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Best all around kites

Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 6:31 pm
by darippah
Looking for something that does it all. Boost/airstyle, waves, unhooked loops, for intermediate rider. Looking for the 11m range- used for a few years, and preferably compatible with best 55cm bar . I know there are many opinions and i know ill have to sacrifice from each to get a little bit of all. Maybe im asking for the inpossible ? :)

Re: Best all around kites

Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 6:53 pm
by MACTNKA
Your requirements perfectly describe the Core GTS2. Whether or not it will work with a best bar I dont't know. What I do know is that I love my 11mXR2 for all of the above including light wind. Testing the low end I got down to 12mph and i was still able to go upwind, do small jumps and have fun on a twintip(I weigh 175 ponds). The kite is a great booster, loops easy, very responsive and predictable. Now the GTS2 is all of that but supercharged. I couldn't recommend it enough! If i were I would call and ask 321 if they are compatible with your bar and see if you can test it. Good luck.

Re: Best all around kites

Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 10:47 pm
by KiteCulture
You're going to get a lot of feedback. This as everyone will say their kite is the best...like me. The 11 Renegade is awesome. Lots of low end grunt, very stable, forgiving for newer riders, loves waves and wake style. Fast through the turns, near auto relaunch. You won't have to sacrifice anything. The renegade does to all... And does it all really really well. Bar pressure is there but not heavy. A very predictable kite that grows with you.

Re: Best all around kites

Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 11:24 pm
by Starsky
Any of the current three strut designs

Re: Best all around kites

Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 2:48 am
by NYKiter
wow...an intermediate rider who limits themselves with a 55cm bar...that sure does narrow down your choices.... :o

Re: Best all around kites

Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 3:26 am
by darippah
Nykiter- whats wrong with a 55cm bar? I have a smaller bar for my 8m kite (old SS bar with pull to release) but i have no issue using 55cm on previous 11-12m kites

Re: Best all around kites

Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 3:29 am
by edt
darippah wrote:Nykiter- whats wrong with a 55cm bar? I have a smaller bar for my 8m kite (old SS bar with pull to release) but i have no issue using 55cm on previous 11-12m kites
I believe it's sarcasm. There are dozens of kites darippah, and no way to tell what you really want.

It would help immensely if you described your previous kite brand size year and why you didn't like it. I assume you didn't like it otherwise you would just get another of the same.

Re: Best all around kites

Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 3:35 am
by Kite2Heaven
Like KiteCulture said - i just demo'd the 4g 11m Epic Renegade from East Coast kiteboarding Oz.
its just one Fun kite to ride that does it all, with a freestyle and wave bridal setting.
I normally like a more technical style of riding but the 11 lets you get away with most of your mistakes and very easy light wind relaunch - seems like a much bigger windrange this year too. Allways guranteed a good time on that kite...

Re: Best all around kites

Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 3:53 am
by darippah
Good point edt :) my first kite was a 11.5 kahoona 2010- loved it . Great range , great lift but the bar pressure had me done after an hour or 2 .I know the current kahoonas have much less bar pressire But at the point i sold it about 18 months ago i was at a much lower level so im not sure id still like it and i hear the current kahoona has changed alot.

Next up was a 12m rpm - the boosting didnt seem right to me and it tended to backstall-since it was used i dumped it on ebay after a few sessions .

Then i had a 12m taboo i believe it was a 2012 . This kite also just didnt seem right. Low end was really bad and didnt have any grunt- felt like a 10 with the top end of a 12.

I rode a 12m psycho 4 for a few months- this kite was excellent but the few sketchy situations i ran into scared me away from foils- not dangerous sketchy, just a few major bridle untangles...

I guess TMI is better than "too little info" thanks in advance for the help :)

Re: Best all around kites

Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 3:53 am
by darippah
Good point edt :) my first kite was a 11.5 kahoona 2010- loved it . Great range , great lift but the bar pressure had me done after an hour or 2 .I know the current kahoonas have much less bar pressire But at the point i sold it about 18 months ago i was at a much lower level so im not sure id still like it and i hear the current kahoona has changed alot.

Next up was a 12m rpm - the boosting didnt seem right to me and it tended to backstall-since it was used i dumped it on ebay after a few sessions .

Then i had a 12m taboo i believe it was a 2012 . This kite also just didnt seem right. Low end was really bad and didnt have any grunt- felt like a 10 with the top end of a 12.

I rode a 12m psycho 4 for a few months- this kite was excellent but the few sketchy situations i ran into scared me away from foils- not dangerous sketchy, just a few major bridle untangles...

I guess TMI is better than "too little info" thanks in advance for the help :)