These 2 kites are very different in feel so ideally you would want to try them before you make up your mind.

A few thoughts that might help though-

Size for size the Fuel seems quite a bit more powerful.

The Torch seems to handle gusty winds a bit better.

Fuel is 4 line but I found the reverse relaunch very easy.

Torch is the same 5th line system as past models.

Total de-power by releasing the bar is about the same for both (obviously not as much as a bridled kite)

Overall turning speed is similar but the Fuel waits for more bar input before it turns. This can be good to help prevent unwanted movement of the kite when passing etc.

Both bars are below the bar cleated power adjustments this year.

Don't do it!!!
The fuel rocks!
get yourself a 5m & a 9m and your set!!!
Man i have a 9m as my biggest and i way 70kg
thinking about a 5m or 7m as a second kite

Anyone used a 2009 5m fuel???

Maybe in dreamy dream land. If you're 75 kg's you'd need a 12m in Vic. Two kite quiver is going to be a 12 and 9. No one can feed me this "My biggest kite in Vic is a 9m crap" unless they weighed 60kg's.

juggler said...

Saffer said...

Maybe in dreamy dream land. If you're 75 kg's you'd need a 12m in Vic. Two kite quiver is going to be a 12 and 9. No one can feed me this "My biggest kite in Vic is a 9m crap" unless they weighed 60kg's.

Have you used a 2009 9m fuel??? lots and lots of low down power

The basic principles of surface areas apply. Unless its mysterious taken on a Bandit shape or some other ultra flat since the last time I saw it. I did however see a rider on a 13m one in lightish wind and he looked no more powered than anyone else on the water who was riding comparatively sized 12m bows...

Now if you're coming from riding C kites (like the Naish Alliance which has less grunt than most 10m bows), I'm sure Mr "9m wonder-fuel" will have lots of low down grunt, but compared to a 12m Cabrinha SB or most other flat kites, I'm pretty sure Mr "9m wonder-fuel" is going to feel fast turning, but pretty ordinary in the power department.

I'll try yours on the weekend. $20 says it doesn't have more grunt than my 12m and mine is not a grunty 12.

Haven't tried it yet, I didn't realise people were waiting. Bundi, what happened to you coming to Altona yesterday?

Saffer said...

Haven't tried it yet, I didn't realise people were waiting. Bundi, what happened to you coming to Altona yesterday?

Peak hour!!!!

i bought a 9m fuel recently as a stronger wind alternative to my 12 Airush flow (4 line C kite). and im now going to have to sell because it's way too powerful. it has near the same power as my flow.

But i fly it on 4 lines, any comments on the 5th line ?? i have never used one.

Bit more info on the 2009 Fuel 9m
I have changed the chicken loop over to the old style as i'm finding the hole in the bar is a bit small for 3 lines so problem all fixe now
I've recently fitted 20m lines, still have good bottom end at about 18knts, and yesturday was holding it down in a good 30-35knts, Had to keep the kite down low to edge hard against it, but god damm did it boost well

Still an awesome kite, get one & you'll be hooked

i have now got naish torches and after havig them for 2 weeks i love them. the 12 has a little bit better bottom end than a 11m fuel after trying them side by side. the torch performs soo well unhooked and is incredebly stable. the torch bigger sizes are nicer than the smaller ones and i find the fuel smaller sizes nicer than the bigger ones. the kites have amazing boost and hangtime especially after flying the 12m in 25 knots and me being 52 kgs. the torch has sooo much depower for a c-kite and has close to any bow/sle whereas the fuel has very little. the fuel does kiteloop very well (i have only tried the 7m fuel for kitelooping in 25-30 knots) and so does the torch but when you get the torches i find they need a bit of tuning before they are right.
i also got the thorn 128cm and it is a sick board. it has so much pop and because of the big fins is soo grippy but you can still make it have that 'skatey feel'. the tips of the board are quite flexy aswell which increases the pop. the only down side to the board is that the screws are a little bit short so you have to put loctite in the holes or else you pull the straps out every 2 sesions.