good kite or bad kite?

Hack · Since 02 Aug 2011 5 Posts New Member

Hello, im just getting into the sport and was thinking about getting a 2006 waroo 9m second gen. but i didnt really know about the safety system on the kite or how well it would work on the coast.

Thanks a lot!

kenja · Since 19 Jun 2008 179 Posts Stoked

Unless you are extremely low on $$$, I would go for something newer. I tried a friend's 2006 Waroo and thought it was a piece of s@&!. It was a really gusty day and it kept Hindenburging on me and was pretty punchy and unstable. I've tried many kites before and since that would have behaved much better under those conditions. On a steady day it may be better... I'm not sure if the poor performance is typical of Best kites, but I do know that late models of Naish, North, Slingshot, Liquid Force, and Cabrina are all pretty solid.

mystery curd · Since 14 Jun 2010 98 Posts Floating

I vote no.

tonyb · Tue Aug 02, 11 9:48 pm

I flew the '06 Waroos for about 2 1/2 years and really enjoyed them at the time. It was a good kite in it's day but a little out of date now. Construction method and materials were pretty good but not as tough as kites made in the last couple of years. Check the condition carefully, look for loose stitching, tears, repairs, thin spots, worn bridles, etc...

If you're just getting in to the sport you'll crash your kite more often (we all did) which is hard on them. Dropping a five year old kite with any real wear on it into the surf will most likely result in some blown out panels if it goes through the wash cycle.

If you were going to be kiting Floras Lake or going to SPI or Hatteras I'd say to get it. But if you're trying to get going on the Oregon coast I'd think twice. Or at least make sure the kite is in prime condition and still "crispy".

Safety system is all related to the bar and not the kite. You can fly an '06 kite on a 2009 or later bar and have a great safety system. Or not, depending on modifications made or features disabled.

I still ride Best kites and really like them but at some point its best to let the old kites die. In fact we still have an '06 Waroo 9m and an '07 Waroo 7m, and an '08 Waroo 5m in the quiver that my kids and their friends use but I wouldn't feel right selling them to a newbie. Get a Kahoona or a similar delta style kite from any of the other major brands as they are much more beginner friendly with huge range and super easy relaunch.

oh, and don't ask for anyone to compare the Waroo to other brands or the thread will get locked down quick! the one big taboo on nwkite is brand wars!

Tony

kitebot · Since 20 Feb 2007 251 Posts Obsessed

Is it in cherry condition and is it really cheap? If you answered "yes" twice, then it could be worth looking at. The '06s were a great kite in their time. Lightweight, simple and free of battens, 2:1 pulley systems or poorly thought out one-pumps. The bar wasn't very good, but you could always swap out and use something else. If you do go for it, keep in mind it's a 5 year old kite so you could have valve leaks, bridle failures, panel failures and leading edge seam issues, every session could be a surprise. The '06 was notorious for it's weak leading edge seam, something they fixed in '07. I did more than one pre-emptive leading edge repair with dental floss, and they worked great. If trimmed properly the kite was pretty solid in the air when pumped up hard. In the 5 years I flew these kites they never inverted or hindenburged. Bridles stretching over time, however, could affect performance Make sure you take a really good look at the bridles where the pulleys run for any wear. Even if you don't see any wear, the bridles can still snap after a few seasons of use with absolutely no warning. I got caught out in the middle of the river last year beacause of this. This issue was remedied in the '07 with the replaceable bridle section where the pulley travels. You could do this mod yourself. If you do use the stock bar and it comes with a wrist leash replace it immediately with a normal leash. Good luck.

tautologies · Since 24 Aug 2006 602 Posts Oahu Addicted

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Bad kite - 2007 was a much beefier build

D-Krep It Kiter · Since 18 Jul 2011 417 Posts Obsessed

I'm totally new to the sport two... so far I've taken 2 lessons (the mandatory land lesson, and then the water lesson which was what I really wanted) and had a couple of sessions since where I got up on my board.

I went with a new kite (North Fuse) and have no regrets so far. Coming from a windsurfing background I feel like a lot of the safety in kiting comes from the gear. As newbies, we're going to make mistakes, sometimes big ones, so the more forgiving the kite and the more sure the safety release systems, the better, so going new is worth it when you're starting out, I think.

sirmichaelo · Since 26 Mar 2010 353 Posts Maui Obsessed

2006??

No way dude.

2008 or newer (no matter which brand you buy).

Your hospital bill will make that kite very expensive in the long run.

strapless101 · Since 17 Aug 2009 82 Posts gorge

that kite was junk from the day it was sold. I know, I had one. If it is free take it, fly it for a few weeks and then if this is something you are going to do, then buy a better kite.

jbruxer · Since 24 Jul 2005 398 Posts Beaverton, OR Obsessed

safetychek · Since 07 Nov 2006 72 Posts Hood River

I bought a 2006 9 Meter Waroo new, and then subsequently replaced it with a 2007 9 Meter Waroo. Never had a problem with either kite.

The original Waroo was a good kite for its time, and the 2007 was even better. The original 2006 was not as rigid or stable as the 2007. Both kites flew fine when inflated correctly and trimmed correctly.

The original Waroo bars did not have a stopper, so it was "easy" for beginners to accidentally push the bar too far away. On most kites if you quickly push the bar far away, then bring it back in fast the kite is more likely to invert.

I have flown both kites with Waroo bars, and would choose to upgrade the bar, or use another bar with a stopper.

Since we aren't doing brand comparisons on the board, PM me with you want a bar recommendation.

Hack · Since 02 Aug 2011 5 Posts New Member

well i think im going to have to vote no on that kite then. ive been trying to get into the sport for some years now just never had the money. i just cant get a kite for $600 and then i would have no money for a board at all.

thanks for the help everyone i really had no idea

ecameron · Since 29 Jul 2009 90 Posts PDX

http://nwkite.com/forums/t-22912.html

Great kite to learn on. 2M larger, but where ya riding? Are you local?

Leaves ya 250.00 for a board.

This is not a kite i'm selling, just a good kite.

Jonpnw · Wed Aug 03, 11 12:06 pm

The 11 meter will get you out and kiting when the wind lighter, and/or get out early in the morning before the crowd and then come in when the wind picks up.

So worth it, don't give up yet.

tonyb · Wed Aug 03, 11 12:15 pm

Jump on that Rev Hack. Good kite for what you're looking for.

Jonpnw · Wed Aug 03, 11 12:23 pm

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-22913.html

Here is a board for $200.00 It even has boots so you will have steez.

All within your budget.

I would definitely take lessons though before buying gear.