hi

now lets clear the decks .i am a GK dealer and distributor .i also deal and distribute PLK and deal LF and anything else that people want.
So .....i mainly ride PLK venoms but have riden most kites out there since 96

i have now had 4 sessions
1 Gusty as on flat chp
2 smooth light flat
3 light waves fully on shore
4 moderat cross shore on and off

I've had a few guys ask me "so whats it like " I asked "whats my opinion"?or 'whats it like "? I'll try to be as clear as possible

Sterring and response fast
Feel ,light
stability good
relaunch excellent
gust reponse excellent
Range for me 97 kg
14-30 kts maybe more at the top but I'm not putting it up in those winds

blah blah blah

Ok now one thing i have noticed is that in light wind feedback to stall is difficult to read .A couple of guys stalled it backwards severely and had no idea how to recover.i am experienced in this dept.If they stall push out and if it reverses backwards grab the front line and it waill come out and recover .So in light winds set the trim so it won't satll.in other words most riders will find that the light wind riding is a challenge.(i have suggested mat puts a rear attach point closer to the LE)If you have low kite or board speed do not pull the bar in ,you must fly the bar further out.
Now if you get it right and have a good planing board you will really reap the benefits of a fast turning responsive kite.
higher winds the kite is sweet as .
Bottom line if you expect it to excell at the bottom end forget it unless you are prepared to be a great light wind pilot with these pups.
Power of the 11 is around a 13/14 m kite with top end of a 9

so who will like it.Beginners and ints maybe ,it is a kite flyers kite and the light bar pressure is tricky but if you get the trim right you will like it.Relaunch is good.
Cruisers and c loopers defineitely and this thing really floats along (dont pull the bar all the way in a light wind jump you will drop out of the sky)Unhhoked ,dunno I'll leave it to the experts but i'm sure with the correct trim fine ,plus i have read good stuff on forums of other reviewers.Waveriders will love it but i still have issues with kites that auto crash in the waves

I,m not abig fan of the bar set up.i flew todya on a std bar and like the stop and found that there was still plenty of depower plus the trim system was familiar and worked well .i put the leash straight to the trim strap .

like anything give it a cupla hours to really dial in befor e you pass judgement

cheers

lach

nice honest review. Not hyped.

Sounds much like an arc. Likes to be ridden off the fronts and will fly faster off the fronts. I could see how tuning could be a problem for some people, I've noticed it with the crossbow it flys backwards aswell with too much rear line (as you would expect with reverse launching)

The windrange for you is that just riding or upwind. Im guessing you would need 15 to stay upwind?


How do you rate the range against say a venom 13m? bit less low end, but a little more top. Must be a little quicker aswell?

Hi Lach

Do you think the stall behaviour is worse than any other kite when over sheeted? Or is it just harder to feel a stall coming on because of the light bar pressure?

You said you are not a big fan of the bar setup. Anything in particular you don't like about it? Did you fiddle with the stopper ball thingy and the chicken loop trimming cleat?

Thanks

Greg

OK I'll try and answer both replies
I have now figured the stopper set up.there is a piece of pvc tube inside the main sheeting line that a plastic bead goes over at the desirable stop.If you are in big strife push out past this point(thanks for pointing this out Bob i was too stupid to figure it out)So i am a fan a gain and have adjusted our order accoringly.
The stall thing ,well any kite satlls as we all know but recognising it initially and getting your trim set up right is a bit tricky .Everyone who goes for their first ride boosts and pulls in on the bar and drops out of the sky.Soooo the key in jumping is keep the bar out and you will float forever (particularly if its a bit light, not aprob in the stronger stuff) and if kite or board speed are slow you need to turn with the bar out until you get going ala arc.

Chheerrrs

lach

Did i cover everything.?

OK .Just re checked no I didn't cover everything

I'd say the range compared to the 13 V is similar I'm 97 kg and reckon a nudge under 15 is OK but I reckon the 14 Sonic will be the all round kite for me.
Sonic A bit quicker in the turns and more responsive on and off so if your a real pro active kiter then the sonic is the go .For cruise mode the V is still smoother and a bit more stble but the Sonic is a damn stable kite
.Boy toughie i like em both .Initially stoked with the Sonic(still stoked )then rode the V 13 to compare in 15 - 28 kt crap conditions gusty on the harboeur V 13 really surprised me how well it performed(I usually ride 16 or 19)

Hope this helps

Cheers

lach

Lach

What can you say about the build quality of the Sonic? I'm considering getting an 11m but I'm waiting till I can get a demo near where I live. I've spoken to a couple of reps who have questioned the quality of construction. Seeing as how you've seen the kites and they haven't I'd like your opinion. Are they built to last?

Cheers

Hey Carbine,

Your question about build quality I had heard the same thing but when I saw the kite which is the same one from this post I found the build quality to be really good, and let me give my review for the sonic 11 , Im a 70kg rider flew the kite twice in diffrent conditions and places over 2 day had about a 45min session on each day that I demoed it and then I bought 1 before they have arrived.
regards
Mike

Hmmm ! Which reps questioned the build quality?Probably reps that have something to gain by putting down the opposition because they are worried and have probably never seen or flown one ,Theyre usually the real experts,not!!.Don't the bully boys realise that that old chestnut plays right against them .by the way bully boys your scare tactics aint working:-)Demo days are going well and sales are sound
Build is the same as GK since I have been doing them in Oz.I am not aware of any in those 3 years falling apart .A few bladdders have been replaced but thats about it

Hi lach
Any word on the 14m.
Being a heavy guy I'm real interested in this size.
What's your estimate on wind range for it.

Cheers
Pete

14 Will be available 3rd week of Oct .haven't flown one yet but I weigh 97 kg and reckon its will be 12 -25 kt range maybe a bit more at the top and bottom .We'll see .
Had one of the lads here today take the 11 for a spin and plonk it it the face of a 6 foot wave .jesus was i goin off .its heading to Vic for demos next week and most kites i've seen put in that situation come out the other side as rags .Pummelled and rolled all the way into shore multiple hits.no invert and looks as if it survived unscathed .Nice !!!

Regards
Lach

You got any idea when these will be retailing?

and is the bag the same dodgy one they had last year.

Where will they do the demo's in Vic and what dates?

cheers
Bowski

The kites arrive here in Oz next week barring any unforseen holdups like customs.The dealers might have them in Vic by next weekend .

who in WA stocks these kites ??

cheers

fulltilt and hold the line kites.

www.fulltilt.com.au/
www.kite.net.au

carbine, why would you randomly support people who are trying to exploit the sport for some $$$?
your quote!

neil its dave I popped in last thursday and left my number with you, can you let me know when it arrives.

Thanks.

Will do Dave.

By the way, that date should read Tuesday or Wednesday the 11th - 12th. Sorry for the confusion.

quote:

---

Originally posted by greenleader

carbine, why would you randomly support people who are trying to exploit the sport for some $$$?
your quote!

---

I answered a question, I didn't actually say I support these shops.

But I actually do in this case. Neil is a top bloke,I'm quite sure neil has been in the kite business for over a decade (it says 1989 on his site, thats quite a while!), and does it because he loves kites and kiting.

It's not a matter of me randomly supporting them, no random involved here.

Its not quite the same as posting some site that sells tshirts with a logo on them and saying buy this they are doing something for kiters.

carbine,
wondered when you would reply
just taking the piss outta one of your comments.
laugh!!!
i know some top blokes who make t shirts.
you know where

Select to expand quote

But I actually do in this case. Neil is a top bloke,I'm quite sure neil has been in the kite business for over a decade (it says 1989 on his site, thats quite a while!), and does it because he loves kites and kiting.

Agreed, Neil has been around in kites long before kitesurfing came about. Hopefully people will see that genuine kite shops are there because they are passionate about what they do and not for a quick $$$$$$$

Jason
BrisKites

hi,
new to the sport (2 lessons down, many more planned). I Live in South East QLD. I am on the search for good safe beginners gear (90kg rider). I like the discussion regarding the relaunch and safety features of the GK Sonic, but its 11 metres (previously been advised 13/14 metres for my weight). Have been advised by a retailer that it would suit a beginner to advanced of my weight, but could I get a second opinion from someone? Any advice would be appreciated.
Many thanks

2shots
Don't forget that the sonic is a flat kite so sizing is low for power.
A conservative estimate for power is to add 2m to the size, so it should have the power of around a 13m traditional kite.

Cheers
Pete

quote:

---

Originally posted by addiction

2shots
Don't forget that the sonic is a flat kite so sizing is low for power.
A conservative estimate for power is to add 2m to the size, so it should have the power of around a 13m traditional kite.

Cheers
Pete

---

Agreed, I was out on the 11m today 85kg 132cm board and going in around 11-12knt. I would say it has a bottom end of around a 14m-15m however the kite would prefer to be more powered up.
We have a demo 11m if you want to see one first hand.

Jason
BrisKites

Lachie,
If you are not busy, can you bring the GK and venom range up to Fingal or baggies for Me, Billy and the boys to test drive?

give us a ring anyway dude...

Bless Ya Champion
"Amid all these things I am more than a conquerer and gain a surpassing victory through Him [God] who loved me." Romans 8:37

Jesus Is Lord

full tilts demo kite looks pretty awesome on saturday... and at around 25% cheaper than the other brands for basically the same thing... I would think they will be selling like hotcakes!

c'mon Carbine lets see a non biased honest john review of your new toy..looks delicious