Hi guys,
I'm currently riding a 9m GT and am very happy with it. Basically a one kite quiver if you ride mostly hooked in (12-30 odd knots at 82kg). However, once it gets above 20 knots it can get a bit 'interesting' trying to hook back in. Was thinking of selling the 9m and getting a 7m for these conditions, but guess I would need a 10.5 to compensate for the reduced low end. However, since the 9m goes so low in the wind range do I need a 10.5?

Just wondering if anyone has any comparisons of the 9m vs 10.5m in particular (does the 10.5 still boost/ loop close to as well as the 9m). I love the 9m but think it might be too close to the 7m?

Cheers

The 10.5 wont fit so nicely on the wall.

@waxman- Core kites get flown hard , unlike your bandits that look good on your wall...

With my GT 7 I tend to only get going when the wind gets over 16 knots (like this size for 20-30+ knots range.
I would use my XR12 for approximately 12-24 knots.
Must say that I am getting a GT 9 today for the 15- 25 knots wind range.
To sum up: 7GT = nuking winds, 9 All round average day wind, 12 XR light wind day.

I ride directional boards in waves,95 kg weight)
I am a South African team rider for Core[}:)]

Ha! Funny stuff all round!!

Iam 70kgs, and have been flying GTs for 4 months mainly NE 15-25kts at time 25+..

Ive Just sold my GT 10.5 which leaves me with a 5 & 7 GT Iam confident this will cover my normal wind range of above.
Sold 10.5 as there is more productive things to be done than Lawn mowing back a forth...
Over the moon with the the GTs, But i hear on the G vine the latest batch is made of a inferior material ?????

Select to expand quote

topturn said...

@waxman- Core kites get flown hard , unlike your bandits that look good on your wall...

With my GT 7 I tend to only get going when the wind gets over 16 knots (like this size for 20-30+ knots range.
I would use my XR12 for approximately 12-24 knots.
Must say that I am getting a GT 9 today for the 15- 25 knots wind range.
To sum up: 7GT = nuking winds, 9 All round average day wind, 12 XR light wind day.

I ride directional boards in waves,95 kg weight)
I am a South African team rider for Core[}:)]

Core kites are a copy of the bandit as fone were the first to release a delta kite back in 2008. If fone hadnt released the bandit core would have probably copied crapenas, or EH bows. anyone that flys delta kites owe that to Fone for proveing what was posible with this shape. Not having a go at core kites as far as a delta kite goes they get some good reviews.

My bandit does look good on my wall, but not quit as funny as Wishas smashed up against the wall at the beach, if the kite was any bigger it probably would have been damaged.

Deltas rock, as long as they are flown fast. Never flown a Bandit before, but they look well built and seem to fly great.
I come off Cabrinhas, so I guess that would be my only comparison.
Seen guys using old tech kites with many smiles.
The grass is always greener on the other side...
Fly the brand that supports you, and keeps you happy.
C,Delta,SLE,Bow, ect. = whatever tickles your fancy!

I like to be well powered up when kiting, and I would equate the XR12 with a GT 10,5 in power (low to medium wind)but the XR has a better top end (size for size GT Vs. XR)
Therefore the GT9 fits in just right for me, effectively the same as the heading sizes, giving me a slight overlap in wind speeds between the sizes.

Cheers for the info Top turn. Does the XR load up/ jump as well as the GT?

As for my GT that went walk abouts across the beach then flat on the wall (thanks SS leash). Not even a scratch. Got to love those entire wing sections made of dacron..and a nice slab of luck to boot.

The XR is a much more friendly kite opposed to the GT. Lighter bar and higher top-end but less bottom end than the GT = would be the main difference.
I cannot comment on the smaller XR's, but my 12XR turns and feels much like the GT's, very fast and responsive (even for a 12)
Same construction.
I would easily recommend the XR as the tamer version of the GT...

I agree that delta has been designed by F-one for the first time and because of it's amazing wind range and easy water relaunch all the other manufacturers started their own delta line such as;

North-Evo
Core-GT
Naish-Charger
Best-Kahoona
And probably some other manufacturers

BUT each one of these deltas have a very different behavior to the other ones and if you try them back to back you will feel that non of them actually feels the same.

For example Bandit-Dos is a very forgiving kite and it helps a lot if you over steer the kite by mistake and GT is a very fast responsive kite which is great for wave riding and soft landings after a boost.

PS. 12 knots on a 9m GT is not possible except if you're going for a downwinder and in that case any 9m kite can do that too

I think you should all sell your Core Kites and Bandit kites, and get some Hadlows. They have alot of benifits as seen on the beaches of whyalla
- Only need 8psi in the leading edge
- You can let them go on the beach and they will drift around by themselves without a problem
- They are cheap, 3 went cheap in whyalla
I'll stick with my bandits though
sorry goody

Guys,

I've been riding Bandit and Dos since they were released. Also ride a few other names such as Waroo, Nitro, XBow, Switchblade, Rebel, Ion, Cult, Ozone.

I am 75kgs and would consider myself Beginner/Intermediate, basic jumping, backloop, front loop, little wave action.

I stuck with Bandits because of the relaunch and set up simplicity, but i find them very punchy in gusts and not as smooth as say the Ozone or Cult.

I want to know from the CORE riders, which kite you would recommend for someone of my level. I like very smooth kites(power/depower) and good gust handling. The Rebel was the only 5th line I have ridden and was not impress specially when it's in the water and trying to relaunch.

Having read the CORE site, there seems to be 3 kites to choose from GT, RIOT and XR. Is the wind range as good as the site claims. Even with the Bandit and Dos, I found i had to +/- 3kts either side of the claimed wind range, this could well be because of my level but I have a 10m Dos which claims to get going in around 12kts, but i found it hard to stay upwind and top end around 30kts but again for me around 26kts was my max i felt with. Once it went above 22kts, I used the 7.5m Bandit.

Anyway dont want to bore you guys too much, can you suggest anything in the CORE range of kites and more importantly how do they compare to the Bandit and DOs for example. Im going to upgrade this Xmas and not sure if i should continue with Bandit(B3) or change.

@ lovetokite - there is a bow kite version from "Core" called the Riot and a "Delta type" kite called the Riot XR (two different kites altogether)
If you are looking for smooth power (eg. for wakestyle)= look to the Riot (bow)
If you are looking for punchy/grunty power = look to the Combat GT
The Core Riot XR seems like a smoother version of the Combat GT that has a higher top end with less bar pressure.
Personally I like the explosive power that the Core Deltas give, and would say that the Riot XR would be more suited to the beginner/intermediate market than the Combat GT that is a less forgiving kite.
The Riot XR and Combat GT are both fast and responsive kites with about the same relaunch capabilities.
Try the Riot XR first, and if that does n ot get the blood pumping faster, try the Combat GT.

Try the Bandit 3.

It is nothing like the bandit or doss. verry smooth good range flys further forward in the window giving it a less grunty feel while ridding but its still there when you need it just drift the kite back a little. It cuts through the gusts efortlessly and i would say that even a beginer this year could taim a bandit 3 easily, even though it is a fairly high performance kite they are verry user friendly and the relaunch is verry easy. Even when yo flag the kite out it only takes a few short moments to get it back up in the air as it puts its self in the relaunch position even when flaged out for a a while just pull in 2m of line hook in let the safety line out and she is up no real need to run a sui leash, or if you are really down and out it will normally drop down wind with the le facing you untill you pull a line to spin it around.

If you are concidering a delta kite go for the original as they are so much more a refined kite unlike a lot of the first and second generation kites the B 3 does it all and you will feel in controll the whole time. but if you like the grunty feel go for the Dos or the Core GT. Both are great kites.

The GT is similar to the DOS, except it has a more refined bridle (basically a Cab Switchblade bridle setup on a delta kite). So you basically get a nice powerful kite that regulates itself well with the wind making it nice and stable. Best kite for loading up, looping and boosting that I have ridden so far. So from what you say, this may not be the kite for you. Though it does bring you down super soft from big jumps. Doesn't have the DOS 'punch' but builds fast. Big range, lots of low end power.

The XR has more of its weight directed to the front lines making it lighter on the bar, sits further forward in the window, top end orientated and smooth. Has a few tuning options on the kite. Trades some power for comfort.

Bandit 3. Definately different to the other bandits, but still a really nice kite. Tamed down quite a lot from the DOS. The kite generates power, rather than delivering it instantly like before. Bar pressure and turning speed is where you want it. Try a few different sizes as they all seem to have their unique feel. Big range, huge top end.

So it sounds like the XR or B3 are what you want to be on. Time to jump on some demos!!!

Many thanks guys for your input. I think the XR sounds most suitable. Yep gonna have to demo one and see how it feels.

Can anyone confirm the wind range from the site? Are you guys getting going in the WR stated or should one be more conservative? I was thinking of a 7m and 11m to cover 10-35kts WR but I have flown other brands 11m in the past and usually it keeps me upwind as from 13-14kts.

Any comment would be gold.

Cheers and happy winds,

L2K

I have now had a good go on the 7,9 and 10.5 GT's

In summary the 9m was the stand out with such a low bottom end but still all the speed that you want in a 9m. Normally I hate it when people say they get upwind in 12 knots, but I was able to do it consistently with the 9m on a Force Industries Lost Cause TT board. Plenty of people who have seen me riding the 9m in almost nothing.

The 7m is nice and fast and heads up wind really well. Still pretty grunty for a 7m but not as amazingly grunty as the 9m. Both the 7 and 9 were really nice and stable unhooked kites. 7m seems nice in the 17- 23 knot area.

The 10.5 feels like quite a bit bigger kite than the 9m (got to hold the bar a bit longer for loops etc). Gets going in maybe 1-2 knots less than the 9m. Amazing boosting power in very little wind. If you are a hooked in jump around rider then this is for you.


Unfortunately I sold the 9m to get the 7 and a 10.5. However, I think my style of riding is better suited to the 9m than the 10.5. If anyone wants a practically new 10.5 GT drop me an email and make me an offer.