I've ridden one
Positives:
Felt good, direct back line attachments makes the kite responsive with good bar pressure
Jumps really high, lots of hangtime
Unhooks really well, had no trouble doing my limited arsenal of unhooked tricks on it
more than enough depower on it
Negatives:
The bar wasn't too great, but it did the job. It was functional, I just didn't really like it all that much
The graphics look a bit....
Overall a nice kite, one I would consider if i was buying a new kite
G'day TheGuy
Background:
I test rode pretty much all the main brand kites last summer and decided on the Mayhem after my first 30 minute go. In short, it suited my particular riding style to a 't'. I like wakestyle and most of my tricks are unhooked with some kiteloops. I am getting into surfing as well with long, downwinders. I have always ridden c-kites and wanted to switch to something safer and a 1 kite quiver. I purchased an 11m Caution Mayhem. I am 82kgs and ride a 135X43 twintip and a 6ft2in thruster
Positives:
This kite turns super fast compared to other kites of the same size and even some 10m kites I tried. It does not overpower me unhooked as with some other SLE kites I tried. Sending the kite gets you v high and I have started doing some board offs for the first time which is fun. Unhooking is done with ease especially sheeted in as it slows the kite down making wakestyle easier and more forgiving. Surf riding for me has improved 2 fold due to the speed of the turns and looping. Once on a wave I depower the kite and it sits just out of the window until I need it. One inflation/deflation point is fantastic. Bar is very simple (I rode Fuels before) and the feedback is exactly how I like it, medium, and I know where the kite is with my eyes closed. There is not much throw on the chicken loop but there is enough depower when you need it and suited my requirement of having a safer kite. I have had sessions staying upwind with 12kts all the way up to 30kts. unbeatable Performance verse cost.
Negatives:
Very difficult to relaunch below 10knts
Still not as good as a c kite when it comes to unhooked wakestyle tricks.
Kite flaps around at the wingtips a little in gusts.
Hope this helps a bit.
note: This review was not meant to be discriminatory to any sensative soles out there or persons owning other kite brands, its just some critical feedback.
Always good to hear feedback from riders. Caution will also be releasing a new Hybrid aimed at learners for 09.
But for now here is a cool vid, enjoy-
Its great to finally see some freestyle riding on the Mayhem. Thanks for that......keep it coming.
Cheers