Anyone tried or heard of modifications that can be done to the Airush 07 Flows to reduce the bar pressure? I love the way the kites perform and dont mind the pressure but could probably do with a bit less of a work out if there is an option.

hey rocket if u love how the kite performs but u want less bar pressure u should try the 08 it is such a mint kite!!!

yeah, I have modified the bridle on my DNA's to reduce bar pressure.
It loses a bit of bottom end but makes the bar lighter and the kite turn faster.
basically you remove the line and the pully that connects the back lines to the front lines and replace it with a line that attaches from the leading edge to the front line and then leave the back lines as they are.

Thanks bellz I have heard the 08 flow is great but I am trying to get out of paying the upgrade.

au_rick: cheers mate I will try it today. Got 24-27 knots at Augusta, should provide a decent test.

Hey Rocket,
Did you try the modification? And if so, how did you go?

Hey Rocket - be careful mate - I rode Ricks DNA 12 with the mods and it worked a treat - did the same to my flow and it had the reverse effect on my 7m 07 Flow - make the mod and try in on land wiht mates close by for support (physical and weight) - my 7 felt like my 12 and I thought I was headed for space.

Cant understand why it was so extreme the difference - yeah the bar felt better for the moment I held onto it!

Hey Guys

I did the mods on my 07 Flow 10m and it worked really well. As said, lost a little on the light wind power (when it was 16k) but I’m not interested in light wind anyway. I didn’t remove the pulley just disconnected the back (black) bridle line and reconnected it to the front line, instead of replacing it. This works out to the right length and is very easy. So you end up with what was the back (black) bridle line going to the back pulley and back to itself and the front (red) line . Will mod my 7m 2day and let you know how it goes.

Rod

Thanks for the feedback rocket !
I initially did what you did, ie. just leave the pulley there and reattach the existing bridles line to the front lines.
I think this actually leaves that line a little shorter and I believe that the shorter that line is, the less bottom end you will lose.

cheers,...
Rick.

Matt h here from Auswind

Personally i was a big fan of the pressure and awesome turnability from the 2007 Flows - it gave the ability to really whang and pivot the 12 , 10 and 7 around - great for transitions and dynamic , chase the kite style wave riding. This is Especially important in the bottom 50% of your kites wind range!

I understand that some crew may choose to reduce bar pressure -especially park and ride style flyers- but keep in mind it may actually de tune the flying experience for dynamic riders that like the feel of a super turny kite.

i guess i am saying you should match the kite set up to your style.

Matt - I hear what you are saying as the proposed mods will likely slow the kite in the turns and suck some power out, and I reckon you are spot on. I decided to put up with the bar pressure a while back, especially after Lance recommended tying myself to the car before testing the mods. Besides, my wife likes my new bowling pin shaped forearms... and I can crack walnuts with my back

But I won't be bagging the 07 Flow as I want to sell mine, (it is being replaced by the godly Vapor) and it is a great kite, but the 08 Flow would be a very, very nice kite if they have fixed the pressure as everyone says.

But the 07 is very good too.....anyone want to buy a 12?

Paradox and Matt

My experience was less bar pressure and faster turning after the mods to the 07 Flow 10m. Coincidently I got to try a 08 Flow 10m on the same day. The 08 Flow is visibly different in shape and has far less bar pressure than the 07 (unmodified). Ironically the 08 Flow performed remarkably like my modified 07 Flow but still had less bar pressure (great kite). I tried a Vapor and the lack of bar pressure weirded me out, but that’s more from being used to the bar pressure of the 07 Flow.
Matt: Like you say match the kite to your style. After trying a Vapor I realise I am a fan of a certain amount of pressure and the sense of exactly where the kite is because of it. And I am definitely not bagging the 07 Flows. I have 3 of them and I am wrapped to be able to increase their turn speed and reduce their bar pressure and keep a great kite. I would suggest the mod options increases its re-sale-ability.

Rod

OK Rocket, you have sold me.

I will try the mod to see what it does. It is pretty easily reversed for light wind too I guess.

You should note that the Vapor is pretty adjustable though the 5th line and you can increase the bar pressure on it by tensioning the 5th line. There is a bit of a discussion on it here:

http://www.airush.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5
2007.airush.com/forum/airush/read.asp?ID=5871&t=11%2F25%2F2007+8%3A45%3A47+PM

Have to say once you are dialled into the vapor the bar pressure is just perfect, I have modded the 5th line length to get more bottom end on my 14 but my 10 is just awesome and I never have a problem knowing where the kite is - was out on the butter smooth estuary today and can remember only looking at the kite a few times to see where it is. To that point after the first week or two of learning to fly a kite I reckon the Vapor would be a better begginers option than a DNA or Flow - launches off the water even so much quicker than the other 2 kites.

Did the mods on the 07 Flow 7m and used it at 26 to 32 k Augusta. Rocked.