To all the Gurus out there.
Is there really any difference between a Torch, Vegas, C4 and Fuel

"Any difference"? Briefly, yes.

To start with, you do know the C4 is a bridled C? It obviously has many advantages/disadvantages (depending on who you're talking with)..

Then search for folks who have owned/flown Fuel, Torch & Vegas back to back.

Check out the latest Kite World has a whole section devoted to C Kites including reviews of the latest.

all very different c kites though!
c4 and vegas have the options to increase depower by knot adjustments on the leading edge - more user friendly and versitile
Vegas and torch are loading 5th lines - more stable and 5th line safety.
c4 has a bridle - more stable and higher depower.
fuel is the only true 4 line c kite - more responsive and speed

in terms of aggressiveness i would say IMO c4<vegas<torch<fuel.

btw no guru, just a c kite enthusiast :)

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mywisdom said...

in terms of aggressiveness i would say IMO c4<vegas<torch<fuel.

Agree, I was going to place them in that same order... 'IMO' too

Yes there is plenty of difference between C kites.
As has already been said the C4 has a bridle, the Tourch and Vesas are 5 line and the Fuel is 4 line.
Every C kite will be have excellent Pop, Slack, Looping and wave riding, the degree to which each element excels is different with each kite and different riders will get different results. I have tried the C4 and Vegas but settled on the Tourch. Other people will prefer there C4's, Vegas's and Fuels.
As with any kite if you want to know what suits you best try them out.

Agreed depends on your slant/riding ambitions. The torch is closer to a true C, very powerful. The C4 and Vegas have a lot of C in them but are also good all-rounders. They work very well in the surf as well. hence Why I went a vegas, and would seriously consider a C4. The torch is an out and out C kite for powered wakestyle moves. Great kite but not my style (I'm too old and too slow). Work that out first. But that being said I have seen guys on the vegas and C4on flat water hitting the wakestyle limits of the sport.

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Subculture said...

mywisdom said...

in terms of aggressiveness i would say IMO c4<vegas<torch<fuel.

Agree, I was going to place them in that same order... 'IMO' too

i've had 2 fuels and 4 torchs. now i want a vegas or c4...

Thanx for your input brothers of kitesurfing
I'm actually after a high wind kite and have decided that a C is the way to go,
because I think a C is less likely to invert and has better stability.
Also relaunch wont be an issue cause its cranking 25kn +
I'm just an old hooked in freerider who doesnt want to miss any wind
below 30kn so C4 or Vegas sounds good in 8m

well i recond the c4 is sweet to 30 maybe 35 knots. but its abit punchy with not enough depower for hell out storm sessions. I step out of the c4 and into a reo for 30+ knots. That little bastard has sooo much depower it makes riding 30 to 40 easy peasy.

In high wind the Veagas is great supper stable with the loaded 5 line and still safe ,but everyone is different some people find them to fast but not me
Have fun
George

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Adventure Sports Noosa said...

In high wind the Veagas is great supper stable with the loaded 5 line and still safe ,but everyone is different some people find them to fast but not me
Have fun
George

+ 1

Can you go back to a hybrid/bow/delta from a C kite or C4?
Having felt the astonishing turbo boost of C-kites (not necessarily the highest boost but the explosive rate of ascent) is it boring on all other kites?

I'm thinking of trying something new this summer but I'm worried that going from the C4 the only ones that will excite me will be the Fuel or the Torch?

If you really enjoying "flying the kite" as opposed to just being towed by it, will you miss the sensation of hurling a c-kite through the power zone, up and down to generate wild amounts of grunt? and the predictable tight downloops and kiteloops (not that I do kiteloops unless I feel suicidal)

jeez.....

do people really look into things that much in kiting?

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wishy said...

Can you go back to a hybrid/bow/delta from a C kite or C4?
Having felt the astonishing turbo boost of C-kites (not necessarily the highest boost but the explosive rate of ascent) is it boring on all other kites?

I'm thinking of trying something new this summer but I'm worried that going from the C4 the only ones that will excite me will be the Fuel or the Torch?

If you really enjoying "flying the kite" as opposed to just being towed by it, will you miss the sensation of hurling a c-kite through the power zone, up and down to generate wild amounts of grunt? and the predictable tight downloops and kiteloops (not that I do kiteloops unless I feel suicidal)

why not run a split quiver wishy? i have 4 completely different kites in my water arsenal. granted my most used and most enjoyed is the c4. i'm loving the dynamicness of that kite. but when i feel like insane glide i reach for my 15m speed 3, some times i feel like the insane upwind, speed and boost or the edge so i reach for me 13m edge..... other days i want the stability and speed of my little reo so thats what i reach for!... in the 16-23 knot range i can reach for speed, edge or c4 depending on my urge that day.

now i just need to add an 8m cat to my quiver and i'll have all bases covered.!

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wishy said...

Can you go back to a hybrid/bow/delta from a C kite or C4?
Having felt the astonishing turbo boost of C-kites (not necessarily the highest boost but the explosive rate of ascent) is it boring on all other kites?

I'm thinking of trying something new this summer but I'm worried that going from the C4 the only ones that will excite me will be the Fuel or the Torch?

I suspect the 2013 C4s will fit the "try something new" bill very nicely.

I think we all know that most kites are essentially the same year after year. Especially when they make a good one that sells well and gets rave reviews.
OMFG New Colours! I bet it goes bigger

just read the kiteworld test and reviews very good read if your a c kite lover,all done by profesional non team riders so no biased oppinion by the sounds of it the fuel is the winner for the purists and the c4 for the rest of us check it out on kiteworld.com

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cauncy said...

just read the kiteworld test and reviews very good read if your a c kite lover,all done by profesional non team riders so no biased oppinion by the sounds of it the fuel is the winner for the purists and the c4 for the rest of us check it out on kiteworld.com

You keep posting that same site Mick, it's a business selling stunt kites. It must be another review site you're talking about?

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wishy said...

I think we all know that most kites are essentially the same year after year. Especially when they make a good one that sells well and gets rave reviews.
OMFG New Colours! I bet it goes bigger

Well, imho the 2012s were a decent step up from an already superb kite in 2011. If they can pull a similar level of refinement this year then it won't be anything to sneeze at.

Wishy, I think if you pull the trigger on your GT you might change your mind on explosive Boost!
My old Fuse was still the best Boosting kite I've flown.

yeh sorry fellas it is kiteworldmag.com

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cauncy said...

yeh sorry fellas it is kiteworldmag.com

Thanks mate, wondered which one you meant. Picked up issue 57 the other day, it's a good read. I reckon it's probably the best of the kite mags

Wait until you see the new North Vegas! It's changed. And it rides so amazingly well. Can't give anything away though
When they hit Australia in September, do yourself a favour and demo one, borrow one, steal one from a mate while they are at work...just get out on the water on one and give it a shot!

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WA Surf said...

Wait until you see the new North Vegas! It's changed. And it rides so amazingly well. Can't give anything away though
When they hit Australia in September, do yourself a favour and demo one, borrow one, steal one from a mate while they are at work...just get out on the water on one and give it a shot!

Well the 2012 was awesome, can you give us just a little bit more on when you say it has changed...obviously you don't mean just the colours right...lol.

Fixed the bar pressure? (it's not horrendous but would love it to be a little lighter, just my personal preference).

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NickT said...

Wishy, I think if you pull the trigger on your GT you might change your mind on explosive Boost!
My old Fuse was still the best Boosting kite I've flown.

Can't do that, too scared....
I have certainly seen you in orbit on the 7m Fuse, my lordy!

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eppo said...

WA Surf said...

Wait until you see the new North Vegas! It's changed. And it rides so amazingly well. Can't give anything away though
When they hit Australia in September, do yourself a favour and demo one, borrow one, steal one from a mate while they are at work...just get out on the water on one and give it a shot!

Sorry but you will have to wait until they are released to the world in August for any more information.




Well the 2012 was awesome, can you give us just a little bit more on when you say it has changed...obviously you don't mean just the colours right...lol.

Fixed the bar pressure? (it's not horrendous but would love it to be a little lighter, just my personal preference).

Spoil sport!

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Wisha said...

Core have gone 'C'

Calling it a 'Future C'

http://www.corekites.com/us/gts2

That looks like an absolute cracker. I want to try it!
"Harmonius kiteloops!" I'm sold.

Define harmonious kite loops!

Watch the video.. must have taken a few attempts, not much else really worth noting though.