Tips for buying used kite gear?

[jhz]

I am new to kiting and am currently shopping for gear.
I can buy a new slingshot turbo 2009 package (7m kite, bar, pump, board, harness) for about 1100$.
I am very excited about the sport, but want to test it properly before laying in big investment dollars- so I am leaning towards buying used gear for now.
I found a few good tips on what to look out for on http://www.usedkiteboarding.com. Any other advice would be well appreciated!
(for example - what year should be a cut off time for major changes or styles? what gear caters particularly well for beginners - or gear that is too advanced and should be avoided? is a twin tip squarish board more ideal than a forked shaped board? are certain pump systems easier to work with? etc)
Also any advice on asking the right questions ahead of time to the seller and further inspecting gear- such as inflating the bladder and pressing on it? soaping it?

Thanks again! :P

[thelaserman]

for starters how much do you weight and were are you planning to kite? a 7 is pretty small. Depending on where you ride. Most peoples first kite is around 12m.
you can get really good kites used, just insure you inspect them properly.
tiny rips and tears sub 2in can be fixed with repair tape.
but anything over that should be profesionaly repaired. and a large repaire even if done by a pro, would significanly lower the price of the kite.

when you inspect. pump the kite up, and let it sit for an hour if possible to see if it gets softer.

[S.I. Rider]

Hey JHZ,

I got a 12m in the $500 complete range. It's a nice kite in great shape. PM me for more info.

[eag]

JHZ

Some answers to your questions:

Unless you weigh 100lbs a 7m is too small. You'll likely be learning at Alameda or 3rd and you'll need a bigger kite. If you're smaller (140-160) then a 7m would be a good part of a 7m + 10m quiver.

Likewise board size will be determined by weight too. You want a softer twin tip that is in the 135-140 range. Avoid board that are the highest end freestyle/wakestyle, they tend to be too stiff for a beginner. You want something more all around. boards are easy to buy used because they are pretty tough and the condition matters less.

By "forked" board I guess you mean some of the shapes from the early days of kiting - don't get one.

Gear loses value really fast, so you should be able to get good stuff that is less than 2 years old. 2008 and 2009 gear is mostly good, go older and you get some junk mixed in. In fact I wouldn't buy anything older than 2008.

Check used kites for tears, abrasions and general wear. Look at the bridle lines for fraying and pump the kites to ensure that they hold air.

And BTW.......I have a 2009 10m complete and a 135x41 twin for sale :mrgreen:

Good luck