I have heard a lot of jokes about Liquid Force Kites.
But are all the negative jokes , just jokes?
Or is there truth in it.
I have watched many review videos and gone through the web and cant
really find much negative.
I had about a half hour session on a 10.5m envy last year, i was expecting it to be crap but i was really surprised with it. It was a really good session. I think the conditions were perfect for it but yeh it was a really nice kite.
Www.kitworldmag.com/gear/review/liquid force, a review done by independant riders , the 2011to2014have all been reviewed, I'd class the envy as good as say a catalyst , the lf kites are heavily reinforced and last the cause , below the bar depower isn't to my liking, but I'm used to the above systems
I had purchase 4 new kites from Liquid Force. The material and build of the kite is one of the best of the market. The NRG are powerful. My last purchased was a 15.5 meter Solo and I am very happy with the kite. I also have REO from Ozone, Rides from Naish, BWS and one Park from Naish. The only kite has giving trouble is the REO with the valve and the material. I must say the REO kite is amazing for free style or waves. Cheers
Select to expand quotecastill0jf said..
I had purchase 4 new kites from Liquid Force. The material and build of the kite is one of the best of the market. The NRG are powerful. My last purchased was a 15.5 meter Solo and I am very happy with the kite. I also have REO from Ozone, Rides from Naish, BWS and one Park from Naish. The only kite has giving trouble is the REO with the valve and the material. I must say the REO kite is amazing for free style or waves. Cheers
I'm counting that you have maybe 10 kites. You must have a very understanding wife/partner.
After riding on a fair few different brands LF was probably one of my favourite and most memorable.
Their gear has top performance and durability.
My wakeboarding set up is around 4 years old, watson hybrid has been hammered kiting, cable and wake and my watson boots are 3 years old now still holding up strong. Never had any other boot brand last me even close to as long. Ronix were around 5 - 6 months a pair and my hyperlites tore on the second session.
Did you get warranty on your hyperlite boots? I rode in them for years and never let me down. They were up there then in comparison too all the other brands.
I was riding north evo 8,10,12 2013 and I have just demoed the 2015 liquid force envy. All I can say is I much prefer it so I am currently trying to work out how I can switch out my quiver for envies without upsetting the wife. I also have a liquid force lfx board with synergy boots that I use, it is an awesome board and build quality of lf boards I reckon would be equivalent or better than most other brands on the market. They must have learned something from their years of building wake boards.
I don't think their quality is anything to rave about. I see as many problems with LF as any other kite brand (some more so than others). It's about how the company deals with the issues that is the important thing.
I will agree though that LF does make an incredibly long lasting wakeboard in the Watson Hybrid, especially the 2010 model, I still have one kicking around somewhere.
I had a few liquid force kites around 2001-2006. They were an incredibly solid kite back then and I imagine they still are. I backpacked around North and South America with a 5 year old 10m liquid force that I had from new. Other than a tear in it from landing it on a cactus in Antigua, it never let me down. I don't think any other kite would stand up to the beating I gave that kite (although it was a rock solid build).
Select to expand quotesir ROWDY said..
I don't think their quality is anything to rave about. I see as many problems with LF as any other kite brand (some more so than others). It's about how the company deals with the issues that is the important thing.
I will agree though that LF does make an incredibly long lasting wakeboard in the Watson Hybrid, especially the 2010 model, I still have one kicking around somewhere.
I think in part this comes back to support at a local level-
Have to say how these things are dealt with has a big impact on where i spend my money.
Select to expand quotejackforbes said..
I don't think any other kite would stand up to the beating I gave that kite (although it was a rock solid build).
How do you figure that? I guarantee lots would. Most kites are actually built pretty similar, with a lot of them even being made in the same place.
Select to expand quotesir ROWDY said..jackforbes said..
I don't think any other kite would stand up to the beating I gave that kite (although it was a rock solid build).
How do you figure that? I guarantee lots would. Most kites are actually built pretty similar, with a lot of them even being made in the same place.
a bit of a late answer for you sir rowdy, but as you're prolific on here I'll clarify... when I say 'rock solid', i'm being pretty literal - the 2005 liquid force was an extremely heavy kite and the build quality at the time was a lot different to everything else at the time. I had a naish aero and a slingshot at the same time, they did not last as long (both literally wore through the material until it was transparent and then tore apart in a rather catastrophic manner).
So so my comment was more in the context of the time period - there were very few manufacturers and they made dramatically different kites. Here and now though - i agree with what you're saying.
Love the 7m 2013 Envy which I use in heavy winds. Makes me feel secure and in control when you want it, even when gusty. Well built. If you want something more exciting and grunty the NRG is awesome.
I would agree that the depower system so close to your harness is not ideal, but it is no biggy either. The new Solo has a ridiculously light weight carry sack. It says nothing about the kite but it was a mistake to sell a kite in something so fragile and ungenerous but all kite companies have had their occasional regrets.
Nothing wrong with the brandI also have Cabrinha and Ozone kites which I love as well in different ways.
Select to expand quoteterryzarmzof said..
I had a 2008 havoc. Absolutely terrible kite and quality.
2nd to this^^^^,
my m8 had a 2011 Havoc that had to be assited to launch. Down in the drink, it was a goner. Not too bad in the air but....
Then his m8 bought a 2013 NRG which was easily the most cumbersome worst kite I have ever flown. Complete **e
I then had a go on a 2012 envy obviously not expecting much at all, and the thing was awesome. It had
Pulleys all over it and front bridle was connected to the rear bridle, ugly as a fat cop at a donut shop, but went great.
My advice is try an LF before you buy. LF kites are a lottery.
I had an nrg 14 and 10 m still have a 14m 2014 I found them great good bottom end great lift plenty of power little hard on relaunch but don't think it is cumbersome.......
Owned 5 liquid force kites. My 2013s sheared the strut valves in half, blew a bladder on another, multiple fabric holes and tears. Bar depower and swivel is crap.
I learnt on these kites and gave them a hell of a time. Even still, I have mixed quality experiences with them.
Fly a different brand nowadays... dont know if I would go back but the Solo is a fine lightwind kite.
all of the above cheers.
