just about to buy a couple of Neo,s, new to North kites and was wondering about sizes. Ride a 5'6" and weigh in at 90 kg. Kite North Beach mostly. Thinking 10 and either 7 or 8, thoughts ?

Oh oh and if anyone is selling any secondhand drop me a pm

Phil

demo before buying. the 12 meter is slow to turn but the turning of the kites gets better with the smaller kite size. i have 12, 9 , 7 and 5 2015 neo. i am 80 kilos. I always demoing kites (very import for the kite shops to get new customer is having demo days). The NEO has a good low end power. The drift is amazing. Also I like the RRD but they are to expensive . I have own or have demo REO , BWS, Slash, Park, Ride, lithium, DNA, NRG, Bandit, RPM, Rally, Envy, Solo, Drifter, Waves from slingshot and WOW (impessed with the low end but the lines got jam at self launching and it loop) All these kites are good but when I DEMO the NEO I returned to the shop an purchased on the same day.
I just purchased a SSD Waves because I got it for a great price and I like it but not as much a the NEO because of the low end power. If they are as good a many people write about it then I will slowing build the quiver of wave kites but I need to fly them for many weeks before I switch. cheers

I have a 10 and 7 Neo in 2015 model. I'm 83kg... I'm finding the 7 too powerful on a surfboard a lot of the time and reckon I will go to a 6 for my high wind kite next time. I think the small sizes in the Neo are very powerful for the size compared to other kites but as you move up to a 10 the difference is not that marked. The 7 is good from about 22 to 30 knots.. After 30 I'm hanging on.. The 2016 probably had slightly better wind range but they are not a lot different. The 10 will get you going at 15knots.

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pintofpale said...
I think the small sizes in the Neo are very powerful for the size compared to other kites but as you move up to a 10 the difference is not that marked. The 7 is good from about 22 to 30 knots.. After 30 I'm hanging on.. The 2016 probably had slightly better wind range but they are not a lot different.

+1 for above
I'm 83kg and have 11,9, 7 (9 is 2016 and others are 2015.) If if had the chance to buy a quiver again (these 3 kites were bought over 2 years during shop sales) I'd probably just get 11, 8, 6 or just a 9 and 6. I can get the 7 going comfortably upwind (on a normal surfboard, lighter winds than that on the nugget) in 21-22 knots. I'm not a major fan of the 11 but that might not be the kites problem rather the lack of wind, general kite size etc.

I'd second 9 / 6 for 2 kite quiver. I have the Naish slash (which are pretty similar even slightly less low end) and I'm 95 kg and I have 9/7/5m with my 9m being good from 14-20knots the 7m 18-25 and the 5m from 25 knots. the 2m size difference gives a really comfortable overlap between kite sizes but I reckon three metre difference would be just fine as these new kites seem to have such a large comfortable range

I have 2017 6,8,10 neos. I find the 10 a bit too slow for down wind wave riding. Next yeat i think ill go 5,7,9. Im 83k on a 5,11 wam and a nugget.

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Dave Whettingsteel said..
I have 2017 6,8,10 neos. I find the 10 a bit too slow for down wind wave riding. Next yeat i think ill go 5,7,9. Im 83k on a 5,11 wam and a nugget.

Do you think its a matter of perspective Dave , or the 10 is exponentially slow compared to the rest of the quiver ?

I am happy as a pig if I am on my 12 !

Here ( **** wind capital of the world ... waiting on the first monsoon ) but also had some some great light wind , down the line sessions with it + nugget in southern SA . Also on the Zephyr too !

It feels heaps slower, particularly if you are doing follow the kite style wave riding. But I dont use it very often, and then probably when it is marginal as well. So I acccept that there is a fair bit of my lack of experience with it, and not using in the appropiate conditions too.

Nice you like the 12! How do you go riding that downwind?

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Dave Whettingsteel said..
It feels heaps slower, particularly if you are doing follow the kite style wave riding. But I dont use it very often, and then probably when it is marginal as well. So I acccept that there is a fair bit of my lack of experience with it, and not using in the appropiate conditions too.

Nice you like the 12! How do you go riding that downwind?

Yep know what you mean Dave ... but that is our reality in Darwin .
we think a tiny kite is a 9
I pumped up a new 7 neo ( for use down south ) and everyone gathered around and marvelled that it is might actually fly ! Haha. That's what I meant re perspective .

We also have fatter , slower waves , so in down the line the speed of the kite will be more critical for you. We don't have to charge it , so I guess that means we probably have developed a style which different to yours.

Its always better on a smaller kite , but given light wind conditions , a few waves and the right board combo I can have fun going down the line on bigger kites . Some of my most fun sessions have been down the line 12 and nugget , here or Bali or southern SA
Even the Zephyr. It drifts great for a big kite.

I am not a high end slasher , but a more gentlemanly cruiser in waves. I prefer to ride the wave and not be too powered up on the kite , so maybe that approach suits bigger kites more - I don't know ...
Cant be bothered working the kite heaps. Too lazy

If the kite needs more air flow then I tend to send it gently up or down well ahead of the board turns or loop it when short on airflow or needing to change the position of the kite in window .
Also changing direction on the wave helps in keeping the kite moving , we can often go both ways on one wave depending on how it forms.
For us , big movements of the kite to generate powerful moves tends to be often counterproductive , gentle moves tend to wrk better.

Developing these skills has made a huge difference to my wave riding In certain conditions.
Puetz - who is a big guy - has developed his light wind wave kiting ( on a 19 m edge ) into an artform which is great to watch.
Southern kites might say , " whats the point? "
Its just our reality and we have fun with it.

Have a great summer. We are still hanging out for the first monsoon......

I have the 10,8 and 6. I'm 80kg and ride a strapped 6'1 North Pro Wave mostly. The 6 is quite powerful, which I like. If you can get 2 sets of lines 24 for the lighter days, and 20m will help you tame the 6 on the stronger days. In perth I reckon the 7 m will be Too big as your smallest kite.

Considering the Neo is a grunty kite I reckon a 6 & 9 two kite quiver would work well for you.

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Rossall said..
just about to buy a couple of Neo,s, new to North kites and was wondering about sizes. Ride a 5'6" and weigh in at 90 kg. Kite North Beach mostly. Thinking 10 and either 7 or 8, thoughts ?

Oh oh and if anyone is selling any secondhand drop me a pm

Phil

hey phil

I'm 90kgs and 5'6-5'10 surfboards
been using 9/6 neos for around 3 years now.
all the comments are pretty spot on above. I would not call neo's overly grunty though, they are just pretty efficient and fly easily/well. nothing like the true "grunty" kites I have used in past. not even close to rebel territory either

mostly hold ground/upwinders on my own or find a bank somewhere, so my 2 cents:
- if you go 9/6 expect to need another kite if you want to kite sub-15, and when it is marginal 12-15kn. that's my experience. 9m is pretty handy at our weight and with suitable board choice from 15kn to 25 and then need to tap out for the 6. use it 70% of time.
- 6m is great for solid 25 and 25+, but will still be over powered in 30+ nuking territory on surfboard. can still hold it, but is outside the fun range (but you do what you have to do. a buddy of mine has a 4m for 30+)

also have a 12m dice for occasional light wind and twin tip flatwater sessions, but usually rather paddle surf if there is swell in sub 15kn.. used a neo 10m in 15kn down south 2 weeks ago, and not sure it would cut the mustard in 12-15 still if holey winds, so maybe consider 6/9/11 or 6/9/12 if you go for 3 kites... or 5/7/9 and learn to foil

enjoy

Hi Rossall,

The Neo's are pretty punchy in their low end and although you can hold on to them in high winds, it's preferable to go smaller and fly them in their mid wind range.

I can stay upwind on a Nuggett with the 7m Neo in a bit over 15 knots. On a normal surf board I stay upwind easily on the 7m in 20 knots and I am 95 kg.

It's all fine and nice buying a kite for the 30 knot wind range, but realistically you don't get a lot of this strength wind unless you live somewhere like Gero. I'd select your kites to cover a wind range of 18-26 knots. It is more cost effective to buy a Nugget to get the 14-15knot bottom end range and use a bar with short lines (22m) for days when it is above 26 knots.

I'd suggest a 9m and 6m Neo will easily fulfil this wind range and with the inclusion of the 22m line set and a Nugget you can do 14 knots to 30 knots comfortably without going to the expense of a three kite quiver, besides the Nugget changes it up a bit and keeps it interesting in lighter winds and mushier waves.

There are a few guys and small women who tend to ride the 4's and 5's, but they tend to be much lighter riders or riders who ride regularly in consistently high wind locations.

Of course you are welcome to come in and demo our Neo's. We have 9m and 7m in demo.

Cheers,

DM

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eddiemorgs said..

Dave Whettingsteel said..
It feels heaps slower, particularly if you are doing follow the kite style wave riding. But I dont use it very often, and then probably when it is marginal as well. So I acccept that there is a fair bit of my lack of experience with it, and not using in the appropiate conditions too.

Nice you like the 12! How do you go riding that downwind?

Yep know what you mean Dave ... but that is our reality in Darwin .
we think a tiny kite is a 9
I pumped up a new 7 neo ( for use down south ) and everyone gathered around and marvelled that it is might actually fly ! Haha. That's what I meant re perspective .

We also have fatter , slower waves , so in down the line the speed of the kite will be more critical for you. We don't have to charge it , so I guess that means we probably have developed a style which different to yours.

Its always better on a smaller kite , but given light wind conditions , a few waves and the right board combo I can have fun going down the line on bigger kites . Some of my most fun sessions have been down the line 12 and nugget , here or Bali or southern SA
Even the Zephyr. It drifts great for a big kite.

I am not a high end slasher , but a more gentlemanly cruiser in waves. I prefer to ride the wave and not be too powered up on the kite , so maybe that approach suits bigger kites more - I don't know ...
Cant be bothered working the kite heaps. Too lazy

If the kite needs more air flow then I tend to send it gently up or down well ahead of the board turns or loop it when short on airflow or needing to change the position of the kite in window .
Also changing direction on the wave helps in keeping the kite moving , we can often go both ways on one wave depending on how it forms.
For us , big movements of the kite to generate powerful moves tends to be often counterproductive , gentle moves tend to wrk better.

Developing these skills has made a huge difference to my wave riding In certain conditions.
Puetz - who is a big guy - has developed his light wind wave kiting ( on a 19 m edge ) into an artform which is great to watch.
Southern kites might say , " whats the point? "
Its just our reality and we have fun with it.

Have a great summer. We are still hanging out for the first monsoon......

Thanks for that Eddy, I think you are right it is a mindset thing. Because we have plenty of wind the wave riding here tends to be more mx style flying around looking for something to bash or bump and the bigger kites dont really lend themselves to snappy turns, or if they do this riders brain doesnt!

Will try a bit of that "gentlemanly cruiser" (haha) mindset next time I'm riding on the 10 in lighter conditions. Instead of swearing at the f**** kite!

i got 2016's
surf boards only
80ish kg
9 7 5m
usually on 19m lines for surf/downwinders
everything above true
5m only used when in greenhead or north, i love small zippy kites,and this is my favourite

9 for 20ish, 7 for windier metro days
nothing bad to say,

but most kites pretty good these days compared to the a few of yesteryear
some had a wind range of 5kn e.g the naish something or other i had many moons ago
or the wipika hydro that would fly through the wind window on a gust, luff and fall just out of the sky, got good at relaunching

10m & 7m

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stefarius said..
10m & 7m

Same here, haven't used the 7 yet (east coast )

is anyone running a 6/8 combo ?

Yeah 6,8,10 2017 neos i have. Works well. Am quite enjoying the 10 now having take. Eddies advice to adopt a more gentlemanly approach to riding a wave with the 10 haha.
It also boosts nicely.