Rider: 92 kg (still carrying winter coat, bring on the season)
Style: Free riding
Weather: 20/28 knots
Build Quality: 9/10
Satisfaction: 9/10
Disclosure: Work part time for AKS and we stock this kite.
Well straight out of the gates this kite has new everything, New style bag (in keeping with the last years, GTS), an improvement on the stuff it in ruck sack of the XR, new canopy materiel (similar in texture and strength to the D2 on last years and this years North kites) and lots of attachment options for both the front bridle and the rear pigtail. This should really allow the rider to get dialed into the bar pressure and turning speed that they want, without having the over complications of putting the kite out of sync with the rider. We flew the kite out of the bag on the default setting.
First thing you notice is the new inflate/deflate system, the welcome addition of a one way valve will have core riders frothing at the bit, no more trying to get the stopper in while keeping the kite inflated. The valve is a little sticky and need a bit of gentle persuasion first time out but this is a seal that isn't going to pop out unintentionally, the kite also features a deflate stick attached to the leading edge next to the valve, again think North inflate valve.
The kite looks much more aggressive, and the styling cues come from last years GTS, less yellow, more white and go faster stripes in black.
Relatively easy and quick to pump up and now your pump doesn't need nozzles, so probably won't get stolen of the beach!!
We set up the kite with the new bar, much lighter than any other bar on the market, still same great quality core lines we saw on last years GTS, they have adopted the above the bar cleat trim (again same as North) and got rid of the flappy pull-pull trim system. Donkey dick is on an elastic bungy and is quite thick, chicken loop a little on the small side, however there may be larger upgrade in the pipeline for unhooked rider. The new twist release system seems simple, but may be a bit fiddly to reassemble in the water.
After a 2 minute beach fly, we landed the kite and tied a second knot on the bar leader lines and shortened the back lines by about 50 mm, to bring the kite into trim (experienced core rider will be used to and not unfazed by this).
In the air the kite looks aggressive and has plenty of grunt (we had the 10m out) and we were flying first at about 20 knots, but not quite as much as my normal ride (10m fuse). What you do notice is the bar pressure, a massive reduction on the 2010 model, which I could ride for about an hour and then needed to lie down. The kite sits back in the window similar to the previous model, and flys well at the edge of the window, going upwind better than its predecessor. The kite is quick and nimble across the window and although we didn't pull out the surfboards, the precision and speed would, I think, make this kite pretty good in the waves.
The kite comes into its own when you send it, the 2010 XR was a good booster this is exactly the same just more refined, better behaved. The analogy I'd use it it's the difference between a Mitsubishi lancer and an Evo, it's the same car but you would only want to drive one of them around a roundabout, at 70km's, in the wet, blindfolded. The XR2 has all the grunt, power, balls to the wall attitude of the XR but now you can control the beast. Lots of loft, good float and quick to put the power back on when you land, even being out of practice cause of winter, and in choppy crappy conditions, this kite made me look good.
We handed the kite of to NickT our resident looper and after a few attempts to get the timing dialed in was quite happy sending it though gentle lazy back roll kite loops and for a 10m it was quick enough to throw a few doubles (although I'm pretty sure Nick will add to this post). He also tried the kite unhooked and while not as grunty as the 2010 XR, which had a tendency to want to remove your arms from the sockets, you still have to apply a fair amount of trim to unhook. It flew 'ok' unhooked as most hybrids do. You have to remember this is Cores park n' ride kite, and if you are looking to unhook and freestyle it, then the GTS will suit your style better.
As we were about to pack up our last test rider arrived and put it through it paces. Antman as most Pinna regulars know is 7 year old trapped inside a mans 110 kg body, with a flagrant disregard for personal safety and with a thunderstorm approaching fast he put the kite through boost and kite loop trails at the top end of the wind speeds we were out in. 6m boosts and a kite loop at the end were easy and the speed of the kite even in 10m was quite impressive.
The kite got the Antman seal of approval and was declared a boosting monster.
Kite Pros - better quality finish, better control, a more refined ride compared to the 2010, still boosts like the original, faster turning.
Kite Cons – if you are after a kite to unhook on then head for a GTS
Bar Pros – better Quality, lighter bar, improved safety and trim, same great core lines
Bar Cons – bar still needs some trimming and adjustment to get it dialed in for the kite, chicken loop a bit small, and donkey dick a bit thick, and a squeeze to get through the average harness hook
Disclosure: Friend of Todd and AKS. Owned GT and XR's in the past currently ride North Fuses.
Adding to Todd's review :Kite looks big for it's size, but is quite nimble, about the same power as the old Xr. Has the same core feel in that it takes a bit of input to initiate a turn but once going it moves quickly.
Found as soon as you unhook the kite gives you little time to initiate your trick ( same as last Xr) before trying to pull the bar out, found the chicken loop too small to easily hook back in and the donkey dick a bit of a pain. Again I beleive there is an option for a bigger chicken loop and donkey is removeable for unhooked.
Kite loops well more of a sustained pull than a yank then nothing.
Wanted to tune to fastest turning setting but ran out of time.
Kite appears well made as all cores usually are. This kite would be great for a freerider who tries a bit of everything. Kite seems to drift well and is stable so would probably be good in waves ( find out later maybe)
No tennis elbow from this either, unlike cores of the past.
