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General Gear Reviews Newbies The Hookup Foiling Lost & Found WA NSW QLD SA VIC TAS

rhinoman

QLD

362 posts

rhinoman

QLD, 362 posts

30 Nov 2009 2:20pm

Kitehard said...

waxman said...

rhinoman said...

Paul1 said...

North products are great, just don't ask them if they have any warranty because you won't get an answer.

well i will only fly north and have had to deal with a couple of warranty issues with my kite and each time they have repaced it with a new kite ,,,never an issue for me, unlike the **** naish i learnt on it was a **** boxer,,,,and all my kites have flown straight out of the bag that is after you pump it up .07,08.09 and 10 no problems .boards never had any trouble with them

so go figure

I know they are a good kite but if they fix the inverting problem they would be so much better.imo.

They did fix the inverting problem. All dealers were sent FREE nose lines to sort the issue out. I was sent express overnight, a satchel full of nose lines for the kites I had sold. I've fitted them to 5 kites so far and I have heard no further problems. The other issue with the kites is that they aren't tuned by the riders to allow for the front line stretch after the kites have had a few weeks on the water. Most riders are completely clueless when it comes to tuning and fiddling with their kites. Our customers at our beach (Pinnaroo) don't have these issues because we are on the beach and fix this stuff for people everyday as part of our ongoing customer service.

My advice is to lengthen the 5th line at the 3 adjustment knots so the pink 5th line is slack in flight with the kite fully powered up. Secondly, lengthen the back lines by sliding up the floats and changing the leader up a knot on the bar leader, this lengthens the back lines by 2 inches.

When the 5th and back lines are lengthened the 2 inches which the fronts stretch, most of the inverting problems go away without the need for the nose line fix.
If north shipped the bars setup for the front line stretch, everyone would be bitching about lack of power and loose dangling 5th which of course they would adjust to remove slack and shorten back line for more power. Because the stretch isn't noticeable to most, they have no clue as to why their kites started inverting. I've written about this in the past and if you'd followed my advice, most of your problem would be solved. The 5th line nose line fix is warranted only in the most extreme cases of heavy riders looping the kites depowered in strong winds.

If you experience problems with any brand of kites, take it to the dealer and ask for advice or help. So many problems are tuning or line length issues it's not funny, and the way some people ride their kites with the massive stretch of lines from some of the cheaper brands, it just does my head in how they fly at all

Tuning kites is not rocket science and 99% or riders never check their gear.

KH

i second this advice

waxman

1390 posts

waxman

SA, 1390 posts

30 Nov 2009 2:55pm

Why does it have to be so hard, the crew in whyalla dont have a local north dealer at the beach to adjust there gear. and like you said most people wont check there gear and north kites will still get a reputation for inverting. There has to be a better way to fix the problem. You mentioned the front lines stretching putting the kite out of tune after a few flights, one of the kites i saw invert was brand new strait out of the bag pumped up hard. So obviously it was tuned wrong going by what you are saying. Why wouldnt north just use prestretched lines or just stronger front lines to try to avoid this at all and then make sure it is tuned right strait out of the bag. Sort of reminds me of the ss link

Kitehard

2782 posts

Kitehard

WA, 2782 posts

30 Nov 2009 12:44pm

Waman,

Pretty much every company uses pre-stretched lines, that doesn't mean they don't stretch. It means they don't stretch the 12-18 inches that un-stretched lines do. Even the 500kg Ozone front lines which are likely the best and strongest in the business still stretch an inch or two over time, it's unavoidable.

A certain well known favourite brand whom I won't mention (no it's not one of the brands I represent) suffers MASSIVE stretch to their bridles and lines but no one complains about that on the forums, that would be sacrilege! Those that own these kites will know what brand I'm talking about.

North Rebels are setup to not stall so they are a more effective wave kite, problem is, the kites can handle so much over sheeting that no one notices the line length/tuning issue. Ever tried to stall a Rebel? Not likely! And clueless crew just keep oversheeting to no gain and don't even realise it. All kites stretch lines and go out of trim, some just don't handle it and stall most likely, and so the problem is evident and they take steps to sort it out. The Rebels don't stall and so people ride them out of tune and don't even know it. An adept kite flyer will know by feel and by just looking at the way a kite is flying if it needs attention.

Seriously, If you live outside of a local dealer area and you have problems with late model North, Airush, Ozone or Core kites, PM me, email me or call me to discuss your issue and I'm sure I can sort it out for you. I have had a LOT of experience with these kites and kites in general and am happy to help out. I know it won't be as much fun as bashing a brand on public forums, but I reckon I can have you back on the water and happy sooner than it takes to write and then read all this crap.

See ya,

KH

waxman

1390 posts

waxman

SA, 1390 posts

30 Nov 2009 3:44pm

Thanks for the advice, i will let the crew know to send you a pm. If they have any problems.

Paul1

QLD

1011 posts

Paul1

QLD, 1011 posts

30 Nov 2009 3:19pm

Can you replace my board for me as well ????

Any news on Norths warranty policy???

rhinoman

QLD

362 posts

rhinoman

QLD, 362 posts

30 Nov 2009 6:10pm

Paul1 said...

Can you replace my board for me as well ????

Any news on Norths warranty policy???

no / and it works for me

ericmb

77 posts

ericmb

SA, 77 posts

1 Dec 2009 12:37pm

Hi,

I ve got a north07 and a rhino 07. They were both bought in UK whilst living over there.
The rhino had a factory "issue" where after a couple of crashes the tube inside (I forget the name, Im not english) broke.

My biggest problem was to get the seller in UK to reply to my emails, he knew I d left the country. Once he got back to me he told me that North were aware of the issue. He then emailed some local shop and they received a tube (is that what its called?) and swapped it for me. I had to pay him to swap it but thats just cause im crap at kiting and dont know how to do I it :-)

I love the north kites, did a few lessons with other kites, and never felt the others were any good. That could change over time though as I get more experience/exposure to other kites.

Its interesting, or boring, to note that kitesurfing is riddled what I refer to as "vendor preference". Most have got a vendor they love and adore coupled with a vendor they dislike.
I see that this attitude at work and outside of work (kiting, music). I put that down to passion which is great.

However a passion for the sport itself rather than vendors would benefit all: so long you love kiting its all good. to paraphrase: Who cares what guitar is played so long the song is great?

Cheers,
Eric

Paul1

QLD

1011 posts

Paul1

QLD, 1011 posts

1 Dec 2009 12:19pm

My vendor preference was North for the last 20 years(yes I used to windsurf

), its a shame that their attitude (NOT THE DEALERS) to their customers has changed so much in a short space of time.

Puetz

2186 posts

Puetz

NT, 2186 posts

3 Dec 2009 10:37am

Kitehard is on the money, I agree!!!

I do agree with the pumps. Now I pump up slowly and only one kite per session, if I am changing to another kite I find another pump. I found if I have kite fever and pump fast the shaft gets hot and stuffs up the seal.

Still, I've had the most trouble with the North pumps, maybe the kite companies can put some R & D into them!

cheers,

Robert.

buz999

NSW

26 posts

buz999

NSW, 26 posts

3 Dec 2009 5:56pm

Paul1 said...

I always used to buy North products, until I broke a new board and they wouldn't replace it, and North would not answer my questions about their warranty policy, which I also asked for on many kite forums, and there was nothing on their website about it either. So what is the policy for warranty on North kites and boards? Surely you have to admit they have failed pretty badly with the Rebel issues over the last year or so also? When you pay top dollar for a kite, it should fly straight out of the bag perfectly, if it doesnt they should re-call the kites and replace them all with kites that work?? No-one is blaming the dealers, its just poor form from a huge worlwide company.

How old is the board and what is it??? Have you contacted the shop you purchased the board from??? what was there reply????
Was the break due to a manufacturing fault???or a heavy landing,did you even happen to jam it in the boot of your car.. I know in my experience north have always warranted any legitimate problem i have had and in 7 years of riding there product i can count that on one hand..

waxman

1390 posts

waxman

SA, 1390 posts

3 Dec 2009 5:42pm

Puetz said...

Kitehard is on the money, I agree!!!

I do agree with the pumps. Now I pump up slowly and only one kite per session, if I am changing to another kite I find another pump. I found if I have kite fever and pump fast the shaft gets hot and stuffs up the seal.

Still, I've had the most trouble with the North pumps, maybe the kite companies can put some R & D into them!

cheers,

Robert.

WTF! just go and buy a SS pump. I could pump up ten kites a day as hard and fast as i liked and it would still last forever, ive never had one fail. The only problem you are likely to have is that some one else may take it.

T one

321 posts

T one

NT, 321 posts

3 Dec 2009 4:51pm

ahh waxman, if you met "the bomber" (puetz) you'd understand...

no pump is safe

eh big fella??

waxman

1390 posts

waxman

SA, 1390 posts

3 Dec 2009 6:09pm

coxy31

NSW

127 posts

coxy31

NSW, 127 posts

3 Dec 2009 8:50pm

Paul1 said...

Can you replace my board for me as well ????

Any news on Norths warranty policy???

North kiteboarding warrants this product to be free of major defects in material or workmanship to the original purchaser for a period of 6 months from the original date of purchase.This warranty is subject to the following limitations...
+The warranty is valid only when the product is used for kiteboarding on water and does not cover products used in rental or teaching operations.
+North kiteboarding will make the final warranty determination,which may require inspection and/or photos of equipment,which clearly show the defect(s). If necessary, this information must be sent to the north kiteboarding distributor in your country, postage prepaid.
+If a product is deemed to be defective by north kiteboarding, the warranty covers the repair or replacement of the defective product only.
+ North kiteboarding will not be responsible for any costs,losses or damages incurred as a result of loss of use of this product. the warranty does not cover damage caused by misuse, abuse, neglect or normal wear and tear including but not limited to, rigging with other than north kiteboarding components, damage due to excessive sun exposure, damage cause by improper handling or storage, damage caused by use in the waves or shorebreak and damage caused by anything other than defects in material and workmanship.
+This warranty is voided if any unauthorized repair, change or modification has been made to any part of the equipment. the warranty for any repaired or replaced equipment is good from the date of the original purchase only. the original purchase receipt must accompany all warranty claims.
+The name of the retailer and date of purchase must be clear and legible.
+There are no warranties that extend beyond the warranty specified herein.

There ya go,you couldn't of searched to hard for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Its on the back page of every user manual........

Puetz

2186 posts

Puetz

NT, 2186 posts

3 Dec 2009 8:07pm

waxman said...

Waxman, you aint been to the tropics have ya,
open ones mouth and remove all doubt comes to mind, anyway even the mighty SS pumps sh!t themselves here in our neck of the woods, so I say WTF to you dude!

my point still stands, I wouldn't mind if the kite companies (especially North ) did some more research into better or more to the point, longer lasting pumps, even though there might be good ones out there, just hard to find.

cheers!!

Paul1

QLD

1011 posts

Paul1

QLD, 1011 posts

3 Dec 2009 8:52pm

coxy31 said...

Paul1 said...

Can you replace my board for me as well ????

Any news on Norths warranty policy???

Its on the back page of every user manual........

Didn't get a user manual with my board smart ass

rhinoman

QLD

362 posts

rhinoman

QLD, 362 posts

3 Dec 2009 8:53pm

good to see the kite aint getting a bagging and i no it should go in the gear review but wtf...but if you can get a hold of the north select board do yourself a favour and take it for a ride awesome board so light had to check wasnt just holding the board handle,,pop is really sweet landing is soft as and i know its a pricey board but hay if your not such a tight ass the money is worth it ... not much rocker or concave so when you hit the flat water get ready for a fast ride ..as far ass the pump goes just replace the rubber seal in the top of the pump with a replacement rubber from paddy palins and she;s good for multi pumps flew the new evo yesterday 10mtr and its best way to explain it is like a 12 year old on red cordial in a toy store ..

..love my new select come on tight asses someone else must have one would love to no there forts

coxy31

NSW

127 posts

coxy31

NSW, 127 posts

3 Dec 2009 10:27pm

Paul1 said...

coxy31 said...

Paul1 said...

Can you replace my board for me as well ????

Any news on Norths warranty policy???

Its on the back page of every user manual........

Didn't get a user manual with my board smart ass

Arr you didnt!!! ive even seen it in with the foot beds and straps a few times before to

The shop you bought the board off should also stock North kites im sure they would of known the where abouts of the policy it aint rocket science

Whats with the smart arse crap!!! You wanted the policy didnt you!!!!!!!!!

ali

QLD

68 posts

ali

QLD, 68 posts

3 Dec 2009 9:45pm

This is the 4th year of buying and riding rebels, this year i got my missus on one as well. After trying a few other brands and seeing the build quality of this years 10m it is the best built kite i have seen. I have had an awesome run out of my Rebels and will keep buying them, last year in WA in the surf and flat, this year in NQ mostly in flat water- love em, inverted my first one back a couple of years ago but learned to pump them up that bit harder- i think you have to be pretty hopeless to do it more than once. Good kiting

terryzarmzof

QLD

336 posts

terryzarmzof

QLD, 336 posts

4 Dec 2009 7:04am

come on steve what about the naish charger you had a go at yesterday? yes i saw you with a naish kite in your hands and you liked it! come on you cant resist getting rid of that heavy slow old, tendonitis producing north rebel and onto a nice new naish, you might even get some big jumps!

rhinoman said...

good to see the kite aint getting a bagging and i no it should go in the gear review but wtf...but if you can get a hold of the north select board do yourself a favour and take it for a ride awesome board so light had to check wasnt just holding the board handle,,pop is really sweet landing is soft as and i know its a pricey board but hay if your not such a tight ass the money is worth it ... not much rocker or concave so when you hit the flat water get ready for a fast ride ..as far ass the pump goes just replace the rubber seal in the top of the pump with a replacement rubber from paddy palins and she;s good for multi pumps flew the new evo yesterday 10mtr and its best way to explain it is like a 12 year old on red cordial in a toy store ..

..love my new select come on tight asses someone else must have one would love to no there forts

rhinoman

QLD

362 posts

rhinoman

QLD, 362 posts

4 Dec 2009 6:20pm

terryzarmzof said...

come on steve what about the naish charger you had a go at yesterday? yes i saw you with a naish kite in your hands and you liked it! come on you cant resist getting rid of that heavy slow old, tendonitis producing north rebel and onto a nice new naish, you might even get some big jumps!

..love my new select come on tight asses someone else must have one would love to no there forts

its only that blue shirt you wear that gives you your big air not your kite sweetheart so hand it over love

thanks for the tooheys old

Redskin

22 posts

Redskin

WA, 22 posts

5 Dec 2009 12:50am

Well I have a new 2010 Rebel 8m & 12m, I am very happy with them. I am 105kg and the 8 get me going in under 20kts. I ride a Jamie pro 128 when it is windy and a Underground FLX 142 when it is lighter (doesn't make that much difference). They have flown perfectly straight out of the bag. New bar is great and in my opinion the easiest to use bar.

I was dissapointed when I sold my 08 Rebels 9m and 14m ready for the 2010 gear to find out that north change there mind and went back to a 5 strut kite. The build is not as good as I expected there is a stitched seam on the leading edge that is a like a rib which is a little dissapointing. The thicker material in the trailing edge will help with longevity. The floating centre strut helps the aerofoil shape which give better bottom end power as the is more camber and draft in the sail and it also allows better depower as the sail has better luffing capability. They will probably do the same thing on the next two struts next year, but I plead with North to fully test it.

Overall I am dissapointed with Norths business strategy and changing their mind on the four strut kite, they should have fully tested it before releasing it to the public. They nearly lost me as a customer and if they pull a stunt like that again I think I will change to a switchblade (enjoyed riding mates but the bar sucks, clean it up and it would be a great kite). KISS principal needed

Enough hot air!

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