Power Kite Forum

LOOKY WHAT I GOT!!!... wait, now what do I do with this thing? PROPS TO POKITETRASH!

soliver - 18-3-2012 at 08:24 PM

So I got's me a bug! Many thanks to Big Mike and Van for lining it all up! ... (shameless plug) Buy stuff from Big Mike, he's great to work with.

Big Mike dubs it the Frankenbuggy. It is a PL comp XR+ front fork and downtube, a VTT rail kit and seat, and a PL bigfoot extra wide back axle. I chose to put it on all standard wheels (barrows as they say). I think it pretty freekin' sweet, and in spite of her mild manor, and cautious language, even my wife said "... it looks pretty bad @$$!" :shocked2:

I've had about 20 minutes of ride time in Pokite's bug back in January, and I've read up on the basics. ie. Start 45 deg down wind then turn and run perpendicular (across) to the wind, and turn the kite before the bug. Also, I've practiced walking the kite and turning like Pokite showed me, which was actually really helpful ... And of course, since the dawn of the great classic movies of the 80's I've known this much:






Just wondering if you wiser types have any additional advice to a brand spankin' new bugster like myself.

pics of the bug:

bug1.jpg - 117kB

soliver - 18-3-2012 at 08:28 PM

and the hiney shot, just cuz it looks sweet:

bug2.jpg - 115kB

Drewculous - 18-3-2012 at 08:32 PM

grab the core and pray for some mid twenties and tear it up!!!!

Nice bug... i too have a frankenbuggy... just pl and flexi, but there is a piece of wood in nevada that goes on it :lol:

DAKITEZ - 18-3-2012 at 08:46 PM

your video is the best advice ever. That is the first piece of advice I give any new rider :thumbup:

soliver - 18-3-2012 at 08:49 PM

NICE.

indigo_wolf - 18-3-2012 at 09:15 PM

Sorry.... this needed to be posted. :rolleyes:



ATB,
Sam

van - 18-3-2012 at 09:39 PM

Glad you like the rail kit and seat ... seems to be a popular item these days among PL XR+ owners. Gonna have to put the kids to work cranking them out ... haha .. :lol:

RedSky - 18-3-2012 at 10:01 PM

Quote:



Just wondering if you wiser types have any additional advice to a brand spankin' new bugster like myself.


If you go really fast then wise man say to young grasshopper never take feet off pegs to slow down.

John Holgate - 18-3-2012 at 10:46 PM

There's no going back now :thumbup: In 48 years of buying toys, my buggy is the best thing I've ever bought. And quite possibly the most fun I've ever had too.

lamrith - 19-3-2012 at 06:02 AM

two SWEET video clips..

Grats on the new Bug, now get out there and SEND IT!

PHREERIDER - 19-3-2012 at 06:24 AM

your set! now just add breeze

Bladerunner - 19-3-2012 at 06:35 AM

Long live the Frankin'Buggy ! :cool2:

Drewculous - 19-3-2012 at 07:01 AM

That downhill was awesome!!! Ahahahaha!!

Wheres the truck pull down the beach vid?

soliver - 19-3-2012 at 01:08 PM

Thanks for the fun vids and the kind words guys, but does anyone have any "make sure you ... (insert advice here)" or "don't forget that ... (insert words of wisdom here), assuming what I said I understand above.

... or do I just need to strap on my bean protector, add up the cumulative knowledge that I have, fill out the last will and testament, and go for it; experience being the best teacher and all?

I love to kid around, but is there any more that would help me before I get out there and sit on it.

cheezycheese - 19-3-2012 at 01:36 PM

The best thing I can tell you is to read Angus' buggy basics on the Coastal Wind Sports tutorial section. Other than that don't try to stop like Fred Flinstone...

thanson2001ok - 19-3-2012 at 03:15 PM

Angus' stuff is great. And don't let the kite get behind you. :o Prepare to pull your QR if it ends up there.

RedSky - 19-3-2012 at 06:00 PM

Never allow yourself to become distracted. You look away for a split second because you see a hot babe jogging up the beach and before you can say 'loop of death' you're performing one.

Try to avoid letting the lines go slack. You could run over your own lines. QR might not save you and if you're wearing kite-killers you could become handcuffed to the rear axle. Then you're at the mercy of the Gods.

Be aware of people and hazards downwind.

This is all I can think of right now. Becoming distracted has always been my rule number one and I broke my own rule a couple of years ago after a Chow wow wow came dangerously close to me so I tried to scare it away and before I could say 'I'm having the worst OBE of my entire life'.....

Have fun.

pokitetrash - 19-3-2012 at 06:19 PM

OH Yea! That's an awesome buggy Soliver! Hope to se you soon at OOBE field! Glad you've "got the bug"... Ok. that was lame... :dunno:

You'll have an ..."Oh! Wow! That worked!!" Moment here and there and then all of a sudden you'll just get it and improve exponentially. Once you get the right angle on the wind, right line tension, right kite position all usually by accident--oh and enough wind to keep rolling--you'll all of a sudden get it. :wee:

soliver - 19-3-2012 at 07:54 PM

Thanks guys,

@ pokite; polo season started yet? is OOBE open still? ... Love to meet out there if you can,... email me.

okay, so... read up on Angus's stuff, don't be a prehistoric Hannah Barbera cartoon, don't look at hot babes while in the buggy (or with wife) (mental note: nude beaches are not the best buggying spots), no slack lines, don't run over lines, handcuffs are bad, and have as many happy accidents as possible... got it...

Keep it coming

g00fba11 - 19-3-2012 at 07:59 PM

If not you can always engage the Angus MKII kite buggy engine and you will be on your way!!!! Of course you will have to make a trip to JI to make proper use of that buggy engine but it is well worth it........ and it sure helped me learn a lot......

And watch out for tall signs on the beach...... they tend to do a good job at catching kites......

soliver - 20-3-2012 at 05:42 AM

goof,

yeah, JI is a bit of a drive from ATL. I'll be on St Simon's in may, plannung on trying to get with Angus and meet on JI, unfortunately, we'll be there the week after JIBE :no:

what is this MKII?

S

cheezycheese - 20-3-2012 at 06:15 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by soliver
what is this MKII?

S


Ahhh, the MKII... Quite simple device, but very effective. I think you should watch Goof's JI vid to get the full effect... Words wouldn't do it justice... :wee:

ChrisH - 20-3-2012 at 01:55 PM

Sick buggy man, congrats!! I've got half of that, might spring for the VTT kit soon....we'll see. I'm sure you'll have the time of your life in that buggy! Although, I wouldn't start off in mid twenty winds with a 5.1m Core....that's a good way to get hurt. I would be more comfortable with 15-20 at the most the first couple times you go out. Also, learn to powerslide, it could save yours or someone/somethings life. Take care and post videos and pics as often as you can!

soliver - 24-3-2012 at 04:28 PM

So, first time out with the new bug today with the 3m beamer. What a pantload of fun!

The winds were sort of schizophrenic today, starting from the NW then from the SW, then back NW... it sorta couldn't figure out which way it wanted to come from, which got kind of aggravating. I worked it all out and had 1 good run back and forth across the field, but purely by happy accident. There was lots of luffing (user error + poopy wind), lots of time out of the buggy seat, and NO OBE's. I know it'll take time, but I had a good time in spite of the frustration.

My wife and youngest kiddo came to watch and wifey took a few pics so I can share.

Goober the pilot:

DSC00360.jpg - 64kB

soliver - 24-3-2012 at 04:30 PM

Trying hard to work it out.

DSC00357.jpg - 33kB

soliver - 24-3-2012 at 04:31 PM

AAAAWWWW CUUUTE,... monkey the third takes a turn, go Viv: :wee:

DSC00362.jpg - 82kB

WELDNGOD - 24-3-2012 at 04:47 PM

:thumbup:

pokitetrash - 24-3-2012 at 07:31 PM

Awesome for you dude! :cool::thumbup:

BigMikesKites - 24-3-2012 at 07:44 PM

Looks good. Two things I will add to what others have said. Always take a spare ground stake with you on the buggy. Most have a sheath that can be mounted on the downtube or axle. Always ride with someone else either buggying or watching you buggy. if something happens, they will be your 911 caller....oh..and always wear as much safety gear as you feel comfortable wearing. I always wear leather gloves and a helmet at a minimum.

mougl - 24-3-2012 at 08:03 PM

Awesome man! Keep at it and you'll be rockin in no time!

combatcamp - 26-3-2012 at 05:59 PM

Hey Soliver, Where are you running? I found a place in Valley, Alabama that was a satelite field for the Tuskegee Airmen training during WWII and it's only 70 miles from me and you. My buggy was shipped today so i'm looking to run hard :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8bmzv7pHVE&feature=plcp&...

combatcamp - 26-3-2012 at 06:00 PM

Hey Soliver, Where are you running? I found a place in Valley, Alabama that was a satelite field for the Tuskegee Airmen training during WWII and it's only 70 miles from me and you. My buggy was shipped today so i'm looking to run hard :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8bmzv7pHVE&feature=plcp&...

soliver - 26-3-2012 at 07:31 PM

Combat, ...I have a decent spot here in Marietta close to the house. It is the southernmost portion of Jim R. Miller park. Its a pretty big grass field they use as the parking lot for the N. GA state fair. Its not 100% ideal, but its great for practice.


I know you hit ATL alot, we should try to hook up, or maybe we can do that field midway between us. Email sent.

Meet up with Soliver.............

combatcamp - 27-3-2012 at 04:44 PM

Absolutely have to get up and do this thing lol.

Waiting by the door for FEDEX to arrive tomorrow with my NEW BUG from VAN (VTT), hope it's a female who delivers cause she gonna get a wet willy from me :P

Ray's VTT Tricle.jpg - 93kB

combatcamp - 27-3-2012 at 06:49 PM

Needless to say......this is how i'm going to feel when my buggy gets here.........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyXAJU1n2KU

soliver - 29-3-2012 at 11:56 PM

Wow,... uh,... not sure what to say other than that dude is nuts.

email me combat, we'll try to hook up

BTW, that Valley airport looks freekin' sweet.

soliver - 2-4-2012 at 07:43 PM

So I drove out to SC today and met up with Pokite for some fun and tutorials at OOBE field.

So, in spite of a day at work, and having no gear to play with (except mine) cuz he's all packed up to head out to NABX, Chris came out and gave me some pointers.

The forecast promised some decent wind, however it did not deliver, there was only an occasional gust over 8mph. So I pulled out the 5m core, which I haven't used on the bug yet, and still got some good runs back an forth across 1/2 the field.

Chris taught me some stuff to help keep the kite up, and how awesome the downturn truly is!

Muchas Gracias Pokite, you are da man!!! ... Many props to you, and thanks again.

rocfighter - 3-4-2012 at 11:55 AM

Chris is good people for sure. Just don't tell him I said so. Did he share some of Aunt B's cookies with you?

pokitetrash - 3-4-2012 at 12:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by soliver
So I drove out to SC today and met up with Pokite for some fun and tutorials at OOBE field.

So, in spite of a day at work, and having no gear to play with (except mine) cuz he's all packed up to head out to NABX, Chris came out and gave me some pointers.

The forecast promised some decent wind, however it did not deliver, there was only an occasional gust over 8mph. So I pulled out the 5m core, which I haven't used on the bug yet, and still got some good runs back an forth across 1/2 the field.

Chris taught me some stuff to help keep the kite up, and how awesome the downturn truly is!

Muchas Gracias Pokite, you are da man!!! ... Many props to you, and thanks again.



Glad to be an Enabler! Good seeing u Soliver. I'll try to order better wind next time. :wee:

mougl - 6-4-2012 at 06:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by rocfighter
Chris is good people for sure. Just don't tell him I said so. Did he share some of Aunt B's cookies with you?


Love those cookies!

soliver - 6-4-2012 at 09:34 PM

ok, so whats with the cookies? :dunno::dunno::dunno:

frankiter - 7-4-2012 at 07:57 PM

Aunt B is Chris's sister Beth, who also happens to be my wife! The kids in our families have always called her that, and she makes award winning chocolate chip cookies. (And yes, to answer your question, my family association with Chris did get me sucked in to the power kite vortex.)

Beth doesn't like to disappoint, so for sure I'll be bringing cookies to JIBE. I'm still not sure if I can attend WWBB, but if I can make it, so will the cookies.

mougl - 7-4-2012 at 08:20 PM

I would PAY for those cookies...seriously.

Todd - 7-4-2012 at 08:30 PM

I love Aunt B! Saved me while in the hospital once, true story.

rocfighter - 8-4-2012 at 04:56 AM

Frank I hope you can make WBB. And not just for Aunt B's cookies. More than half but not just:smilegrin:.