Rider: 85kg, 10 yrs experience
Style: ocean freeride, riding fast and powered up, jumping high (basic old school)
Wind: I estimate it to be 15-17 knots, the sand on the beach was not been blown. Some occasional white caps.
Quality: 10/10 (usual Flysurfer quality). I expect it to last more years than I need, i.e. at least three years
Satisfaction: 10/10 (otherwise i would not bother writting a review).
Board: i used 2 boards for the test, both twin tips:
- a Nobile 666, 132x41, which i normally use as a light wind board down to about 12 knots (weaker wind and I switch to a race board)
- an Airush Switch Pro, 150x33 (a rigid and slender board with smooth rails), that i used to ride fast and overpowered. I need notable power to stay afloat with it.
Disclosure: No link to Flysurfer, other than customer.
Hello,
Today, i tried for the first time the recently released 12 m Speed 4 Lotus. It should be noted that the Speed4 in sizes 10 m and below were released last season, but it took another year for Flysurfer to release the sizes 12 m and above. I also own a 10 m Speed4 Deluxe, so I can compare it with the 12 m. There are some notable differences. The 12 m has a notably greater aspect ratio (similar to the Speed3) than the 10 m (which is in my eye a compromise between the Speed3 and a Psycho4, and lost some notable aspect ratio and power compared to the Speed2). The clothe is different, as discussed below.
The clothe: is very different to what I have seen on any kite before. It is surprisingly light (lighter than the clothe on the 10 m Speed4 Deluxe) and sleek. It looks a bit like the plastic from a thin bin bag, but reinforced. I read from the Flysurfer website that the idea is to minimise drag and get rid of water quickly.
The lines: the bridle is similar to the 10m Speed Deluxe. As usual, the number of bridles would scare a LEI user, but in fact, it is a relatively simple bridle line for a Flysurfer kite (simpler than the speed2) and should not cause any issue. There are no pulleys.
The bar: a bit longer than the 10m Speed4 or 12m Speed3. I did not measure it.
Flying: easy, similar feeling as the 10m Speed4, with much more power; it flies better than the Speed 3 (which was flying alright, but slow in reactivity in comparison).
Bar pressure: very low, notably lower and more confortable than the 10m Speed4 (weird aye?).
Reactivity/Turning: it does not turn as fast as the 10m Speed4, but is notably faster than the 12m Speed3 (standard clothe).
Depower: the largest I have experienced on a Flysurfer. But the test was in a relatively constant wind (say about 15-17 knots)
Power: the power is huge, and I allocate this to its very high aspect ratio. The power of the 12 m Speed 4 is a straight decendant from the Speed3. The 12m Speed4 is significantly more powerful than the 10 m Speed4 (which is of notably lower aspect ratio). It allowed me to ride under high power at the limit of keeping the board edge (both boards), today. Obviously, becaue of the depower, i could also adopt a more relaxed and cruising riding style.
Upwind: immense, with the Nobile666 board.
Jumps: i did not have the synchronisation perfect and the swell at the back was not forming any nice ramps, but it jumps big, with a longer hangtime than the Speed3 (it surprised me and i prepared my landing way too early on the first jump. The hangtime is significantly longer than the Speed4 10m.
That's all for my first impressions. I think i will appreciate this kite much (and more than the 10m Speed4 deluxe, that is still a very good and easy kite, but I regret its loss of the aspect ratio and power from its predecessors). The 12 m Speed4 Lotus is a direct decendant of the Speed family, and continue to improve the characteristics of its predecessors.
Happy to respond to queries,
Good winds,
Fred
fver
> 9 months ago, 20 Apr 2014
