2012 Core Riot XR2 LW 17m

Rider: 105kg on a good day, Level intermediate
Style: Freeriding, Surf,
Weather: 15 - 30 knots
Build Quality: 10/10
Satisfaction: 9/10
Disclosure: father of 3, using sons profile

I bought this kite at the start of the season. Generally I kite from Hampton beach on Port Phillip Bay. This is my second ever post, having just finished one on the absolutely extraordinary Shinn Dundee.

Having a bunch of kites in the house, and ridden heaps I really think many of the modern kites are superb. But I was really quite amazed at the Core. I was a little skeptical, as its quite large, but the manager at GoKite a Melbourne school convinced me to give it a shot. I have now logged more hours this summer than over the last 3 years combined.

I have several generations of Cabrinha and now have a 13m 2010 x-bow and an 11m 2011 Switchblade as my primary kites. In comparison, the core seems to respond and turn faster. It has awesome build quality, the lines are the best of any breed I have used bar none. The bar is sharp and simple and I love the simplicity of the safety system. As for the colors, well they sure aren't inspired and really pretty hard to spot in the sky, but I will accept it.

As a big guy it's good to have a kite that can get you up and then hang in there as the breeze picks up, and this baby does it. My son is flying the 7m, and weighing in at 47kg has flow it up-to 35knots, so his confirms these things can really handle a large top end range.

So just thought I'd share while I'm here, as I am really stoked with the Gear.

Cheers

Well I like the colours as they are of the Cores. Hopefully they stay with it .. but then again it is not as important as their quality and performance

I have a 6,8,11 and 19LW and I am very happy with them overall. there are a couple of issues with the bungee cord of the stick.. it wears quickly, but it is easily replaced. I fly my 19 with both long and short lines and when I expect that the wind pics up I use the short lines.

I also have an Airush Varial X Race 17m and the 19m Core is quicker in the air and goes upwind just as good but has many advantages over the race kite... launches easier on and off the water (Varial X is a very high aspect kite so you expect awkward launching) but also the depower on the Core bar is miles better than Airush ever will be .. much higher windrange on the Core and by far more forgiving in gusts despite being even bigger. The depower on the Core bars is generally better than most others, because it is easier to pull. Comparable concept to North, but still less force required when you are really under the pump and when it is important that you get it depowered quickly. Not so convinced of the twist release though. Not as bad as some reviews describe it, but you need to keep it clean and should release it once in a while .. as you should with all :).. The North release is quicker and requires less force, however the Core kites all fly much quicker than my comparable Rebels (7,9,12) and I mean much quicker than the difference on 1m suggests. The Core bar is lighter in the hand especially against the Airush. Mind you I still would have liked a real 5th line on the LW kites since waterstart is a bit easier with 5 lines especially when you have real low winds.
I like the 19 as much as my 6 .. they both have their charm in the right conditions. One is like a beer tent over your head and the other like a hummingbird in your hand.
My main use is going long distance especially upwind and I do 20-40ks regularly (3 times a week at least) and feel more comfortable on my Cores (quality of material and workmanship) than with my North kites. The downside of the 5th line on the North is that it is always in the way when you are depowered and the end of the depower line is wrapped around the pulley between the 5th line. I snapped a 5th line a couple of times by catching it in the pulley and cutting it under real high power conditions.

I go in all conditions, which so far was 10 - 35 knots but I am about to invest in a larger directional (not surfboard) to push my low wind limit further down and am hoping to get going as long as I can keep the 19 in the air.

I am not a team rider or have any affiliation with Core or any brand. Am an intermediate kiter. Just adding this for reference. Not enough independent info on the web about these kites as with many others too. I usually do not even bother to read reviews from team riders or shops. Best source of info is talk to everyone on the beach and swap kites for a test. That's what we do and you get a good feel what suits you and what not.

The 19LM XR2 was a worth while investment despite the fact that I do not use it as often right now as I would like to .. too much wind :) ..

Happy Kiting
gmd