I need info and advice on this one.
I found at a retailer a brand new 2011 Griffin kite complete for a cheap price.
Since the 2013's have better build quality than the older models, I'm hesitating to take the plunge and buy.
The kite will be a smaller size (9m) to complete my quiver. I won't use it very often since in my area it's more for 12's and 13's. So I will use it mostly when travelling to other countries.
I want to keep the kite for a long period so no reselling soon.
I've read about bladder valve issues on previous Griffin Kites, was this sort out in 2011?
I'm new to kiteboarding, should I buy the Kite only and use the bar and lines from my Slingshot Z13?
Hi, just a quick reply, email me for more details or PM me, let me know what type of kite Argo Chimera etc and I will provide details. All the best winds for Xmas.
Cheap and nasty, seen so many fall into this boat, only to spend the extra $$ on a good quality, reputatable branded kite, not long after.
I mainly ride waves and have been riding Griffins for 4 years. True they are cheaper than other brands but the build quality stands up. I have had to release in solid waves and have never found my kite torn. I fail to see a reason why people want to put shyte on this brand, which is Australian owned, contact Griffin and let them sort you out. My only complaint about Griffin is sometimes they need reminders about deliveries, which usually get sorted in a few days.
I have heard so e good and bad stories about this brand, just like any other brand really. Although a few of them were horror stories. Heaps of crew on them, I'm sure they are just fine for what you want.
Had mine for 3 years ,cant bag them at all ,no issues with the crap i dish up to it .Yet people keep buying bws ,havent flown the new ones (bws) ,old ones were a bag of knob ,seen them fall apart all over the place . they come with a jeep but.
As far as I know the nipples falling off the bladder was fixed in 2010.
I'm sure on my 2009 Griffin proto they used perkins paste to glue on the nipples. But after double glueing all 14 of the suckers I am sometimes getting at least a month's worth of sailing before needing to touch up a leak.
The rest of the kite looks like it will last forever, though material is no longer crispy.
Personally I'd go and buy a later model at the right price.
I also use my Griffin lines on my 13 slingshot Octane so it should work the other way.
Hey Misterhoney, best thing would be to talk to 'griffinkites' as he is a really good guy who likes to see people enjoy his products. I've had the 2010 Griffin, 2012 Argo, and 2012 TRX so I can personally say that you won't fault the build quality. I was really impressed at my 2010 in terms of build and used to smash it alot when I was learning. The new ones do perform somewhat better but if you're gonna save yourself some cash on a kite you're not going to use much I'd say the upgrade may not be worth it. As far as the bar goes, I didn't really like the under the bar depower that came with the 2010 and always found it was getting in the way. Also there was no through the bar emergency line which meant you had to hook your leash to the center lines. Not sure if the 2011 ones are different but I'd look into that before you buy one. I used my slingshot bar instead because that one had a through the bar safety and it was so much easier and safer to use.
