Hey crew,
I'm currently riding a 2011 varial 10m, 2012 lithium 6m and a 2014 lithium 14m.
Xenon laluz 135cm and a north nugget. I'm 95kgs.
Usually I'm riding "freeride", boosting, a bit wave, trying to get more into the big jumps and unhooked things. And I wanna get a bit more into the waves.
Went for a holiday and realised that I wasn't having that much fun with my 6m when I was a bit underpowered. But it was still a bit too much for the 10m, cause of the gusts.
So I thought about an 8m.
Varial x, lithium or even the 9m wave? Can anybody help me? And no, I can't test kites, down in tasmania. Thank u guys
The 2013 for a bigger rider is better than the 2014 in the varial x, loved the earlier model compared to the 2014 which required constant movement to generate the same power, if you were a lighter guy then no dramas, the 2014 would be better in the waves though, it has a mix of the razor and wave, quality looked great, kiteworld magazine has great reviews on both models, www.kiteworldmag/gear reviews,
for me the lithium is a bit mellow, a great mid range kite, havnt rode the wave as I know it isn't my kind of kite,i like a powefull kite that doesn't completely depower which the vx 2013 did , I was going to change to the 2013 vx but settled for the flexifoil ids a similar kite in performance but with a bit more grunt
have had both lithium and varial x in the 8m, both great kites, the varrial is incredible for boosting, unhooking and waves, lithium has a high boost but less aggresive than the varrialx, looping on both is a dream, lithium is good to hold onto in some pretty full on wind. have been very happy with both but the vx is my pick of the two for unhooking and big jumps, lithium is softer on the landing. have found the vx can be flown and generate a huge range of power- definitely a fast kite.
if you have any other q's let me know have had a season on each.
Hmmm
difficult one
I weigh in at 97kgs and I ride 12 & 9m Wave
My girlfriend(60kgs) rides 6m, 8, 10m Varial X
So obviously I can use her kites too
I've demoed the 12m & 14m VX, the 12 & 14m Lithiums
There has been days we've shared all of the above kites on the same day in the same conditions IYSWIM. Both riding TT. Her on a 130x40 Monk & me 135x44 Dundee
The 9m waves has a massive range for me. My low end is 20mph - 35mph on my TT. It is a grunty kite for it's size, but not as grunty as a Lithium. Once above 30, I do find it a bit much, so if I can I will change to her 8m VX. Otherwise I will stick it out as it is still very manageable
For me the 8m VX starts from 23 and I've had it out in 40, gusting higher. It was not much fun at that top end.
I've used her 6m VX from 25+ and was very surprised how well it worked for me
But the difference is the Varial X is a kite you need to work and keep working, unless it's really windy of course, then you can just park it. Imagine it as a F1 car or a 2 stroke motorcycle, you need to get them into their powerband and once there they will shine
The Varial X works very well in onshore winds, not so great in cross on or cross shore, due to needing that grunt to get over the waves. If your spot is wavey of course. Flat water, no probs
The Wave, will work better in those conditions
The Varial X does not float as well as the the Wave, it is good, but, not as good. You have to keep it moving more, where'as the Wave will wake up much easier
Both kites are good for getting upwind.
Relaunch on the Varial X is not as quick as the Wave
Horses for courses
The Lithium is a pull and go tractor
The Varial & Wave kites need more finese to get the best from them. Plus being lighter on your feet will help. They do make you better kiters IMHO
HTH
<EDIT> The Varial X flies to the edge of the window very easily and mostly stays there
The Wave will go to the edge of the window when you edge and work it, but it will also drop back into the window when you park and ride. Work it and edge the board keeping light on your feet, it will fly back to the edge and you are off
For heavier rider the Wave will work better, but the Varial X is still a good kite for heavier riders. Esp. if you have good kite skills and you're light on your feet.
I like them both, for different reasons and different conditions
Park and ride, pull the bar in style is the Lithium
What style are you?
Thanks.
Yes, Lithium feels like park and ride, a truck with power.
I thought about getting an 8m and keep the rest of my kites.
Or maybe the 9m wave and sell the 10 varial. Cause the 9m has a huge windrange and could work as a 3 kite quiever.
My style? Just freeride, some jumps, a bit wave. Trying to get more into wave and more boosting and unhooked tricks.
Hi mate?I was 95kg..but now am 86kg this year?I got off the donuts for a bit...I ride waves only for last 5years and I am on a 6m and 9m Lithium..The 9m goes from 13kn-22kn and the 6m as you know from 16kn-24kn. I also have a 6m wave which I take out in good wind from 20-30kn or storms 25knots + ands its an amazing kite.
If you are just riding summers in good predictable winds the 6m and 9m wave is going to be sweet,
however if you get out in variable conditions the 9m Lithium is a legend of a kite for me.
-Good smooth power doesn't pull you off a rail when turning etc
-Saves having a 11m kite
-safety/relaunch is fast
-Lithiums low end suits bigger rider as the wave suits lighter guys
-its stable in gusty up and down winds like you may get in Tazzie
Really stoked on my quiver atm.
Thanks. Yes, its sometimes very gusty down here. That's why I thought that the wave 9m is good cause of its huge windrange?
I'm just starting to get into the waves. So a beginner in waves.
16-24kn for the 6lithium??? A bit more than that, or???
My local spot is always gusty and the wind nearly always builds when you're out. I find the 9 wave pretty good in the gusty shyte. But once it gets overpowered it's like riding a Lithium 
I see why some people like the Lithiums, but they are not my style. I prefer something you need to work, not just pull the bar in and you have power. Sure it works for some riders style, just not mine
If you already have Lithiums and your middle kite isn't one, then maybe it should be?
If you are looking at changing the lot over a period of time, then maybe start replacing with the 9 Wave?
I don't unhook, but I believe the 9 Wave does it well.
The 9 wave isn't just for lighter people, it works well for us heavier people as well. It's my most used kite. I try and use it whenever I can, even if I am underpowered
If you're into boosting and unhooking, then maybe you need a Varial X as they do handle wave conditions well. Not as well as a Wave kite tho'
Jumping with the Wave 9 is not as brutal rip you off the water like the Varial X, it offers a nicer longer glide down. The Varial X is pretty good too tho'
Thanks guys.
I'm not unhooking or riding big waves right now. But that's something I wanna get more into.
And I bought the 14m lithium as my light wind kite and it works pretty well.
Its just that gap between the 10m varial and the 6m lithium, that sometimes makes me unhappy.
That's why I thought an 8 would be handy to have.
I could just get an 8m varial x Or lithium and keep the rest, or as some guys mentioned get the wave 9m, sell the 10m varial. And the waves windrange might work.
Its not that I'm super unhappy with the varial 10. It was the first kite I bought and the idea was to get a kite I can learn on and that will/might work as a one kite solution for the start. Now I'm into kitsurfing, so I might need to change it.
Good luck with your dilemma :)
We can all say this is the best, that is the best. but only you know the answer, but you'll not know until you've tried it
Sometimes you just don't know what is better for you until you try it
I agree the 14m Lithium is a great lightwind kite. But once fully powered I find I want to get on something smaller so I can control that power. I found the 12m slightly better, but it didn't have the bottom end the 14 had. But if you worked the 12 it was close
I was lucky and had the 9 Wave on demo, I ended up having it for just over two months. Every session I had with it I loved it. In the end I needed that kite and I didn't send it back. I bought it and sold my 10m Reo
This was my findings
Yours could be different. I have found most people who like the Lithiums, don't really like or get the fact you need to work with the Wave or Varial X to get the best from them.
They prefer the pull & go functionality of the Lithiums. If that's your way, then that's your way. I call it lazy kiting 
A Varial is not like a Varial X
Yeah, I'm happy to work the kite. That's what I'm doing with my varial right now anyway.
And if I just compare the 2011 varial 10m with a 2014 wave 9m???
Wave has more wind range, higher top end, and almost the same low end?
Great for surf, still does jumps etc. Sounds all nice.
Or keep the old varial, get a 8m (-:
Select to expand quoteCaledonia said..
Aye 
John.B
That's a fine forum name you picked John! Nae place like hame...
Welcome here
Select to expand quoteSubculture said.. That's a fine forum name you picked John! Nae place like hame...
Welcome here
I'm a long-term lurker 
John.B is my usual forum handle elsewhere and I think I did register here many moons ago under something else... but what exactly?
Had a few emails back and forth about kites with the OP as I ride Airush here is the UK... mostly Troon living in Glasgow where we are now into our spring attire of 5:3 no hood, boots or gloves... might even break out the 4:3 short leg later this year.
Only 78kg but I can confirm the Wave is great in gusty weather has huge range, unhooks well at lower power levels and boosts massive in it's upper range. I love it and it was the kite that convinced me to take a look at bridled kites again after two seasons on 5-line c kites 
Select to expand quoteelhucko said..
Thanks. Yes, its sometimes very gusty down here. That's why I thought that the wave 9m is good cause of its huge windrange?
I'm just starting to get into the waves. So a beginner in waves.
16-24kn for the 6lithium??? A bit more than that, or???
Hey el hucko?yeh if you are out in light winds or inconsistent the lithium will all-time..however I imagine Tazzie being quite windy so yes you would do well with the wave also..They are both really great kites but quite different.
-The wave is faster turning and lighter on the bar with less low end and requires more flying of the kite(than lithium)( note the wave has a boost factor when flown through the window which un managed in bit stronger wind will pull you off your edge.)-The Lithium has better static low end, heavier bar pull and can generate good surfing power with just small adjustments
- Wave is bit better for boost and more lofty airs than lithium but when you using the wave to punt not as much a factor.
Being a bigger guy 95kg I would lean towards Lithium?but yeh the wave is a sexy kite i understand why most of the lads are frothing on them..in good consistent wind the Wave wins..in frontal winter cross onshore 14-22kn the lithium has the advantage..
Hope that helps..
I at some stage have owned these kites you mentioned.
If your into down the line waves then the 9 wave is the go. currently ride one and there are great. The 7 wave is my favorite.
Also have the 2012 8 Lithium that I wont part with. I ride all my small kites on 16 metre lines and the 8 really works a treat for me. Will never sell it. mates have ridden my kites on short lines and don't like them, too fast. What ever floats your boat I guess.
For me I use the Lithium 8 in most conditions other than down the line. 97 kgs so it helps me through the lulls. Lithium don't drift as well as the wave but theres not a lot of difference. Great allrounder.
Lithium is no vrx or ozone edge when boosting but they give you a nice floaty jump.
a mate has a varial x and they are also a great kite for tricking and can be used in waves but not as nice to ride as the wave or lithium.
Your light wind 2014 14 Lithium is also a great kite. I've had big Lithium kites before and really didn't like the truck pull. "BUT" the 2014 is really well balanced. Love it on a nice sunny day on a mini mal catching those ankle slappers.
Lithium 6m in really windy condition are rock solid.
All my Airush kites IMHO need to be pumped up to 10 psi for best performance.
Best of luck with you choice.
