Hi,
I had the pleasure of demo'ing a Best Kahoona 7.5m today, and its really got me thinking about getting one. It was pretty windy today at Pinaroo but I was impressed by the grunt of the kite.
WOndering how it would go in lighter conditions, but also wondering how the Ben Wilson Noise 8m would compare. I'm 80kg, and starting to try to get into the waves.
Would anyone have any comments on which if these kites would have a greater wind range??, or any other thoughts/comments/opinions on these two kites. (I've read some info on them in the "review" section, but if anyone has flown both and can compare that would be great.
If anyone knows how one might be able to demo a Noise that would be ace???
Cheers for any comments !!! 
Mate I fly a 7.5m and a 11.5m Kahoona so I do have some feedback, and was at the same stage as you are two months ago...
Kahoona:
Pros: Extremely fast, grunty kite with an amazing bottom end - At 80kg on a SB you will be lit up at 16-18 knots on the 7.5m. Get as low as 12-13 knots on the 11.5m. Doing downwinders you would get away with even less. I am 85kg and it was only 19-21 knots in mandurah and I was on a old 2006 lithuim TT, and was well lit on the 7.5m yesterday.
...it is not a kite you sheet in and out - it is almost 'old school', use only slight movements of chicken loop, keep back lines taught, and edge hard. Huge amount of power. That being said, the drift oyn waves on a SB on this kite is fantastic, i have tried everything, but I can't drop this thing.
Big boosting kite, simple, strong construction.
Cons: Bar pressure I find quite hard, not crazy, but a little to much pressure for me - although just lately I have learnt to fly as above and it is not so bad - infact I like it. You power up on this thing and it rips you through the water, with consistent grunt.
Not a single pump, some crew like this fact. I'd prefer a one pump.
At the top end - three quarters of the way, it can get a little 'twitchy', you need to fly it with back line tension, once you get that, this is reduced.
Ben Wilson: Never flown one. Everyone seems to like them. Stable as built solely for wave riding. Also really grunty, you use a size down. But if you read between the lines, what comes up is the kites do turn a little slow - comparatively. But with trimming and time this apparently can be fixed - but it is built for stable down the line, big ass surf. But super smooth, easy to use kite.
Both are the most inexpensive kites on the market.
You need to fly both or get the one you have flown and like.
if you have more money I would be trying a wainman, if wave riding is what you want. I think the wainman is good at the bottom and top end, only from what I've heard.
But I am stoked with the Kahoona, like someone said, doesn't do one thing really, really, really well, but does most things really well. And the 7.5m is a super fast bugger isn't it.
Dude they are all good nowadays... unless you are a pro, you make work whatever you fly. You can get caught up in the technical bullsht...
Hope this helps
Both are totally different kites, we can organise a demo if you are prepared to come down to little old Rockingham 
Jason
www.westozboardsports.com.au
Yeah I wish Heinz never put me on it yesterday, now I hate my Switchblade 3.
Can't stop thinking about that bloody Kahoona !!!!
Anyone looking for a well looked after second had Switchblade!!???? Ha Ha. No, seriously, let me know .....
hey marno,,you cant compare a ben wilson with a kahoona,,,delta to hybrid,,,kahoona got less weight as it has less struts,,,deeper canopy,,less aspect ratio,,so it has better bottom end and its more grunty,plus more easy relaunch,,i had only one kite last season and it was a 7,5 kahoona version one,,and i was upwind when others where walking back in 12m kites,,its not a joke people in pinaroo used to laugh at me,,,and when i was coming back from the water they couldnt understand?mate if you need to demo the kite again just give me a buss and book your day,,,you are not the only one with this dilema had many emails and calls asking for this kite after the demos ,,,,
Mate i see you live in scarbs- more than welcome to have a ride on my BWS Noise kites as i kite there ( brighton/scarbs) most days. message me to arrange a fly on them. for the waves im so stoked with them!
the noise is easy to use and performs great in the surf
great for learning unhooked stuff as its tuned to do it
power is allways smooth
the 8 is the go to kite and my most used (78kg - 16kn to 23kn) for perth
i used delta's but not the kahoona so cant comment on that one
The BWS is designed by the ledgend that designed the Rev, if you love the rev for waveriding, get this kite as it is obviously more refined than the previous rev models.
If you want an extremely grunty kite, try a kahoona. Why did they have to bring out a 5.5m for waveriders? the relaunch, and ease of use is superior for beginner/intermediate waveriding and freestyle as its the most forgiving kite on the market and the best selling kite in the world..
Anyone who rode a rev for the first time was amazed by just about everything. If you want to waveride and do it seriously, and are at more than beginner level, you must consider the option.
Out on a Jimmy lewis lithuim / 85kg - 14-17 knots with some 20 knots gusts going upwind on a 7.5m kahoona today. As he said amazing grunt and power delivery. I couldn't believe it when i got in and the sand was only slightly moving, so checked the wind on seabreeze, got me puzzled - but the facts are the facts.
Decided on the Kahoona, so drove all the way down to Woody's from the city at lunch time, get there and there and there is a sign on the door "closed due to illness" DOH !!!! Always call ahead kids... Hopefully better luck tomorrow coz hanging for a crack on the weekend.
I tested the kahoona before i got the NOISE -
here is why i didnt buy the kahoona
1 the kite sits too deep and when you turn it it generates too much power and pulls you off your line
2 the kite has no middle strut - and this reduces the chance of a quick relaunch
3 the kite did not have one pump - wtf so boring having to change valves and dick around
4 the noise was slightly cheaper -
5 the noise looks better
I am really stoked on the kite - does everything i want in a wave kite
Select to expand quotesammyd said...
I tested the kahoona before i got the NOISE -
here is why i didnt buy the kahoona
1 the kite sits too deep and when you turn it it generates too much power and pulls you off your line
2 the kite has no middle strut - and this reduces the chance of a quick relaunch
3 the kite did not have one pump - wtf so boring having to change valves and dick around
4 the noise was slightly cheaper -
5 the noise looks better
I am really stoked on the kite - does everything i want in a wave kite
Reply to point:
1. Agreed totally, but technique can improve this. A great park and ride kite, follow and fly not so good.
2. Bull****, launches incredibly well, and quick.
3. Agreed but lighter, simple construction, but yes one pump more ideal.
4. Not any more!
5. WTF who cares!
The kahoona does a bit of everything to the level that most riders need. But if you are going totally wave orientated then yes a specialised kite like the Wilson is needed. For me I'm no pro, not looking to surf 20 foot mavericks, so get the tool that fits the rider. Where I kite I need a really grunty bottom end as the wind drops in and out (not sure why, the effect of the estuary maybe), so Kahoona suites.
here is why i didnt buy the kahoona
1 the kite sits too deep and when you turn it it generates too much power and pulls you off your line
This is a intersting point, as I find this exact aspect as the biggest difference between the new Core GTS and the older GT model. I have been wondering why turning(a cut back) on the face of a wave (when taking off with a change in direction) feels different between the two models. One could whip the GT around effortlessly where-as the GTS requires finess or else it lifts you off the wave face when doing the same action .
I am in two minds whether the GTS was the right move to make from the GT model.
Note that this is speaking from a pure wave riding aspect, as for freeriding the GTS would be better.
@ Prawnhead, I wil send you a private message, as this is leading to a hijacking of the thread
Kahoona V2 2011
I've notice most people have a 7.5m, I am looking at getting my first kite and I'm 70kg but I've been told by instructors to get a 9m... a 9.5m if I go the Kahoona.
I would be Kiting at places in Brissi, Gold Coast and Maroochi, 12 - 25 knts i guess.
Some shops have suggested a 12m but now im thinking thats to big.
I've heard good things about the Kahoona and its at a good price, just not sure about the size???
By the way how does it stack up against a slingshot rally or Airush lithium??
