2 posts
Hi all,
I'm Jerome and new to kiting.
I want to buy a second hand kite and wondering which one will fit better for a beginner who weight 67 kg, between:
- a 2009 F-one bandit 2, 12M
- a 2010 Flexifoil Ion 3, 12.5M
Or if you have any other suggestion.
Thanks for your help.
QLD
549 posts
Hi Jerome,
First off, have you had or do you plan on getting some lessons? If so, your instructor can advise you well. If not, why not? Saving dollars isn't as important as saving yourself.
If you've had lessons and are ready to purchase, what sort of wind conditions will you mainly kite in? The Bandit Dos (2) has serious grunt and a 12m for your weight would be a handful in anything over 17 knts for a beginner. Solid wind is easier to learn in, so if it was say 15-20 knts then at your weight, a 10m should be fine. Like I said, talk to instructors or even locals where you kite.
2 posts
Hi BurkeyBoy,
I haven't taken a lesson yet , the thing is I plane to do so in indonesia and stay there for three months, though I want to buy the kite before going overseas as there will be little choice.
I contacted the instructor who I will do the lesson with to know what size of kite I will need and He told me 12M with a 140 cm board regardind the conditions where I will be practising( in gilis islands)
Does it sound too big for you ?
QLD
549 posts
Put it one way, I weigh 82kgs and kite on my 10m 90% of the time. It is easier to learn on a bigger more stable kite and big board though. If the instructor over there thinks you need that size kite at your weight, then I would think that either the winds are pretty light and therefore it's not the best place to learn, or he isn't giving the best advice, IMO.
QLD
593 posts
Hi Jerome,
I haven't been to indonesia but I've met crew who have. I've also talked with many crew who kite in Darwin and Cairns. The consensus is that the closer to the equator you go, ie the hotter the temperature, the lighter the pressure of the wind per knot.
This means you need bigger wings to get out compared to the same knots down here.
For proof of this simply google or seabreeze varying kite sizes for sale in Oz and you'll find the lions share of 6-9m kites are in WA - cold dense air. In the 10-12 m range a lot more will appear in SEQ and NSW, and a lot of bigger kites are mostly in Qld and FNQ. This says a lot.
This means larger kites are the go to kites in warmer climates. According to the speak I heard, 12 - 14m kites are the 'middle' kite of choice in indo and FNQ and Darwin, or the main kite size used. With your light frame, the 12m sounds like a good choice. I have not used the ion but as BB says, the B2 is a tank. From memory it is also a multi-pump = ancient technology = major pain to pump up and deflate. Also the bar isn't great for self landing. However, they have one of the best high ranges of any 12m on the planet ever. check some reviews out here. In this regard this kite is a good choice covering you for a good slab of different wind strengths in case it picks up.
Other kite's I know to be good for learners are Airrush Lithiums, Liquid Force Envy's and Epic Renegades. A 13 in any one of these would be a great kite to take to indo as a one kite quiver. You would be better off with 2 - say a LW dedicated and an 11 or so but for one kite, your B2 12 should be a sound choice, there are LOT's better for sure, but for budget an wind range this is good.
Your instructor is the man on the ground there and he know's what works there. I would go with his recommendations.
But 145 is the smallest size TT I would go for. You're not going to be throwing tricks in your first few months unless you're len10's little brother so a trick capable board will only further limit the days you can go out . Get 145 minimum (I have bigger and I -ride it all the time in waves - 155cm 2008 phantom = awesome board, none of my mates rate it, until they have a go - then they're all like, "**, it turns easy! how much is that?.....") I'm not sayin' every LW board turns good and can pop, but some can and you will get out there every day possible. Get a nice sharp 134 TT l8r when you've learn't to do some pops and toeside, then you've got your original board as your LW weapon for very marginal days. Very handy. Have a gr8 holiday an keep us posted m8 - photos would be good!
