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GK Sonic 11m- the one kite quiver

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windshreder
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GK Sonic 11m- the one kite quiver

Postby windshreder » Wed Sep 21, 2005 12:01 am

GK and Litewave Dave were at north Jetty Ft Pierce Florida today.
I got to test the Sonic.
When I was out it was 18-25. I was on a 122x36 X Shooter XXX. I weigh 170 lbs.
It is one of the first production kite. It has very simple bridles with two pulley on the front KPO. (two total.)
The bar could not be simpler. Great stopper ball that releases easily and resets just as easy. You can spin the bar against the stopper.
The kite behaves just like it did in the video. Let the bar go and it drops to the side of the window and bounces ready to relaunch.
Also saw it do a reverse launch. Very well behaved.

I was one of about 7 guys to get test rides. All had huge smiles on their faces when they came in.

The lightest Bar pressure of any kite I have ever flown.

I went out on the first tack sheeting with my first two fingers split on each side of the center line. Two tacks later I was jumping effortlessly. Big Floaty jumps. Long hang time smooth descents. In jumps it has the smoothest power I have ever seen by far. No power spike in the jump and tremendous glide.

I know what you might be thinking now, more BS hype. Nope, this kite is incredible. I was out on it 15 minutes and did my first jump to kiteloop transition. I couldnt believe it. I jumped and was floating so high and descending so slow I decided to back loop it on the descent. I landed it smoothly and rode away toeside. All I could say was WOW the entire time I was on the water.
Wave riding. Again really great. Steer the kite with your fingers.
Upwind, very very well. Sheet out on wave, it flies all the way to the edge of the window.

Top end:
The wind picked up to 25-40mph when hurricane bands were passing through.
Yes 40 no bs. I was holding the wind meter.
GK (Greg K, the Florida Globerider Rep) was on it when it was blowing 40.
Said he could have been drinking a beer.
Sean C. rode it up to 35mph. Sean said it was useable (not just manageable) at 35mph just sheeted out and kept on kiting.

This kite is useable from 15-35mph. This could be the only kite you need.

So the final result, I ordered one on the spot. Expecting third week in October delivery.
Matt Pendle hit a grand slam with this kite!

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Dr.Gonzo
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Postby Dr.Gonzo » Wed Sep 21, 2005 1:44 am

Thats great news that you got some wind for demo after Expo... good wind for testing too by the sounds of it, you can always guarantee a hurricane down your way at expo time :wink:

Really stoked to hear that the Sonic put a smile on faces... its seriously having that effect over here in the UK too :D

Interesting to hear about the stopper... our kite doesn't have it so lookin' forwrd to seeing that.

The wind range on the 11 is shaping up very nicely then if Greg was holding down 40mph :o We've already been lit in 15mph and we got our first taste of around 20-25mph a few days back... The boost and hangtime is absolutely sick for sure. I took a few pics of the session...

Image

Image

Image

Image

Bring on that top end and a big wave session :thumb:

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Postby windshreder » Wed Sep 21, 2005 2:19 am

The stopper is really simple. It has a sabot or bullet inside the chicken loop line that causes the line to bulge. It can be moved/adjusted inside the line on the beach. Then a pvc tube with two stopper balls seperated by an inch or so slides over it jaming it in place.
I let the bar go to test it and it shot up and released the stopper.
To reset it, you just reel in the center line then grab the stopper then let the line go. The kite moves away and re jams the pvc over the line bulge.
Incredibly simple.
I tried to reset the stopper ball on a Crossbow and could not do it.

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Postby tiago » Wed Sep 21, 2005 2:23 am

How and where can we order one of these babies :D.

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Postby Nukin » Wed Sep 21, 2005 3:53 am

Anyone buying new kites this year should be stoked with the great products from Windwing, Globerider, North, Cabrinha, FS and Naish.

As for the Bow type kites, a friend of mine tried the Crossbow and decided to buy it after one session, so I assume they are the real deal. However, the light bar pressure, lower cost and simple bar is a big plus for the GK.

How is the turning speed of the 11m kite? Does the bar tangle at all after multiple spins? Would it be possible to run this kite with shorter lines? Everyone talks about how easy kiteloops are on the x-box, is it the same with the Sonic?

thanks for any advice you can give

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$$

Postby brokendc10 » Wed Sep 21, 2005 4:34 am

And how much are these suckers? Sounds like they are cheaper than the X-bow?

- Mark

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Postby windshreder » Wed Sep 21, 2005 4:36 am

Nukin wrote:Anyone buying new kites this year should be stoked with the great products from Windwing, Globerider, North, Cabrinha, FS and Naish.

As for the Bow type kites, a friend of mine tried the Crossbow and decided to buy it after one session, so I assume they are the real deal. However, the light bar pressure, lower cost and simple bar is a big plus for the GK.

How is the turning speed of the 11m kite? Does the bar tangle at all after multiple spins? Would it be possible to run this kite with shorter lines? Everyone talks about how easy kiteloops are on the x-box, is it the same with the Sonic?

thanks for any advice you can give
The lines twist a bit but it does not matter if they do.
The safety system is based upon the depower abilities of the kite.
The turn speed is quick but not insane.
GK said they have not tested yet on shorter lines.

I did my first kiteloop ever after 10 minutes on this kite.
I think that qualifies it as easy.

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Postby DRAZ » Wed Sep 21, 2005 4:51 am

How about some pics of the stopper ball.

Also what happens when you unhook. Do you have a bunch of rope flopping around(since the depower is on the chicken loop side)?

Fantastic kite BTW. Looks like a hit. Can't wait to try myself.

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Postby Toby » Wed Sep 21, 2005 5:33 am

I can confirm very light bar pressure! But no problem to feel where the kite was.

Kitelooping was no problem.

Not much wind for me, so I can't say anything about lift and hangtime.

Greets
Toby

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Postby windshreder » Wed Sep 21, 2005 5:59 am

Toby wrote:I can confirm very light bar pressure! But no problem to feel where the kite was.

Kitelooping was no problem.

Not much wind for me, so I can't say anything about lift and hangtime.

Greets
Toby
Toby,
We looked all over for you. Had you set up with the Kiteforum X-Shooter XXX and a great kite.
I hope you got to kite in Fort Lauderdale.
Good seeing you again, come again when you can stay longer.
Scott


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