FS Sonic Race review anyone?

[alexrider]

If nobody volunteers, I'll have to do the hard work.
Cannot wait tomorrow to unpack my 15, hoping it's not going to nuke. So far, with the Sonic range, I went from amazed to ecstatic. I don't expect to be disappointed.
Regarding the Sonic 2, I'm not sure the pure performance has noticeably improved, but the handling unquestionably. It is so effing easy (disappointedly so for riders who believe they've got one of the most extreme kites available!), that IMO, it makes the Speed 5 redundant.
I've got already one question: the RACE comes with the race bar and much shorter than the ones I'm used to, I wondering about the advantages/drawbacks for a freerider.
Thank you Extreme Kites for the table I stole from your site.

[fernmanus]

Please let us know how it performs riding a twintip. I have been told that the kite was designed exclusively for hydrofoil racing.

[alexrider]

Will definitly try it with twintip and surfboard on the waves when the tide's too low for hydrofoil.
Doing pretty well in twintip races so far. For sure it'll be an even better hang time and airstyle machine than the earlier Sonics were
https://flysurfer.com/2017/07/flysurfer ... ips-2017/

Please let us know how it performs riding a twintip. I have been told that the kite was designed exclusively for hydrofoil racing.

[Kamikuza]

Apart from the bar pressure, I prefer the Sonic 1. Sonic 2 drifts better too...

[alexrider]

Yes Kami, in a way like the Pscho 1 (the bitchiest, but one of the best of FS's production) vs Psycho 2 and Speeds mellowed down models that followed. Will get my beloved Ps1 9 out some day (still impeccable) to compare with the most comparable today, the Speed5 9...
Sonic FR indeed feels more solid and direct than Sonic 2. Maybe due to heavier fabric. I would like to experiment with the bridle to modify the profile in order to make it more stable, as the UDS system, which did wonders with the Psycho 1 and Master, and whose principle was subsequently used by FS on virtually all the models that followed.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4447&sid=e97a475840 ... a3863833f3
I'm also anxious to know if the RACE's drift will be as good as Sonic 2. Being lighter, there's no reason it shouldn't.

Apart from the bar pressure, I prefer the Sonic 1. Sonic 2 drifts better too...

[fernmanus]

Psycho 1, an aptly named kite. One minute you are rocketing to the moon, the next you are watching it bow tie.

I liked the Sonic 1 in the 18m size, but found the instability of the kite in the smaller sizes to be tricky at times. The Sonic 2 is a tamed beast, still loads of fun, but less likely to bow tie or jelly fish. Just wish there was a 21m size.

[f2020]

Can't wait to read the review.

[foilonfoil]

Very very light bar pressure. Overall, nice. A complete waste of time and money for a twintip or surfboard.

[fernmanus]

Very very light bar pressure. Overall, nice. A complete waste of time and money for a twintip or surfboard.

Please explain why.

Thanks much!

[Kamikuza]

Very very light bar pressure. Overall, nice. A complete waste of time and money for a twintip or surfboard.

Please explain why.

Thanks much!

No grunt? Sonic 1 is more sheet n go than the 2 but for the TT it's less a light wind kite than just more power for given wind. If you have flat water and can keep your board speed up, you'll get more low end but bumping over chop sees me bogging. 1 is much easier to do loop tricks like front spin transition or down loops...I just couldn't get the timing on the 2 down.

And given how big it is, you don't gain a lot by trying to work it at the low end

I chased waves on the foil with the Sonic 2 and ear impressed with how well it floated downwind, but it would be hard work with a surfboard--would have to be constantly pulling leaders to rotate the kite fast enough and there's too much lift.

For the 18m...