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NORTH JUICE - light wind dice?

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Created by speed brother > 9 months ago, 17 Apr 2014
juicerider
WA, 790 posts
10 May 2014 8:05PM
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s h * *, now I'm going to have to change my user name

Haydn24
QLD, 473 posts
11 May 2014 11:56AM
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juicerider said..

s h * *, now I'm going to have to change my user name


or just buy a Juice and ride it then you won't have to change username

makntracks
NT, 132 posts
11 May 2014 9:55PM
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Any one know if there are any in Aus yet?

WA Surf
WA, 334 posts
11 May 2014 9:44PM
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Should have our hands on an 18 in a couple of weeks, we will let you know how it goes

Drew

Puetz
NT, 2177 posts
12 May 2014 2:34PM
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WA Surf said..
Should have our hands on an 18 in a couple of weeks, we will let you know how it goes

Drew


... yeaaaah,,,,, I don't think you guys would know how to use an 18m,,,,,, better send it up here and I'll let you know!!

WA Surf
WA, 334 posts
12 May 2014 4:22PM
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Puetz said..

WA Surf said..
Should have our hands on an 18 in a couple of weeks, we will let you know how it goes

Drew


... yeaaaah,,,,, I don't think you guys would know how to use an 18m,,,,,, better send it up here and I'll let you know!!


Sure thing, the invoice is in the mail

I think the kite looks a lot more like a big Neo, it doesn't have too much Dice DNA from the look and what we've been told. The 2014 Neo is super grunty for it's size, so it doesn't surprise me, last week I was riding a 7m Neo while my mate was on a 10m Vegas... we had about the same amount of power, maybe he had just a tiny bit more, but it wouldn't have been much.

Puetz
NT, 2177 posts
13 May 2014 2:06PM
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WA Surf said..
Puetz said..



WA Surf said..

Should have our hands on an 18 in a couple of weeks, we will let you know how it goes



Drew




... yeaaaah,,,,, I don't think you guys would know how to use an 18m,,,,,, better send it up here and I'll let you know!!


Sure thing, the invoice is in the mail

I think the kite looks a lot more like a big Neo, it doesn't have too much Dice DNA from the look and what we've been told. The 2014 Neo is super grunty for it's size, so it doesn't surprise me, last week I was riding a 7m Neo while my mate was on a 10m Vegas... we had about the same amount of power, maybe he had just a tiny bit more, but it wouldn't have been much.



... haha invoice in the mail, fair enough!

Got any other pics you can share?

Robbie

HappyG
VIC, 292 posts
13 May 2014 4:51PM
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Interesting Kite need to demo could update from zephyr

Review on Kite Finder:

www.kitefinder.com/en/kites/1367/north-juice-2014#user-reviews

So there I was on the water with 6 to 10 knots wind, a huge twin tip and only foils on the water. The next day everybody was out with 9/10 and 12 m2, and I could still survive with the Juice 18m2 and talk with some friends on the beach while positioning the kite at 12 o clock.
Important to know is its performance in low and high end conditions. I haven't tested a kite who let me ride upwind in 6 knots and still lets me practise some old skool board offs in 15+ knots, without hammering your edge and ride fully overpowered
It crawls to the far corner of your windwindow which makes the kite playful. (its looses its pressure i you want) but also shoot out of its windwindow if you try no handers ( make sure you pull the pulley a bit to prevent the kite shooting out of its windwindow)

The Juice felt stable but still reacted quitte well on steering input. Its just a bit too big for big airtime 'cause it doesn't shoot you off, but you'll still have plenty of seconds up in the air on a lower altitude.

Resume: The Juice is a very loose and playful 18m2 up in the market. Easy pull and ride, great upwind, and a true free ride characteristics makes the kite a valuable light wind kite for those days you'll normally spent on the beach.

- See more at: www.kitefinder.com/en/kites/1367/north-juice-2014#user-reviews

WA Surf
WA, 334 posts
13 May 2014 3:47PM
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Sounds like it has some grunt to it!

Robbie, unfortunately no other details or pictures we can share yet, you guys have as much info as us at the moment. We're still waiting on the final price as well.

Demo 18m should be available in Perth in four weeks.

Drew

speed brother
QLD, 126 posts
14 May 2014 6:31PM
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Here are some pics, courtesy of kiteforum.








Puetz
NT, 2177 posts
15 May 2014 4:22PM
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... interesting,,,,, nice enough colour scheme too, plain and yet will stand out,,,, looks like its performance aimed right along side the Nugget with its light wind fun-ness.

I look forward to trying it one day!

cheers,

Robbie

eppo
WA, 9505 posts
17 May 2014 8:00AM
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WA Surf said...
Puetz said..

WA Surf said..
Should have our hands on an 18 in a couple of weeks, we will let you know how it goes

Drew


... yeaaaah,,,,, I don't think you guys would know how to use an 18m,,,,,, better send it up here and I'll let you know!!


Sure thing, the invoice is in the mail

I think the kite looks a lot more like a big Neo, it doesn't have too much Dice DNA from the look and what we've been told. The 2014 Neo is super grunty for it's size, so it doesn't surprise me, last week I was riding a 7m Neo while my mate was on a 10m Vegas... we had about the same amount of power, maybe he had just a tiny bit more, but it wouldn't have been much.




You were right...

kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=2384858

makntracks
NT, 132 posts
10 Jun 2014 7:40PM
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Any one have one yet?????

Rattlehead
QLD, 555 posts
10 Jun 2014 10:10PM
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A few guys were playing with a 15 m one on the weekend , a couple of the guys fly dices and they said it's just like a big dice , also had the new dice 11m ......

makntracks
NT, 132 posts
10 Jun 2014 10:23PM
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Thats what i want to hear, any one flown the 18m yet???
Rattlehead are you saying 2015 dice???

Puetz
NT, 2177 posts
11 Jun 2014 8:01PM
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Hey Michael, found this on Kiteforum, cut and pasted: kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2385142


Ok fist I am affiliated with North, and will be "pimping" how much I like North stuff......


So I have had a couple of new big kites from North about a week, and I have flown them numourous times each, and will be sharing the results,

Kites were all flown trading off on the water with several other kiters, contitions ranged from light, 5knots to powered, 20+knots.

So let me mention the 2015 dyno has some of the trickiest bridles ever, there are NO connections to the leading edge, (except the fith line safety). All bridling is behind a (mystery fabric leading edge) it is burley and slippery. The connection points are at the leading edge and strut connections, and between 30 to 60 cm up on the strut, (it is a six strut with no center strut). This means the drag is decreased, and the center of effort is changed, the front lines attach behind the leading edge and change everything!

The bar feel is crisp and has a direct, mechanical feel unlike any other LEI kite out there. The bar pressure is amazing since the distance from the front to rear lines is much shorter, and the canopy is the most stable I and the local kiters have witnessed, if there is lufting, it is only when the bar is slacked and the rider removes all pressure, then this cute little cigar shape section will luft, and the instantly disappear when a couple pounds of pressure is placed on the bar. This bridle system is a total game changer, and gives the Dyno amazing feel, and characteristics. Comparing it to any other LEI is just unfair, The kite is so crisp, reactive and friendly (for a race kite).

Creating power with the Dyno is simple and affective and with the leading edge in front of the connection points it takes a little time to adjust to the timing, it took me about 10 minutes on the 15 for it to blow my mind, it feels more stable then any kite moving in light wind should, and once you are mid powered, the trimming is so crisp and spot on you can not help but imaging logging hours with out the fatigue some race kites induce. The only other kite with a similar bar feel is the Ozone Chrono, we had one out to compare the Dyno and the Juice with. The Dyno feels much more direct, and more familiar to the LEI kiter while the Chrono has its own character in flight, and reguires a attentive kiter familiar with long foil kites, to be affective, once you have got it parked and pulling it is incredibly fast and effective, it and the Elf are in a category of their own when it comes to size, comparison, the 15m Chrono had more pull the the 15m dyno or 15m Juice , when switching from the 18m dyno to the Chrono, there was a noticeable difference in pull with 18m being very easy to sign and make apparent compared to the 15m Chrono, but once up to speed both kites scream, ( I should mention I am 3 month out of ACL surgery and did all testing strapless on surfboards, since I am not cleared to ride straps for 3more months, so I could not ride formula board and really check the points of sail). When riding the Chronofor the first time I newit had 5 degrees of reach on other kites, this new Dyno also drives up wind at insane angles compared to any other kite, and itis so easy to pull through the window, that you need to develop the skill to not penetrate and lose pressure or VMG it is amazing. Try one, it is groundbreaking.

The Juice is no Dyno, and that was the plan, the dynos a hundred percent race kite, it jumps great, goes way, up wind and needs a kiter familiar with race kites to milk every last usable MPH out of it. But not the Juice...this big bad boy is just a simple treat, does it pull.ike a truck for its size, YUP, does it drift down wind while riding waves or lake chop, oh yaaaa, like a dream, does it have the simple Quick pumping Lazy Pump, system...yuuuuppp... Isitmy go to big kite, for all fun sessions...indeed, and here is why...itis just plane fun, the bar pressure is adjustable to three settings and will make it personal to your style, the lightest is direct, and easy, while the hardest setting is similar to other big kite bar pressure. I prefer the middle setting.

I flew the 15m Juice back to back with a 15 dyno, a ozone zephyr,a 15 Chrono, and even a 11m evo to check out the high end. The Chrono was the most powerful, the dyno and zephyr where close, but the 15 juice made more set it and forget it lower end all the other LEI in its category, I can only quess what the 18m does. There where other big kites out most days,generally, 17m friendly kites, I had plenty of power on the 15, and could do lots of fun smaller kite tricks, this kite feels a lot like the Neo, but with some Evo DNA, it loops, it boost, it drifts, it flys great depowered, well over its suggested high end, I was riding North nuggets with a 220 lbs friend, (I am 160lbs) and we were trading the 15 juice and 11m evo back and forth, we both had plenty of power on EVO 11m and were roped in for comfort with the Juice, but never worried, some thing that is important in our high mountain winds, where it may blow from 8-25knots in a 30 second period. The Juice really drives up wind for a wave based shape, I expected it to have
Less up wind performance then big race kites, but it is close, It close reaches amazingly well and will make any light wind kiters day, just a blast, it has a familiar smaller kite bar feel, and turning speed, and is just a smile maker. This will be my go to big kite for 80 % of my light wind days..

I am happy to answer questions, the best I can. I am sure I forgot stuff.

Billy B.


Juice sounds like right up your alley dude!

Robbie

Puetz
NT, 2177 posts
11 Jun 2014 8:03PM
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WA Surf said...
Sounds like it has some grunt to it!

Robbie, unfortunately no other details or pictures we can share yet, you guys have as much info as us at the moment. We're still waiting on the final price as well.

Demo 18m should be available in Perth in four weeks.

Drew



... is it 4 weeks yet

makntracks
NT, 132 posts
11 Jun 2014 9:22PM
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Puetz said...

WA Surf said...
Sounds like it has some grunt to it!

Robbie, unfortunately no other details or pictures we can share yet, you guys have as much info as us at the moment. We're still waiting on the final price as well.

Demo 18m should be available in Perth in four weeks.

Drew




... is it 4 weeks yet


Robbie, Geoff said the order is in for a couple,
Cant find much info on the 18m tho..
Any one ridden it??????
Time to sell that good kidney ive been saving.

LostinSpace
QLD, 388 posts
12 Jun 2014 2:00AM
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juicerider said...
s h * *, now I'm going to have to change my user name


Juicerider - Invented by North

Rattlehead
QLD, 555 posts
13 Jun 2014 7:52PM
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makntracks said...
Thats what i want to hear, any one flown the 18m yet???
Rattlehead are you saying 2015 dice???


Correct , 2015 kites....

Puetz
NT, 2177 posts
20 Jun 2014 12:15PM
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... so Drew, what do you reckon,,,, is it any good???

ActionSportsWA
WA, 978 posts
20 Jun 2014 11:08AM
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Robbie
Drew is in Hawaii for the Naish Dealer meeting,
The guys from WA Surf do have an 18m Juice that they are sharing with us, joint custody deal, so we haven't ridden it yet or got any other feedback.
Orders have been placed and we expect to see juice's in late August early September, unless we can get stock on an airfreight.0.
North did a production run (about a 100 kites, if my memory from the dealer meeting serves me well) and they were snapped up by the European dealers leaving Aussie dealers wanting.
Toddy

Puetz
NT, 2177 posts
20 Jun 2014 3:41PM
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... oh ok cool, more waiting!!

WA Surf
WA, 334 posts
21 Jun 2014 4:32AM
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Sorry guys,

Been too busy kiting and paddling in Maui to even look at Seabreeze!Back tomorrow night, next light wind day that 18m Juice will be on the water for sure. I'll let you know what it's like.

Drew

WA Surf
WA, 334 posts
30 Jun 2014 9:16PM
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Okay, so we've now had a couple of sessions on the 18m Juice with 27m quad lines, in gusty 8-12 knot wintery winds, and here's what I think so far.
Disclaimer: shop owner so bias

On the beach, it's got the airport valve which makes pumping up the 18m 3 strut kite pretty easy. The 2014 14m Vegas with old school inflate valve is a lot more effort than this! Unlike the North Dyno, it's not built super super light. It has your standard features of any kite - one pump, plenty of reinforcing but certainly doesn't feel heavy for an 18m thanks to it only being 3 strut.

For a big kite, it turns quick. When I have ridden other big kites such as the Dyno, Zephyr and even the 14m Vegas, I find to move the kite around you can't have your hands on the centre of the bar. Well on the Juice, I found I could ride around with my hands in the middle of the bar like a normal sized kite. I could downloop and send the kite effortlessly to jump, transition, etc etc, it was a pretty awesome feeling.

I rode the kite on the lightest bar setting available on the wing tip of the kite, and it was light but still enough feedback so that I didn't have to look at the kite at all. We swapped to the middle settings when one of our team riders used it yesterday on the river in about 8-12 knots and he said the feedback was a bit nicer but still plenty light enough so that it doesn't feel like you're riding behind a truck. We'll run it on this from now on to give a middle-of-the-road test.

The kite has, as you would expect, HEAPS of power. I rode the kite on (all 2015) a 5'2 Nugget, 138 Team Series, 139 Gambler with boots, and medium Naish Skater. Not once did I find i was underpowered in what I would say was about 10-12 knots. On the nugget I was pretty much maxed out and on the twin tips i had about half of the depower pulled on.

I could definately feel the NEO in the kite, as this is what the initial kite was based off. It's fast, power comes on not too aggressively so you don't get ripped off your board, and it's just such an easy kite to fly. When I first used a 17m race kite on a twin tip or surfboard I found there was a few little things to learn as the kite wasn't designed for slow boards (in comparison to race boards), but with the Juice, this isn't an issue. Plug and play!

As for boosting, I can't comment as I was having too much fun on the nugget! So that one we'll have to wait for another day.

I unhooked... I was pretty powered at the time and the kite had plenty of pull off the water but ZERO slack, so freestylers, perhaps we'll have to try this in some lighter winds to see if it's a kite that will do that.

Relaunch in 10 knots was good. Pretty quick and easy. I always prefer having 5 lines on big kites so that relaunch isn't an issue. With the 4 line setup, it felt exactly like the 2014 Neo. I reckon you could back line reverse relaunch it to.

The kite had absolutely zero flutter when throwing it around the window and unlike race kites, when I was overpowered the kite didn't flag around like crazy which actually slows the kite and drops it back in the window. I could edge the kite forward in the window easily to kill the power without touching the depower strap.

Cons - not sure. I couldn't find anything that stood out other than having no slack when I unhooked. A few more sessions in varying conditions should give a more rounded review but for now I am stoked.


If you're in the market for a lightwind freeride kite, give it a shot. I had a ball riding this kite and I'm sure I won't be the only one.

Drew

skebstebamal
QLD, 579 posts
7 Jul 2014 7:25PM
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I think Ocean Addicts on qld sunny coast are getting in a big juice too.. hopefully they demo it :) im keen to give it a whirl on my race board

eddiemorgs
QLD, 390 posts
10 Jul 2014 1:31AM
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Select to expand quote
said..
Okay, so we've now had a couple of sessions on the 18m Juice with 27m quad lines, in gusty 8-12 knot wintery winds, and here's what I think so far.
Disclaimer: shop owner so bias

On the beach, it's got the airport valve which makes pumping up the 18m 3 strut kite pretty easy. The 2014 14m Vegas with old school inflate valve is a lot more effort than this! Unlike the North Dyno, it's not built super super light. It has your standard features of any kite - one pump, plenty of reinforcing but certainly doesn't feel heavy for an 18m thanks to it only being 3 strut.

For a big kite, it turns quick. When I have ridden other big kites such as the Dyno, Zephyr and even the 14m Vegas, I find to move the kite around you can't have your hands on the centre of the bar. Well on the Juice, I found I could ride around with my hands in the middle of the bar like a normal sized kite. I could downloop and send the kite effortlessly to jump, transition, etc etc, it was a pretty awesome feeling.

I rode the kite on the lightest bar setting available on the wing tip of the kite, and it was light but still enough feedback so that I didn't have to look at the kite at all. We swapped to the middle settings when one of our team riders used it yesterday on the river in about 8-12 knots and he said the feedback was a bit nicer but still plenty light enough so that it doesn't feel like you're riding behind a truck. We'll run it on this from now on to give a middle-of-the-road test.

The kite has, as you would expect, HEAPS of power. I rode the kite on (all 2015) a 5'2 Nugget, 138 Team Series, 139 Gambler with boots, and medium Naish Skater. Not once did I find i was underpowered in what I would say was about 10-12 knots. On the nugget I was pretty much maxed out and on the twin tips i had about half of the depower pulled on.

I could definately feel the NEO in the kite, as this is what the initial kite was based off. It's fast, power comes on not too aggressively so you don't get ripped off your board, and it's just such an easy kite to fly. When I first used a 17m race kite on a twin tip or surfboard I found there was a few little things to learn as the kite wasn't designed for slow boards (in comparison to race boards), but with the Juice, this isn't an issue. Plug and play!

As for boosting, I can't comment as I was having too much fun on the nugget! So that one we'll have to wait for another day.

I unhooked... I was pretty powered at the time and the kite had plenty of pull off the water but ZERO slack, so freestylers, perhaps we'll have to try this in some lighter winds to see if it's a kite that will do that.

Relaunch in 10 knots was good. Pretty quick and easy. I always prefer having 5 lines on big kites so that relaunch isn't an issue. With the 4 line setup, it felt exactly like the 2014 Neo. I reckon you could back line reverse relaunch it to.

The kite had absolutely zero flutter when throwing it around the window and unlike race kites, when I was overpowered the kite didn't flag around like crazy which actually slows the kite and drops it back in the window. I could edge the kite forward in the window easily to kill the power without touching the depower strap.

Cons - not sure. I couldn't find anything that stood out other than having no slack when I unhooked. A few more sessions in varying conditions should give a more rounded review but for now I am stoked.


If you're in the market for a lightwind freeride kite, give it a shot. I had a ball riding this kite and I'm sure I won't be the only one.

Drew


How does its drift for light wind waves Drew ?

BrisKites
QLD, 1290 posts
10 Jul 2014 11:44AM
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As far as light wind goes for drifting a kite the Juice does a good job of it.
We have a 15m Demo in Brisbane if anybody wants to try.

Jas

Puetz
NT, 2177 posts
10 Jul 2014 1:12PM
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BrisKites said..
As far as light wind goes for drifting a kite the Juice does a good job of it.
We have a 15m Demo in Brisbane if anybody wants to try.Jas



... can you get a few pics for us, especially of the bridle setup and the struts, that would be cool?

Puetz
NT, 2177 posts
24 Jul 2014 2:50PM
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... Average Joe review video:





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"NORTH JUICE - light wind dice?" started by speed brother