Rider: Weight,Level (advanced)
Style: Freeriding, Surf, Wake, Freestyle - YES
Weather: 20-25 knots Gusts to 30 Knots
Build Quality: 9/10
Satisfaction: 9/10
Disclosure: (I have a shop and School)

My Comments:
With the astounding success of the Core GT, I and many others have eagerly awaited the arrival of the XR (Cross Ride). The Cross Ride, quite similarly to the GT, has been made to appease the masses and is touted as the all rounder, comfortable in surf, freeride and also freestyle.

First impressions of the kite are that it is very similar to the GT, same colours, same bomb proof build quality. Core build a nice kite, it's not as beautiful to look at or as polished as say a North, but the kite is completely functional, beautifully built using the best materials, is simple and devoid of anything that doesn't absolutely have to be there which makes it clean.

There is close attention to the stitching which is all superbly straight and ends of panels neatly finished and trimmed. A new one pump system graces this model and sweeps the tranfer tubes back against the corners on the strut/leading edge connection so they remain completely out of the way which looks nice. The connections are stronger than GT and look more solid.

The bridles are a bit longer and Core have added a small velcro strap at the centre strut for keeping your bridles tidy when not in use. Good idea! The XR has a multi adjustment for front bridle and also wingtip steering attach points which are direct incidentally. The front point attachments allow selection of bar pressure either light/medium, medium or meadium/heavy. Back lines change steering responsiveness or amount of pressure to induce a turn. Light medium and heavy are the settings and between the two different settings (front and back) it really allows quite a bit of customizing of the feel and purpose of the kite.

I have tried 5 different combinations which vary the kite from fast freeride to wake style heavy. The kite is very stable, drifts back as a good surf kite should and is very responsive and direct in feel. This is how I like my kites to feel - direct and quick.

The kite has lost a couple of knots bottom end from the GT which are the power riders choice and massively grunty for their sizes. The XR is more like most other kites in terms of power in the bottom end. Compared to the 10.5 GT (which feels like a 12 in power), it is lighter and feels more nimble. The top end is where the big gains have come from. I don't like hanging onto the 10.5 GT in more than 25 , but I was very comfortable fully powered on the trim strap on the GT in that wind strength and when the wind squalled in at 30 knots, the XR really came alive! I used about 3" of depower and went boosting. For a 10m kite, it boosts big with lots of hangtime, very predictable and easy to feel what's happening. The strange thing is, if didn't feel over powered or hard to manage. It just kept flying and felt the same as it did in the lighter winds.

The steering is fast and very direct but isn't hard on the arms which the GT can be if you're not used to it. Much more nimble and light, it flies beautifully and is just easy.

Such a nice kite and a similar, but not same kite as the GT ie, it feels and flies similarly, but the two are quite different enough so that they both have a place in the market. The GT is the raw power kite for people that like to throw around a beast whereas the XR is more refined and easier. Both are awesome kites and the XR is definately a must demo kite especially if you flew the GT and didn't like the bar pressure.

Sweet!

We have a 10m and 7m available for demo.

Cheers,

KH

PS. BTW, There is more info on the Core Riot XR & GT on my website as well as reviews on all the new kites we have from North Airush and Ozone.

http://www.aksonline.com.au/index.php/kite-reviews/core-kites.html

I had a 30 min session on the 11m XR last night over at Towra, kited till well after sunset, it was dark as when we packed up and pushed to motor back to the ramp.
Good fun, will be doing a lot more remote kiting with the new boat.

The new kite, mmm, very nice, I did not check what fron setting the kite was one, bar pressure was a bit heavier than an SB5 12M, but it was not heavy at all and I could ride the kite toeside and steer and trim in the gusts. Wind according to the BOM was approx 22-26 knots, it was a bit gusty wehere we were but the kite just soaks up the gusts, I never used the trimmer.
Kite boosts big and has excellent hang time, drifts back really well too, when I carved towards it, going from heel to toe.
Self landed easily, just by letting the kite sit on the beach and then reefing in the front lines. Self launchin was easy too, even on the narrow beach we had at high tide.

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve

Good informative review -thanks KH.

Not sure what "mmm" means but sounds like you had a great session Steve.

I am looking for good allrounder kites that will perform well in Sydney (X onshore) surf. Sounds like Riot XR should be on my shortlist.

Can either of you provide any info comparing flying characteristics vs other kites out there eg Octane/Rev, SB, Rebel. I am especially interested in comparison of low end range, turning speed and pull, speed through the window and speed of relaunch in waves.

Any feedback - now or as you get a few more hours under loaded lines - would be great.

Matt

Hi Matkiter,

The characteristics you have mentioned would suggest that you may be better served by the Core GT than the Riot XR. Grunt, turning speed and wicked pull are the domain of the GT.

Cheers mate, I'll give you comparisons as requested when I get a little more time on the water.

Regards,

KH

Mmmmm, means I liked the kite.
I think you should come and demo the 10M when the winds drop back a bit.
Riot has a longer less snappy depower throw than the Octane, it has super fast easy self launch and relaunch, it has a 4 line setup, below the bar safety, fully spinning bar.
I rate it right up there with the Octane and SB, no experience on the Rebel 2010, but one brand new 7M had some serious issues over at KKK yesterday, basically got trashed because the 5th/centre line broke and the kite blew away into the pier, lots of cuts, owner very unhappy.
It would be hard to pick from the kite I have experience with, I like them all this year.
Come and demo one.

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve

Select to expand quote

matkiter said...

Good informative review -thanks KH.

Not sure what "mmm" means but sounds like you had a great session Steve.

I am looking for good allrounder kites that will perform well in Sydney (X onshore) surf. Sounds like Riot XR should be on my shortlist.

Can either of you provide any info comparing flying characteristics vs other kites out there eg Octane/Rev, SB, Rebel. I am especially interested in comparison of low end range, turning speed and pull, speed through the window and speed of relaunch in waves.

Any feedback - now or as you get a few more hours under loaded lines - would be great.

Matt

Hey Guys,
Are you guys getting your hands on any of the bigger sizes? Just like to know how they go as the bigger 12+ GT's were supposedly a bit heavy on the bar. Thinking of a larger XR as a light wind option to complement a smaller GT for the good winds.

Hi Wisha,

I normally only bring in up to 12m as normal stock but will order anything people want. We are currently waiting to find out how far away sale stock is.

We were lucky to get the Demo's

I'm hoping we should all have stock in about 1-2 weeks.

Cheers mate,

KH

I was flying our 11m last week back to back with an 11m Nomad... XR has slightly more low end than the Nomad - but apart from that they were super close... XR also turned faster!!! Anyone else notice that Core used really thin lines on the bridles? It's almost as thin as flying line!

Was super impressed with this - in the waves it's gonna rock

I sold my Switchblade3- 12 sq.m. to buy a Core Riot XR 12
Have been kiting Cabrinha's (Black tips, Crossbows and Switchblades) for many years, and since riding the Core GT(for a year) and XR(two sessions) I won't be looking back. I find the control and turning speed for wave riding way faster (to what I had)
Rider weight: 97 kg
Weather: 12- 20 knots (gusts to 25 knots and some rain)
Pros:The kite handles gust well, has good de-powering when needed, and great turning speed for critical wave riding
Cons: a bugger to get up from the water when the wind is light( no problem when wind is over 14 knots though and a wave doesn't tumble it)

Very pleased with my new 12 square XR, as it responds faster and better than all the previous kites I had (down to 9 square meter sizes)
Not slagging Cabrinha kites, they were nice...but Core has got something right for me

looks a hell of a lot like my 08 rhino!



mmm.................. pull out the center strut put in a couple either side there you have it a ......2008m North Rhino.Same delta shape ,same swept back wings ,same scolloped trailing edge ,camber batterns?...............



how would it compare to a Rhino ?,,seeing that North have dropped the Rhino for next year !

traderget the rebel

Select to expand quote

Rattlehead said...

looks a hell of a lot like my 08 rhino!



mmm.................. pull out the center strut put in a couple either side there you have it a ......2008m North Rhino.Same delta shape ,same swept back wings ,same scolloped trailing edge ,camber batterns?...............



how would it compare to a Rhino ?,,seeing that North have dropped the Rhino for next year !

Hey Rattlehead,

Where do you live in QLD. Perhaps you could demo one so you can understand what the kites are about.

Very different to a Rhino in flying characteristics... Light - fast and easy to ride...
The Rhino is built for power and grunt...

Select to expand quote

rhinoman said...

traderget the rebel

Rattlehead said...

looks a hell of a lot like my 08 rhino!



mmm.................. pull out the center strut put in a couple either side there you have it a ......2008m North Rhino.Same delta shape ,same swept back wings ,same scolloped trailing edge ,camber batterns?...............



how would it compare to a Rhino ?,,seeing that North have dropped the Rhino for next year !

you can talk Mr Scub ...>>>sellout,,Rebel ,,,ppppppppphhhhhhhhhhssssssssstttttttt

I spent the last 2 days trying my new 9m & 12m Core XR kites in Perth gusty SW winds between 12 and 23 notts. I found them to be a more refined version of the Combat GT, quick in the air, stable and alot of fun. I have really enjoyed the CORE kites since winning one at Kitestock last year from Darren at the Australian Kitesurfing School and after this weekend I think this summer will be even more enjoyable on the new XR's

Hi Guys,

A little birdie told me that someone is running around telling people that the XR's are difficult to relaunch. hehe, couldn't be further from the truth. The Core Cross ride XR auto-relaunches as well as the GT which is stupidly easy. In other words, if it crashes downwind of you, just cross your arms and wait a few seconds whilst the kite re-rights itself and makes it's way to neutral all by itself waiting for you to pull it from the water by turning the bar. It just doesn't get any easier than that!

I'll put the kite to the acid test if anyone would like to come and demo the kite and see for yourself.

It seems as though at least one person is feeling a little threatened by a brand that keeps coming up with great kites. Whatever! Go fly your kite, or better still, fly one of mine

Cheers,

KH

Hey Kitehard,

Have you had a chance to ride the 8m Riot XR yet? If so please let us know the pros and cons?

Hi Kenno,

As luck would have it, I rode the 8m XR for the first time last Saturday in 25-29 knot winds in the choppy waters of Pinnaroo. I had been out on the 10m XR previous but wasn't getting the jump height, so switched down onto the 8m. The 8m was well powered up in the 25 knots so I can only speculate of the low wind ability.

At almost 30 knots I was fully powered on the 8m without the need for any trim. The kite is quick, and bordering on crazy quick but then again I had it setup for fast turning with least bar pressure and fastest turning on the bar, so you'd expect little else.

It flew predictably and smoothly, lots of fun and quite grunty. Boosts were quite big and reasonably floaty though not as hangy as the 10 as you would expect, but still very respectable.

It has now become my new favourite kite and can't wait for a decent blow again. I reckon similar power to the 7m GT but a bit smoother and less aggressive.

In most other respects if flies like the other Cores I have flown ie, great, really no issues that I could find. Pro's? It flies like a Core! Fast and grunty, good feel and fast.

Cheers,

KH