Im currently riding a SB3 8m in the surf - its smooth, stable and has lots of grunt but a little slow in the turn. Is it possible speed up the SB3 with a different bar setup? How does the North Rebel compare for grunt and turning speed?

Try an rrd type 9 or obsession if you want a fast turning kite

Is the SB4 really faster than SB3? the kite attachment points and aspect ratio look very similar, the main difference is the IDS which is a safety improvement right?

You have a couple of options for a fast kite, the SB3 is not one of them.

1. Rev/Rev2
2. North Rebel
3. Furia
4. Eclipse Thruster (hearsay)
4. Most C kites

The above of the faster turning of the kites I have tried (only tried rev1 not rev2)

Out of the above that I have tried, the Furia is probably the quickest but lacks a little low end, so you find the 9m substantially quicker than your 8m with similar to less grunt.

zola said...

Im currently riding a SB3 8m in the surf - its smooth, stable and has lots of grunt but a little slow in the turn. Is it possible speed up the SB3 with a different bar setup? How does the North Rebel compare for grunt and turning speed?

I am currently flying a 7.5 Bandit, I was using it with the standard 45cm bar but recently snapped a line and so I just came in and grabbed my 55cm bar that I usually use with my 13mtr kite. I was that impressed with the extra turning speed that I now use the 55cm bar all the time in the surf. I am not sure of SB bar sizes but you may be able to try a larger bar.

P.S. The Eclipse Kima is supposed to be very fast turning and made especially for waveriding, they will be available to demo at Kitestock if you are going.

After riding the SB4 and the Rebel, both 8m's, I would say the turning speed is pretty similar, but the rebel IMHO is more suited to the waves.

Saying that, the Bandit DOS is quicker than both of them, and rips on the waves and in freestyle.

If you want a comparison, feel free to come down and demo the Rebel and the DOS at Safety Bay anytime.

Cheers

Thanks for the feedback. Its testing time!

Shorten your lines. Quicker kite, but you lose out on jumping ability

Johnt said...

Shorten your lines. Quicker kite, but you lose out on jumping ability

Shorter lines will create a smaller window that the kite will travel faster across. The kite will also fly slightly further forwards. The kite won't turn any faster with shorter lines though.

are you serious? the sb3 in an 8m is plenty fast..... for loops just fish pole the bar, also try putting you rear lines on the 3rd knots (most power)

also tie your lines to a pole and check for stretching i guarantee that one side will be stretched this will be the main reason for slow turning and slow response time, the new SB4 (IDS) has separate bridals unlike the previous SB models where the bridals where joined, now making the kite have a much more direct feel and also faster with smother power delivery.

rev 7m is the funnest thing to fly.
you can do anything with it.
i use it with a big bar also, thats what it came with

coreyb said...

You might like to try a Vapor, they are made to be one of the fastest kites around. I would say as fast as a Generator, but with the bonus of high depower.
SBs are made to be smooth, not fast.

as Borat would say, Niiiiice, Hi Five !!!


http://www.airush.com/win-vapor3/video.php