Slingshot RPM vs. Rally for strapless wave riding

[windyway]

RPM vs. Rally for strapless wave riding

For me the most important part is synching the board with the wave.
The kite is secondary, just a tool to locate the perfect wave.

How is the RPM, so different from the Rally?

Which model is going to be the better wave kite?

Thanks, Win.

[CaptainArgh]

Here is another recent thread on specifically riding the Rally in waves. Should help a bit;
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2374012

[windyway]

Thanks Captain, that thread is informative but doesn't compare the Rally to the RPM.
I've flown the RPMs but unfortunately I can't find a Rally to fly.

Hope someone will compare the two kites for strapless wave riding.

Thanks. Win

[jrfiol]

i fly an RPM 10m 2009 and a Rally 14M 2011.

I use both for wave riding, and cannot really diffy one from the other except in the obvious difference caused by size of the 14M Rally. well, perhaps the rally will travel along the line a bit better than the RPM. I do prefer the RPM, cause its cool how the kite responds to my thoughts.

I do find myself swimming in occasionally because of not being able to relaunch the Rally when i by mistake keep it too low and put it in the water while on a wave. The result is me riding a bit towards the kite while its on the water, losing tension on the lines and causing the kite to flip over itself, tangled on the bridal backwards. at this point, the kite is un-relaunchable. I will note, that the kite has taking a pounding several times, with no effect on the kite.

regards,

[toyletbowl]

Windyway,

I'm a slingshot dealer, but will try to give as unbiased of an answer as possible. I get to test and ride a lot of kites (Cabrinha, Slingshot, Epic, Wainman, etc) and I encourage my local and other riders give input and of all the kites we ride. The Rally has quickly become our/my favorite wave riding kite that also does a lot of other things really well.

The RPM's are awesome kites and do sit a little further back in the wind window which helps with drift, but surprisingly, the Rally drifts just as well. Usually, if a kite sits forward, it might not drift as well. Not so with the Rally. I/we will ride super hard straight towards it and it won't back stall. I HATE backstall and won't touch a kite in waves if it does this.

The RPM's are quick turning. The Rally's are fast turning. If you prefer fast turning, the Rally won't disappoint.

The RPM's are good at relaunch unless underpowered. The Rally's are great to relaunch.

The RPM's are better an unhooking...if that matters, but the Rally is actually good also at unhooking.

The Rally has a little more range.

One of my better friends (Jens) is also on here and he rides RPM's and when we were in Hatteras this fall he would ask for a Rally if it was available when we had a wave day.

Bob
www.kiteridersllc.com

[cabron]

Bob, what's the bar pressure like for Rally and RPM in lightest setup? And also are there kites in your selection with lower bar pressure? With bar pressure I mean both the depower and power movement and also the power needed to turn the kite. All in all, I am looking the lightest bar pressure available.

[toyletbowl]

I've never had a problem with bar pressure at all. It tends to be on the lighter side, but not too light. The feel is also really good and it probably helps that it has no pulleys.

Hope this helps,

Bob
www.kiteridersllc.com

[shymac]

Bar pressure is a thing of the PAST! Never will you feel the struggle of what an original Turbo Diesel can muster up... All Slingshot kites have pretty much perfect to moderate bar pressure, even in those HEAVY settings... ha... GO KITE!

DONKEY DICK SPOTTING!

[tripman]

Bob, what's the bar pressure like for Rally and RPM in lightest setup? And also are there kites in your selection with lower bar pressure? With bar pressure I mean both the depower and power movement and also the power needed to turn the kite. All in all, I am looking the lightest bar pressure available.

I've tested both kites and I would say that the RPM has a lighter bar pressure, but the difference is not major. Anyhow, as Shymac said it, you won't get a "truck" anymore these days. If you want a very light bar pressure, get a 2nd hand SS Rev or Octane, or buy a BWS Noise.