this is the second time i posted this, my last one disapeared??
anyway.. ive heard people bag out the 08 vapor 2 comparing it to the 07 and 08 model.. gonna test it myself to get my own opinion but would like to hear from people that have flown these models before i do

Im not sure what people have been saying about the vapor 2, compared to the first one. I have flown them all and currently ride Vapor 3s. Personally I think the Vapor 2 is slightly slower and not quite as responsive as the Vapor 1 or 3. A freestyle guy had a lot of imput into the Vapor 2, so may be why it was toned down a little. They are all fast kites and you problably wont notice the difference unless you fly them back to back.

Like you said yourself, if you can fly them all, you can make up your own mind. What one person loves about a kite can be what then next guy hates.

I have flown all three VapI 12m, VapII 12m and VapIII 10m

When i flew the 12's back to back there was not too much difference, the II felt smoother more than anything slightly better bottom end. The III is my fav kite of them all so far.

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this is the second time i posted this, my last one disapeared??

Sorry for the confusion, it got moved to Gear Reviews..

I have flown all 3 models in various sizes. IMO there is not too much difference between the I and II, except the the II is a bit more refined, ie they seemed to address canopy flutter, strengthened a few areas, put 3 different front line attachment points for variable turning speed and bar pressure and smoothed flight out a little to make a really nice kite to fly.

I didn't notice any speed difference between I and II, and their shapes seems pretty similar, but will accept Corey saying there is a little bit - all versions are quick relative to most other kites.

If given the option between a I and II, I would take the II any day, it was and is still a great kite and I have not heard anyone who knew what they were talking about bag it. Unfortunately because it was so customisable, lots of people flew them with strange setups done by someone else.

The III had a bigger change toward "c" characteristics and a true hybrid, and like JayP is my favourite and current kite (12 and 8.5), but then it could be a progression thing too as it was made for more advanced kiters. The I and II could be easily and safely used by relative beginners once they could handle the speed through the window and could control the kite (because you could detune the thing so much). I would not put a beginner on a III.

Hope that helps a bit.

cheers for the replys guys...
i took the kite for a test fly(8.5) in 20 to 23 knots and loved it...
been flying it lately in 25 to 30 knots, nicely powered but not over powered.. my question is about the tuning, in the stronger winds when dived thru the power zone i really have to yank the bar the other way to get it back up, sometimes nearly impossible to catch it..sometimes putting both hands on one side of the bar to do so . i have the back lines on FAST setting, the the front lines in the middle...what setting should i have the front line on to correct this?? im riding it in the waves so i want it fast as possible.. hating it cause the kite didnt behave like this when i tested it, tho it was in lighter winds

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graceful said...


i took the kite for a test fly(8.5) in 20 to 23 knots and loved it...
been flying it lately in 25 to 30 knots,
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hating it cause the kite didnt behave like this when i tested it, tho it was in lighter winds

Theres your answer !!!
Push the bar out some before the bottom stroke - it will turn faster - as it will fly forward slightly, out of its stall point deep in the window.. effectively de-tuning it slightly and maiking it behave like your fun 20 - 23 knots.

Ideally a 6m would be more fun in 25-30knots.
My self at 78kg - I would be rippin it on an 8m ??????????

The kite does not react unless I have the kite sheeted right in bringing it back up, I'm really needing to fully sheet in while turning hard to stop it from hitting the water... 95kgs, 8.5 is good :))

Yeah, i'm 95kg's too and the 8.5 rocks as soon as it hits 20kts. So bloody fast!

Not sure why it is not turning for you, especially in higher winds. Is it just that it pulls too much and you can't maintain the turn? You could try the lighter bar pressure setting and see if that helps (furtherest back). I always have mine on lighter bar pressure and fastest turning.

If you had an SLE previously it may just be the difference between pivitol and forward steering and you just need to get used to it. Vapors turn like "c" kites and generate power when turning as they turn off thier wingtip - SLE/bows pivot turn and ease up a bit as the kite rotates around the centre of the kite.

With the 8.5 in the waves I normally have the kite turned and heading back to where I want to go before I really even turn the board, this allows me to edge off the pull as the kite is turning and then turn the board with the kite low and just about to shoot through the power zone. If you don't do this in lighter winds you can have problems chasing the kite and losing airflow and turning ability. In higher winds it should not present a problem though.