has stonker got a new 8m yet?????

Hilly,

The 07 kites are due in a couple of weeks. The demo models guys have been flying are an 11m Sonic and a 9m Trix. As waxhead stated the construction is beefed up a lot from last year with double stitching and reinforcement prominent on the kite. Feedback from the guys here is that the Sonic feels pretty similair to the 06 but is more stable and feels more solid in the air which is probably on account of a more solid leading edge. The Trix looks and flies like a true hybrid with a much more C shape in the sky than the Sonic. One of our teamriders that is a 100% waverider has been using it around Torquay and is very impressed with its fast turning and solid but smooth power and stability. It is more a medium aspect kite with a deeper profile than the Sonic and looks like being a great kite for waves and unhooked riding. This feedback is from riders that have been on Sonics for the last 12 months.

Cheers, Aaron Dyer
Stonker Kiteboarding

Hi All

If you are interested in a sonic(the original SLE and the best in my opinion) or a trix go to kiteboarder.co.uk/kitesurfing/gk-sonic-and-gk-trix-2007-info-pics-14794
for all the goss

Andrew[}:)]

It depends on where you will be riding and how often you expect to get out. If its somewhere windy and you don't mind missing some of the lighter days then the 11m may be sufficient, otherwise at your size I'd recommend the 14m.

I've got the 8 & the 11 and haven't missed out on too much riding by not having the 14m. Then again, I only weigh 70kg and have a nice flat board I can use in the lighter stuff.

Sonics are great kites - performance without all the hype & marketing. I can't wait to try an 07 to see what changes they've made.

quote:

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Originally posted by newk

Hi guys,

.... Since you all have ridden sonics, I am wondering if I should go for a 11m or 14m as I weigh about 95kg?

...

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I weigh 83kg and use a Sonic 11 and two boards as a one kite quiver. I think with your extra weight you would prefer the 14. Once you get right into kiting you can get the 8 and then you will be covered for pretty much any wind you want to ride in.

I have ridden many of the bows (Crossbow, Switchblade, Rap II, Halo, TurboDiesel, Link) and the Sonic is the best by a long way. (The TurboDiesel and the Link are the worst by a long way).

If you get an 06 Sonic the only issue for you as a beginner is that they are fairly easy to stall if you are heavy handed and underpowered. The solution is to not stall them. You just push out the bar if it looks like it is going to stall. I think the stalling has been designed out of the 07 models.

Length is kind of irrelevant. Width is the key. My light wind board is 136x47.5cm with very little rocker. My allround board is 132x39 Underground FLX.

Length is more useful in stopping the tips catching and spraying you in the face or causing a face plant. If you go short/wide you need fairly narrow tips.

A couple of heavy guys in my area ride the Underground FLX 152x46. This is a great board with a huge wind range and very grippy. Highly recommended. I have borrowed the board and ridden it in 15 knots which pushed up to 25+. It does not get uncomfortable in stronger winds and chop.

Avoid heavily rockered boards like the Cabrinha Custom. Lots of rocker makes for a very slow board. It's like losing 2m off your kite size. They're fine if you want to ride super powered up and have lots of pop but for general riding they are awful.

agree with munter 11 the go

by larger board I was thinking surfboard

twintip it on stronger days you could hold a real 25 knots easy

The kiteforum review of the 07 11m sonic is excellent, kiter had the 06 sonic and gives comparisons, explains how the new depower strap works and the KPO settings, kiting in various wind conditions, well worth a read. I'm a convert, can't wait for mine to arrive.

Thanks for all the info. went with the 11m and its a fantastic kite. Nice and easy to handle and absolutely a peach.