I spoke with a man today about buying his used kite. He had made a comment about how addicting this sport is, and how expensive it can get. then to my suprize he said he had purchased 7 kites in the past year alone. I dont know if he wanted the new kites to replace the old one or just to have a nice quiver. I was wondering how long did your kites last and how many have you gone through in all your kiting years. I only have my trusty 6m samurai
and have had it since Jan./05 and it still works fine not a hole in it, just scuffed a bit.
what is the typical life of a kite range, years - months?
Moderator: MK
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jjmarks2001us
- Posts: 102
- Joined: Tue Jun 06, 2006 4:42 pm
- Location: hudson
It's all about wear and usage + how hard you are on the kites. But, in general, you can easily get a couple of years out of your primary water & snow tube kite. Other kites can last longer. The only downside of holding onto a kite from the past few years is that safety (equipment) has gotten a fair amount better every year.
Some people just like to churn through gear to try anything and everything out there. Buying 1-3 kites and one board for a few years of riding will get most people by with plenty of happy riding.
-Coach
Some people just like to churn through gear to try anything and everything out there. Buying 1-3 kites and one board for a few years of riding will get most people by with plenty of happy riding.
-Coach
I mispoke. It was actually 10 kites in the past year.
5.5m wipika-bought off internet but didn't know any better
12m cabrinha access-first real kite after gaining some knowledge
18m Naish Aero II- needed something for the lighter winds
15m Best Yarga-needed something in the middle
9m Slingshot GTO-was going to be super windy the next day
12m Turbo diesel-good deal on new technology (bow) basically took the place of the aforementioned 9, 12, and 15. led to leaps and bounds in learning
16m Waroo needed bow/sle for the lighter days, fell in love with waroo
12m Waroo to replace 12 TD as liked waroo feel better
9m Waroo-was supposed to be a 7m waroo for winter and teaching but sent me the wrong kite-decided to keep it anyway
5m Waroo small kite for teaching son and wife(with any luck)
(note selling everything but the waroos-see clasifieds-cheap!)
However after paying my dues both finacially and physically over the past year. I would say two kites (12 and 16 bow/sle) will be sufficient for 95% of the days here in minnesota.
Kurt
5.5m wipika-bought off internet but didn't know any better
12m cabrinha access-first real kite after gaining some knowledge
18m Naish Aero II- needed something for the lighter winds
15m Best Yarga-needed something in the middle
9m Slingshot GTO-was going to be super windy the next day
12m Turbo diesel-good deal on new technology (bow) basically took the place of the aforementioned 9, 12, and 15. led to leaps and bounds in learning
16m Waroo needed bow/sle for the lighter days, fell in love with waroo
12m Waroo to replace 12 TD as liked waroo feel better
9m Waroo-was supposed to be a 7m waroo for winter and teaching but sent me the wrong kite-decided to keep it anyway
5m Waroo small kite for teaching son and wife(with any luck)
(note selling everything but the waroos-see clasifieds-cheap!)
However after paying my dues both finacially and physically over the past year. I would say two kites (12 and 16 bow/sle) will be sufficient for 95% of the days here in minnesota.
Kurt
Tyson
I haven't used it since last winter and I'm struggling to remember how it flys. It's a big kite with a big feel. I think I needed at least 10mph to get it up but then pretty stable in the air, wouldn't fall out of the sky unless wind really dropped. Not sure of top end as I always under rigged but it was reported to me as having considerable range. Mike W and Jerry owned it prior to me. What do you guys remember?
Kurt
I haven't used it since last winter and I'm struggling to remember how it flys. It's a big kite with a big feel. I think I needed at least 10mph to get it up but then pretty stable in the air, wouldn't fall out of the sky unless wind really dropped. Not sure of top end as I always under rigged but it was reported to me as having considerable range. Mike W and Jerry owned it prior to me. What do you guys remember?
Kurt
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jjmarks2001us
- Posts: 102
- Joined: Tue Jun 06, 2006 4:42 pm
- Location: hudson
drknap, just wanted you to know I wasn't pulling you leg about wanting to buy the kite. I just am waiting to try a few this winter before I commit to buying something that may leave me wanting. I'm sure after 10 kites you understand.
I have a question though. I washed my kite because it have some tar stuff on it from kiting in a parking lot on light wind days. I used dish soap figuring its a mild detergent and no harm no foul. WRONG. I then read the manual again to see if it had a suggestion for cleaning "Never wash or clean your kite with a detergent" It has lost alot of crispness. flys fine if the wind is steady but if the wind dies it balls up usualy snagging bridle lines on my knots. Can I use starch or something to put somemore stiffness back in to the fabric?
I have a question though. I washed my kite because it have some tar stuff on it from kiting in a parking lot on light wind days. I used dish soap figuring its a mild detergent and no harm no foul. WRONG. I then read the manual again to see if it had a suggestion for cleaning "Never wash or clean your kite with a detergent" It has lost alot of crispness. flys fine if the wind is steady but if the wind dies it balls up usualy snagging bridle lines on my knots. Can I use starch or something to put somemore stiffness back in to the fabric?
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ice_kmauve
- Posts: 537
- Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2006 7:18 pm
- Location: St. Paul, MN
I bought 8 kites in the last year.
1. - 3m samurai. Great learning machine. Went across Minnetonka twice in one afternoon with just this kite using handles. Absolutely awesome experience. Used it halfway through the winter till I realized it really wasn't going to pull me enough most days. Still good for blastin high wind on ice.
2. - 6m New Tech Ballistic. Total piece of crap. Just didn't know any better. Will give/borrow to kiter who wants to learn.
3. - 10 m f-one. It has a drawing of Chasta falling out of a helicopter. Same as above.
4. - 15m Peter Lynn Bomba. Great kite. Used all winter, also okay for water but tough to get around the beach (also it gets creamed when you end up dragging it over anything full of water). This kite has the unique property that it stays up over your head literally forever when you let go of the bar. Thus, a learning kite.
5. 17m Cabrinha Element -- great kite comes with a great bar. One of the only C-kite bars that fully depowers the kite. Recommended and I have a brand new one for sale.
6. 12m Windwing Rupture. Okay kite but horrible water relauncher and then it got stolen to boot.
7. 12m Waroo. You can't go wrong with this kite.
8. 9.5 m Flexifoil Sabre. Haven't even flown it yet. It's my baby for this winter.
I'm one of those stubborn fucks who refuses to learn from others' mistakes. If you were to take one lesson, I would take a kite-buying lesson so you don't end up with a bunch of ebay crap. Ebay crap is for when you know what you're doing a little better. But what the hell, you spend money on junk kites, you add money to the kiting community is what I tell myself. Good luck.
1. - 3m samurai. Great learning machine. Went across Minnetonka twice in one afternoon with just this kite using handles. Absolutely awesome experience. Used it halfway through the winter till I realized it really wasn't going to pull me enough most days. Still good for blastin high wind on ice.
2. - 6m New Tech Ballistic. Total piece of crap. Just didn't know any better. Will give/borrow to kiter who wants to learn.
3. - 10 m f-one. It has a drawing of Chasta falling out of a helicopter. Same as above.
4. - 15m Peter Lynn Bomba. Great kite. Used all winter, also okay for water but tough to get around the beach (also it gets creamed when you end up dragging it over anything full of water). This kite has the unique property that it stays up over your head literally forever when you let go of the bar. Thus, a learning kite.
5. 17m Cabrinha Element -- great kite comes with a great bar. One of the only C-kite bars that fully depowers the kite. Recommended and I have a brand new one for sale.
6. 12m Windwing Rupture. Okay kite but horrible water relauncher and then it got stolen to boot.
7. 12m Waroo. You can't go wrong with this kite.
8. 9.5 m Flexifoil Sabre. Haven't even flown it yet. It's my baby for this winter.
I'm one of those stubborn fucks who refuses to learn from others' mistakes. If you were to take one lesson, I would take a kite-buying lesson so you don't end up with a bunch of ebay crap. Ebay crap is for when you know what you're doing a little better. But what the hell, you spend money on junk kites, you add money to the kiting community is what I tell myself. Good luck.
"They call me Doctor Love.. Doctor love!!" - an obscure rock band.
and they do that neat flapping wing thing! totally makes you feel like you are really flying!Stroh wrote:Tyson if you want a good light wind kite get a 2003 Gaastra GXR 19.5. the kite is supper efficient produces tons of power. for a big kite it's extreemly fast turnning. the best thing about this kite is that it dosn't like to stall and fall... like alot of big kites out there.
Jon