Interested in what the general consensus is in regards to how often people upgrade their kites?

Do majority..... a) run them into the ground?
b) update every year?
c) update every 2 years?

Right now i'm in a pretty good position as I don't have a GF/wife or kids to tell me what I can or cannot buy

I reckon it doesn't hurt to stagger them. Buy one new kite in a 3 kite quiver every year.

... bread and butter kite is usually run into the ground with in a year for me.

Bugger it dude, just update and have fun, you'll love it!

If you can afford it try something new...I like the one kite upgrade in a three quiver idea! Might pass that by the ...

Just upgrade if you feel like your missing out on something big.
If you feel like there isnt anything you feel that needs upgrading you shouldnt have to.

Hi Peeps, interesting topic.

As a retailer, I notice when people upgrade and why.

I reckon there is a large percentage of new kites are sold to those who are keen to have the latest gear each year. They can usually afford it and are happy to shell out the bucks for keeping their gear up to date. Usually, the kites do not show signs of wear and tear in only one season so they avoid the hassle of repairs, replacement parts and upkeep. They also keep up with the latest performance and safety with bar developements.

The Buy and keep guys. These guys tend to be married with kids, have mortgages and are more fussy about what they buy. They buy every couple of years and ride and love their gear as it is carefully chosen and fits their requirements. In reality, their requirements don't usually change and so their kites keep filling their needs so there is no need to change. Eventually the kites are so well used they start falling apart and needing maintenance so they start demoing. Like I said, they don't hurry their decision and choose wisely.

The thrifty and clever buyers are the ones who buy off the new upgrade guys. They get one season old kites in good condition and allow a full season to see what was a hit and what was sh1t by allowing others to trial and test properly for a full year. They buy each year at reduced prices and sell them on for not much less each year.

Most "A" brands kites do not need to be upgraded every year. The quality of cloth in good brands will see the kites work well for a full year to two years then degredation in the cloth starts to effect performance and durability.

"B" brands should be replaced every year as the cheaper cloth breaks down quickly and performance starts being effected about half way through the season, and they are blown out by a full season.

At the end of the day, if you can afford to replace your bread and butter kite each year, you can, but maybe not essential, if you can't afford it, just keep it until just when it starts becoming unreliable, then move it on.

Nothing, and I mean NOTHING comes close to the look, sound and feel of a crispy, crackly new kite being unrolled for the first time, and the smile when you launch your new pride and joy. Oh yeah!

Read less hype, do more research, talk to real people on the beach that own kites and fly them and make careful decisions and you'll never fly a bad kite

DM

upgrade every year spend spend .world will be over in 21/12/2012 looks like were on a roll here allready

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AKSonline said...
..degredation in the cloth starts to effect performance and durability.

Could you elaborate on that?
Apparently one tip is to pack the kite with as little wrinkles as possible, I'm just wondering how significant the difference is.

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AKSonline said...

Nothing, and I mean NOTHING comes close to the look, sound and feel of a crispy, crackly new kite being unrolled for the first time, and the smile when you launch your new pride and joy. Oh yeah!

Hell yes!!!

Then theres the old argument is it better to roll or fold?

Update as often as you can afford to!
I run with a 3 kite quiver (8 / 12 / lightwind) and update the most used as often as i can. That said, i'm over due for a full upgrade as they're all now a few years old.

Demo time!

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KnutH said...

AKSonline said...
..degredation in the cloth starts to effect performance and durability.

Could you elaborate on that?
Apparently one tip is to pack the kite with as little wrinkles as possible, I'm just wondering how significant the difference is.

the main reason for degradation is UV light. UV light and Plastic don't mix, so most plastics (which is what your kite is made of) have a UV protective layer.

However this is only good on kites for about 400hrs, take away the main attacker of the layer being sand rubbing the layer off.

So wrinkles maybe not a problem. rolling kite up with sand, yes a problem. pumping kite up and waiting for wind, yes big problem.

make sure those 400hrs are on water blasting hours.

I replace EVERYTHING (kites, boards, harness) every season as soon as the new models come out. Its alot easier to sell stuff thats only a season old, its still almost current and has plenty of life left in it. This year I only had to add about $400 all up for a new kite, board and harness.

By buying regularly from the same place each season, they are now looking after me which makes it even more economical to replace every season.

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Taurus said...

I replace EVERYTHING (kites, boards, harness) every season as soon as the new models come out. Its alot easier to sell stuff thats only a season old, its still almost current and has plenty of life left in it. This year I only had to add about $400 all up for a new kite, board and harness.

By buying regularly from the same place each season, they are now looking after me which makes it even more economical to replace every season.

How are you not making a massive losses on your kites? As soon as you take them out of the bag their worth about 50% rrp. WHat is your secret?

1) Don't pay full retail, ask for a deal or buy all your kites/boards in one hit - try to score a discount.
2) Sell your gear just as the new season gear is coming out (within a month) that way your gear is still only just current.
3) Look after your gear so its still in very good condition.
4) replace pigtails, depower rope, pully lines & pullies ect. All the stuff thats cheap and indicates alot of wear on your kite.
5) I use one bar and sell that with my least used kite, I sell my non-used new bars with my most used kite. This again makes it more attractive.

So how long do you typically need to sell your kites?
If you look on the buy&sell, there are many ads which are a couple of months old.
Btw, if you want a Nemesis HP..