2011 Slingshot light wind kite?

Windian · Since 28 Apr 2008 901 Posts Newport, OR NEWPORT OG

So I will be getting new kites this year and am planning on getting 8, 10, and 12m RPM's, but am undecided as to whether to go with RPM 14m or Rally 14m as my light wind kite. Anyone out there that has ridden both of these, I could sure use some feedback.

Also, according to the windspeed chart from Slingshot website, it looks like the Rally has more lowend vs the RPM. And the RPM wind speed chart appears that the 12 and 14m are almost the same wind range. I almost exclusively ride in the surf so that is a primary concern that the kite be good for riding waves. One unknown factor is whether SS will be using even kite sizes again for the 2011 RPM's. If anyone is in the know of this bit of info and can shed some light I would like to know that also. I have been told that 2011 RPMs will be made available in February.

Question

Windance Crew · Since 18 Apr 2008 473 Posts Hood River Kite Shop Obsessed

Hey Windian,

The 2011 RPMs are in even # sizing again. February is the arrival date, can't wait, we will be testing samples in the snow in January.

You should get the Rally for your big kite. More low end, easier to relaunch if you crash it in the surf, surfier feel. Probably get the 14m2 since the Rally has a bigger range than the RPMs so it can handle the 4m2 jump between sizes. That partly depends on you though (weight, board size)

I do like the RPM though for you in the smaller sizes. QUicker turning and you need the low end when it's windy.

The minnow · Since 26 Jan 2009 395 Posts argentina Obsessed

I have never liked 14m> for many reasons, what you are asking is a style question and not nessasary, first a group of riders have tried every combination to make light wind work, and the end result is no kite is fun under 14nts, and if they tell you differant there plane liers, die hard, and desperate,
What works is 10m extension on 27m lines, pesonaly have rode 31m, forget the kite its so high, this works!
Plus if a 65 kilo kid can make a 12m RPM work stock lines, on a wake board and boots, in under 14knts, you should have no problem with a surf board and extensions, there are tons of reasons not to go bigger, the only one reason to ride a light wind kite is desire, logistics say no its all bullshit,
those RPM are sweet, but not the14m, maybe if they do 16m, but 12m - and 14m are sized to close, you may want a older modle kite as a light wind option because it will get little use? the secret agent!!

shymac · Since 20 Jul 2005 919 Posts Home Valley, Wa. Bigfoot

14 Rally will be the ticket for great light wind kite from Slingy. Especially in snow or if you use a proper big/volume board for light wind. Good power, speed, and upwind ability. My go to kite for the coast before it starts to fire... You will be hard press not to make it work in 11-14kts. High end would be about 18kts.

The 14 RPM is good but not for a guy larger then 180lb [IE SA]... But riders are successful when they use the right board for the conditions. Great for snow but still needs some wind to keep you up wind at 12-14kts. I love the RPM in the snow due to the fact it unhooks so well and seems so light in the air for how large it is. With 3 struts its a breeze for setup even by fiol standards... Also adding 27m lines allows it to maximize stroke. Reverse relaunch is standard for both kites so don't think you can relaunch these in snow no matter how light it is.... Water relaunch still can be hard with minimum wind and the Rally has it on that account due to the sweep wing nature of the kite.

The minnow · Since 26 Jan 2009 395 Posts argentina Obsessed

Shyman knows me and am plane fat 300 lbs, so my opinion is distorted,
and am a kiteguy more than boards, so i always ride the same board and not anything to do with light wind, like a 169 twin tip with rocker,42cm wide?, or something bigger.
I personally ride big kites still, but can ride the same kite as you when it gets over 18knts, the 13m octane gives tons of scessfull session floats well, the rpm in the surf is incredible, got some of the best waves of my life on a 10m in over 20knts soild, drive striaght at that baby and it just waits for input, and am only a water guy too no snow, back in the day like 1988 at aspen highlands two skiers died in a avelanch I setoff because they poached the run behind me,
At mamoth mountain like 1992? was volentire as always, like the highlands < ski for free> five kids decided to jump into the back bowl as i begged them not to, and the first three died instantly, the other two survived due to to ski patrol i called from tower 14? and once i skied out of bounds at mountain baldy, sheriffs, ski patrol, bomb squad , after me, when i walked out was going to arrest me, and i said just follow my tracks down to the body, off the hook , number six.

The minnow · Since 26 Jan 2009 395 Posts argentina Obsessed

The moral is to keep the quiever smaller, but if you can justify having four new
kites go for it, tottaly go for it!!, the 14m must be great in the zone its desighed
for and 180lb rider, its just that I would need a bigger kite thats not availible
at this time, and now, and have a new 13m octane that i rode when others had 14m? so am totaly confussed at this point, and my 17m the other day sent me down wind when most rode 12m?
Just to clearify at highlands, in aspen, was a ski patrol helper, and poached every run on the mountain and the patrol choose me to be the first person too ride steepel chase, due to every track down was mine, i cut the corice with fifty poeple watching and with a thumbs up drop in heavy, the whole shit broke lose and i followed my poach line , done with patrol, saved me but the two skiers jumped in, and never really touched the snow one was twenty feet over my head .eyes like golf balls, and in 07 in argentina saved two skiers from death, but blueout my knee on some stupid bamboo like shit, so my snow days are over, secret agent,

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

I havent flown the 14 rpm, but the 14 rally is pretty sick.

Windance Crew · Since 18 Apr 2008 473 Posts Hood River Kite Shop Obsessed

This just in:
RPM will also come in a 9m2 too

So,
4.5
6
8
9
10
12
14

Windian · Since 28 Apr 2008 901 Posts Newport, OR NEWPORT OG

Thanks for the input from those that chimed in on this thread. I am leaning towards getting the 14m Rally as I can ride it in to some lower wind speeds.

Looking forward to having all new rags for the upcoming summer winds, bring it on!!

Cool

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2620 Posts The 503 METAL

Sella · Thu Dec 16, 10 9:38 am

Windance Crew · Since 18 Apr 2008 473 Posts Hood River Kite Shop Obsessed

We have samples arriving in January which will be our demos. 6-8-10-12m2.
Anyone is welcome to trying them, as long as you can prove you're no kook Smile

Windian · Since 28 Apr 2008 901 Posts Newport, OR NEWPORT OG

Since this thread has headed in the direction of quiver incrementation, I think it is really odd the way kite companies do their sizes.

Why don't they increment up by the same percentage of increase? An 8m kite is 33% larger than a 6m kite, but a 14m is only 17% larger than a 12m. It doesn't make much mathematical sense to create quivers where each kite is the same area greater than the one smaller than it. Most kite companies quivers are exactly 2m apart. Why?

If I could create my perfect quiver for my next purchase, it would be Slingshot RPM's and the kite sizes would be as follows:

6m, 8m, 10.5m, and 14m where each kite is approx 33% larger than the one below it.

I wish SS would throw in a 10.5m into the scheme of things as long as they are putting in an odd 9m.

Question

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

The 9m is solid. Obviously, a bit snappier than the 10 with a hair more grunt than the 8! 10's still my fav though! Thumb's Up

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

4.5 RPM is the kite of choice Thumb's Up

then the 6 and then the 8...

how about an 11 - mine goes to 11

The minnow · Since 26 Jan 2009 395 Posts argentina Obsessed

I just call my self the 16m kid, go big or go home,
,,,,, seriously to be fair, most people will not be ably to buy a full quiver of kites.
--------though it would be nice. maitain, care, and storage is a question
....... , when I tried the 14m, am not sure if it was with the original bar and lines,
,,,,,, that big bar with 27m lines, and some slingy extensions has got to put out some serious power stroke, and if you pump that baby rock hard, has got to put a rider into the lightest wind ; 10knt. if under or around 200lbs,
....... when I got this set up, we all will demo it.... secret agent!

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy