WA
7 posts
Thinking of converting to Slingshots, but heard that the larger kites are slow for their apparant size for the 04 range. Is it because most think it's a high aspect when in fact its a mid and expect too much from it, or are they genuinely slow.
Has anyone flown the 15 or 17 and can make a comparison against other kites? Anyone riden the 05 range yet.
QLD
927 posts
I've got an 04 15m (which i use as a lighter wind kite for wakestyle riding), Stoked with this kite, good power and surprisingly fast turning (for its size), I love it with 20m lines and a 20inch bar (17inch bar just a bit too small with 20m lines on this kite) but its ok with standard line lengths & 17in bar. I'm 68kg, use a 122x36 board & use the kite in a wind range approx 13-18knots (really good in 15knots)
I havn't used a 17m Fuel before, but IMO the 04 15m moves more like the 04 13m Fuel so it still has the feel of a kite much smaller (You can easily do powered kiteloops with the 15m), yet it gives you more than enough power to keep you going in the lighter stuff. I dont like slow kites so the 15m is as big as i'll go.
I've heard that the 05 15m Fuel is not a good kite......anyone using it?
210 posts
I have the 15m 05 fuel and have good and bad to say.
First thing to do with the kite is forget about the bar. It is a shame as the bar has a great feel and is excellent for one hand riding. The small metal insert in the center keeps the rope from pinching skin between fingers when your hand is in middle of bar but man is the kite a slow dog when using that bar. I have now gone back to an old x2 bar and the kite reacts twice as well. Also the Fuel bar has two adjustable stopping balls that screw down to limit total bar range but they are an accident waiting to happen as when you are in the water after a crash, the lines seem drawn to these balls and end up wrapped around them leading to unsafe or impossible launchs.
On the good side
Kite has great steady pull and handles gusts like a dream. Never jerks you off your edge just powers up when the gusts hit. Also the vertical lift is not as great but as it does not launch you aggressivly but in the same respect, it also does not drop you. What you get is very smooth jumps with floaty landings. I find it alot easier to throw tricks with as you have more time to spot and position your landings. With a good constant pull I see why SS riders like the wakestyle.
Overall it is slower then any other kites I have owned exept old North Rhino 1 but power on down and upstrokes makes up for that.
Note:
I would not recommend it for wave riding because of speed as you would probably want something you could bring back and forth more quickly.
QLD
927 posts
Hey Not on board, have you tried cutting down the knuckle saver on your 05 SS bar to give the kite a faster turning speed?
210 posts
Psylor,
I have heard that the metal center piece can affect speed but I can't see how as I would have thought that steering lines on the outside of the bar or line attachment points would be the places where speed is affected.
Guess I can give it a try.
