no problems… So it will get up some steep hills at low speeds.

Check out the size of the seats! I’m tall so sat right at the back of the rider’s seat but smaller riders would have room for two passengers! The CPx is extremely plush and comfortable and the height gives a commanding riding position.

The CPx handles well, thanks to the large diameter wheels, but better quality tyres would be on my list once the Chinese hoops fitted were ready for the bin. They are fine in dry weather but I found them a tad sketchy in the rain, with the rear locking up very easily and regularly while braking.

Disc rear brake does most of the stopping but there is no ABS.

The front brake is wooden in feel and lacks power.

The tyres are budget Chinese items.

The wheels are stylish.

Telescopic forks are really good.

Rear shock works well enough. The motor is in the rear wheel hub.

In dry weather, the braking package is adequate but not a stand out feature. The system lacks feel and feedback, even by scooter standards, and the rear will lock up in heavy braking applications, so you just need to be aware of that and also allow extra stopping distance.

Plenty of pillion room but acceleration drops.

Super SOCO

Customers can enjoy $1,700 discount on the ride-away price of any Super SOCO CPX.

No need for fuel stations, aside for a cold drink!

Cornering is fun on the CPx.

A range of up to 75km is claimed for slow city use.