I've got a 12m North Evo, and a 9.5 and 7.5m BEST Kahoona. I got these to help me progress on the strapless riding as they are advertised as super stable and super quick relaunch with good 'drift' for down the line wave riding. They do all this by the bucket load but what I can't get over is the performance when these kites are at the lower level of both brands range.

These are the delta style kites so have tons more power than a conventional c type kite for the same size but also more power than an equivalent SLE. I was skeptical of this but they are so powerful it's brilliant. I was hoping this would be the case so I could ride a size smaller most of the time.

They are the cheapest kites in both the North and the BEST range and I guess aimed at the bottom / beginner end of the market. However, I've flown all of them now in a mix of wind ranges with the twintip and I can honestly say I'm getting better performance out of these than I ever did with the waroo. The lift is explosive to start and the hangtime is very long. I'm also finding that I'm jumping pretty huge when powered up and not dis-similar to my BEST Nemesis which is awesome for lift. Kiteloops are more powerful than anything I've flown before (probably not even close to a fuel etc but good in my very intermediate opinion).

If you are just starting out or at a similar level to me (got most hooked in stuff cracked but unhooked is still a world of pain!) then you'll love these style of kites - You'll also save a fortune compared to most other models. For example, I picked up the North Evo 12m 2009 as an ex demo for only £399, when compared to kites over £1000 it is not to be sniffed at.

Ramble over, just really impressed with this style and the value for your money

Can I have a go on the evo one day James... and could I have a session on the 4 line bar one day too ...

Yep - no worries Simon. Next time we are out together and it's 12m weather just ask to take it for a spin. Not sure what it will be like for all your unhooked wizardry but I'm really liking it.

James - just curious, what's the bottom end like on the 12 with a twintip?
Hoping to give my 9 a good run out tomorrow.

Difficult to say at the moment as the only time the wind was rubbish there was no wind (i.e. nothing flying) and then a quick jump up to 18mph +

I did have a session at Blyth with Andrew the other day on the strapless surfboard in the 20mph range for the first hour and then it dropped to about 14mph and I was still going strong. This was in waves as well so it is a grunty beast.

Good times - Im undecided to get a 7m Vegas or 6m evo ...

Im also interested in seeing how the safety works on the 4 line North bar ...and try flying the vegas on the 4 lines.

GORILLA wrote:Good times - Im undecided to get a 7m Vegas or 6m evo ...

Im also interested in seeing how the safety works on the 4 line North bar ...and try flying the vegas on the 4 lines.

I found that with the trim pulled all the way in, if you sheet all the way out then the kite will tilt way forward onto the front lines and I guess, just drop out of the air like most four line kites so thats probably what happens if it's released onto the mini fifth line. Setup with 5 lines 'proper', the fifth doesnt have any tension it - although 'net opinion seems to be divided on whether it's meant to or not, probably just there as ultimate flag out safety.

James,

Tried a 7m Evo last week and liked it. The Kahoona is on my list too but not ridden that - how do they compare? I think I'd probably go for the North as the bar looks better.

Shop is saying a 7/10 Evo to replace my 9/12 GK Trix. Should I believe them?

Chris

somewhat overdue but finally got a good powered session at Budle on my 9m Evo (08) today and had a chance to assess it a bit more.

just before launching I measured the wind and it was around the 16-18mph mark at ground level, there were a couple of others out on 12s so I thought I might be a bit underpowered but got a launch and could feel there was clearly decent power in the kite. Got on the board, set off and didn't step back on the beach for another 2 hours.

Basically, I really like this kite, it feels like a little motor: dive it, pull the bar in and you're away. Depower range is good but not huge - I'm not sure about it being best choice for a complete beginners kite as such because it's quite a bit more punchy in the way the power comes on than a flatter bow type . Quite exciting for that though, not better or worse just a different feel and something you'd just adjust to pretty quickly

Although it looks like it flies back in the window a bit, i was tanking upwind, maybe it's just more suited to my unrefined technique but its harder to kill it off if you over-edge the board. By the same token, it does pull so you need to dig in a bit when the gusts come through. The wind was into the 20s when I came back in but I still had a little trim to pull in. It might benefit from a longer throw on the depower line actually, I might adjust my bar and try it out.

What I did notice about the gruntiness, is that it was possible to ride quite slowly as well - if that makes sense - it just keeps trucking you along. I rode up to the west limit of the bay (farm track end) then basically did a downwinder to the bay past the pier in a few tacks which was pretty cool, riding the board flat and just snaking along like snowboarding. Didn't have to really watch for it falling out of the sky, I guess this is why they are rated for surfing.

Bar pressure was on the 'positive' side (apparently this is more a problem with the larger 08 evos and been addressed with the 09 models) but not too bad and I prefer to have some feedback through the bar. Relaunch is dead easy, just pull a line and it goes up, didn't even have to pull any front line in.

It all looks pretty well made, if a little plain - the 09s are bit pimped up graphically. 5 struts, no one pump. There are solid fibreglass battens on the wingtips whihc you can take out but its possible to roll it up with them in. The back lines attach direct to the kite and there's a simple bridle on the front with one pulley that runs on a short section of replaceable line. I was flying on the 5 line setup, which basically has the 5th line as a final safety. It's completely slack, doesn't have any part in supporting the kite. The four line setup has a mini-fifth but I haven't tried it like this. I do like the 5th line, its good for self landing, you just bring the kite down at the edge of the window and pull the safety and it plops down.

So in summary, got some pros and cons but it definitely has a certain character to it. Worth having a look around for 09 bargains soon with the Evo 2010 around the corner.