New Kiteboarder

Turtle · Since 16 Apr 2012 3 Posts Kook

I'm new to Kiteboarding and it's time to buy myself a kite. I've been borrowing and learning on a friends Evo 9 and key 10. I am very athletic so I am sure that I will pick up the sport fairly quick and want to buy a kite that I can progress on, but also use later when I am moving into tricks and aggressive riding. As of now I can almost stay up wind, but will get the hang of it in a few more sessions.

Unfortunately I don't have a ton of money for a nice North or Cabrinah, so I'm stuck with a lower end kite. I've been looking at a Airush Lithium and a Liquid Force Envy. I have around $1500 to spend on the whole package, kite, board, bar & lines, harness. I've found both the Lithium and Envy with said gear for about that price.

Anybody have any advice on other kites I should get?

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1489 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

you should consider used kites. You could get 2 kites for your budget.
My first quiver of kites were used.
I bought 4 kites for $1400 and I'm glad I did.
I used them for a full year and then passed them on to friends and family.
There's lots of 2010 and 2011 kites for sale in the classifieds.....

Nak · Mon Apr 16, 12 12:19 pm

I'm going to agree with the used route here. If you're total budget is $1500, it's going to be tough to build a new quiver. You're going to need at least two kites and one board. I'd add a second board for light winds and a third kite in that order.

The classified section is filled with good deals. You could go with one of two routes. Pick up two 2010 or 2011 kites and one board. OR: Pick up 3 2008 kites and two boards. There's good rationale for either route. The newer kites will last longer, the older kites will allow for a complete quiver. You'll find that you'll end up thinking of one of the kites as your "money kite", that is the kite you ride most of the time. It will be the first one that needs replacing.

It's best if all your kites are the same brand, that way the control and safety system doesn't change when you change kite sizes. Also, it's a good idea if all of your kites are the same model, although it's common for quivers to contain a different model for their lightwind choices. For instance, I ride the Slingshot RPM, but prefer the Rally for my big kites.

As far as comparing brand to brand, we don't do that here. It tends to degenerate into the "Fords suck and Chevys rule" type of mentality. ie, people think that there kite is best, and they are usually right--for them. Everyone has slightly different priorities in what they want, only you can decide what's best for you. Read the different threads about specific kites on here. Talk to people on the beach and find out why they ride what they do. Think about customer service, ease of use, flying characteristics, build quality, control bar type. Some people like above the bar trim, some people prefer it below the bar. Demo some kites if you can.

When it comes to quiver size, what do you weigh and where will you be riding? Sauvie Island is a great beginner spot-- it has a great vibe and a long beach. Light winds are the rule though with a lot of sitting on the beach waiting for the wind. If you'll be hitting Sauvies a lot while you're learning you'll need a lightwind kite as one of your first kites.

Have fun and good luck!

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

Only thing I'll add is that make sure your used kite is truly a "good deal". If you're paying $700 or more for a used kite, keep in mind that there are last years close-outs to be had for around $1000. You could also consider Switch Kites... I have not tried them, but they sell on-line directly from the manufacturer... again, a new complete kite will be around $1000. But yeah, a couple of solid used kites might be a better investment for you on a limited budget.

DangleMaster123 · Since 01 Aug 2010 38 Posts

Here is the best advice I can give you.

Having experiance teaching alot of young woman how to kite, I have found that it is best to get into the sport on a very low budget and invest in some 2004-6 kites. This was a very great year for the Slingshot Fuel, so it would be good to look into some of those.

This way you can crash your kite a lot and not worry much about your $2,000 dollar kite having to wash up on the beach or rocks. The fuel was known as a revolutionary kite during this time, and is ideal for gorge conditions. Dont pay more that $600 for one though.

If you happen to be under 30 and female, I would love to give you some free lessons. Help you get started.

http://www.xlkites.com/2005-slingshot-fuel-p-1423.html
Great deal

Sella · Mon Apr 16, 12 1:58 pm

Pete · Since 29 Oct 2007 843 Posts Opinionated

Troll.

WINDUDE · Since 10 Jun 2010 558 Posts GORGE! Addicted

dangledouche

OG · Since 07 Jun 2011 599 Posts Addicted

pick up a couple closeout kahoonas bro. Really new guy friendly, and also has a good amount of capability to grow into.

http://greenhatkiteboarding.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=721&currency=USD

WINDUDE · Since 10 Jun 2010 558 Posts GORGE! Addicted

you should post more specifics on your situation, where are you going to ride? Gorge? Coast? Kansas? How much do you weigh? That will help us get you the correct info.

Don't buy a Fuel

Cheers

Turtle · Since 16 Apr 2012 3 Posts Kook

Thanks for the replies guys!

I'm about 165 lbs and will be riding in the gorge this summer, as well as the summers to come, and around Honolulu, HI for the winter and spring months.

I was planning on going to the swap meet outside of Windance this weekend and checking out what I can find used. A good friend of mine who has rode the gorge both windsurfing and kiting for several years wrote me up this list to look for, please feel free to add or reject some of the gear:

Airush Rival
Airsuh Lithium
Airrush Razor

Naish Torch
Naish Park

Slingshot RPM
Slingshot Fuel

North Evo
North Vegas
North Rebel

Cabrinah Switchblade
Cabrinah Crosbow

Liquid Force and F1 he said to ask around about.
I plan on getting a 9m or 10m, as I've rode them in the past and have been happy with them.

Nak · Mon Apr 16, 12 3:25 pm

For the gorge you're going to want a couple of smaller kites, say a 6 and 9, for Honolulu you're going to want a bigger kite or two, say a 12 and a 14. Really with that mix I'd want a 6-9-12-14 quiver. The Gorge is plenty windy in the summer, but Oahu is often just enough to ride--or less.

Ideally, you'll want a surfboard on Oahu, and a twintip or a surfboard in the Gorge. Twintips work fine on Oahu too, but there's so much wave riding there that a surfboard would be very nice to have.

WINDUDE · Since 10 Jun 2010 558 Posts GORGE! Addicted

yeah, at your weight I would say 6 - 9 - 12 is a good quiver

in my opinion here is the order you should get them in depending on your budget:
9 - 6 - 12

I am 185lb and I ride a 7m & 10m in the Gorge

TheKerrKid · Since 02 Jul 2009 226 Posts Stoked

Hey man I would narrow that list down to the Lithium, Park, RPM, (all good kites that you can progress on as well)and not positive on North but i think rebel is the call for that.

But my personal recomendation is the liquid force envy, it is by far my favorite kite. Its slower speed, instant relaunch, large range and super durable construction makes it a really reliable kite. It also has maxflow(a inflation system) that is super handy.

it comes in a 7 9 and 12

I have put my parents and sister on it and they have all loved it as beginer to intermediate kiters.

A.K. · Since 01 Jul 2006 190 Posts Stoked

7m Slingshot Rev + bar/lines
9m Slingshot Rev + bar/lines
14M Best Waroo + bar/lines
XL Dakine seat harness
Spreader bar

This is my quiver and I have been riding it for 3 seasons exclusively in the Gorge and Coast. I was planning on riding it this year as well. But if you want it all for $1,500 its yours.

PM me if interested

A.K.

Sella · Tue Apr 17, 12 7:27 am

tekko · Since 20 Feb 2006 376 Posts White Salmon Liquid Force

obviously I'm affiliated... but don't let that cloud your judgement...

edit... just ready your post a little clearer... by no means is an ENVY a 'lower end kite' !! If you want to know about kite durability and build.. call airtime, the leading kite repair and ask them about each of the kites... they've been inside and outside of all the kites on the market and can tell you the scoop on build quality, reinforcements, etc... with all brands!

The LF ENVY is an AMAZING kite!! The fact that it's priced right is an additional benefit.

At least give it a go before you make your decision! You can contact 2nd Wind sports in Hood River or Gorge Performance in Portland or Bellingham Kiteboarding for Seattle / north sound areas and they can coordinate a demo with you!

Just finished 3 solid wind days of demo's at the Pismo beach kite expo. Everything from the 5m to the 15m were on the water over those days! We had people lined up waiting for the Envy's, even though we had 3x each 7/9/12m's!! Lot's of amazing feedback and more than one tested claimed they'd ridden each of the company's offerings over the 3 days and the Envy, for them, was the best kite on the beach!!

I know 2nd Wind also has some 2011 used/demo ENVY's that can be had for a deal as well.

I'm on my way back to Hood River from Cali for the weekend, so you're welcome to hit me up too- tekko@liquidforce.com or pm on this forum and I'll come meet you for a demo or coordinate someone who's got kites up there now to meet up with you!

I am not one to talk smack about any other kite or company.. but being a gorge kiter, you have access to all the reps from LF, Cabrinha, Slingshot, Naish and North. If you want to really know 100%, you could get us all out there with you and you could put the kites head to head and see what you like, in each price category and make and extremely informed decision!

Whatever you decide... welcome to kiteboarding!! Look forward to seeing you out there on the water!