Hey guys, can any of you give me some feedback on a suitable kite at 75 to 80 kgin the airush range for 25 to 35 ( don't kite above this, so I call it high wind for me ).

Could I have sizes, types and the reason, hopefully based on experience.

Been kiting for 12 years so have decent kite control.

Hey man. We kite a lot in that wind range up here. My brother is in your weight range. Rides a 6'1 converse strapped and uses an 8m varial x. Loves the kite, it's a significant improvement over 8m 2010 varial he rode last 2 seasons. He describes it as always being where he wants it. He doesn't think about flying it. Just shreds waves. gets going in a touch under 20 it's frun from low 20's till around 30 knots on a surf board. really he could drop down to a 6m at 25 knots.

I am 100 kgs and ride. 6'4 converse I use an 8m lithium 2012 this season. I prefer the kites that sit back in the window. Being heavier I like the extra static pull the lithium can provide. I also ride on 20 m lines.

Hope that helps a bit. But don't know if you are into surf or twin tip and what your other kite(s) are or their sizes to suggest what would better fit your quiver.

hey eppo, i have ridden the 8m varial x aswell, but i would personally choose the 7m razor over the varial x, the razor is in a different league and is awesome when fully lit, though there is a big difference in size between the 8m varial x and the 7m razor, we have a team rider (50kg grom) who uses the 8m varial x as his light wind kite (13-20knots), and the 7m razor as a high wind kite (20knots+). The 7m razor has similar power to the 6m varial x, but better low end IMO. The razor is a full C kite with 5th line, so if your not into C kites the varial x would be more suited. Try demo both and see what you like, though i wouldn't be disappointed with either one. PM me for any more info...

Hey finnally cheers fellas.

It will be between the lithium or the VX, although I do need to bridge a gap between say 23 to 27, when deciding between my 10vx and the 6m kite. Man if they made a 7m I'd be set.

Yeh rode the VX today ( been riding for 12 years), so thought Id quickly share one attribute. When crew say they don't need to think about it I feel what they are saying is you have full control of where this kite sits in the window. This blew me away. Riding on a sector 54 in 11 to 13 knots ( first time on kite and first time on a race board took me 20 min to dial in ) on the estuary as well, so heaps of dead spots. I found that using the interplay of the board and kite, you could drive this kite where you needed to in the window to either gain speed and or point. Man does this thing back stall? Not a trace, even fully powered up and bar pulled right in. It just sits a little further back and gives you that extra grunt, although I wouldn't call it that, very smooth. Get power, edge board, let it out a little and she shoots forward and upwind.

I was expecting this kite to race forward all the time. No in an experienced hands this kite is truly a master piece. But early days really.

Razor is not an option, I'm over fifth line kites for now, but I can see the razor would bridge that gap better so it was a good suggestion.

Lithium or VX it will be, just need to get my ducks in a row and sort my head through it. In bigger winds not sure I'd want to be considering where to position the kite, just wanna ride in the winter, summer surf.


Mmm any ideas on what I said?

Again Ta for the input guys.

Eppo

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JayP said...

Hey man. We kite a lot in that wind range up here. My brother is in your weight range. Rides a 6'1 converse strapped and uses an 8m varial x. Loves the kite, it's a significant improvement over 8m 2010 varial he rode last 2 seasons. He describes it as always being where he wants it. He doesn't think about flying it. Just shreds waves. gets going in a touch under 20 it's frun from low 20's till around 30 knots on a surf board. really he could drop down to a 6m at 25 knots.

I am 100 kgs and ride. 6'4 converse I use an 8m lithium 2012 this season. I prefer the kites that sit back in the window. Being heavier I like the extra static pull the lithium can provide. I also ride on 20 m lines.

Hope that helps a bit. But don't know if you are into surf or twin tip and what your other kite(s) are or their sizes to suggest what would better fit your quiver.

Yen ride a cardboard mutant and now a sector 54, but wouldn't be taking that out over 25 knots, then again the way it was carving I reckon I could surf that mother okay. Considering putting some s aller surf fins in it actually. Ever ridden with race fins? Weird man, takes a while to lern how to break the fins on a jibe, looked look a newby at the start. And that's only on raked fins, how the hell do they do it and proper racing fins? Sweet vehicle man.

hey eppo you need to have a chat with your local airush dealer and ask em about 2013 sizing on the VX, you will be pleasantly surprised.

if you can wait till 2013 arrives that will be the way to go. i agree the 10/8 combo is a little close and the 10/6 is to much of a gap. If you can't wait, i would suggest the 6m lithium. thats the kite i use when the conditions are good for strapless riding. for a 6m it has plenty of pull and does not get knocked around to much if its gusty.

i have a sector 54 as well (the 1.5 version. its has a 18/15 cm fin size combo). love it, but now have the new V3 on pre order. i think the extra options with fins will take an already extremely versatile board to a whole new level especially in manoeuvrability with the raked back thruster fin option. I have taken my 54 out when lit on my 8m. its heaps of fun, especially in open ocean with big rolling swell. i did get into the surf with it as well but it was hard work slowing down enough to stay on the face.

Yeh JP I don't really get excited About gear too much, but I have to say when I opened this baby up I was stoked. Beautiful board, great lines. Yeh eventually I understood the carver fins and the turns can be very tight. Man I honestly think this thing would work on some large surfboard fins in the surf, not slash and burn stuff, but close.

Eppo - I am 70kg, ride a 130x40 TT and own a 10m Airush Lithium 2011. As a general rule I am up and riding when the wind touches 16knots, 16-20ish being the sweetspot before any trimming is required. Based on my experience with the Lithium I am looking to add either a 6 or 8m Lithium or Varial x. I am leaning towards the 8m to cover the 22-28 wind range on a TT. No experience on a surfboard with kite so cannot assist in that department although i am currently looking for something suitable for Perth conditions.

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eppo said...

Yeh JP I don't really get excited About gear too much, but I have to say when I opened this baby up I was stoked. Beautiful board, great lines. Yeh eventually I understood the carver fins and the turns can be very tight. Man I honestly think this thing would work on some large surfboard fins in the surf, not slash and burn stuff, but close.

Epp, Im worried about you. Yu are losing the plot man.

Wondering when you'd turn up mask.

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eppo said...

Hey guys, can any of you give me some feedback on a suitable kite at 75 to 80 kgin the airush range for 25 to 35 ( don't kite above this, so I call it high wind for me ).

Could I have sizes, types and the reason, hopefully based on experience.

Been kiting for 12 years so have decent kite control.

Hey Eppo, I dont get it.

Why the sudden shift in kites? (It seems all in one season)
Is it change to try new kites/styles or dont the North's do it anymore.
(I may have missed something in one of your other posts, if so I apologise.)

I cannot speak more highly of norths gear. And it's been two years actually. Outgrew the rebel and the Vegas, well I will never get the most out of it. Went for a kite with race qualities built into it and the ability to boost big. It is a technical kite but something after 12 years I can get my teeth into it. Also loops etc like the Vegas but I'm no freestyler too old too slow. Hence the race boost direction with some surfing for good measure.

put your north kites next to any brand like I did side by side. Nothing comes close to quality of construction. Nothing.

^^^^Except those awesome black and white kites!

Oh yes apart from them, sorry mask what was I thinking.