am new tyo the sport as well, and am doing the same thing, i have heard that the bow kites are near impossible to ride unhooked, so if riding waves is for you this is probably not the best idea? this is coming from a guy that i know who has been riding for 5 years.
just thought you should know. yet are good to learn on....

look into the peter lynn range. I have a 13m bomba. and it rocks. Really stable. when i let the bar go it stays at the zenith. heaps of depower. one of the best things i like about it is, its really easy to relaunch after a crash... if it does crash. and its quicker to rig than a LEI.

try and have a go of one. u'll be surprised.

i flowen a shopping bag that would be better than those kites.

"de-power properties and the large wind range. "
f-one m-5 if you want the more adjustable 5th line setup.. or the new impact is supposed to be simpler with same benifits of 5th line range. these kites have a similar range to bows, without the bow feel, benifits or disabilities
www.f-onekites.com

And 2004 kite for that matter..

Take my advice, there are loads of really good 2004 kites around that would be great to learn on, at bargin basement prices. If its your first kite DO NOT buy new you will only regret it. kite you will punish your first kite. Ive already seen 2 crossbows in tree's with large tears down them. If only they had bought second hand.

Plus being a newby you dont know what direction you are going to take in your riding. A year on down the track you will have a better idea, and you can swap in your older kite to another newby, then by the latest and greatest hat suits your style/level.

my suggestion on kite.

flow , yarga, co2, vegas , boxer - all great kites that could potentially see you through to expert level

if u have been taught right us should buy a new kite don't waste your money on someones else's peice of **** most people I seen who have learned right hardley ever crash there kite and come on everyone puts there kite in a tree at least once.

exactly if you see yourself learning trick you are likely to crash your kite onto the water quite often.. Buy 2nd hand..

hopefully all that clears things up for you rbinstead

i opted for second hand as i intend to give my kite a good thrashing - then when my skills improve ill lash out for a new sparkling kite . If i had the money i prob would get a new one, but im too busy to work as ive got kiting to do
Al

bull**** bow kites are easier to learn on than all most any other kite seen it first hand many times people struggling on c kites change to flat kites and improve ten fold wouldn't touch a force kite if you paid me.

murphy

Looking at this thread, it is obvious that everyone has their own opinion and most of the opnions are different...

Easy option: buy second hand and no worries when you hang it out in the trees to dry. I'm sure you can find good s/h kites on this forum. I've never had new and I have some great kites!

Second option: Buy new. The kite that you want or READ about and take care of it.

Alternative: Go to the shops and TRY THE DEMO MODELS and find out EXACTLY what kite you feel comfofable on and then consider new or second hand in that model...

Or buy my old ones, he he...

What to say? Well thanks everyone. I can see the pros and cons of both new vrs old...etc

I ended up getting the new [insert kite name] from [insert shop] and I have another lesson booked with [insert name]. I am emitting the warm glow of the successful consumer. hehehe

WELL...LETS KITE!! see you on the water...I will be the one with the big assed smile...but we all have one of them...hey?

Thanks again,
Rich.