I upgraded from 07's to 10's this year. The 2010 model is pretty much the same as the 2009.

- 09/10 are much slower turning that 07/08;

- 09/10 have less depower than 07/08, but much better bottom end.

As for failed trick and powering up, are you swinging under the kite?

I initially didn't like the newer models, but now I am used to it I prefer it. More lift, same grunty fuel pull and power in the turn.

Can't speak for the 13 as I ride 7/9/11. In my case, I can hold the 07 9m/11m down in a lot more wind that the 2010 9m/11m respectively. Inversely, I can get going in a lot lighter wind. Can't speak for the 7m as I have yet to upgrade it.

Having said that I ride with a lenten bar and "depower" by edging more than sheeting out. So maybe there is more depower if you have a long-throw sheet.

Are any of these as good as the old 06 Fuel? ie fast and grunty as?
I used to have one but sold it now I wish I never got rid of that kite as it was a ball tearer!
Wouldn't mind getting one again have been riding the F1 alot I like the power but the kite has issues.

koma said...

Flux said...

Are any of these as good as the old 06 Fuel? ie fast and grunty as?
I used to have one but sold it now I wish I never got rid of that kite as it was a ball tearer!
Wouldn't mind getting one again have been riding the F1 alot I like the power but the kite has issues.

Why not just pick up an old '05/06 Fuel second hand?
For the going rate of ~$350 for a mint condition or $200 for a beaten up one, it's certainly something you can just use once in a while.

Agree.

I picked up an '05 7m fuel super cheap because it had a smallish rip in the canopy from a branch, fixed it up in 5mins with tear aid.

Love it! A nice change from flying a late model kite all the time. It certainly is a "ball tearer".

By the way superlizard - not sure if we know each other. Happy for you to try out the '10 fuels if we meet up at the beach.

Usually I am Brighton way.

James

axis said...

By the way superlizard - not sure if we know each other. Happy for you to try out the '10 fuels if we meet up at the beach.

Usually I am Brighton way.

James

thanks james... not sure if we met as i mostly ride at altona

actually i flown my old 07 after my LF HiFi 08 got stolen, and i can tell you i used to be impressed with that kite a lot more back then... after flying LF HiFi, i'm not sure now if it'd want to switch back to fuel... yes it has lots of balls that kite, but the convenience of depower at the bar (even though it's also a C kite) just makes it so much more convenient and speeds up progression. I guess they would have improved that in newer fuels probably too... also my 08 HiFi is literaly two to three times faster in turning... which also makes a huge difference... that's why i asked the questions if the later models would have improved as i was thinking of getting newer fuel as a second smaller kite