Lately, I've been using a Toro 8, 10 and 14.
I'm 63kg and ride a WT147 (soon to be replaced by a WT137! If anyone is interested in a 2nd-hand WT147 - purchased in April 02 -let me know on
mike.flysurfer@gmx.co.uk).
Previously I was on high AR kites.
So far I find the Toro's very stable, good depower, good performance in gusts.
The upwind ability is good (IMO not as good as high AR kites but this is something one would normally expect). In anycase, when reasonably powered up, upwind is not an issue.
Jumping and hangtime is reasonably good but for really good air you need to be really powered up. I find that jumping on the low-end with the Toro's is not that great (or maybe I haven't figured it out yet) as it was with my previous high AR kites. Jumping on their high end is impressive.
I really enjoy the Toro's when really powered up. When it comes to trying new tricks etc, the Toro's are excellent. Really predictable and forgiving. I'm what you may call an intermediate rider and ever since I got the Toros I've practicing on spins, 360's, 720's, fwd/back loops and I feel a lot more comfortable going for any move with these kites.
I have flown the 8 yesterday in close to, or perhaps exceeding, its high end at times. Wind was 20-33knots. For my weight it wasn't much fun during the 28/30+ gusts but I was hanging in there waiting for the wind to die down. Sea was rough with small/medium short breaking waves and moderate ocean swell (the Wave Tray rocks in these conditions by the way!). I felt I could use a faster kite while wave riding but then again I did not try switching to shorter lines which should have been better I think.
In short, IMO the Toro's are great kites for people who want to learn new tricks and would appreciate a more stable/forgiving kite. Sure there is price to pay in terms of performance but this is not too much. Plus you don't get your a.. kicked every time you try a move
I'll be probably switching to higher AR kites next year (Sypertype or maybe the new Mach2
) if I feel ready to handle them while still performing tricks or if I miss that extra bit of performance.
I just thought that the above would be interesting to the group.
Regards,
Mike
F.One, RRD, Flysurfer.de, Underground dealer for Cyprus.