Switching from RPMs to Fuels

[dandaka]

Resale value for RPM is close to perfection, but Fuel is tough to resell. Experienced kiters don't buy old kites, beginners don't buy Fuels. This stopped me from buying these.

[jrfiol]

I got a FUEL because of a great deal... $800 bucks for a FUEL2013 vs $1350 or more for an RPM.

But I have really enjoyed flying the FUEL. You know all the talk about how C kites are this or that... Its plain and simple:

The FUEL is harder to relaunch and has no depower

The RPM's bar is so sensitive, the kite will move around

Or in Positive:

The FUEL has a direct feel, the bar requires definite instructions for it to move. Kiteloops are intense and unhooked raleys are powerful.

The RPM is easy to deal with, relaunch and depower. Great for fancy transition jumps or fun kiteloops.

I will never sell my FUEL. I will compliment it with a smaller RPM for when its 20+ and a bigger Rally for when its lighter.

Kindest regards,

PD - I have not gone kiting so much since I got the FUEL, and before then I was kiteless for a few months, so my progression has slowed down. There are maneuvers that I haven't tried on the FUEL that I easily did before on the RPM/Rally. My level, intermediate, best tricks (raley and E-16)

[BreezeSleaze]

Good point Dandaka! I never thought of it like that!

[zloilyoha]

here is my opinion :
why do we need Fuel when we have an RPM?
Fuel 7 is exception - thats my loop baby)) well, RPM 7 can do nice loops too on a short lines but it has lack of a tip "support"
don`t get me wrong - Fuel is a nice kite but you need to get in an ideal conditions to be on the top of your game with this kite.
also what i preffered in RPM is that you can slower you kite size per size to Fuel - that is realy important for me - i like kiteloop passes and, for example, my 10 RPM rotates way more slower than 11 Fuel.
i am hoping that i am wrong saying to this http://www.slingshotsports.com/kite/team/sergei-borisov overgrown-dwarf-destroyer - " You will easier and quicker get the top with RPM"

[dyyylan]

I still disagree with most people in this thread. Fuels are not something you "have to be on top of your game" with, it's just a kite. It has slightly less depower on the bar, and the same amount of depower if you actually know how to edge your board. Push the kite forward in the window and it has just as much depower as a bow kite.

It is simple, do you want a kite that:

- has more depower at the bar (rpm)
- gives more slack unhooked (fuel)
- better control when unhooked (fuel)
- better kiteloops (fuel)
- drifts better for wave riding (rpm)
- slightly larger wind range (rpm)
- less bar pressure (rpm)
- bigger jumps (fuel)

People make it sound like the fuel is such a hardcore kite... it's not.

[zloilyoha]

well, every opinion is subjective, so as mine
everybody has different experience

[zloilyoha]

you "have to be on top of your game

that was from freestyle competition side of kitesurfing

[OCKiter]

here is my opinion :
why do we need Fuel when we have an RPM?

Because some of us can tell the difference between the two and appreciate the advantages of the Fuel. Read dyyylan's post again if you don't understand.

[zloilyoha]

Because i can realy tell and feel the difference between the two read this again

my opinion

every opinion is subjective, so as mine
everybody has different experience

[OCKiter]

You lost all credibility when you said a 10 RPM turns slower than an 11 Fuel and that you think Fuels need ideal conditions to be fun.

And you're basically saying that YOU prefer RPMs, so you don't see why anyone else would ride Fuels instead. I prefer Fuels, but I can appreciate why someone else would pick an RPM, or lots of other kites for that matter.

Yes, you're entitled to your opinion, but opinions can still be really stupid.