So whats everyone going to be riding this upcoming season?? [Archive]

bryanleighty

07-25-2007, 08:58 AM

so.. I'll be heading into this season w/ the same 2006 Waroo quiver. I just cant justify spending money on another kite while these still seem to be in great shape. The 12m is definitely the most used of the bunch and I am seeing some wear on the LE that needs attention .. but again.. its been my main go-to kite and all bridles/pullies are original and in good shape.

16m Waroo is 2nd most used.. and again.. in great shape w/ normal wear for a year old kite.

The 9m waroo is barely used.. beyond it getting damaged by something other than usage I know it will be perfect for a season or two more. I think I whipped it out 5 to 6 times total last year. The range on the 12 is just that damn good.. (or I am just that damn fat)...

I just picked up a 2006 7m waroo for my trip to the Gorge and expect to use maybe once or twice per year.. lots of life on it.

I am sure that my 12 will be the first to be replaced. I'd like to move to something different.. maybe an ION2 or one of the newer hybrid kites.. the new Best HP is looking sweet.. as is the SS Rev (I am hoping to demo in Oregon in a couple weeks!) and the RRD Hypertype.. or I am hearing about the Royal Era..

too many damn choices.

Its gotta have the range of my 12m Waroo.
and its gotta be a step up in performance otherwise I can get a 12m waroo used for a few hundred dollars..

I know Billy P. has given us all the green light to demo his ION2.. I am sure I will get the opportunity to give that a thorough test. And Randy has a new Yarga.. etc..

Whats on everyones wish list for this year...?

inferno

07-25-2007, 09:15 AM

going back to 5line C's :)
(except for the 17m waroo of course)

cant wait to demo all the 08 kites as soon as some of the wealthier local riders start to get some....

btw when the next hurricane suppossed to get here....

BigR

07-25-2007, 11:04 AM

For 2008 the only thing for sure so far is that I'll be on the new 17m Contra III ( already waiting for me at home ) which will be the lightwind killer.

You are welcome to demo it anytime Danny.

For the smaller sizes I'm not sure yet whether to go XBow III, Switchblade or Revolution. I suspect XBowIII in the 12m and revolution in the 9m but I have yet to try them

Skyway Scott

07-25-2007, 11:37 AM

I will still be on my (nearly) one kite quiver for 14 knots to 35. That kite is still in great shape. Going to make the 15m Hyper last as long as possible (until it falls to pieces or explodes) and get a replacement for it.

I am hoping the 14m Royal Era will be a good kite, because the price point is fairly unreal for basically a Hyper type.
If it sucks (which is unlikely), I will get a 14.5 Ion2 as my light(er) wind kite.
I am really hoping to go back to my "old" strategy of buying a kite one year after its release, keep it in good shape, sell it used for a few hundred less than I bought it, and buy the '08 kites when the '09s are released.
That strategy worked great for a few years, with me spending (after trade in costs) about 700 a year to get two new kites.
This year though, the two kites I personally liked the best actually sold out long before the 08 stuff came out :( . Hope that doesn't happen again this year.

With the onslaught of the "Trans-guess-kite" revolution and people doubting C kites values, I had one year where I did buy the kites NEW and also had very little resale value in my C kites. That was a sucky year in terms of kiting cost. :(
Oh well, it was worth it to not have to constantly second guess myself on which kite to rig. Hopefully we have a market correction for used kite values back in play (?).

In other words, I plan on demoing your guys' kites and then cherry picking the best ones at close out prices at the end of the season! :)

bryanleighty

07-25-2007, 11:55 AM

a 15 as your high wind and a 14.5 as your light wind??

errr....

or are you saying you will replace your hypertype once its run its course w/ a Royal or a ION2?

inferno

07-25-2007, 12:05 PM

Erick

07-25-2007, 12:33 PM

I'm still a true C-Kiter not by choice but by budget limitations. Anyways, I'll be flying my Fuel 11, Octane 14 and 16 and the infamous Machine 17.5 until the kite gets disintegrated or until Gary or Steve S. (the other Machine lovers) decides to buy mine.

I’ve been a Kite-Ho for the past 4 months trying every kite that I can but guess what? they all have something that I like and that the other doesn’t have. Having a lot of choices is a wonderful thing but also makes you more undecided. I would like to demo the Ion2, XBow 3 an why not the new Naish Zigma series.

One thing for sure is that I can’t wait for the wind to get here in FL.

toby wilson

07-25-2007, 12:56 PM

8M, 12M and 16M 2008 Eclipse Thrusters. I saw some of what Eclipse has in store for 2008 when I was up in Hatteras riding with Dimitri and both Eclipse and Skywalker are looking great in 2008!!! All will be welcome to demo my kites and boards and if you are interested in getting Eclipse or Skywalker products, let me know!

Skyway Scott

07-25-2007, 01:01 PM

I never would have guessed that, Toby. :) Man, life is really throwing curve balls lately.

I will still be on my (nearly) one kite quiver for 14 knots to 35. That kite is still in great shape.
Going to make the 15m Hyper last as long as possible (until it falls to pieces or explodes) and get a replacement for it.

2 different kites. ;) Both sold out before the end of the season and thwarted my attempts to buy them "new" and sell mine used.:(
Yeah Brian, if the Hyper explodes or something, my current idea is either a Royal or an Ion2.

This is slightly off topic, but related. How much better do you guys think the kites of 08 will be than the 07 kites? A lot? A little? Enough to really want to hop on it?

bryanleighty

07-25-2007, 01:35 PM

I dont know man.. i think in the end a kite is a kite is a kite..
i think the move to keep the shape in the kite, keep tweaking the shape and working on getting as much depower as possible while minimizing the hindenburgs and/or inverting is the right thing..

But reviews are worthless in my opinion beyond hearing what local folks have to say. You guys ride in the same conditions I do and thats where the best info will come from. I read kiteboarding magazines and all they typically demo is a 9 or 10 meter kite in 20+ knots. And for the most part they same the exact same thing.. fast kite, good depower, good for unhooking, good upwind... etc... means nothing for us.. i think everyone here rides their 12 or above most of the year..

oh well..

i think its just a matter of budget and taste .. for the most part.

For me personally.. i want a big kite with tons of low end..
i want a med kite.. that has a great range to handle the upper teens to the high 20s..
and i want a small kite to handle above that..

Erick

07-25-2007, 01:41 PM

Yeah !!!! I just became a Senior Member ....Whoa!!!

Skyway Scott

07-25-2007, 04:11 PM

I gotta agree with a lot of your points B. Leighty.
I never read magazines in terms of getting any value out of the reviews either.

I also agree, different areas have different needs from a kite quiver.
Do we EVER get solid 20 in St. Pete for 3 hours straight? NOT!
Also, we get a lot of days in the 13 to 17 knot range, while also getting some really strong NWs commonly going past 30, so we can't really just buy a 12 and say "done". We also have a lot of flat water specialists here, so some aspects of kiting don't apply to some.

I have to disagree with "a kite is a kite is a kite" though. Every kite has different attributes. I am not convinced one kite is better, but they are definitely different.
Especially the larger, light wind kites that we ride a lot.
The variability in performance of the larger kites blows my mind. That's where I personally noticed a lot of improvement with some of last year's kites.

Because we do live somewhere where so many of our days hover around 15, I am hopeful that the light wind kites will keep getting better. If they just stay where they are at I will be happy. :D
Please, don't let them go backwards to 2003. :(

Unimog Bob

07-25-2007, 05:16 PM

My Current quiver is my 06 12M waroo and a 07 7M roo. I love my roos and would have probabley added a 15M this year. I want to ride more powered up this year, but I was really disappointed how slow the 16M roo is, the 15m is a bit better but not quite there. I'm impressed by the range and power Scott gets from his 15M hyper and since they are next to impossible to find, I'm going to give the new 14M Royal a shot. I hope it will have the magic I'm hoping for. I can't wait to be ripping it at DP at the SW and screaming I'm freaking LITTTTTTT!

Bob

I'm at the mouth of the Cape Fear river, doing a delivery on a 46' Post sport fish. winds are dead ass calm. I'm glad I didn't drag my gear through the airport again.

inferno

07-27-2007, 01:23 PM

my 2007 16m torch 3 is on its way :)

popeye

07-27-2007, 02:50 PM

12+16 waroos...and a custom board (or 10).

TampaBay Noob

07-27-2007, 03:29 PM

2006 9 & 16 Waroos/ 2006 11m GK Sonic

shogun1204

07-27-2007, 04:20 PM

I am with Scott! Going to ride my 15 meter Hyper Type until that things blows up! Looking at the Ion2 12.5 and Royal 12 also to replace my Ozone 13 one of these days. The Ozone kite is awesome too, but looking to stick with 4 line kites. Have a 9 Atom which I have flown like 3 times and is perfect shape! Love that kite but need a good 25 knots to fly it! LOL

Oh yeah Scott, I was riding my 15 HT a month ago up here in PC. Went for a jump and my bridle snapped mid jump! Thought of you when I got back to the beach in one piece! Kite was fine, just snapped briddle! Replace it and back in business already! :) It's all ready for my Trip to Hawaii next week! WOO HOOO!!!!!!!

Jake

07-27-2007, 04:37 PM

And a 2'x4' custom Sasquatch skimboard or my 18" x 52" plywood plank. Sometimes I bring out my 21.5 Cabrinha Blacktip to remind me how good the waroos are. That monster is so slooowwww, I have to turn the bar and then 5 seconds later it responds. But for a steady 9-10 knots, it is great for cruising.

Adam

07-27-2007, 05:30 PM

im still gonna be on my 12m ion and hopfuly i can find a nice 07 waroo 7m for those nukin days lol

<jason

07-27-2007, 06:14 PM

What do ya guys think about the helix...or the f-one bandit...or the takoon furia....these 08 kites seem pretty cool...I was thinkin about the t8 but now im not so sure...to many damn kites and not enough wind!!!

neil xrated

07-28-2007, 10:37 AM

Slingshot REV :) Yo baby!!!

CrazyJay

07-28-2007, 11:59 AM

Hola Neil!
Have you tried the new REV yet? Reviews look great, kite looks nice. Only 3 spars plus ends should lighten it up considerably eh?

Kev

07-29-2007, 08:55 PM

Looks like the Helix is now on sale. Someone needs to get one just so I can try it out. haha.

http://www.mackiteboarding.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?preadd=action&key=D5KTNSHHX08

Skyway Scott

07-29-2007, 09:14 PM

I still am curious how it is going to "sit" on the beach when not in use.

BigR

07-29-2007, 09:37 PM

it prolly won't sit on the beach nor on the water

Skyway Scott

07-30-2007, 09:59 AM

I know a guy in Hawaii right now. I guess they aren't letting "just anyone" ride it. Only "special guys". Call me paranoid or whatever, but if I had a great new kite, everyone and their grandma would be demoing it so they could spread the word.
Also, he hasn't seen it not in flight (in other words, just sitting on the beach) cuz they don't allow it to do that is what he told me.
Considering those two tidbits of info, I wouldn't even think about buying that until Kevin lays down 1700 (1800 with tax) for the 14m for me to demo. :D

Awfully expensive kite.

JoshTaylor

07-30-2007, 10:05 AM

right now, still have my ol' switchblades.. which are used and abused. gana head to the shop sometime soon and check out the new switch's and cross bows

popeye

07-30-2007, 10:27 PM

REVerse engineered :D

bryanleighty

08-02-2007, 10:08 AM

ott gets from his 15M hyper and since they are next to impossible to find, I'm going to give the new 14M Royal a shot.

I was at extreme kites 2 days ago and talked with Daryl about the Royal. He had only insanely good things to say about the 10m he demo'd. Told me it boosted higher than any kite he has been on before.

My waroo 12m is on its last legs.. I am thinking a 12m Era might be my next purchase.

Its the low end on the kite that will be the selling point for me. Seems that when I am on my 12 I am typically in the that gray area where I could also be riding my 16 powered up.

Less often I am in the situation where I am on my 12 and overpowered to the point that I am thinking to rig the 9m kite.

We will see.. I am excited about the selection of quality kites in what I consider to be reasonable prices.

popeye

08-02-2007, 10:25 AM

I've also heard great things about Royal.

I think that is going to be my next quiver. Right now I am almost sure of it.

Skyway Scott

08-02-2007, 10:35 AM

Wait til Bob gets his. No rush here. We can demo his kite (I hope).
Seems like the 10 is getting high marks. I am interested in the 14 though.;)

bryanleighty

08-02-2007, 11:11 AM

yes Bob will be a very popular man very soon.

:)

popeye

08-02-2007, 11:46 AM

Hard to judge a small kite..they all perform well... the bigger sizes (16m) will show what it's got.

bryanleighty

08-02-2007, 12:08 PM

For our area, I completely agree Tom. I think in areas where there is always tons of wind, its a different ballgame tho.

I know that I need a kite with extended range in the low end. I know that Scott has only praise for his HT.. if the Royal shares the same traits then it could be a great kite for this area. Would hope for something in the 16m range tho..

But today is day 1 of my diet....

I lost over 30 lbs 2 years ago and have slowly gained it back. I now weigh almost 210 which is 4lbs heavier than ever before.. I know how to lose the weight and am going to make the life changes (again).

Maybe by the time the season hits I will only need a 14m.
:)

inferno

08-02-2007, 12:15 PM

bryanleighty

08-02-2007, 12:38 PM

i did it w/ diet only last time.. I am adding gym workouts this time. It took a while to drop the weight and I think I actually went too far last time so if i can get to 185 I will be very very happy. 200 is my average weight but the last few months I've gained at least 1 lb per week. this no-kiting-shit is kicking my ass.

Skyway Scott

08-02-2007, 03:46 PM

You can do it!
Just cut out the beer and the fries and if you can, exercise in the morning. Running just one mile in the morning (or walk/run) will REALLY amp up your metabolism.
IMO, that is the key is sparking the metabolism early. :D
If you can then hit the gym after work, you are good to go.

It's more a matter of consistently doing some simple exercise more than doing anything too fancy or dramatic, imo.
If all I do is simply stop eating fries (I eat Wendy's everyday, literally), I lose about 6 pounds in two weeks every time. It's really not rocket science, but it ain't easy either.
My entire family is overweight (on both sides), so I do know what I am talking about.
I gain weight really fast if I don't "watch it".
I gained 16 pounds in 2 months at the stupid desk job.

Oh, if you can score some crack off of the central avenue area and not sleep for two weeks straight, you will lose weight real fast too! Wouldn't recommend that m.o. though.

popeye

08-02-2007, 03:51 PM

I did atkins a few years ago and went from 201 to 165 in like 6 months.

I have the chart around here somewhere... I logged my weight daily.

I need to do it again :(

Unimog Bob

08-02-2007, 06:29 PM

I'll be glad to let any of you guys Demo the Royal Era when I get it. Newbies will have to show sufficent skills or post a bond. With the fluke rideable wind we've gotten lately I wish it was here already. The 10Ms are supposed to arrive like next week or so, with the larger sizes a couple weeks later. If it gets pushed back too far I might have to have a look at that Nemi HP.

Skyway Scott

08-02-2007, 07:23 PM

Today would have been the perfect day to demo that kite...... :(

Brian360

08-03-2007, 08:01 PM

My quiver consists of a 15m Waroo Pro, which I mostly use all the time. It still has no dings or leaks to the bladder, and flies the same as the first day I bought through today.
Also have a 13m Waroo and a 9m Waroo. I'm going to be intersted in buying a 6-7m 08 kite. Probably best to wait and see what all the manufactures are coming out with next year. Already, the Naish Helix sigma shape looks intersting, as well as Bests new 08 Nemesis. If anyone demos new 08 kites, please leave a review.

-B

popeye

08-03-2007, 08:18 PM

No plans here to own a 2008 kite until 2009. As far as I can tell buying the newest kite at retail means it costs you about $800 per year per kite (assuming you sell it at the end of the year at typical loss to upgrade) .

Wait a year, and buy that $1600 kite (after they work out any quality issues) like new for $500. That's always been my strategy :) So I'll be buying up 07's in January ;)

The most I ever spent on a single kite was $800... my first kite. After that they cost me under $450 each, all brand new, but last year's model.

Has my riding suffered by not being on the newest kite? I don't think so... plus I get a well tested kite instead the first run (which often have quality control issues .. this includes most brands except flexi I think.. although some newer brands have been ok).

But hey that doesn't mean I won't want to demo all of those new kites because I will be wanting them in 09!!

Namely, the new Royal, Eclipse, and best Nemesis. Maybe the REV but I am not expecting much there. I don't expect many changes in the waroos this year so they are not on the top of my list for new kites...

bryanleighty

08-04-2007, 09:15 PM

food for thought..

all the guys that you respect.. local riders that you look up to that inspire you on a daily basis.. all the insane sick moves you have seen on your dvd collection.. every picture of every kiteboarder in your pile of magazines ... are all done by riders on kites that you can buy from most any retailer right now...