My Comments: I am very new to the sport. Looking to buy my first kite to learn with. Can someone please give opinions on the difference between 4 and 5 line set ups. Also opinions on whether one or the other is better for a learner, would be appreciated.
Cheers

4 line high depower bow kite with a simple and intuitive safety system.
Leave the 5-liners, c-kites and other high performance kites for when your a little more advanced. Not saying that you won't be capable of flying them but you'll progress much faster on a beginner friendly bow kite.

As a beginner the number of lines is not the issue. It is how easy the kites are to fly. Both camps have a verity of styles some will work for you some won't.
In general the 4 line SLE are more intuitive but don't rule out a 5 liner. Go test fly and buy the kite you found easiest

Thanks for advice guys it really helps alot!!!!!

was about to ask this question even though i kite myself using bows and one brand cuz i have no clue what a 5th line does..overheard it help relaunching easier. A friend of mine got crazy over kites when he saw 50 plus on the beach and couldn't stop thinking about it..one morning he goes walking up the kite shops and he was sold a crisp Naish Torch 18 5-liner for 120us$..funny though i didn't see any eject system and a donkey dick. Is this how it was made? i told him to put some eject system using others' just for safety..he still has to learn but has started flying it..Can anyone tell me how this Torch is and what are the safety systems?cheers all

one line ha ha