Rode a the new varial X they other day for the first time. Only got the ride the 12m, was pretty powered in about 15-20mph of wind. I was stoked on the kite, jumped super well, and was fast and stable, really loved the kite.

Looking to get a smaller size one, probably a 9m, as where i usually ride it is too windy for me on a 12m most days.

Has anyone else out there ridden the new varialX? any thoughts on the kite?

I've been demoing the 9m all week and I gotta say that it i think it is more powerful than its size suggests. I haven't tried the 12, but the 9 is a huge jumper and has heaps of hang time. I really really like the varial x too. I'm going to adjust the rear line setting. The kite I have is set on the medium bar pressure pigtail but I'd like to move it to the light setting to see how that feels. I generally doing like light bar pressure kites, however I think the varial x on the medium setting is a little too heavy.

Yo kite252,

I agree. The Varial X is a really fun kite. I havent been on the 12 much but I am really loving the 9. I normally ride the Lithiums in waves most days but I am really starting to like the float you can get on the VX. I'm really liking it in onshore waves or just playing around strapless.

Get the 9!

it's about time somebody post the VarialX review, some pictures and videos.
because the airush website information is petty much useless.

a small review on the australian forums

http://www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kite ... rialX-10m/

much more detail in the UK forums (+loads of info on the full 2012 range)

http://www.kiteboarder.co.uk/kitesurfin ... 6&start=45

My brother has the 8m and 12m combo

extremely happy with his 8m (has not taken the 12m out yet) at 80-85kgs on a surf board (he does not ride twin tip very often) he is comfortable in anything over 18 to under 30knots.

he does have a 10m VaporX but after riding the 8m VarialX the VapX might get sold. no need for it and the performance has been eclipsed by the new kite.

Kyle_F,

Since you have experience with both could you elaborate more on Lithium vs. VX for waves, especially for onshore/cross onshore winds and small, mushy waves.

Thanks

I'd say from my use of the One (also delta like the lithium) and my little use of the Lithium, I'd say that the One or the Lithium do two things better than the VX that makes the better for waves. Firstly the One and Lithium are quicker to dump power by pushing away the bar. The way I feel, the VX will loose power when the bar is pushed away by moving forward in the window. So it doesn't dump power/power up as quick as the delta's. Also the VX does not relaunch as quick at the other two. The One and Lithium are INSTANT. But the VX relaunches more traditionally by moving to the edge of the window.

Just posted, here is a recent test done by Kiteworld along with a photo gallery.

http://www.airush.com/blog/blog/2012-ai ... d-magazine

Photo by Ludovic Franco

Cheers
Schmidy

Hi Kyle_F

I think the 9 is a good call, generally pretty windy here on the east coast US. I think it will be a great all around kite
for the waves and flat water riding! thanks for the info everyone

picture above is the same colors as the 12m i rode, kite looks sick in the sky too!!