I just bought a used 08' Naish Thorn kiteboard. I've taken it out once and it feels squishy and unresponsive compared to other boards I've tried. I bought the board because I had ridden my friends 07' and it was awesome, but the 08 does not feel the same at all. Does anyone else feel the same(or is it just me)? Is the 09 Thorn any better? I know they've got the FC model that's carbon fiber, but it's too pricey. Any opinions on the Thorn out there??
I just got a 129 08 Thorn, I usually ride a 136 ABOARD Z series. There is no comparison, the Thorn feels mushy, doesn't seem to have much pop and doesn't go as hard up wind. The size difference is a big part of it but for me the Thorn just feels uncomfortable, especially the foot pads and straps. I can't adjust them close enough together for my liking and it doesn't seem to plane well unless your cooked (again maybe a size thing). I did notice that mine seemed unusually flexible at the tips and I'm a heavy guy so maybe that also makes a difference. Nice finish and construction though. What size is the board you just bought?
I have the 135x42. I'm also a bigger than average guy. If I'd never ridden any other boards I'd probably think the board was just fine, but it just didn't get me stoked when I rode it. I'd try to do little pops off the water and the thing just seemed stuck to the water. And when I landed some jumps the board seemed to distort and flex and sink. I don't know, I guess I might be exagerating, because I'm sure the pros were ripping on the thing. Anyway, I'll give it some more sessions and see if my feelings about the board change.
Naish have made the 09 board much stiffer than the 08 in their own words.
I haven't tried the 08 myself but I've tried the 09 and I really liked it.
kiteforum.com/viewforum.php?f=200/video/Naish_Thorn_2009_Interview.html
Cheers
Rex
I have ridden Thorn 08 133. The 133 was just perfect for me, before that i rode airush protoy which was a great board, but cracked it on a landing to some kind of rock, my bad. Thorn has solid construction incredebly strong. I was competing in kiteloops and landing really hard no problem at all with Thorn, at the same time 2 guys cracked their boards ( rdd poision was one and the second was some kind of skywalker).
Tried the Thorn 09 Full carbon that was quite different than the THorn 08, it was really light and stiff and incredeble pop, but somehow the thorn without the carbon felt better for me.
I think that is connected to the type of board you are familiar with. If you have ridden completely wood core boards without carbon or light foam materials then you are better off without them. I like Thorn 08, just perfect.
I like to see Kevin Langeree doing amazing tricks with the Thorn 08.
