Hi there,

I have been riding a Pivot 2016 8m (until crashed it against the rocks last weekend). I had chosen this model as 1 kite quiver, cos it is published having a good low-end and a very light bar pressure (confirmed the nice bar pressure). I exclusively ride waves.

I have enjoyed it, but not the almost zero power in turns; I have also noticed that it needs some steering to be always generating some aparent wind (not good for my right elbow health which is very poor).

So now I need to URGENTLY buy a new kite, but one very important factor is to protect my elbow health. So, I'm wondering about some factores among the kites mentioned in subject:

Bar pressure :
Steering need :
Low-End :

So please if someone has tried at least 2 of these kites can please compare the above 3 factors in a scale 1 to 10?

Example (I have tried North Neo 2016 against Naish Pivot 2016 :

Neo 2016 8m / Pivot 2016 8m:
Bar pressure : 7 / 4
Steering need : 4 / 7
Low-End : 8 / 7


Many thanks in Advance

Big hug from Portugal

jonnydiesel said..
Try the Eleveight WS from Tom Exmouth Kite Centre

Thanks for the advise but I'm deciding among those kites. I don't have anything more available in Portugal.

SBoards said..
Hi there,

I have been riding a Pivot 2016 8m (until crashed it against the rocks last weekend). I had chosen this model as 1 kite quiver, cos it is published having a good low-end and a very light bar pressure (confirmed the nice bar pressure). I exclusively ride waves.

I have enjoyed it, but not the almost zero power in turns; I have also noticed that it needs some steering to be always generating some aparent wind (not good for my right elbow health which is very poor).

So now I need to URGENTLY buy a new kite, but one very important factor is to protect my elbow health. So, I'm wondering about some factores among the kites mentioned in subject:

Bar pressure :
Steering need :
Low-End :

So please if someone has tried at least 2 of these kites can please compare the above 3 factors in a scale 1 to 10?

Example (I have tried North Neo 2016 against Naish Pivot 2016 :

Neo 2016 8m / Pivot 2016 8m:
Bar pressure : 7 / 4
Steering need : 4 / 7
Low-End : 8 / 7


Many thanks in Advance

Big hug from Portugal

My mate has dodgey elbows & just recently changed from 2016 Pivots to 2018 AR Waves & mentioned that he is experiencing much less elbow issues.

All new dedicated wave kite have low bar pressure and Good turning But find that they very in low / high end I prefer for me the high end With Reo And love low end of Neo Have not used wave but have noticed it dose not drift as well as Reo

Only use AR waves 6 9 12 never problem with pullies.
6m was 2013 been flogged retired this year because of inflate valve.
fast light bar and tough.
fixed my elbow by down wind wave riding.

toppleover said..

Youngbreezy said..
But what about pulleys

What about them ?

vendeavours said..
All new dedicated wave kite have low bar pressure and Good turning But find that they very in low / high end I prefer for me the high end With Reo And love low end of Neo Have not used wave but have noticed it dose not drift as well as Reo

Was that the 2018 Wave that you noticed not drifting as good as your Reo ?
A mate has the latest AR Waves & they make great foiling kites, just hang there in the lightest breeze.
I have 2018 Drifters, great kites for wave/foil but bar pressure is more than Wave/Reo so probably not going to help OP,s elbow.

Yes it was 2018 AR Wave But It may of been the kiter not the kite ??

SBoards said..
Hi there,

I have been riding a Pivot 2016 8m (until crashed it against the rocks last weekend). I had chosen this model as 1 kite quiver, cos it is published having a good low-end and a very light bar pressure (confirmed the nice bar pressure). I exclusively ride waves.

I have enjoyed it, but not the almost zero power in turns; I have also noticed that it needs some steering to be always generating some aparent wind (not good for my right elbow health which is very poor).

So now I need to URGENTLY buy a new kite, but one very important factor is to protect my elbow health. So, I'm wondering about some factores among the kites mentioned in subject:

Bar pressure :
Steering need :
Low-End :

So please if someone has tried at least 2 of these kites can please compare the above 3 factors in a scale 1 to 10?

Example (I have tried North Neo 2016 against Naish Pivot 2016 :

Neo 2016 8m / Pivot 2016 8m:
Bar pressure : 7 / 4
Steering need : 4 / 7
Low-End : 8 / 7


Many thanks in Advance

Big hug from Portugal

Dont forget Most important is the little part that you conect your chicken loop on it that is what makes the difference
Not the brand model or year

If you're coming of Naish Pivot and exclusively ride waves, why is the Naish Slash not on your list? I compared it back to back to the Neo. Neo is gruntier with heavier bar pressure, and more "sheet and go". Pivots around its wingtip without generating power, and then shoots forward generating power. More grunt/obvious power per size when compared to the Slash. Slash requires more movement to get going, so less "sheet and go"/obvious low end, but once up to speed, it trucks along nicely with lighter bar pressure and good upwind. Slash also generates more pull in the turns, and shuts off power better than the Neo. Both wave kites, but very different approach/riding style required. Both drift nicely, but I prefer the Slash for more active flying & less grunt but also total power-shut-off on the wave. Also tried the Airush Wave - also nice kite for the waves; closer to the Slash than to the Neo in terms of required riding style etc. All 9m btw.

SBoards said..

Hi Strekke,

Could you please compare the bar pressure of these kites (scale from 1 to 10 please)?

Slash
Neo
Pivot
Airush Wave

Thanks mate

Well that's kind of difficult because I didn't test them all back to back in the same session.

The Airush Wave I tested in more powered conditions than the Slash vs Neo (I think), and bar pressure was light-ish, close to the the Slash I would say, but maybe with a bigger throw if I remember correctly. In any case, I remember it depowering/shutting of completely nicely, but then it also kind of started flapping, which is something I have not found the Slash do.

The Pivot I only tested in 7m vs the Slash 6m - Pivot was definitely gruntier and kept pulling harder than the Slash on the wave, so less complete shut off. If I remember correctly, bar pressure on the Slash was a bit lighter (but then again, I was comparing 6m Slash vs 7m Pivot, so that doesn't really count).

Anyways, from my limited experience with these kites, I would say bar pressure wise when powered up:

Neo: 6,5/10
Pivot: 6/10
Airush Wave: 4.5/10
Slash: 4/10

But you should take this numbers with a grain of salt, since I didn't test them all in the same size back to back.

That being said, and as stated by someone else above, I have tried some Core kites (GTS3 & XR) in the past, and both of those had light bar pressure. If I'm not mistaken, Core kites are known for having a low bar pressure, so if the Section follows that logic, I'd give that a go. Also try to maybe read some reviews on kitefinder.com or realwatersports.com etc.

Zebra80 said..

SBoards said..
Hi there,

I have been riding a Pivot 2016 8m (until crashed it against the rocks last weekend). I had chosen this model as 1 kite quiver, cos it is published having a good low-end and a very light bar pressure (confirmed the nice bar pressure). I exclusively ride waves.

I have enjoyed it, but not the almost zero power in turns; I have also noticed that it needs some steering to be always generating some aparent wind (not good for my right elbow health which is very poor).

So now I need to URGENTLY buy a new kite, but one very important factor is to protect my elbow health. So, I'm wondering about some factores among the kites mentioned in subject:

Bar pressure :
Steering need :
Low-End :

So please if someone has tried at least 2 of these kites can please compare the above 3 factors in a scale 1 to 10?

Example (I have tried North Neo 2016 against Naish Pivot 2016 :

Neo 2016 8m / Pivot 2016 8m:
Bar pressure : 7 / 4
Steering need : 4 / 7
Low-End : 8 / 7


Many thanks in Advance

Big hug from Portugal

Dont forget Most important is the little part that you conect your chicken loop on it that is what makes the difference
Not the brand model or year

Zebra, it's spelt connect...
Dam straight you are!

Yeh I can confirm the Eleveight WS is a really fun kite. Similar feel to the Reo, but arguably goes up wind better. I haven't really liked the Neo, it doesn't really seem as free to ride.

I'm a huge fan of the Airush Waves. Converted a little over a year ago and could not be happier. Responsive (even when depowered), goo bar pressure, I guess medium, not too light not too strong, bomber construction but not heavy. Prior to the waves I was on the BRM C2's, before that BWS surf and had a 10m Ozone Reo 2012 in my quiver prior to that.
The waves are great all around, can jump pretty good and very good drift.
I was apprehensive about the bridles/pulleys but it has never been an issue. I've tumbled them in the waves many times and they always come back up. I ride primarily surfboard and started foiling this year. Have 7m/9m/12m. The 12m has been a real surprise. It is a fun kite and the relaunch in light winds (foil) is surprising.
The only issue is that they are hard to find on sale. Airush seems to build what they can sell so rarely are there closeouts.
I just bought a second 9m 2017 to eventually replace my 2015 9m because I got a great deal on it which is rare.
Give them a shot sometime.
I buy/ride what I like, no affiliations.
Between boards, kites, foil, bars and harnesses I have 8 different brands.

SST wave kite is very good wave kite. The best quality for me is the drifting but the kite has to much power when you loop the kite and will junk you of your surfboard when strapless. cheers.

There is a good review about the SST wave kite on kitemagazine one or two months ago cheers