New Kite recommendations?

[yojimbo]

My 8m is an RRD Hir, with a zipper on the main strut. When it goes above 30mph, I undue the zipper and it is just like having a much smaller kite.

[Sonny]

Too many kite pimps trying to make money off of beginner. ](*,)

[Jeff Ruoss]

G-man,

Kite Wind Surf has 2008 12 meter kites from $799 and up. We also have some of our DEMO kites for sale. Just to add one more option we have 2009 DEMO kites as well. I recommend an 08 kite though for a beginner to save some $$ in these tough times ahead.

[KillaHz]

Too many kite pimps trying to make money off of beginner. ](*,)

More just joking around as this thread got way too teched out for such a simple question...

my real response would be a 9m kite with a bigger board works in most conditions around here.

[elli]

If the goal is to confuse you I think I have something to contribute.

If you are going to be in third av most of the time, go with Sonny's recommendation. Something between 10-12 will do the job.

If you are going to be in alameda, lean more toward the 12.

Yuri is amazing to watch on his rebel 10. Total trick show. But he is also an advanced rider, so he can get a way on the high end and low end of his kite and also has custom boards to extend his range. I personally do not like 5 lines so the rebel is off the list for me.

Here is a hidden Gem for you:

Flexifoil ION2. This brand is not popular here, so you will see very few of them. I think you may be able to demo it if you contact Slavek.

Flexi has top construction, IMO with slingshot they are at the top in construction. The ion is a great kite. Good range, good upwind, jump good, relaunch is super easy (this it probably true for most kites today). No bad behaviors of any sort.

You can fly it 4 lines with bridle to get SLE wind range or 5 lines without bridle for more hard core freestyle and 5th line safety (if you think a 5th line is actually safer). Many other tuning options in the kite to suite your style and tune the wind range.

The bar on those kites is super nice, light simple and the best release, similar to the cabrinha release.

Since they are not so popular you can get killer deals on new kites. ION2 may be the one of the cheapest kite you can get new today and there are some still in the shops I heard. Such a bargain for what you get. Flexi has been building power kites for over 30 years and has 5 consecutive world championships. Not that it makes any difference for a beginner, but at least you know it’s not a company that was born yesterday.

Support is basically from the shop that sold it to you, no hotline like slingshot.

[glenn]

my real response would be a 9m kite with a bigger board works in most conditions around here.

sounds like a good idea, but are you sure a 9M will work at 3rd Ave this weekend?
:) (JOKE) :)

[reyrivera]

I do like the new design on the Eclipse bar where you can change bar lengths by moving the steering lines around. Hey Gabe, how easy was it to shorten or lengthen the bar length?