Hi,

Just received my new RRD religion MkIII and V5 bar.
Not so muchreal test but sun was sufficient for Nice pictures!
The bag, simple, heavily built:


The kite: Hardcore wave program is clearly announced!!



Inflating (with anti-return ball) /deflating valve:


One pump connection to strut:


Rear briddles:


PVC round label strut end protectors and Metallic PU strut end reinforcements:



2 Ronstand pulley for fron briddles:


And Full Dacron leech and wingtips + Dacron reinforced body:





Very good feeling with this 8sqm during this very short test (15 to 20knots max, onshore wind):
The kite is very reactive, with extreme maniability. Very direct response of the bar, probably due to the "special RRD design of the lines". I really was enjoyed by the very progressive depower and linear power that the kite offer. Of course, unbilievable stability, wich will be very appreciated for surf.
Coming from another brand, i'm very enthusiastic and i've only one wish now: going for waveriding asap!!

And also a quick review of the V5 bar:
What to say? Simple and efficient!
Let's have a look on the details:


No more swivel (vs the V4 version): more simple, just need to turn the depower to avoid tangling of the front line.





The bar:



Now, this V5 has to be used for improvments!!

Looks nice
I am really interested in it's windrange as RRD never gives any official data - especialy the size you got 8m. When you got to ride it (hope soon) please give us some feedback!
10X

actually they do- in their user manual, instead of website. You can search google for "rrd kite manual"

I'm also very interested in range and how heavy is the bar ( compared for example to wainman or other )
thanks

Looks nice.

Why do they have those screws on the sides of the bar?
It's so 2000's

Well I found the user manual for 2012 kites (Religion MKII) and you can see the wind range here at page 13: http://issuu.com/robertoriccidesigns/do ... 1_2011_-_r
It sais 8m should be working between 17-25 knots... For 2013 I couldn't find any info so lets see what rogerkite will say.

[youtube][/youtube]I've had the mk 1,2 and now 3 religions. each year the low end gets a bit better. In 2011 (mk1) they were a bit weak on the low end but now (mk3, 2013) they are pretty good and still have good top end. 18 to 25+ is a reasonable range on a surf board for a medium weight rider. At my 210 lbs I wait till about solid avg 20ish till the 8 comes out and can hold it to avgs around 30.

The original ones were super fast turning and highly responsive to small inputs from the bar..a bit much for most riders and you did need to pay attention. nice for onshore waves, but a bit fast when getting buried by a wave. The new ones are slowed down a bit, but still more responsive than most kites. The performance near the stall point has gotten better with each model. With the new ones you get more power by just sheeting in even when the kite is not moving fast to help pull you out of a tricky situation. With the older ones you really needed to dive the kite to get some power.

I'm really happy with the new ones and feel my riding is improving with them as can really focus on the wave, not the kite, it is fast enough to be in right spot quickly, but not so fast to be demanding of full attention.

here is a video I made from yesterdays session on a 9 mk3:

how is the pressure on the bar ? like 2012 ?

Is there any advantage to the funky patch pattern?
Ripstop? Anti-stretch? For looks?

Are the bar ends cushioned?
My surfboard has several dings from my bar.