Finally got to fly the Rev

TWIN-FIN · Since 24 May 2006 805 Posts Portland, OR Hot Monkey

I got a PM asking me what my thoughs were of the Rev, this is my personal impression of the Rev. Im not a team rider, and I am not a top level kiter, and no one is paying me to write this review.

A little background first: This is my second year kiting; I get out to ride approximately 2 to 3 times per week. I currently fly the North Rebel kites 7m 9m, 12m.

My thoughts on the Rebel. The Rebel has been a fairly good kite once you figure out how to fly it. The only thing that I don’t like about the Rebel is 1) the Y bridal for the 5th line splits about 50ft up the line set, which means if you f*#k up and your kite inverts then you have to come into shore to get your lines figured out. Thus, making it more difficult to progress in your kiteboarding skills. 2) I though that the Rebel was a fairy fast turning kite until I rode the Rev. 3) The Rebel does not have much low end, but has excellent high end.

Now for the Rev. The Rev is a simple four line kite, no 5 line issues, and NO BATTENS Very Happy

. I hate battens; they break and make it much harder to pack especially for a trip.

I flew the Rev at Vento because there was no wind anywhere. There were two mufflersurfers out sloggen it, and it was barely white cappen. I went out with two other guys on Cabrina 12m kites (Kramer and ? some other guy), and I went out the 11m Rev. I had to depower the Rev so that it was comfortable for me to ride. As soon as I got it dialed in I started to enjoy the truly high performance of the kite. It is a very fast flying kite, with just the right amount of bar pressure so that you can feel where the kite is. The kite has very little back line pressure and is easily flown with one had, it is so easy to steer. It takes barely any pressure on the back lines to get this kite to turn. This kite brought out all of my bad habits. As I found my self looping the kite inadvertently. The SLE /C kite characteristics that everybody is talking about means always having power in your turns no on-off-on pull through your turns, just a nice smooth pull throughout your turns.

And Holly SHIT this mother has got some HANG time Shocked

I swear, I though I was Jessie Richman a couple of times without the long hair and way older. Seriously this kite is a phenomenal jumper. I actually feel that I have enough time in the air to pull off some styley moves (still need to work on the style end of things). Back/front rolls are much easier as a result of the extra lift that this kite provides.

The only down side (or not) is that if you rotate in only one direction then your center lines/ kite leash will get all twisted up in one direction. All you really need to do is start throwing tricks in the other direction or unhook and let it spin out.

I came off the water with a huge Rev SMILE Very Happy

I have been watching the local talent fly the Rev's beating the living shit out of these kites, slamming on the water after a failed kite loop handle pass to blind. They seem to be no worse for the ware, no rips, no busted bladders, no nipples torn off (ouch!)

I can truly say that the Rev will make you a better kiter and that’s NO SHIT!

The only reason not to by a Rev is if, 1) you have not flown the kite. 2) hate Slingshot products. 3) are getting a serous hook up from some other kite manufacture/shop. 4) This kite will spoil you and will make flying other kites not so much fun anymore Crying or Very sad

If you are truly into kiting then don’t waste you time with any other product out there. Get down to Gorge Performance right now and GET IN LINE to buy a quiver of these kites. My only question now is what size’s do I need? Everyone that I have talked to say 7m, 9m, 13m are the size they are going after. I had so much fun on the 11m depowered in light wind that I don’t know that I would use the 13m much other than at the coast.

Rev stoke factor……..MEGA-HUGE.

I am going to sell my Rebels and buy Rev's, my only concern is that I hope Slingshot does not run out of them before I can get my hands on them.

Thanks to the Slingshot crew for developing an awesome kite. I’m sure the Rev will become the bench mark for other kite manufacturing company’s to compare their kites too, much like the legacy of the Fuel.

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

Good review! Thumb's Up

And yea, the perfect quiver, at least for me is 7/9/11... with maybe a 5m for those 40+ days (otherwise the 7 is plenty). They're all bad ass though! Cool

jimmyc · Since 04 Aug 2005 74 Posts Cape Cod, MA

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

7/11 would be absolutely fine, it's just that I really like the 9 too! And the 11 has more low end than my '07 Fuel 13, turns faster, and has more depower! Very Happy

trevorsmith · Since 25 Apr 2005 501 Posts PDX Addicted

I think the 7,9,11 is perfect, but can see sub a 11 for a 13 if it performs well. My C kites I ride 9,11,13. Jaime/glide

7m = Nukin
9m = up to 30ish
11 = anything less than 20

Bettyboarder · Tue Aug 14, 07 1:05 pm

jimmyc · Since 04 Aug 2005 74 Posts Cape Cod, MA

Wow, still seems like a close range, What's the low end on the 11m...is it similar to 15m Fuel? Also, what's the high end of the 9m, is that like a 7m Fuel (2005)?

Where I live/ride we have fairly light winds, my 15m Fuel is my most used kite. Many days are 14-19mph, where the 15m is perfect. Only a few days over 30mph. So, if I ride 60 days a year, it's something like 35days on the 15m, 20days on the 11m and 5days on the 7m.

Curious, for you guys that ride the Fuel, will you be switching to the Rev? Or going for the 08 Fuel? Or what combination of Fuels/Revs?

Thanks again!

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

We are blessed with tons of wind, so our quivers size up a little different than most of the country.

trevorsmith · Since 25 Apr 2005 501 Posts PDX Addicted

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Aug 14, 07 2:04 pm

so 9 -11 for us fat guys? With a 13m fuel for those light wind days.?

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

Yea, Trevor's right. I don't think the 11m is up to Fuel 15 low end, but it's close, certainly a little more than the new F. 13. The R. 13 would be your best bet. And the R. 9 has far more range on both top and bottom than the '05 Fuel 7, that's for sure. Now for the R. 15's low end, that shit is insane... definately has more grunt than the Machine 17.5, turns faster (obviously), and has better depower. Ya know, when you gotta ride those 5-25 conditions!

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1859 Posts XTreme Poster

Two kites max--Revs--with high wind bias, weigh 195. The best quiver would be...?

Chime in, please.

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1859 Posts XTreme Poster

Right now thinking 7-11. Having two kites next to eachother in size tends to drive me nuts, as the "which kite" should I use question is usually answered with "yes."

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

Eric, depends on what wind range you're riding most, but I think 9/13 might suit ya a little better around here (just basing off a friend that is about your size and rides REVs right now). Then again, if you're riding 20+ most of the time, 7/11 would work. I'm ~145, and 7/11 fits me perfect from ~15-35.

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1859 Posts XTreme Poster

I prefer the 20-35 days. Kind of done with 12 to 20 unless it's at the coast

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

7-11 would work, but as always the 9m is the sweet size that has tons of range. You could probably make the 9m work into the early thirties, it has a lot of depower, and its very stable under depower.

I'd say 7-9-13 would be a great quiver. The 13 still turns very fast and feels like a smaller kite. You will want a 13m for those light coastal days I think.