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DBrice
Since 01 May 2010
34 Posts
Vancouer
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 Tue May 04, 10 10:26 am First Kite |
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Hey guys and girls, I have wanted to learn to kiteboard for a couple years now but I am finaly going to do it, I am taking lessons in two weeks and am very excited. I have been doing a lot of research online and am trying to decide what to get for a first kite. I am thinking a 9m or 10m and like what I have read about the F One Bandit 3, what do you guys think of this kite for a begginer ? Thanks for any advice.
Dustin
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Bettyboarder
Since 18 Mar 2005
1823 Posts
PDX/ White Salmon
XTreme Poster
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| Tue May 04, 10 11:38 am |
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Dont buy any thing till after your lesson.
Dont know much about the F One Bandit dont see them much here. Try kiteforum you will get some responses about it.
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tstansbury
Since 06 Jun 2006
649 Posts
Rowena and P.C
Addicted
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| Tue May 04, 10 11:48 am |
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| It is worth it to buy your first kite from a local shop so they can help you out.
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forrest
Since 21 Jun 2005
4330 Posts
Hood River
Hick
CGKA Member
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| Tue May 04, 10 11:59 am |
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| I've only seen one F One in the Gorge on a regular basis. Buying local means local support!
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4Stringer/KipWinger
Since 27 Apr 2005
541 Posts
Hood River
Addicted
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| Tue May 04, 10 12:07 pm F-One |
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Having been on the F-One-more swim team in 2000, I don't hold the name in high regard... Then again, Slingshot started with ram air kites in their first year, and look at 'em now.
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F-One More Swim Team.JPG |
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revitalized by muthu-nachu |
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kochease
Since 03 Jul 2008
760 Posts
In Ft. Stevens, OR
Opinionated
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| Tue May 04, 10 12:15 pm |
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Your gonna see alot more of them flying around this summer!! F-one bandit 3 is a awsome kite!! It's my personal favorite. Built very tough and has a short depower throw. Is a great for beginner to advanced.
You should wait till after your lesson to buy a kite, make sure this is a sport you really want to do.
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F-One, Ocean Rodeo, Litewave, Liquid Force
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Moto
Since 03 Sep 2006
2698 Posts
Still a gojo pimp!
Moto Mouth
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apctjb
Since 19 Aug 2007
438 Posts
Obsessed
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| Tue May 04, 10 1:22 pm |
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Can highly reccomend the Best Kahoona. The delta shape is super easy to relaunch which is a real bonus when first learning. Also a nice safety system. More time riding and less time draging behind the kite. I you want to go local I think Slingshot has a new delta shape kite as well.
Welcome; its a great sport and community
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JUMPIN JIMI
Since 11 Nov 2006
123 Posts
Stoked
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| Tue May 04, 10 1:41 pm |
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BUY THIS KITE (KEY). IF YOU WANT PEOPLE TO THINK YOU ARE COOL AND NOT A TOOL,THEN BUY A SLINGSHOT  WANT TO GET STARTED INTO KITEBOARDING  IT ALL STARTS WITH A KEY
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dancingwind
Since 18 Jul 2007
321 Posts
Obsessed
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| Tue May 04, 10 9:57 pm |
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Any modern bow/SLE/hybrid 9m kite is well suited for the gorge, most of the time!!
I'm definitely in favor of supporting the local economy. Check out www.gorgeperformance.com in Portland, & www.2ndwind-sports.com in Hood River.
However, if I were you I would save my $$$ for lessons 1st, then consider buying your 1st machine. You'll make a better decision as you've tried out some kites while learning and you'll get a feel for the wind in the Gorge. Some schools will cut you a sweet deal if you buy your equipment from them. So if I were you I wouldn't hurry buying a kite yet!!!
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SAY WHAT YOU MEAN, MEAN WHAT YOU SAY |
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DBrice
Since 01 May 2010
34 Posts
Vancouer
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| Tue May 04, 10 10:27 pm |
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| wow, thanks everyone for the advice, I was afraid I was going to get flamed for not searching like most forums haha, I plan on taking lessons first to make sure I want to spend this kind of money but am also making a list of what I need/want incase it is as addicting as it looks and people have told me. I would like to buy used because of the price but I really like a lot of the new features of the 09 10 kites. I did pick up a 3m slignshot trainer the other day, I was shocked how much power that small of kite has in not a lot of wind, can't wait to fly a real one !
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Martin_6453
Since 29 Apr 2010
26 Posts
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| Tue May 04, 10 11:50 pm |
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Here in Europe the F-one bandit is super popular among riders of all levels.
Personally I have not used it but I'm convinced it is a very good kite.
The Bandit 1 had a few flaws, the 2 got alround great reviews and the 3 is even better.
I do own its predecessor the F-one tribal from 2007 and I can confirm that F-one makes very strong kites with an eye for detail and quality.
Nowadays I only buy Best Kites.
The price is a lot lower than other brands and they just make really good kites. (anything after the 2007 models that is)
The 2008, 2009 and 2010 Waroo and the 2009 and 2010 Kahoona are all kite you can't go wrong with as your first kite.
I recoment your first kite to be a used kite, because your most likely going crash it a lot in the first months.
It's a shame to use a super expensive new kite for that.
You should be able to get a good quality used Best Waroo 2008 or 2009 for around 4 or 500 dollars.
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Moto
Since 03 Sep 2006
2698 Posts
Still a gojo pimp!
Moto Mouth
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| Wed May 05, 10 7:45 am |
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The type of kite you want is also very dependent upon where you want to kite? The coast vs. eastern gorge (very different conditions). Also, how much you weigh. The bigger you are - generally means you need a bigger kite.
How many kites you want? Just one? Then you are going to want a kite with as much wind range as possible. There is no one kite that will cover all conditions.
Do you want multiple kites - if so, how many, 2 or 3. Or full quiver of five so you can ride anything?
Martin makes a good point. Buying used makes sense cus you are going to crash the kite and beat it up. Brand new kites can run $2,000. Its heart breaking to bust up a brand new kite that you just dropped two Gs on.
As for price - get a feel for what kites are going for - look in the nwkite classified section - also look at www.ikitesurf.com - they have a huge classified section.
Talk with as many people as possible. Check out the local shops and talk to them - they are all very helpful!
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Still rockin gojos, *ssless chaps, and ankle weights! |
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Pepi
Since 16 Jun 2006
1831 Posts
Pure Stoke Sports
Shop Owner
CGKA Member
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| Wed May 05, 10 9:01 am |
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| Martin_6453 wrote: |
I recoment your first kite to be a used kite, because your most likely going crash it a lot in the first months.
It's a shame to use a super expensive new kite for that.
You should be able to get a good quality used Best Waroo 2008 or 2009 for around 4 or 500 dollars. |
We sell a lot of used kites, but usually try to advise newbies to go with new gear since they do not have the experience/knowledge to understand what they need to look for in purchasing a used kite (we can help, but are not experts with every brand that comes in used).
Used kites can be a good way to go, BUT only if you have a very well trusted and experienced kiteboard friend to inspect and advise you on your kite purchase.
A newbie kiter must always expect that they will actually punish their first kite much more aggressively than the average kiter (crashes, bad launches/landings, general abuse). This being the case, if you do buy a used kite, spend the money to get the best and newest used kite available.
Demo kites from a local shop are usually a fairly safe bet if the shop is willing to back up some customer service after you purchase the kite (we do this as a policy always).
Cheap and abused kites, you may as well just throw in the garbage and skip the hassles and possible hospital visit.
New kites can be expensive, but with a lot of the special deal packages being offered this year from many of the kite companies, you can get into a new kite package for only a couple bucks more, and that kite will last a lot longer time than your used kite.
Just some food for thought and advice to consider and apply to your decision making process.
Here are some examples of new kite package prices out on the market right now.
(sorry, yes this is an unabashed shop promo plug, but should likely also be available via other committed kite retailers)
Liquid Force Envy kite package (kite cmplt, board/straps and harness) pkg prices starting at $1239
Slingshot Key/Ignition package (kite cmplt and board/straps) pkg prices starting at $1395
Closeout LF kite/board pkg depending on kite sizes, start at around $929 .
Again, just some food for thought that you should consider and apply to your decision making situation. Used is good, but only good when it is truly is good (ie good condition, good advice and good price). New is always good because you get service, quality, safety and performance.
Thanks
Pepi
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Pure Stoke Sports
Hood River, OR
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www.Purestokesports.com |
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Speedo
Since 07 May 2007
262 Posts
Obsessed
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| Wed May 05, 10 9:30 am |
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Hmmm. Well intentioned advice but In my experience, talKing with a lot of people only gets you confused. One kite? Cmon who ISNT going to say their kite doesn't have the most range.
When I learned, I picked a school based on what kites they used because I intended to buy that brand. At the time, my priority was for a cheap (even when new), reasonably performing kite that I had seen with some regularity while windsurfing in the gorge. My priority was based less on the instructor because I made the assumption that they were all reasonably good and closely priced. Your priorities may differ from mine.
It's probably best to go with what u used from the school. If that's too expensive, get their opinion on the cheaper/used options. Using what you've used in school gives u the most confidence in those scary first solo sessions. Probably the fastest and safest way to progress. Plus you've set it up before and are reasonably familiar with the kite's behavior, relaunch, self rescue, and safety systems. Hopefully u have a brand common in the gorge so that u can ask someone to double check your setup prelaunch.
My 2 cents.
Posted with TouchBB on my iPhone
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genek
Since 21 Jul 2006
2165 Posts
East Po
KGB
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| Wed May 05, 10 9:44 am |
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| DBrice wrote: | | wow, thanks everyone for the advice, I was afraid I was going to get flamed for not searching like most forums haha, I plan on taking lessons first to make sure I want to spend this kind of money but am also making a list of what I need/want incase it is as addicting as it looks and people have told me. I would like to buy used because of the price but I really like a lot of the new features of the 09 10 kites. I did pick up a 3m slignshot trainer the other day, I was shocked how much power that small of kite has in not a lot of wind, can't wait to fly a real one ! |
Should be plenty of used '09 kites floating around the Gorge if you end up choosing to go for a used kite. Waiting until after lesson is probably a good idea though.
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Martin_6453
Since 29 Apr 2010
26 Posts
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| Wed May 05, 10 12:04 pm |
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| Pepi wrote: | | Used kites can be a good way to go, BUT only if you have a very well trusted and experienced kiteboard friend to inspect and advise you on your kite purchase. |
I agree
If such a friend is not avalible, at least check on a forum like this one if the sellers sales pitch is based on truth. (also when buying from a shop)
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