Bought these early this year. They are my first kites, and as such cannot do them a great deal of justice when reviewing them on performance just yet.

The 8m wind range by design is 16mph to 34mph, the 11m 12mph to 25mph, I have flown both down Redcar, Shields and Seaburn in various wind ranges without problems, and although not yet on the board, I don't have bad control over the kites. All important for me, the depower is amazing, chicken loop definitely works, safety leash simplistic in design yet completely effective. The 11m is on it's current AKPO settings is predictable, quick and powerful, for me anyway, the 8m of course shifts much more quickly.

The only issue I have had is, GK state the kites need only 4.5 psi, in this country this is nowhere near enough, especially when it touches down in the water, which at my current level happens fairly regularly, the density inside drops due to the cold water, and as a result the kite becomes soft and can be tricky to relaunch. I got in touch with Airjam who I bought the kites off, they said they have had the same issues, and recommend closer to 5.5 to 6 psi similar to the Airush kites, they said they actually inflate to 'Ping' tight. As my experience grows I'm sure I'll find a happy medium.

All in all, I love them, they will be superb for me to progress with, look the mutts nutts, and are more than capable of performing as good as anything else out there.

My board, again, I am limited as to what I can write about it just yet, but at 145 it will suit me at 5'11" and 200lbs. It is a well made board, looks decent and will take me years to out grow it.

Once I get more info I will add to this post, as soon as I'm up and running, jumping etc.....it will happen this summer, just got to get back in the Uk for practice now....roll on 2 weeks.

Regards....Z

[The only issue I have had is, GK state the kites need only 4.5 psi, in this country this is nowhere near enough, especially when it touches down in the water, which at my current level happens fairly regularly, the density inside drops due to the cold water, and as a result the kite becomes soft and can be tricky to relaunch. I got in touch with Airjam who I bought the kites off, they said they have had the same issues, and recommend closer to 5.5 to 6 psi similar to the Airush kites, they said they actually inflate to 'Ping' tight. As my experience grows I'm sure I'll find a happy medium.
]

I've had the same issue with my GK Trix needs more air in than recommended, but if you do it makes self launching a lot easier too.
jim[/quote]

No matter what kite you use, pump it up like a rock

Another little thing I've noticed, if they are stowed wet for more than a couple of days, the colours can run, albeit slightly, I don't know if this is normal.
I have now made it my mission to have them dry out on the lawn after every use, then using a very light brush, remove excess sand and beach stuffs before packing away. This appears to be working as they are is superb condition even after a years use from a novice.
On the progress side, I'm doing confident port tacks now, stbd is coming slowly, so not a goofy then.
Again I can't reiterate enough how much I think these kites rock the fat one, no signs of wear at all after a year of learning. Not too many big crashes, just let that bar go and all is calm again.
I'm starting to gel with the board now too but more on that later.

PEACE.....Z

Reet I've had my first issue with my kites. I've used the 11m all year with no problems at all. It's still in top nick.
I had the 8m out of its bag last Sunday down Seaburn for the third time ever. It flew fine all morning, getting me riding down wind and doing the walk of shame up the beach, haven't got the upwind thing going on yet..!

Early in the afternoon, after a few runs, it appeared to lose its shape momentarily but bounced back, then on a dive it completely deflated one of the struts and the leading edge, I ditched my safety, folded it and headed back to the beach.

On closer inspection, it transpired the inflation tube that enters the T3 strut from the leading edge had perished and come away from the 'nipple' on the strut itself, bugger..! I contacted Airjam who supplied the kites on Monday morning, and asked their advice, they've sent me a spare strut bladder which I recieved today free of charge, that's pretty good service by the way.

It looks fairly straight forward to replace but just got to figure out how to unravel the securing arrangement on the trailing edge to pull the bladder through, any advice on this would be appreciated.

Once I replace this I will post how to do it.

For now.....z

Righty ho,

I've changed this out and it really was a piece of piss. Just unravel the trailing edge fold at the end of the strut, and this bit is imperative, tie a piece of string to the nipples on the old bladder, pull gently through the kite's material until all is out, swop the string to the new bladder and pull gently through back in the opposite direction.
Next partially inflate the bladder and play with it until desired position is acquired, no folds in the material etc. Pull the new bladders nipples into place, fold the trailing edge back in and velcro in place. Then secure using tie wraps, easy peasy japanesy.

I know there are folk out there who will think I'm trying to teach people to suck eggs, however, in my defence, I personally would have liked to have read an article such as this before I attempted it, and it's not something you tackle everyday, hopefully...!

One other thing, I've shifted the AKPO settings on the 8m to give a lighter bar pressure, my forearms were aching last Sunday, almost akin to when I raced motorcycles but worse, I don't have the smallest forearms, so hopefully this might help, I will post whether or not this set up facility is as good as it says or not.
Peace...Z

My 8m was crashed last week at Paddies, put a tear right through the kite from leading edge to trailing edge, bugger. It did hit with a bit of force mind, but didn't expect that. S*/t happens...

Gonna try repairing it, see what that brings, watch this space.

Got my new 08 Trix this week though so all is good again...

whats the 08 trix like? my 07 seems to have a massive wind range been out in anything from 15kts to 27 and it performs well in all

I've only had it out in my living room so far mate, still as crispy as a Quaver. I got it last Tuesday, came offshore Thursday so not had a chance to try it out yet.

It does look the business though, and the new bar is absolutley the bollox, new chicken loop, stopper adjust and 'line tidy' elastic thingy's on each end. Check out the website http://www.globeriderkites.com/ go into the 08 part of the site and it has video clips on how to find your way around the new bar.

I'm off down to Rhosneiger in North wales this time off which is usually pretty good so will let you know more then.

Take it eezy...