Hi guys I can't seem to get a straight answer on this one.

Looking for rough wind ranges for 8 / 10 / 12m kites of the Varial X.

Better still via experience giving me your weight and board of choice. I know this is based also on rider experience but a few anecdotal experiences would give me some idea.

Much appreciated in advance.

Hi WestOzzy,

80kg, 135 twin,I know how to fly a kite.

13-20K's on the 12m

17 - low 30's on the 8m

You can set up your own steering line knots to taylor the power of the kite.

I've never been on the 10m.

Sick kites

Wind range Overview Kites 2012
Estimate on 75kg Rider with a medium sized Twintip
WARNING: These are guidelines only

Varial X
Varial X 6 20 - 38 Knots
Varial X 8 16 - 35 Knots
Varial X 9 15 - 34 Knots
Varial X 10 14 - 33 Knots
Varial X 12 11 - 27 Knots

I just copy paste the info from a excel table that airush send to me via email. I don't know why they
don't have this info on their web page.

The table have also the wind range for the other kites.

Manuel

I'm 93 kgs and ride a twintip. I choose a 10m varial x, and it's good for me from 16/17 kts to 30+

Cheers fellas, appreciate it. Will do my own exercise with weight and board to airush as well.

Has also got me beat why they don't post these, at least a general guide as it helps when choosing what to demo and what sizes to put in a quiver and/or compliment what you have already.

Weird...

I would never take wind recommendations from manufacturers web recommendations when choosing my next kite size. It's usually for a 75kg rider, which I am not. And really kites these days have so much range now that you can't really pick a bad size. Also 15 kts of warm air is not the same as denser cold air moving at 15 kts. So speed comparison is pointless!

Best guage is to see what other kiters in your area are using. If most people your size are on 10m kites, then go for an 11 or 12 if you like riding powered up, boosting high or parked kites for wake style. If you are looking for more manouverability or less pull for wave riding, or want a kite for looping, get a 9m. I wouldn't get too hung up in sizes unless you are choosing full on 4line c kite which the varial x is not.

I rode a 9m delta kite last year and when choosing the varial x for this year, I went a size bigger cause I was to working more hooked in arial stuff, so will appreciate a kite with a little more pull and hang time than a fasted more maneuverable kite. I would probably go for a 14m lithium as a light wind kite and an 8m varial for the really strong days!

Wild duke what weight are you, what board do you ride and what wind range has your 8 m have.

Size is important when considering a quiver and the fact I use a cardboard wave and a sector 54. There is an interplay here.

How do you find the Varial x.

me too..
a LONG time ago I used to work for a mag and we used o test, recording windrange when we were testing. I remember being in egypt with an 11.5 C kite. It took 40 knots comfortably. Took the same kite home and putting it up in 25, measured with the same meter I had to pull the emergency release within 3 secs of it powering.

Unscrupulous brands will claim the upper and lower ranges in examples above to promote. At best putting numbers on is misleading, at worst it's dishonest. You really need to find info from someone who rides in your country (same humidity temp and weight).

Also agreed that the Lithium is fast and highly efficient in the bigger sizes. 14 is quite something on a sector - I can get it to go as early as the 17m VXR - its fast and forward turns really well. That said as soon as it is windy the Varial X is quite simply the best kite I have ever owned for where I ride...

I'm 93 kgs, and I have been riding a 140x42.5 Cabrinha Custom board. Sorry I don't have or haven't ridden an 8m. Tell you the truth , I've not really been a fan of smaller kites. They move too fast for my liking. I'd prefer a bigger slower kite with a really good top end. It would only be an option when I reach the top end of the 10m vx that I own and even then I'll see how it goes.

I've had about 6 sessions with the vx's and at the moment I'm loving it. I was flying a 9m delta kite last year that I loved then, but the vx really has the feel that I'm looking for this season. Believe me, I'm the last person in the world to go along with hype. I can spot marketing bullshit a million miles away. I think it's a very good kite. Also just so you know that I'm not Airush biased, I rode a 12m Naish park the other day and really really liked that too. Very similar feel of that helps you in any way.

Cheers wild duke. Appreciate ya feedback. Agreed totally on different wind density. So I weigh 75kg and have a sector 54. Reckon if you are good 16 to 17 I should be okay in 13 to 14.