2013 Airush Razor Pics & Review

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Created by

The5MetreKid > 9 months ago, 2 Aug 2012

The5MetreKid

QLD

179 posts

2 Aug 2012 6:22pm

Rider: 55kg ,Level , intermediate-advanced
Style: Freestyle
Weather: 12-18
Build Quality: 9/10
Satisfaction: 10/10

Disclosure: shop rider, and Airush team rider

Had a fly of the 2013 Airush razor 9m the other day, firstly shape doesnt seem to be that different to the 2012, though i have heard the struts might be slightly thiner tho havent confirmed.... Getting the kite out the bag it looks awesome! colours are bright and look good, bag is same as 2012 (solid and built to last, though not so good if kite is wet) with just different colours, I got to test the kite in gusty 12-18 knots, kite feels awesome unhooked without giving a power surge like some delta kites, and is asking to be loaded against and pop! When dropping the kite, it is simple to relaunch though only if you know how to 5th line relaunch. Kite is really nice when looping and just manages to catch you after a kiteloop as you swing under it. They have made a few changes to the Smart Bar aswell, first up they have this new splitter thing were the depower lines split into the front lines (5th line runs through) wich was great when untwisting your middle lines as it made it clear which way the lines were twisted. They have made the push pins to adjust the bar length bigger aswell which makes it easier on your fingers to adjust. the new bar ends are now soft, and imo great as cannot hook on your safety leash when unhooking though some fussy people might not like it, as it makes it a bit harder to wind up your lines.
They have lost the different option for the 5th line attatching to the kite, though the knot can now move, so you can customize it to your preference (i rode it strait out the bag - no changing adjustment and was fine).
So far i havent been able to compare to the 9m 2012 razor as i havent had the chance. Only thing i dont like about my 2012 7m razor is that when jumping big on nuking days, it tends to drop you unless you loop, compared to the varial X has amazing glide and seems to make almost any jumps soft.
Only dislike so far is that the push pin/adjustable bar pins tend to seize up after a few session even if washed after sessions unless you use the lubricant they provide.
This kite is has a very direct feel and C-kite characteristics so is not suitable for beginner.....
Heres a few pics of the kite and bar, pm me for any more info, or drop into Sunshine Coast Kitesurfing and take it out for demo!

JayP

QLD

249 posts

3 Aug 2012 5:26pm

i am keen to hear how the new construction in the team version affects the performance/handling?

eppo

9762 posts

3 Aug 2012 7:37pm

Wow lot of C in that leading edge shape.

Hey 5 meter kid, on your VX, what line length do you use, what bar pressure settings, and do you use the factory setting on the back line pigtails or have put more knots in it? and why?

Appreciate it. Took the first 3 meter extensions off so I assume I'm on 21 meter at moment. Took of medium pressure to light, love the light feel and quick turn, loops fast and without any crazy pull, but it's so light I can't feel where it is in the window when I'm jumping big, didnt redirect it quite right Jesus it can boost if ya get it right. If I loop it no probs, but I don't want to loop it every time, sometimes just wanna go big and float down.

Cheers in advance.

Eppo

The5MetreKid

QLD

179 posts

4 Aug 2012 7:48pm

Select to expand quote

eppo said...

Wow lot of C in that leading edge shape.

Hey 5 meter kid, on your VX, what line length do you use, what bar pressure settings, and do you use the factory setting on the back line pigtails or have put more knots in it? and why?

Appreciate it. Took the first 3 meter extensions off so I assume I'm on 21 meter at moment. Took of medium pressure to light, love the light feel and quick turn, loops fast and without any crazy pull, but it's so light I can't feel where it is in the window when I'm jumping big, didnt redirect it quite right Jesus it can boost if ya get it right. If I loop it no probs, but I don't want to loop it every time, sometimes just wanna go big and float down.

Cheers in advance.

Eppo

Hey eppo,
ive played around a fair bit with the settings, a with my 8m i prefer to have it on the lightest bar pressure and full line length (27m), just have the standard knot on backlines still, though tends to backstall abit when unhooked in super light conditions. I have heard that they removed all backstalling in the 2013 vx. IMO i found that with the backlines on the heaviest/medium setting it wasnt worth it, as it makes the awesome relaunch worse.
I flew it last week in 25+ knots and was having an awesome boosting session, though i could definately feel where the kite was and was waaaaay to overpowered! I get the highest boost out of it by starting with kite low and just sending it as fast as i can to 2 o'clock and then enjoy the ride!
What setting have you tried? and what didnt you like about them?

eppo

9762 posts

4 Aug 2012 8:39pm

Oh okay the bar taken out of its bag is at 27m, so I took the first 3 meter extensions off so I assume I'm on 24m now. Prefer the shorter lines.

Yeh have put another knot further away from the kite but still have only had it on the factory knot so far.

The medium bat setting is far more direct, but a little heavy, prefer the looping characteristics on the light bar setting. But remember I've just come off rebels and Vegas's, thefore the light bar pressure in the air is taking some getting used to. Think I prefer the light bar pressure as you said.

Any tips on redirecting the kite. ? Also after a loop or roll I find when you spin the bar, the kite depowers so much. How do you spin the bar and keep your power up on this kite? Can't believe how good it is to loop and I thought the Vegas was good.

The5MetreKid

QLD

179 posts

5 Aug 2012 8:51am

Select to expand quote

eppo said...

Oh okay the bar taken out of its bag is at 27m, so I took the first 3 meter extensions off so I assume I'm on 24m now. Prefer the shorter lines.

Yeh have put another knot further away from the kite but still have only had it on the factory knot so far.

The medium bat setting is far more direct, but a little heavy, prefer the looping characteristics on the light bar setting. But remember I've just come off rebels and Vegas's, thefore the light bar pressure in the air is taking some getting used to. Think I prefer the light bar pressure as you said.

Any tips on redirecting the kite. ? Also after a loop or roll I find when you spin the bar, the kite depowers so much. How do you spin the bar and keep your power up on this kite? Can't believe how good it is to loop and I thought the Vegas was good.

eppo

9762 posts

5 Aug 2012 8:37am

Select to expand quote

The5MetreKid said...

When you say redirecting what do you mean? diving the kite after jump? If so, about 1- 2m away from landing i swing the kite from 1 and dive the kite, this way its not ripping me down into the water, but i still get a nice soft landing and have enough speed to ride away no worries.
Yes i also found power can be lost fairly quickly when spinning or pushing out the bar fully, which would be great for surfing, though i only really unhooked on this kite, i have the stopper ball down untill when i let the bar unhooked go it still gives me abit of power. Interesting you say you prefer the 24m lines, what style do you use the kite (waves, freestyle, boost....) i found it gives me a few extra knots at the top end, though it wasnt as good to unhook.

Yeh I think I'm bringing it back across too quickly by the sounds of it. Not used to its own speed generation. Dialed into the Rebel/vegas feel still. Ta for that. When I downloop it comes out perfect, hence further supports my theory.

yeh figured the stopper ball needs to be brought down a little (the other day had stopper ball all the way up, did a horrible back roll transition with a loop in gusty crap, fell in the water, lost grip on the bar and the thing de-powered so much it gently fell in the water. No probs relaunching though (how good is the self landing on this this system!). Stopper ball...check.

Yeh 24m lines gives me less of that pendulum effect. I'm more a hooked in, freeride - boosting looping transition style dude and chuck in wave riding. Use a seat harness and a dyna V bar, hence unhooking is a pain trying to get it back in. I do unhook in the surf a little bit and will be doing a lot more this summer.

Good in the surf...mmm yes if you understand the kite and fly it correctly. Bleeds air like nothing else but it is so damn fast through the window, you really have to work on keeping the kite back in the window or it races in front of you and you can drop power---at the moment a large wave is about to curl on your head!

But that is a technical issue that i need to work on, not the kite. But when you have wind over this wing (the more it gets the more it likes), it flies well enough for me in the surf and allows some serious speed across a wave face.

But I didn't buy it to surf, this is an after thought most of the time for me.

Cheers for the tips will keep working on it...this kite is definitely asking a lot of the rider...which is why I got it. Somtimes I here it will work fine as a beginners kite, that's complete Bullsh1T for any newbies reading this.

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