One more light wind kite to test out. 16m Switch Nitro:

http://switchkites.com/products/kites/nitro.html

$865 brand new.

Good quality materials:

http://switchkites.com/products/why_swi ... tough.html

I realize the fous of this thread is the 17m and 19m XR2 LW, but I wanted to throw in a few relevant comments based on use of the 15m XR2 LW.

Inflation: Pumping this kite up is SUPER easy with the new inflate system. Hardly any resistance untl the last 15 strokes.

Leading edge dimeter is relatively small so that helps too. I was concerned that the kite might sacrifice some rigidity as a result but this kite has a very rigid structure.

The inflate nipple is a male bayonet that connects directly to the hose that is universal on 99% of all pump hoses, so that also simplifies things as well. Deflate time is super fast as well.

Bottom line is I don't dread pumping up this 15m kite like I do others. It' almost like pumping up an average 11-12m kite.

We've been out having a blast with the 15m and it turns really nice, has good lift, truly a "fun" kite. In some ways I'm regretting not having the 17m (maybe evne the 19m) instead because the upper limit of the 15m is very good and handling is great. We had the kite out the other day with 165-185# riders (in full cold water gear) on a 120 cm board and they were going nuts with it in 12-15 kts. I realize thats not super "light wind" but other people on the same day on like-size kites and bigger boards were only mowing the lawn most of them not staying upwind. Honestly, I couldn't get these guys off my kite and watched them killing it for a few hours. The wind started light (probably 10-12 kts) and picked up over the course of 3 hours and these guys probably could have been riding on their 12's and 13's but they didn't want to give up the kite. I actually enjoyed watching them have so much fun with it.

Trying to answer some of Fermanus other questions:
-The wind where we kite can be very gusty depending on the day. I feel like this 15m kite will handle gusty conditions as well as any others I've flown or better.
-The depower on the kite is very good, yet it steers very well at full depower. The depower adjustment at the bar is very effortless due to a 4:1 cascade (the line essentially passes thru 2 blocks).
- We have very recently been testing the 8m and 11m XR2's as well. The new XR2's seems to be higher aspect than the former XR and a little flatter than the previous XR. I actually still love my (almost 3 year old) 11m XR Riot. I'm still getting used to the smaller XR2's but am enjoying them all. Very stable, good high end, smooth turning and looping, etc...All the kites go upwind VERY well.
- We have flown the 15m kite on the standard 24m lines and with 3m extensions. Some riders seem to be OK with the longer lins, I prefer without extensions in spite of loss of maybe 10% power. Just a personal choice I guess.
-IMO the bar pressure is relatively light. I have put all the kites on "fast" rear line and the heaviest bridle setting...still very comfortable and I would call it "medium" pressure.. One of the test riders here said his North 12m (sorry forgot which model but will check) has much more bar pressure than the 15m XR2. He was also surprised that the Core bar was shorter than his North bar and still the kite turns so well.
- When the dude says don't be afraid of the 19m XR2 I believe it. A few years ago I decided never to go bigger than 15m or 16m again. I never thought I'd say it but havng flown the 15m XR2 it is making me rethink big kites again. And for the heavier riders this has got to be good news.

from the dude
Do not fear all kitesurfers worlwide THIS 19 is the absolute FUN LARGE LW tube this year
Knowing that the size printed on wingtip is "19" should not be a reason to just say NO to it!

Robertovillate i am soooo happy that you are so impressed with the Riot XR2 15!
The 17 and 19 are just as impressive!
We do ride those 2 kites 24+3ext.=27m lines

We have also the 15M but it is still in the plastic bag (brand new) w/ one more sensor bar

We always buy complete (bar/lines) and always leave lines attached to "all our kites"
I guess it is from all those years of riding the SP2 19 & SP3 21 Flys. (lines stayed on / fast set-up)

Do not own anymore Flys. this year
I felt like this year the Cores Riot LW were it
And so far "i believe" i was right

............................................................ ................................................................

Some people mentioned earlier the bigger board is important in light winds.
One of my friend Dr David has a friend who inspired him to design his own board,
the Coffee Table
With the Core 17m I mentioned earlier and Coffee table combo and his weight around 200 lbs,
he can now hold ground and Supa EZ in 10 -12 mph, 2 mph improvements on the low end.

Just an idea

DrLW

Hello Doctors David & LW
This is Master LW
Nice board design.I did make my own wood boards at one time as a team rider for "home depot"

Sure looks tricky to ride toeside
Nice 1st edition LW 17M Riot your doctor friend has

Ideally even if his kite is in great shape he should let it go (sell it) and upgrade to what he needs
And treat himself (you deserve it doctor) to a New Riot XR2 19M with New Sensor bar
Put on the 3m extensions (included) and he will go in 9-11mph with more power on his table

Have fun fellow LW kiters

.................... ..................................................

Some fun testing the other day with the XR2 15 LW in 12-15 kts and a 120cm twin tip board

Not properly a light wind session last sunday, but I like to report my day with my Core Riot 7. First of all, le me say I frankly underestimated the conditions. In northern Como lake, Italy, where I live, we have only two kinds of wind: a strong, gusty wind from north (can vary from 20 to 50 knots, sometimes impossible to ride) and a normal thermal wind from south. In 25+ years I'm windsurfing on the lake, we NEVER had more than 25 knots from South. Last sunday, I went on the beach and it was blowing hard from south. I thought it was a very nice 20/25 day and I pumped my 7. I began to ride and noticed the chop was really high, sometimes 1,5 mts that is a real record for our lake. I depowered about 1/4 and I feel perfectly powered, the kite was fast but super stable. It was a bit difficult but only because of the terrible chop. My kite was in perfect control and I was quite relaxed. After 1 hour and a half, I felt tired and go back to the beach. A friend of mine, windsurfer only, came to me and shout "are you crazy??? It's blowing 40!!". I swear I was really surprised, I told him "40?? Nahhh, impossible, no more than 30". Hi came back a minute later with his anemometer and showed me: it was blowing 32/33 on the beach!!! Normaly, on the center of the lake we have about 5 more knots than on the beach!! I really couldn't believe my eyes, I'm only an intermediate kiter and I rode in 40 knots with my 7 without problems, I was totaly relaxed!! Yesterday I downloaded the data of the local meteo station and... see below...
I'm really really stoked with these Core kites, they are incredible machines with the largest wind range I can imagine. What else to say? Light wind or strong wind, go for a Core and you'll be happy!!!



CENTRALINA DI CREMIA – 13 Maggio 2012



DATE TIME DIR RUN HI SP. HI DIR

13/05/12 11.45 S 5.87 34.8 S
13/05/12 12.00 S 6.09 38.3 S
13/05/12 12.15 S 5.87 42.6 S
13/05/12 12.30 SSW 5.65 36.5 SSW
13/05/12 12.45 S 5.87 38.3 SSW
13/05/12 13.00 SSW 5.43 33.9 SSW
13/05/12 13.15 SSW 5.22 32.2 S
13/05/12 13.30 SSW 4.57 28.7 WSW
13/05/12 13.45 SSW 5.00 31.3 S
13/05/12 14.00 S 6.09 34.8 SSW
13/05/12 14.15 SSW 5.00 33.0 S
13/05/12 14.30 SSW 4.57 28.7 S
13/05/12 14.45 SSW 5.00 33.0 S
13/05/12 15.00 S 4.78 33.9 S
13/05/12 15.15 S 5.22 33.9 S
13/05/12 15.30 S 5.43 32.2 S
13/05/12 15.45 SSW 5.00 29.6 SSW
13/05/12 16.00 S 5.87 29.6 SSW
13/05/12 16.15 S 6.52 32.2 S
13/05/12 16.30 SSW 6.30 31.3 SSW
13/05/12 16.45 S 6.52 33.0 SSW
13/05/12 17.00 S 5.87 33.0 S

EZ,

How is the Core 19 doing in the Drift?

What is the preferred method for launching the 19m Riot in light wind? Is there a video showing how it is done? I like my Ozone Zephyr, but it is difficult to roll up on a kite tip for launch in wind under 10. I'd consider a Riot 19M LW if it was easier to get in the air. Thanks for any info.

Again, I realize this is a question about the Core 19 LW...but fyi, the 15m XR2 LW self launches very easy. I self-launch and self-land this kite all the time. I think it actually self-launches easier than the 11m and 8m XR2's...the 15m is not as flat and thin at the wingtips so it seems to roll into position a little easier than the smaller kites (ironically). I also would be interested to know about the 19m LW.

btw, just finished another light wind session (I'm 160#) with the 15m and can't help saying it....LOVE! Fast turning, great range, excellent lift and glide, a super smooth flyer.