Hi, l have a 14m '09 rebel thats been a habitual leaker from day one. l bought the kite in febuary brand new from a dealer in Perth. Within a few uses l found a leak in one of the outside struts around the valve seat. l called the shop and ordered another one (which l paid for) and did a temp repair by running some glue around the valve seat while l waited for the repacement to be sent. The next time out the opposite strut leaked. l pulled out that strut and found it was leaking from the same place. Again l called the shop and ordered a replacment (which l also paid for). l did the same temp repair to that strut also and a few weeks later the new bladders were intalled. After that the kite was flown maybe a half dozen times before the wind died off(in late may) and wasn't flown again till l went to the Cocos lslands in August where the kite failed again, on its first use,this time it was the dump valve also leaking from the valve seat.

l keep on reading that North is a "premium brand" but to have 3 leaks in 3 different bladders all in the same place on a brand new kite doesn't say "premium brand" to me. l've was told by ZKT, the tour operater on Cocos, that North has had a history of valve problems on their kites.

Has anyone else had the same problems with a rebel and should l contact north and try to get a replacement kite considering the problems started from day one and in total has been flown not much more than dozen times?

Any advice would be appreciated.

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shodan said...

Hi, l have a 14m '09 rebel thats been a habitual leaker from day one. l bought the kite in febuary brand new from a dealer in Perth. Within a few uses l found a leak in one of the outside struts around the valve seat. l called the shop and ordered another one (which l paid for) and did a temp repair by running some glue around the valve seat while l waited for the repacement to be sent. The next time out the opposite strut leaked. l pulled out that strut and found it was leaking from the same place. Again l called the shop and ordered a replacment (which l also paid for). l did the same temp repair to that strut also and a few weeks later the new bladders were intalled. After that the kite was flown maybe a half dozen times before the wind died off(in late may) and wasn't flown again till l went to the Cocos lslands in August where the kite failed again, on its first use,this time it was the dump valve also leaking from the valve seat.

l keep on reading that North is a "premium brand" but to have 3 leaks in 3 different bladders all in the same place on a brand new kite doesn't say "premium brand" to me. l've was told by ZKT, the tour operater on Cocos, that North has had a history of valve problems on their kites.

Has anyone else had the same problems with a rebel and should l contact north and try to get a replacement kite considering the problems started from day one and in total has been flown not much more than dozen times?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Go direct to the importer/distributor Windgenuity in Sydney-they're friendly-sure they'll help you out.

mate, nothing sucks moore than having a new bit of kit stuff up on u. I am curious if you kept the kite in a car for long periods of time, or anywhere else that it could be exposed to very hot conditions. I have heard about other people experiencing similar issues which was a result of leaving kites in cars on hot summer days

Premium brand= brand that said shop stocks.

Bro i leave my switchy in the car all day for arvo sessions after work with the struts inflated, probably 80% the time due to wind conditions. Mate i've had no problems with leaks and i don't really care as the kite is an 06 model. I'm due for a new kite but this one won't fall apart. I'm trying everything to convince the missus that I need a new kite but it won't fall apart. I have a few mates that have rebels and all they do is complain with how it performs. However none have had leaks like you have. Their problem is the folding problems during jumps. You might have just got a lemon. I had the same problem with a fuel I got a few years ago. The thing just kept producing leaks. I had only used it a couple of times with no big crashes but it still kept on happening. But what else would you expect from slingy? They still can't make a decent bar.

To conclude my ramble, go back to where you got it and hopefully they will replace it.

Hi Shodan,

Bummer you have been having issues with your kite. I took the liberty of checking out your profile and see you are from Broome. Broome is hot. If you leave your kite in the car at all in the heat, you will have problems with bladder valves coming off. It is not just North that is effected by this problem.

Take the kite back to the dealer and talk to them about your issues. I have found the importers very good and super fast with warranty replacement parts (usually airbagged overnight from East Coast). I've only replaced one 09 wing tip bladder all season on the Rebels and none on any other model. It was sent overnight and replaced for free.

This is the first real hassle I have heard with the 09 kites and the valves and I suspect your location is the biggest problem. Do you drive a dark coloured car by chance? I had a customer from another shop come to me with his old 07 kite (which did have some problems with valves), I was sent a full set of brand new bladders and he was stoked. We put them in for free and we have a happy customer. I've heard of warranty probs years ago with North overseas, but the local importer in Oz is very good.

PM me if I can be of assistance to you. I have some ideas which will help your situation if you get no joy from the shop of origin.

Cheers,

KH

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loudas said...

However none have had leaks like you have. Their problem is the folding problems during jumps.

To conclude my ramble, go back to where you got it and hopefully they will replace it.

Hey Loudas,

Tell your mates to contact their North dealer for the nose line fix. It is free and sorts any folding issues.

Cheers,

KH

Hi Shodan,

Bummer you have been having issues with your kite. I took the liberty of checking out your profile and see you are from Broome. Broome is hot. If you leave your kite in the car at all in the heat, you will have problems with bladder valves coming off. It is not just North that is effected by this problem.

Take the kite back to the dealer and talk to them about your issues. I have found the importers very good and super fast with warranty replacement parts (usually airbagged overnight from East Coast). I've only replaced one 09 wing tip bladder all season on the Rebels and none on any other model. It was sent overnight and replaced for free.

This is the first real hassle I have heard with the 09 kites and the valves and I suspect your location is the biggest problem. Do you drive a dark coloured car by chance? I had a customer from another shop come to me with his old 07 kite (which did have some problems with valves), I was sent a full set of brand new bladders and he was stoked. We put them in for free and we have a happy customer. I've heard of warranty probs years ago with North overseas, but the local importer in Oz is very good.

PM me if I can be of assistance to you. I have some ideas which will help your situation if you get no joy from the shop of origin.

Cheers,

KH

Hi KH,
My car is actally an ST1300 touring bike so the kite has never been stored in a car. l am aware of the dangers of parking kites on a hot beach but l nomally rig up and head straight out and normally by the time l come back in (because of the 9m tides) l have cool, wet sand to put the kite on.