i rode a 13m F1 Tribal yesturday, ok some bg to give ya an idea where im from, 1 year kiting, currently using slingshot 13 and 9 fuels (05) inter level, jumping, carving, waves, flat, id say im the average rider nothing flash. (all comparisons im making are in ref to my fuel) Ok my impressions of the tribal: first run out was strange, the kite is lighter on the bar, and far faster, the depower system is really different, and took me maybe half an hour to get used to, i would say the demo kite bar set up would need some tweaking for riding styles but was fine to test with, the wind was gusting upto maybe 20-25 and i would have been overpowered on my slingshot, i was on the tribal but i just let the bar out in the gusts and found i had more control and could control the power far more effectivly. The kite overall had far more power, like comparing and F1 race car to a V8 supercar, and i must say the tribal is a little bit scary to use compared to the Fuel, in the way that it is faster and has so much power on tap in windy conditions (13m in 20-25) but it is more stable and i think after a few sessions i would addapt to it. Now the best thing for me was the way this kite jumps, hooollllly crap, man i have never jumped that high, NEVER, mates on the beach didnt know it was me and freaked when i came in, i never jump that high, lol, so big props to F1 here, whats also great is when you slam the kite generally just sits in the air slowly dropping dowm, very different to my fuel. I dont like the new flat kites, but i like this cause really its just a C kite with that extra depower when you need it, you can set the kite up to be like a standard C kite ie, no depower, but then when it gets too windy, or you start getting gusts you just adjust the bar set up and bam you have a safer kite, im starting to learn un hooked tricks and this kite should in theory make this a little less a violence experience.

well i could go on, but ask me questions if you need to know anything, for inter level riders this kite rocks, i think it would be great for learners and for those that rip give it a try i say, i now have two slingshots kites for sale, sorry slingshot, you just lost a supporter to F1. Oh F1 only one thing, could you make em one pump please!!!! i got lazy with slingshot. lol.

Please get me a napkin to wipe the salivation away....
... so, you said it's real stable, so you mean in the gusts or it likes to sit where you put it in the sky..ie as it turns so fast do you find it turning sometimes when you want it to sit there, or is it just that when you pull the bar a bit more that it turns faster?

also i can't quite understand what the stop and go thing on their websight is about, ? is that what your talking about when you said it floats down to the side of the window? and did you find that it did the stop and go thing or something else?
thanks, you havn't tried the impact or m6 for a comparisin by any chance have you?

before you part with some hard earned dosh demo the 06 fuel. i could sit here and blabber cr@p, but you really have to fly the 13m 06 and make up your own mind. nothing like the 05. different shape completely. lightest bar pressure of any kite i've flown, alot due to new bar dug out. oh yeah and once you go one pump you know you wont go back.

before you part with some hard earned dosh demo the 06 fuel. i could sit here and blabber cr@p, but you really have to fly the 13m 06 and make up your own mind. nothing like the 05. different shape completely. lightest bar pressure of any kite i've flown, alot due to new bar dug out. oh yeah and once you go one pump you know you wont go back.

Not sure if your saying im blabbering, lol but anyway yes i will try the new fuel first, one pump rocks, really is the 06 that different to the 05! hmm will try and find a demo one. One pump does rule!


I take it, RAN, that the referal to being on speed was to the Impact.

The comments I have got back from those trying the Impact was that it was fast, and when jumping they would send it too far. But the turning speed and speed across the window got it back in plenty of time. Still it is something to get used to, as in all the latest 06 kites.
The Tribals do look very cool, I have to admit that.

I also notice that the new batch of Impacts are all on 45cm bars.

So ran, which one are you getting?

Best winds
Tony L
yes was ref to the impact, look its just me, i didnt like it compared to the tribal or my 05 fuel, you know how it is everyones different. I like the tribal, but should try the new fuel just to see. To be honest i really liked slingshot before i went to lennox heads comp, everyones on them and i found some of the crew a bit tossy, once again just my opinion, and thats just what i found, so im not sure, i will try the tribal again hopefully and try the new fuel and whatever i can get my hands on and see which is the best for me. Maybe thats what the moral of buying a new kite is, try everything you can and see what suits your riding style and ability, one of my mates still fly X4s and loves em, everyone has a different idea on whats the best, but really you should try yourself. lol, now this is blabbering...LOL

Hey Ryland
Who can demo 06 in Perth?
Keen to try.
And what is the 06 bar setup??

gasman you are welcome to have a fly of mine down at scarbs if you want. also check choice or peli point. they could have some demo's. the new bar has a massive dugout where the chicken loop runs through the bar. very free running and light as bar pressure. even works a treat on the 05 kites. makes them feel heaps lighter on the bar and speeds up their turning. the metal pin that came out of the bar on the 05 bar was good for some stuff as it didn't pinch for unhooking or one handed hooked in steering but the majority of riders probally didn't use it and it slowed down turning and felt heavier on the bar. the new kites are completely different too but you really have to check em for yourself and they rocket up wind too. as for 05 fuels try an 06 bar on it and it will make it feel like a new kite you will be stoked. hows the 9m going thats my favorite size out of the 05 fuels. best little kite.

ascole,

I can see what you mean about the jumping on the Impact. is was the same for me at first.

It is just a timeing thing, as the kite is fast and you need to compensate. Once you have a good session on an Impact it all comes to you.
Every kiter I have given a demo ride of the Impact to, wants one.

But all have commented on the need to adjust how far they send the kite in jumps.

The Tribal should be a bit more of a jumper but maybe not as good for waves, I am about to find out.

Best winds
Tony L
ABK

it must take some getting used to. i have no doubts as to the sweetness of the impact....I've never seen a kite turn that fast before...., but to me it was ridiculously grunty with not much lift....gruntier than an 05 matrix but with less jump. To be perfectly fair, the conditions that day were very up and down, and i was trying out a different board as well, so my impressions may be off a bit. I'm just looking for a comparison to the tribal so I can see if I'm on the right track. Let me know what you think Ral Inn once you've had a decent go on the thing.

Thanks
asc