Has anyone tried this years Rally. Any differences in this years kite to last years other than the obvious visual changes to the kite.

Not sure if you have seen this but there are 5 pages on this site

kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2377040

I was kind of hoping there would be more reviews on the Slingshot Gear (and North for that matter) after the demo days in Sydney last weekend.

Thanks for that Flying High.

Just put in a session on my new 9m 2013 Rally. 2ft side-on mush burgers with the occasional bit of wall to blast off surfing SS Verve 6'0 quad.

Disclosure: Not affiliated to SS in any way but I'm a die hard, long time RPM fan and just use my 2011 8m Rally for speed kiting and surfing onshore conditions.

First impressions of 9m 2013 Rally: Got the 9m Rally as a slightly bigger kite for speed sessions when the wind isn't nuking and those onshore surf days the 8m just isn't quite enough. However, it feels big. More like a 10 in terms of size and power. The 8m 2013 would be more like a 9m 2011/2012.

The 2013 is definitely more stable and better drifting than the 2011 8m but the turning is markedly slower and very different in turning characteristics. That annoying tendency of my 2011 8m to dart around when not in motion is gone but that I guess is what made the 2011/2012 Rallys so great in the surf (esp onshore). That ability to pivot turn and loop so quickly when you needed it.

Maybe I'll get used to the 2013 turning. The difference is that, for instance, when whipping into a wave with the 2011 I'd just sheet in, apply a little bar and the kite would whip around and you'd be set up. On the 2013 I had to put my hand further down the bar to get more leverage to initiate the turn (even with the 20' bar the 9m comes with now), then as the kite develops more power in a wider arc turn, I'd have to sheet out a bit or the kite would whip me so fast I'd be too far in front of the wave. Just very different.

The thing I really didn't like was the bar pressure. It's not heavy by any means but noticeably heavier than my 2011 8m Rally and heavier than my 10m RPM on wingtip attachment point. I found it a little unnecessarily tiring to be honest.

All in all, I love the rock solid feel and stability and the fact that it drifts sooo much better but I miss the quick pivot turning speed in the surf (though not the darting about when not in motion; only really annoying when waiting in between speed kiting runs when it's really howling) and I don't like the increased bar pressure.

I don't know why they didn't add another attachment point further towards the wing tip. I don't see why that wouldn't offer quicker turning and less bar pressure just like every other kite with multiple attachment points. I love the solid feel of the kite and the better stability and drifting but if I don't get used to the turning and bar pressure I'm going to get another attachment point sewn on towards the wing tip and see how that feels.

Last word: Order this kite one size smaller.

Thanks Ed, that pretty much tallies with what others have been saying. They've made a good kite, but it seems they're trying to capture a broader market & in so doing perhaps lost a bit of what made the Rally so glorious. Makes it hard.
Col

Thanks edhead. I have a 10 and 14 m 2012 and have lost a few kg's since last year. Was planning on a 12 and a 9 for this year as the 14 didnt get allot of use and the 10 was a little bigger than i needed when the wind got heavy. What do you weigh and what sort of wind is your average where you are.

Select to expand quote

edhead said...

Just put in a session on my new 9m 2013 Rally. 2ft side-on mush burgers with the occasional bit of wall to blast off surfing SS Verve 6'0 quad.

Disclosure: Not affiliated to SS in any way but I'm a die hard, long time RPM fan and just use my 2011 8m Rally for speed kiting and surfing onshore conditions.

First impressions of 9m 2013 Rally: Got the 9m Rally as a slightly bigger kite for speed sessions when the wind isn't nuking and those onshore surf days the 8m just isn't quite enough. However, it feels big. More like a 10 in terms of size and power. The 8m 2013 would be more like a 9m 2011/2012.

The 2013 is definitely more stable and better drifting than the 2011 8m but the turning is markedly slower and very different in turning characteristics. That annoying tendency of my 2011 8m to dart around when not in motion is gone but that I guess is what made the 2011/2012 Rallys so great in the surf (esp onshore). That ability to pivot turn and loop so quickly when you needed it.

Maybe I'll get used to the 2013 turning. The difference is that, for instance, when whipping into a wave with the 2011 I'd just sheet in, apply a little bar and the kite would whip around and you'd be set up. On the 2013 I had to put my hand further down the bar to get more leverage to initiate the turn (even with the 20' bar the 9m comes with now), then as the kite develops more power in a wider arc turn, I'd have to sheet out a bit or the kite would whip me so fast I'd be too far in front of the wave. Just very different.

The thing I really didn't like was the bar pressure. It's not heavy by any means but noticeably heavier than my 2011 8m Rally and heavier than my 10m RPM on wingtip attachment point. I found it a little unnecessarily tiring to be honest.

All in all, I love the rock solid feel and stability and the fact that it drifts sooo much better but I miss the quick pivot turning speed in the surf (though not the darting about when not in motion; only really annoying when waiting in between speed kiting runs when it's really howling) and I don't like the increased bar pressure.

I don't know why they didn't add another attachment point further towards the wing tip. I don't see why that wouldn't offer quicker turning and less bar pressure just like every other kite with multiple attachment points. I love the solid feel of the kite and the better stability and drifting but if I don't get used to the turning and bar pressure I'm going to get another attachment point sewn on towards the wing tip and see how that feels.

Last word: Order this kite one size smaller.

Select to expand quote

jas73 said...

Thanks edhead. I have a 10 and 14 m 2012 and have lost a few kg's since last year. Was planning on a 12 and a 9 for this year as the 14 didnt get allot of use and the 10 was a little bigger than i needed when the wind got heavy. What do you weigh and what sort of wind is your average where you are.

edhead said...

I weigh 78kg starkers so around 85 full wet-suited, geared up and wet I guess. I don't bother kiting in anything less than 15kts. My 10m RPM is my biggest kite which is fine so long as it's a steady 15kts. For me, if I was to get rid of everything and buy 2013 Rally's all over I'd get a 10m and an 8m and be completely sorted for 15-35kts.

Has anyone else had a ride of the new 2013 Rally? Was thinking of buying one but most of the reviews I have read are not too positive. I dont ride in any waves so im thinking it might not be the kite for me.

Select to expand quote

samokta said...
Has anyone else had a ride of the new 2013 Rally? Was thinking of buying one but most of the reviews I have read are not too positive. I dont ride in any waves so im thinking it might not be the kite for me.

I wouldn't have said the reviews are not too positive. There were some reports the 2012 had issues with heavy riders and strong gusts, I think the kite folded in a bit. They appear to have fixed this with a larger leading edge (may have changed the bridle steering point as well but I am not sure) but as a consequence its a little slower through the window.

It depends what you want it for?
I reckon its a great all round plug and play kite that boosts great, goes upwind well and drifts well for wave riding.

If you want new school tricks then go for a C-type kite.

Select to expand quote

Flying High said...

samokta said...
Has anyone else had a ride of the new 2013 Rally? Was thinking of buying one but most of the reviews I have read are not too positive. I dont ride in any waves so im thinking it might not be the kite for me.

I wouldn't have said the reviews are not too positive. There were some reports the 2012 had issues with heavy riders and strong gusts, I think the kite folded in a bit. They appear to have fixed this with a larger leading edge (may have changed the bridle steering point as well but I am not sure) but as a consequence its a little slower through the window.

It depends what you want it for?
I reckon its a great all round plug and play kite that boosts great, goes upwind well and drifts well for wave riding.

If you want new school tricks then go for a C-type kite.

The main reason the 2012 folded in strong wind with heavy riders was under inflation. If they are not pumped up hard, they dont like being pulled across the window fast. It is not hard to pump them up properly. I think having the 2013 slowed down a little will be a good thing in flat water. A little more forgiving. The 2013 also has an extra strut added just up from the tips. I am waiting for delivery of a 12m and 9m so will try the two models back to back and see the difference.