tested the 12m for about 1 hour saturday.
wind was prob 14-20.
i had already tried a prototype that we thaught was the final product and i loved that, but the ones that were shipped seemed even more refined.
first thing you see is the finishing of the kite compared to last years, things like sewing in the spider inflation system and the 5th line setup is great.
the bar is simple and awesome. feels really nice, thick thru the middle for one handed riding and slim on the ends.
spins well and 5th line setup is good.
with the kite in the air you see the tips just dont flare out like the older kites. the feeling is real stable overhead, you just dont have to worry about it.
when riding, well it is just so easy. it has great low end so gets going easy as, and then you can just sit it at 45 and not have to worry. unhook and it doesnt give you that arm wrenching stress out that some kites give.
it turns reaaal nice, this is what i really liked about it. it just doesnt pull you off your edge. this will be a sic sic sic wave riding kite i recon. even in the big sizes.
for those that want to go insane wakestyle then this will also be a horn squabbler. will run well on either the chicken loop 5th line bar or a pulley bar.
one thing i noticed on the bar is there is no need for a long chicken loop. it seems to depower on small settings. the chicken loop length was prob 25 or so cm but i recon it could easily be halved and still have full use with the trim strap.
being a low-mid aspect kite the jumps were suprisingly good. not a kite to have if you wanna go for the biggest air comps, but big enuff for most.
in all just a real do it all user friendly kite.
see jason at full tilt and i am sure he will give you a crack of his kites.
Fully agree here
Ive had my 12m M80 since the first day they arrived in Aus, since then ive ridden it like 20 times maybe more... but its AWESOME. Like Caution said, one of the really noticable things about it is turning speed
really fast, really smooth, really steady...
On the pure wakestyle side of things, wide loop for really easy hooking in/out. Good little surge of power when you do unhook, but not enough to send you skidding downwind unawares...
really steady pull when you load up to pop, and its really stable while your up there, it doesnt want to dive or send itself which is a plus ![]()
the thin 5th line running along side the chicken loop line does pinch if you have 2 fingers either side of the line... but its soooooooo comfy and easy when youve got it 1 on one side, 3 on the other...
I got the 5, 7 and 9m a week or so ago and since then i have used the 7 and 9 for a lesson.... wow... they are soooooooooooooo stable!!!! cant wait for some wind to try em out but ill let you all know when i do ![]()
Kurt your gonna have to test the 12 out cos the bootie boy has no idea about boosting
and thats the way its gonna stay lol
looks like ss have finally realized the market likes high aspect kites and kites that turn as well, oh and a big flat light wind board too!!