Hi
My current quiver consists of 2 x 2011 North Rebels 9m & 12m and a 15m Flysurfer speed 3.
I want to update my LEI's and am looking for recommendations.
I ride a twin tip and while I love kiting my skill level is pretty average as I only get to the beach 2-3 times a year.
I want to upgrade to recent second hand gear unfortunately I don't get to the beach often enough to justify new gear.

Back then North Rebel was a common favorite both for build quality and versatility and hangtime. I get the feeling that newer North kites are not as good and there are far fewer second hand rebels around. So looking for a good all rounder to suit intermediate skills, would like good hang time. Prefer 5 line and good build quality.

Regards John H-S

Hmm considering the kites you own and your land sailing photo
Why not have a look at other Ram Airs like the soul and hyperlink
Other wise a 2017 or earlier Rebel. 5th line is gone except for C kites

Buy some Switch kites. You get brand new kites for the price of used.

switchkites.com/

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Gorgo said..
Buy some Switch kites. You get brand new kites for the price of used.

switchkites.com/

Buy a second hand switch kite
for 1/2 the price of a second hand kite

Second hand XR5 maybe if you like rebel's.

or pay 1/6th of the price for a new kite if you buy a third hand switch kite.

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Gorgo said..
Buy some Switch kites. You get brand new kites for the price of used.

switchkites.com/

This does seem about right. But then you should factor in Duty and customs unless you only use kites <9m, dont need a bar or a bag.

new swittch vs low K' top end gear. Bit like a new commie vs the 18' porsche 911 GT2 Turbo with 5000km's on the dash, for the same price. tough choice.

Kites are cheep, just buy the best that suits your needs. Scrimping to save a couple of hundred for something that you wont be 100% happy with is madness.

You can get a full quiver for less than 5k which will easy last you a couple of years. That equates to less than $50 a week which is pittance for the amount of fun you get, that's not even a carton of beer when you break it down. Don't forget trade in as well.

Kiting is a cheep sport in comparison to many other hobbies, racing moto, fishing (50k boats etc).

5K is not cheap for the average punter Dr Gazuki lol

Buy a set of kites that's a year or 2 old from someone who upgrades every year because they can and save your self a couple of G's. Specially if your only kiting know and then, the kites should last you years

Honestly - I would stick to what you have - there isn't a lot better out there - unless you can afford a new SOUL 15 or 18 and some 2017 Rebels (don't go to 2018 4 line)

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...for comparison; the 2011's were grunty powerful kites (and well liked), but relatively unrefined to what we have now. The smaller versions were sick little wave kites in their day...but man we've come a long way in the wave kite arena.

Honestly apart from 2013's (it was a failed experiment in a higher aspect rebel), anything after that would suffice.

Even the 2012 was incredibly smooth compared to the 2011's, not as grunty and powerful per size, but much smoother.

2016's second hand in good nic' would be a great kite for you, especially if you will only fly them periodically. You will feel the improvement (in every aspect) straight away..even the 2014, 2015's were a decent kite, but I felt a real sense of refinement in the 2016 batch.

2017's were also a great kite, but they did increase the kites aspect (the 2013 experiment done correctly).

....or as I said the other 5 strut, freeride kite with a comparable feel (high Y) is the core XR, if that's the way you want to go.

Hi Sylk,

It sounds like your quiver isn't too bad. We have some brand new 2016, 9m Rebels and also 2017 9m Rebels. Also have a few 2018 Rebels with Bars in good second hand condition.

As IanR said, the Flysurfer Soul is a weapon of a Ram Air kite and super easy to use.

The Core XR kites are excellent boost and hangtime kites. There is actually nothing wrong with the North quality in their kites. They come out of the same factory in Sri Lanka as Core and are of the highest quality when considering canopies.

Buying cheap kites is possible to save some money, but they have very little re-sale value, not a big deal if you only upgrade every 4 or 5 years. They are not of the same quality as the bigger names and have very little local backing for parts and spares.

Unfortunately for some, the mass market doesn't want 5-line kites any more in preference to a user friendly all rounder you get from a bridled 4-line. The new rebels still have power and boost, but are not as precise and direct as their 5-line predecessors.

DM

All of this is moot
C'mon Man. Two to three times a year ??
You need to get on the water more, dude!!!