My first LW session with the Flysurfer Speed 5 dlx+ 12

[haiku]

Hi. Here's a short video of my first session with the new Flysurfer Speed 5 dlx+ 12 in 9 to 13 Knots. For my weight (75 Kg.) I was well powered and I was able to stay easily upwind even with my twin tip (Radical 5 138). I've found the new SP5 a performing and easy kite to fly. In such low and gusty wind I had a lot of fun. I found It a very successfull mix between the Sonic 11 and the Speed 4 12 Lotus Edition . Here's some video clips of that session:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1js7mObjbrc

Cheers

Carlo

[sedluk]

That seems like a lot of flying around for a 12M kite with only 9-13 knots.

Feel free to share more details about how it handles differently than the Lotus fabric kite.

[Mane]

hi Carlo,

yes, would be also interested to know more about how it behaves....

[haiku]

HI. After that session I've checked the weather station of my home spot....the maximum gust registered was 13.2 Knots and along all that day the average wind speed was 11.6 Knots. That being said I also own the Sonic FR 11 and I recently switched from the FS Speed 4 12 Lotus to the new Speed 5 12. The SP5 12 feels more similar to the Sonic than to the previous SP4, It is way faster and rigid in the flight window which seems to me also wider. Lift and hang time are way better so the upwind performances. The bar pressure is lighter for this reason the kite seems less grunty but I could ride easily in 9 to 13 Knots with a medium size TT board. Overall at this moment I really love this new SP5 !

Cheers

Carlo

[Mane]

hi Carlo,

you are writing that it is way faster...does it mean it turns faster of flying faster?

cheers,

Otti

[haiku]

Hi. Indeed, in the flight window the new SP5 is way faster than the Sp4 Lotus. It is also more efficient to ride at high speed and upwind, in this regard part of the DNA of the Sonic is noticeable but mixed with the legendary easy handling of the Speed. In gusty conditions is very stable, two days ago I went out in side offshore conditions, I was stoked about Its stability. In the lulls I easily survived moving the kite and creating apparent wind. The steering was effortless.

After three sessions I felt in love with the new SP5

Cheers

Carlo

PS: a pic of the last session

[Adventure Logs]

Would you say it turns faster than the Sonic? Other than ease of use, any other pluses over the sonic?

[alpha84]

Hi guys...not trying to change the topic here but since there isn't a dedicated foil kite page I thought I would ask. I'm very interested in switching over to a foil from my 17m Contra. Can any of you offer advice on switching from a LE to a foil? I've only been kiting for 2 years and launching and dropping the kite in the water seem daunting. I love light wind riding and the Contra just isn't doing what it use to do for me. Appreciate and thoughts or kite suggestions any of you have. Thanks

[coleman]

I was able to launch my speed 10m lotus in very very light wind. Way less than needed to launch a lei. It never fell out of the sky either. Wind was 3-5kts in lulls. 10-14 gusts.

Incredible step up from light wind Lei riding.

[DvB]

I've owned both lei's and foils, and for me a foil would be my go-to kite when the wind is light, not only because of their behavior, but also because of their easy relaunch. The best kite in the world in the air is worthless if you can't get it off the water. I have experienced problems relaunching them, but more often than not often that was because I went out in winds that I would never even think of putting up a lei. According to Flysurfer's website, a Speed 5 will stay at zenith without actively flying it in 6 knots. Foils are incredibly watertight, also, I've had a Psycho 4 (older tech) lying on the water for more than 20 minutes when the wind died completely, and it relaunched without a problem when the wind returned.