2011 rpm amazing

uride2 · Since 18 Aug 2010 31 Posts

i rode the 8m 2011 RPM today. More than I imagined. Wicked good! Buy one before they are sold out. Very good in the gusts. Started the day on the 2011 Rally 12m and moved to the RPM quickly. Very good range. More than I expected. Trust me buy one.

Buck

lineman · Since 05 Feb 2009 170 Posts Stoked

Nice, where are you in those pics Buck???

uride2 · Since 18 Aug 2010 31 Posts

Baja!

C Johnson · Since 17 Apr 2009 854 Posts Seattle Opinionated

what's different compared to the 2010 2009 RPM's?

sirmichaelo · Since 26 Mar 2010 353 Posts Maui Obsessed

I have the same question. All reviews for 2009-10 are about the kite not changing at all with the only changes being in the bar. Is this true again? If they go three years in a row with the same kite I'm just going to assume it's perfect and can't be perfected any further.

BTW, thank you Slingshot for not renaming the RPM. I would have flipped a bitch on you guys if you did that to another one of your fantastic kites. And after all that bitchin and moanin I would still go ride the damn thing. Kinda sick ain't it?

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

Cool review. I have been testing them too with Cole from my shop. If you want the details shoot me a pm or email. or check the Industry Nw kite page sometime timings or later.

Dave

bwd · Since 04 Aug 2007 385 Posts Obsessed

I really enjoyed a quick sesh on a 2010 rpm last fall.
Sure the 2011 is great too....
but on the subject of rpm,
I am more curious about the guy that modded his rpm by getting rid of the pulleys...
Anyway, nice kite, nice pics, but has anyone in the NW modded the rpm to fly w/o pulleys.
Some european did it and posted on the "kookforum", any more info/experience???
People were quick to diss it, but nobody really had any info...
pic:

link:
http://www.kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2367929&hilit=rpm+modification&start=10
The guy's english was poor or I'd ask him....
Just curious if any of y'all have tried this. Question

C Johnson · Since 17 Apr 2009 854 Posts Seattle Opinionated

so from what I've read so far it sounds like the biggest change is the addition of split strut on the 2011 RPM's

I'm guessing depending on how it was implemented this might mean smaller struts and maybe a lighter kite overall without giving up rigidity?

sure would be nice if slingshot would put in 1 day of time and test the 2010 side by side with the 2011 and actually measure the improvement. (loop time, relaunch speed, time to a measured windward mark, time to a measured leeward mark, park and ride speed.

its amazing how much data you can gather with a stopwatch, a camera and couple riders and notepad.

On second thought, it sure would be nice if all kite companies would publish test data like that. improvement in new kite designs is always way to vague. e.g. more, better, faster, etc.

1surfer · Sun Jan 23, 11 4:04 pm 14

I have the new RPM in a 14 and I love it. It is so well behaved. Its like a seeing eye dog. It knows want I want to do before I do it and its there !

Sauve · Since 19 Mar 2009 97 Posts Hood River

C Johnson · Since 17 Apr 2009 854 Posts Seattle Opinionated

agreed. there are many variables that cannot be controlled. fortunately it is still possible to gather data even with those variables. it would be nice to control them, and it would provide far more accurate results but a lot of data can still be gathered.

many of these variables can be held close to equal between two riders if you manage time well.

for instance.

take two riders. hopefully riders somewhat similar in weight and skill level and boards.

perform a series of tests with both riders riding in the same area. both starting at the same point and time and with the same finish location.

measure results. have the riders switch kites and repeat the tests. wind conditions may change and that will effect the results somewhat but really the important part is the delta(difference) between the two kites. having riders switch kites helps negate skill level differences. another consideration would be to run the tests on more then 1 day alternating who starts on the 2011 kite first. this would help account for variables such as how "fresh" the riders is. if you want to gather more data it would likely be beneficial to perform the tests in a series of different wind conditions to help determine where the sweet spot is for each kite and if 1 kite has a better characteristic then the other.

I suppose you could argue that maybe this job should be assigned to the magazine reviews rather then R&D teams at the kite companies. I think they should both do it so that kite companies and magazines have checks and balances to keep them both credible.

the data wouldn't be perfect but it would still likely yield valuable information. we all know the riders test the kites a sh*t ton anyway. a little organization would make that test time much more productive and might deliver more then just subjective vague claims.

toddjb · Since 16 Oct 2007 271 Posts MD Obsessed

C Johnson · Since 17 Apr 2009 854 Posts Seattle Opinionated

I'm not sure what deeper pocket means? or tighten up leech?

can someone elaborate?

toddjb · Since 16 Oct 2007 271 Posts MD Obsessed

Lurk · Since 04 Apr 2009 355 Posts Obsessed

I love my 10 RPM and the 12 is good, but the 14 sucks balls as a light wind kite. Many riders agree who have tried it. Hope the 2011 is better in the big sizes.

Also heard complaints that the old 8m rpms were more like a 6m in relative power. Guys bought them thinking they would have decent power only to wish they had bought a 10 instead. , an 8 should have the power of an 8. when a guy who weighs 140lbs, complains you know it aint right.

YOU CAN FLAME ME IF YOU WANT, BUT THIS IS THREE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND 5 GUYS TESTING THATS TALKING, not forum bs.

uride2 · Since 18 Aug 2010 31 Posts

2011 vs. 2010 8m rpm.
Same bar pressure but more intuitive direct drive feel.
Same awesome boost but more vertical pull.
Fantastic low end.
Super light weight kite with lots of range.

New kite quiver- 8 rpm
12 rally
15 octane

I'm 6' 1" and 185lbs. And only ride surf boards.

hopefall · Since 13 Feb 2009 79 Posts Couve

Im looking to add a new 10M to my quiver of Havocs, and would really like to give the RPM a shot. Like others have said, it seems like a pretty small wind range. Any advice on how well the 10M RPM would fit into my 8M and 12M Havocs?