you can't give away anything over 15m, there seems to be FA market for big kites now.

Funny question...

... I think the worst value kite is the cheap one I bought that was not suited to me, and then continued to ruin every session I had to use an 8m on...

... the cost of those lost sessions, frustration etc is indeed priceless...

... and the sad thing, I can probably sell the kite for a reasonable amount, but feel to bad selling it to someone else!

Anything over 2 yrs old even if it's almost brand new is about as popular as a turd sandwich.

Fuels seem to hold good value.
Cabrinha Switchblade2 seems to hold good value.

sunseeker is spot on. No matter how good a condition it is in, if it's an 06 model now it seems to be worth about 30% of the original price. Some people are getting big bargains on killer 06 model kites!

which makes the whole try-before-you buy that much more important.

Have demo'ed 5 different brands this year and only one is better than what i currently have.

Bought a Naish Aero II 12 when they were new (2004 maybe?) Sold it about 4 months ago for $500, happy about that.

quote:

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Originally posted by sorse

Some of you may derate the link, but I've seen a few guys on them and there loving them on the red bridals. They reckon there a really good bargan.

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agreed. they were totally denounced as being terrible pieces of 5hit but after the red bridle update they were actually pretty damn nice kites from all reports. I would definately try one out if i was in the market for a cheapish bow.

fuels seem to hold their value better than most, but most of the peter lynns and other flying mattress type kites are pretty good as well.

Paid $2K for my 04 Rhino2's and after you've spent $300 fixing the LE 5 times you can't sell it for $150!.... BUT DAMN IT WAS A GOOD KITE!.. You just can't give them away, so you get out the sissors and make funky bags and shade cloths with them and the good times flow back everytime you touch it... that's worth every cent.

I haven't got out much lately...

warning warning .....

Dont try any new kites or you will like them an wanna buy them,
I reckon upgrade every year to minimize your losses an maximize your fun an remember were here 4 a good time not a long time, an having said that i think i might try a few new models, mmmm so many good ones to choose from now.

Used kites have very little resale value.
Even last years model.
In three years time you won't see a C-kite.
A kite is fully blown-out after two seasons. It's a sack of sh1t.
I replace my strings every 6 months, that's called cheating.

But now a kitesurfing kite has become a disposable product after only one year.
That's come about with the common usage of complicated rigging (bridles etc) and single-point inflation systems.
Both these features require expensive maintenance at some point.
The purchase of a new kite rather than fixing the old one can mean money more wisely spent.
Your kite is a Bic shaver.
Throw it in the bin when it loses it's edge.

I've had a long love affair with my Crossbow 1, she has bought me great highs with no major repairs needed til now when she's finally been run into the ground...poor thing is now falling apart at the seams, literally.....maybe it's time to start using her for landboarding in large open areas!

I can't afford to replace new every year so in the past have bought a new kite and run them into the ground....however, with so many 2nd hand kites on the market these days you can pick up a great deal.

Bring on summer, working from home and my new 3 day working week....I'm on countdown...4 weeks to go!

Those kites you say are the 'worst value' are actually the 'best value' now as they are so cheap! But I assume you aren't talking about second hand kites..?

I reckon it's a bit to do with how rare they are. They also have a longer lifespan than tubes. And they're pretty expensive in the first place.
The best value kites I've owned have been secondhand power kites, land foils. Owned quite a few, used em for a year or so and almost always sold them for as much or more than I paid. Free toys!
On the water, one of last seasons best kites (not BEST, best), either discounted at a shop or second hand in very good condition is the best idea IMO. Still loving the 06 Instincts!

a little off topic, but does anyone know how to tell if a link has the red bridle setup?

how about the kite in this pic:

cheers