Hey Guys,

i´ve just checked my gear for any damages and wearing.
Realized that my depowerline is pretty stuffed after approx. 50 hours of flying.
After i had a close look, i´ve found that the centerhole is f***ed!
I´ve thought North Kiteboarding came up with its outstanding idea to use a changeable plastic centerhole-insert instead of aluminium to reduce wearing of the lines...

Well, that´s the outcome...worn depowerline + f***ed centerhole insert!!!
That little plastic piece of s*** costs about $40!!!

What a joke, just look how thin the plastic in the middle is...

Is there anyone who has the same problem?!

Thats another fine mess you've got me into north - said Stanley!

So isn't the plastic at least teflon?

I wonder how many 'movements' ie sheeting in and out North considers is acceptable for their line and insert longevity ??

50 hours / 2 hr sessions in ideal conditions is less than a month (25 days? ) ?

That must be why kite schools dont use North ??

wow, and i really thoght the adjustable bar ends were the weak spot!!!

Troyrotor said...
Yer I lost mine ages ago, so had to replace the rope too.

Later snapped a bar because the grub screw causes a huge weakspot in the middle of the cast alloy center.

I would rather replace the rope only and not both at the same time. My plastic center always pops out too.
Annoying

Have you tried using the bar without the insert???
Will probably damage the top of the ironheart!

Nice railey by the way!

When will they listen? Doesn't help when I got absolutely smashed on kiteforum year or so back pointing out this flaw. Also Got a two page email from some big north guy justifying this absurd piece of delinquent engineering.

North open ya Farqin ears and listen!

QinClay said...

Troyrotor said...
Yer I lost mine ages ago, so had to replace the rope too.

Later snapped a bar because the grub screw causes a huge weakspot in the middle of the cast alloy center.

I would rather replace the rope only and not both at the same time. My plastic center always pops out too.
Annoying

Have you tried using the bar without the insert???
Will probably damage the top of the ironheart!

Nice railey by the way!

Yer I used it without for a while when I was waiting for a new center to come.
As the gap is large without the insert, your depower rope slips across and tears the skin from your fingers really bad. When passing it would flick across and cut my fingers.
Also the inside alluminium finish is rough with contour lips that where killing my new depower rope.

I'm still happy with all my north gear despite these problems, I kite pretty hard and often and I think all other Equiptment would fail in other ways anyway.

I'm injured at the moment so all my gear is getting some time to rest

I had plenty of problems with the switchblade. I put together a fully custom bar so stuff didnt break. The kite lasted well though.

Wouldnt get that with a BWS!

Nothing new here - same old kiteboarding problems - same old North.

get it replaced under warranty. the initial ones are much smaller than the replacement ones they have made, and they wear through pretty quick ( just did mine the other day). first thing you notice with the replacement is much thicker plastic that will last alot longer.

Hey guys,

just want to let you know that i´ve just got an e-mail from my dealer back in germany.
He´s spoke to North-Kiteboarding today and they said they´re aware of this problem.
Although it´s a very small number...
Maybe all got crappy once got send to Austalia...

Long story short, they'll send me the center hole insert plus the worn depowerline for free!!!
Maybe worth talking to your dealer as well...

I really think they have no other choice to get replacements for everyone who´s dealing with that issue!!!

God luck everyone!!!
Don´t give in!

sir ROWDY said...

QinClay said...

He´s spoke to North-Kiteboarding today and they said they´re aware of this problem.
Although it´s a very small number...
Maybe all got crappy once got send to Austalia...

Biggest load of bullsh!t i've heard in a long while... All the people I see over here in Europe suffer the same issue, sometimes to the point where the bar is F'd and they have to get a whole new bar!

I heard they said the same thing to a few people about the fast track breaking as well... good to know they are consistent with their lying at least .

... just wait until the season kicks-off in europe.
They´ll run out of inserts soon!