I have a 6m BWS im 95kgs and ride strapped on a power hungry Webber 6.1
I came off Rev 1, Rev2, Octanes and was actually disappointed that Slingy discontinued this fantastic kite concept.
I demoed the 8m BWS first, and was disappointed in its turning speed compared to the 9m Octane which I can turn one handed, the BWS definitely wants a lot more input.
Power wise the BWS and the Octane are similar, where as the BWS doesn't have that whip style through the turns.
I also had a go on the Slingy Rally 10m, probably less power that the Octane and the BWS, but supper fast, easiest to fly out of the lot, a true fun kite.
Laid out on top of each other, the 9m Octane and the 8m BWS are identical size wise. the attachment points are the same, only the struts are positioned further out.
THe BWS is easier to fly than the Octane, its hard to stuff up on this kite needs less in put and drifts back better, nice and stable, excellent build quality, the bag is minimal and I hope they get upgraded to something a bit better that lets you attach the bar and line to the outside.
If your used to ripping it up with straps, going wide, cutting back and smacking the lip you would miss the action of the Octane 9.
The 6m BWS can be flown more actively and is probably one of the most stable kites in that size, although I suspect its more of a 7m in actual fact, I haven't found the top end of this kite yet and it doesn't give you that out of control feeling when its blowing hard.
My pick would be the 6m BWS, and shop around according to your style for the lighter days. Haven't tried the 10m but Im still stoked with the performance of my 11m Octane.
Hope this helps in your decision making
yeah sounds more and more like a Switchblade-style type of kite rather than a slingshot kite.
Slower, powerfull, drift. Less stearing involved, more surfing.
Think BWS is doing a great job, gets me excited. Looking forward to the future of it and to the products being available in europe.
Carried over from the other BWS thread...
Just a suggestion when you get your new kite (before you fly it and i would be inclined to do this with any new kite not just BWS) .....fold in half and check every corresponding line against each other for length..yep every one ( Mr/Mrs Whoflungdung at the kite assembly line had obviously been on a blinder the night before )...can save you a bit of drama..much as i like kitelooping it can get a bit monotonous all the time and in the one direction...
ITS OFFICIAL _--- for everyone who was unsure about purchasing online , I just saw BWS kites and Boards in an official kiting outlet.. Apparently there are a number of stores Australia wide that now sell BWS..
I'm 96kg & The 6mtr handles really well for me in anything from 25 to 33knts ( the best BWS kite I have ridden to date). If you are a lighter rider I would suggest the 5mtr kite - apparently this thing is rediculous and performs well in everthing from 25knots up.. I have seen a 60kg young bloke ride it in around 30knots- Very fast but so controlled in the air. I couldnt believe it..
Tending to be forward in the window,, although they dont jerk forward and back at the edge of the window in high winds- some kites are constantly dropping back and then racing to edge of the window trying to rip you off your board , especially in gusty wind conditions - NOT THESE.
Can someone please lay a Noise underneath another brand kite of the same size, take pictures and post?
Would be good to get this whole size thing sorted once and for all.
sounds sensible to me.
riding waves with a 6m, or 5m for that matter, is not really going to happen in winds above 35 knots. Unless youre dragging a bucket behind your board.
Some small kites may do so, but they wouldnt be usable in the lighter winds like the noise style type of kites.
Had a Run on my 10mtr BWS today, very light winds 12 to 16 knts. I was keeping up with a bloke on a brand new 2011 12mtr RPM, we both required more wind but my kite was still as powered as his 12mtr. The wind is just crap on the east coast QLD this year ! I saw a shop from my area run a DEMO day last week and he had all sizes of BWS kites to demo on the beach as well as Slingshot & North. They all looked great except there was no wind !!!
yeah i like the 10m in the 13 to 18knot wind and a surfboard. The ocean is so much smoother in that wind and less chop on the waves.
Its not a kite i would be whipping around the window, but more a steady uniform power, that you can park the kite and still use power when you want to.
still, given the right bar input (lots) it will get up and go for those that like lots of full powered turns.
DEFAULT -- I am still waiting for some wind up here so I can go down the beach and take a couple of pics with a BWS compared to other kites, No wind so No one down the beach..
the 6m is pretty grunty- if you want something for 30 knots+ the 5m is the go!
Check this out !! Ian Alldredge Strapless and going mental in the air !! so smooth on the board..www.facebook.com/flx/warn/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fvimeo.com%2F21467811&h=AT2RfaHGOKQoQ0_MN82wxU0cfMlJjJT35LeCP3MTNPXCTgJJOXEs9Iw0UAAeSEh38rnvFfkrwTVn8RWOvFaSthozFD9T_836AzKFGUwyKhpYlCpLg_iNyjFQBas
I wonder if his kite is the same as everyone else straight out of the bag, no doctoring. bs. sorry i meant bws
Why would Ian need to doctor his kite? they fly as good as they need to.
Super smooth with good power, drifts well, nice turning, stable and predictable.
Pretty simple really and that is all that is needed at the end of the day for this style of kite and what is intended to do (surf)
They are pretty simple kites which is why they suit guys like Ian who just want to surf and not muck around with the kite to much.
They pull nice and solid to get you out the back and then turn you around and pull you back into the line up and help position you into the right spot on a wave.
Built very smart, simple and tough to handle some punishment and that's about the measure of it.
Perhaps there has been some over hype from some, but hey we all get excited when it comes to something we love and are passionate about!
End of the day they are great surf kites, Ben's a great guy and they are offering very fair prices so it aint all so bad!
Luke