Riding a Dirtsurfer is tough at first. It's harder to ride than a mountainboard, but way faster and smoother on rough surfaces. However, you do need
some room to ride (more than a mountainboard) to have fun.
Dirtsurfers also don't develop speed wobbles - in fact it gets more stable at higher speeds.
The disk brake is activated by leaning back on the brake arm.
The low rolling resistance of the Dirtsurfer allows you to use a smaller kite than with a mountainboard. A 6 - 7m depowerable or something around a
4m fixed bridle kite is a perfect match for the Dirtsurfer in moderate winds.
Quote:
Originally posted by BeamerBob
A couple questions I have.
Will it roll backwards?
To go in both directions how do you handle an out and back route? Ride toeside? harness recommended?
strictlycarved - 20-3-2008 at 06:34 PM
how stable is it. i can imagine that with only two wheels it would be tough at slower speeds.SecondWind - 20-3-2008 at 06:38 PM
Not bad at all - you just need to get going at first. After that, it's a sweet ride.
Check out foilman's page for some great pics: www.mustbemad.comstrictlycarved - 20-3-2008 at 06:43 PM
cool pics it looks totally awesome to ride something definitely a little different.BeamerBob - 20-3-2008 at 06:55 PM
Looks like my Beamer will get me going with a little wind. I think I can pull this off. I hope it gets here in time to go to the beach with me. Is
it ok on the beach as long as I keep it out of the water?SecondWind - 20-3-2008 at 07:41 PM
Bob - when are you going to the beach? It's coming from Dirtsurfer HQs in Canada (ships out tommorow), so it will take about a week to get to me.BeamerBob - 21-3-2008 at 02:39 AM
We leave Tuesday in a week. That's 11 days from now, so it probably won't make it in time. I'll have my plate full of buggy those days anyway. I'll
have the DS to flounder on when I get back the next weekend.SecondWind - 21-3-2008 at 05:12 AM
OK - sounds good. I'll give it a good inspection/test ride before I send it your way beamerbob Kiteboarder2B - 21-3-2008 at 10:17 PM
Glad to see DaV could get to this before I could. I just got mine last month but have been plagued by 7 day work weeks and a 3 week bout with the
suprerflu.
It's definitely easier to figure out the DS on a downhill grade by itself before adding in the kite. Skating is the key here. With the kite you'll
have to keep the front foot off the board and gently dip the kite into the powerzone while putting your front foot on the board at the same time.
Learning to skate or push start with your feet before you add in the kite dramatically reduces the learning curve.
Riding at slow or a snail's pace speed is tricky at first. Only practice will take care of that. I can carve directly upwind, bring the kitewing
overhead and airbrake to a dead stop, then go backwards and forward and backwards and forwards again. Riding backwards is very tricky and most people
who do it are going moderately slow and for short distances. There's a video of JM Sicotte going backwards for about 10 ft then popping a 180. If you
are good at jumping with a kite then you can do a jump at the end of your run and 180 the other direction. Not as easy to do with a kitewing, but I am
working on it.
As for riding toeside and all that, that's up to you. If you want to learn or already know how to ride Regular and Goofy, that will be useful. Then
you can stop and go back heelside goofy if you just rode heelside regular. There's a video of a guy named Tim in England who actually does
board-walking a'la surfing and he also switches from Regular to Goofy stance in the middle off riding. There's no telling what's possible with a
little imagination and the determination to practice it.
If you get stuck or need some pointers, just give me a shout.
JKiteboarder2B - 21-3-2008 at 10:37 PM
BeamerBob-
The 16" GP is made of one piece high-tensile steel ( I forget what it's called ) Beach water can rust the frame in spots where the paint has been
chipped away. Just be sure to give it a thorough wash down after beach use and you should be fine. Also be sure to flush out the wheel and pivot
bearings real good tooDAKITEZ - 21-3-2008 at 10:40 PM
DaVinch,
I would love to give it a try if you wouldn't mind. I can try and get sthrasher, elkiter, art lessing, and dagon all together and we can give it a
spin. ThanksKiteboarder2B - 21-3-2008 at 11:52 PM
There will also be 16" GP's and 16" FS's to demo out at Superior for the pre-event and Ivanpah for the main-event, along with a couple of 4.8 dacron
kitewings.SecondWind - 22-3-2008 at 05:55 AM
Thanks for the tips kiteboarder Did you ever get that Caffeine
mountainboard I sent you last year?
Looks like I'll only be riding it on grass, so no worries about messing it up. I'll feel better about that. My soccer field location will be good
and soft to learn at. ;-)kullas - 22-3-2008 at 04:50 PM
I would like to try them out. I will be on grass also. ;-)SecondWind - 23-3-2008 at 02:09 PM
Sure thing kullas:
1. BeamerBob
2. strictlycarved
3. dlish89
4. kullas
5.BeamerBob - 24-3-2008 at 02:50 AM
Does it make much difference in shipping charges to ship a short distance or across the country? If it did, I would be willing to change my position
on the list to make it work better. Any thoughts?dylanj423 - 24-3-2008 at 06:19 AM
The DS was my first board, and I love it, though it is tricky to ride on. My 3.2 crossfire is enough to get me going on it, though you really need to
have a bit of speed before you bring the kite down. It is great at downhilling, too. I just wish I could find more runs here in TX for it.
Very stable board, just a bit tricky. I really like the brakes, being new at this. Just dont look at the wheel wobbling around. Oh, and the
dirtsurfer.com website has lots of tips and vids, also.SecondWind - 24-3-2008 at 07:12 AM
Sure - it could save us some money, but I don't mind sending it to you first.
Quote:
Originally posted by BeamerBob
Does it make much difference in shipping charges to ship a short distance or across the country? If it did, I would be willing to change my position
on the list to make it work better. Any thoughts?
BeamerBob - 24-3-2008 at 07:44 AM
We'll just roll with it then. I made a mistake on the calendar. I will be in town till April 8th and return April 13th. I could actually get a
chance to use it before and during the trip if it makes it in time. I have someone house and pet sitting so if it arrives while I'm gone, it'll be
safe.SecondWind - 24-3-2008 at 07:46 AM
OK - I'll let you know when it gets here Crash - 24-3-2008 at 11:01 PM
I'll follow how it does and just get one from ya ,looks cool !Maybe I can jump on one at Ivanpah ?SecondWind - 25-3-2008 at 05:13 AM
Try one if you can Crash - Ivanpah looks like the ultimate playground for the Dirtsurfer!barnes - 25-3-2008 at 11:50 AM
Any room left on the list? Looks like it'd be fun! And the weather is getting really nice, so I'll need something to ride!SecondWind - 25-3-2008 at 12:19 PM
Thanks for thinking about me dlish. You know I will try it but Jacob will be the one who can ride it. We will have to wear full gear for that one!
thanks Davinch.Kiteboarder2B - 27-3-2008 at 09:19 PM
S38, if you can stand on two feet without falling over than I can get you riding on one at NABX, and if you like it we can probably arrange for you to
take a demo model home with you to play with.Sthrasher38 - 28-3-2008 at 07:18 AM
Yea I have good balance. We will have to try it! Thanks see ya there.SecondWind - 1-4-2008 at 07:15 PM
Just an update - I got in the Dirtsurfer frame today and I'm hoping the wheels will be here tomorrow SecondWind - 3-4-2008 at 07:44 PM
OK - got the wheels in today. I'll be sending it out soon!DAKITEZ - 8-4-2008 at 12:07 AM
DaVinch,
Thank you very much for the offer, but I think I will give someone else a chance. I saw these at nabx and I know its not for me. I don't have near
the skill to give one of those a try. Thanks again and I hope everyone enjoys it.SecondWind - 8-4-2008 at 05:15 AM
No problem dlish.
However, the 16" GP is a bit lower to the ground and it feels easier to ride (compared to my 16" FS and 20" Flexi Pro). Just let me know if you
change your mind.
BeamerBob - I packed up the DSer yesterday and it is scheduled to ship out today. I'll send you the tracking info via a U2U.Sthrasher38 - 8-4-2008 at 09:13 AM
Good luck Bob.SCREWYFITS - 8-4-2008 at 11:16 PM
Dlish...
Get a hold of me when you get this, I'll kick down some shipping 2 the next...$$...DAKITEZ - 9-4-2008 at 07:34 AM
screwy - I'm out ..... Off the list. Ask Davinch if you can get a chance, if the list is not full. A old guy like me will stick with my buggy. Thanks
again for the offer Davinch.SCREWYFITS - 9-4-2008 at 03:26 PM
C-Mon Dlish, Get'n to old.....
Give me a break... I'm older than you!!! I know you got that bum knee so I'll let you pass this time.
Screwy!!!Sthrasher38 - 9-4-2008 at 03:30 PM
Hey, Send u2u about the gps I would like to keep that one.SecondWind - 20-4-2008 at 05:13 PM
How's it going BeamerBob - Any better the second time out?strictlycarved - 1-5-2008 at 05:07 PM
hey beamerbob how the surfer working out you getting any better on it.BeamerBob - 1-5-2008 at 05:20 PM
After my first few tries which I rode it without the kite from a steeper street onto a less steep street. I rode it that way about 4 times, maybe a
1/3 of a mile each trip. Once you are rolling, it is a piece of cake. I was riding without the bindings but want to attempt it now with at least one
binding, and then graduate to two. I have a beach day in one week, so I plan to marry it with an appropriate kite to see if I can cover some ground
with it. My opinion will be formed on it at that point. It certainly has that extreme factor. It draws a crowd and starts conversations where there
were none..SecondWind - 15-5-2008 at 07:54 PM
How's it going with the Dirtsurfer BeamerBob?BeamerBob - 19-5-2008 at 04:41 AM
Wexler was riding it just yesterday. He doesn't have any trouble with it at all now. I had a virus hit me last thursday so that knocked me out of
some awesome wind this weekend. We had stuff that HAD to get done before next weekend so I missed out. I would like a chance to use it in enough
wind to be able to do the soccer field with it or at least give up trying. Let me know when I've had it too long. Otherwise not more than another
two weeks if thats ok. The beach didn't offer an opportunity for me. The beach was hard where the wind didn't blow and soft where it did blow out on
a point. Didn't even get it out of the car.SecondWind - 19-5-2008 at 09:01 PM
Sounds good Beamer - have fun with it SecondWind - 3-6-2008 at 06:42 PM
How's it going BB?BeamerBob - 4-6-2008 at 03:13 AM
I took it to the field on sunday afternoon. The wind was too light and gusty to try the DS. I could get some almost decent power for a minute or so
and then I could take the CFII right down across the ground and hold my feet still. I'm heading into the summer with winds like this the norm. I
guess I should just send it on to the next guy.SecondWind - 4-6-2008 at 03:06 PM
OK - I was hoping you got some wind your way! Are you ready for it strictlycarved?
yea im ready. looks like a whole bunch of funSecondWind - 4-6-2008 at 05:15 PM
Just U2U your shipping info to BeamerBob when you get a chance BeamerBob - 5-6-2008 at 07:25 AM
I can send it out early next week.Sthrasher38 - 5-6-2008 at 11:32 AM
Bob hows Wexler? I have not heard from him for awhile. How did his baseball team do? My sons team came in 2nd for the district.BeamerBob - 5-6-2008 at 12:45 PM
Wexler is into the skateboard/wakeboard/slalom ski things. He isn't so swift at baseball but he can jump off the roof of a golf cart onto his
skateboard. No fear. And you ought to see him handle a Montana III or any other kite for that matter. I called him the other day while he is
visiting with my parents and told him I wanted some kite pointers. He said in his most disdainful voice "You're flying the Montana aren't you"? I
was and turns out I was doing everything right for the winds and no wheels I had at the time. My younger son Jared is the baseball player. They have
won 7 of their last 8 games and 6 of those games were called for the mercy rule. They are qualified for the GA state tournament next weekend and the
world series starting July 6th. Playoffs for his rec league team are this weekend. Then things will lighten up a little. Oh, Jared hit a ball last
weekend that bounced over the 200' fence. He is <this> close to being able to hit a home run. He is the odds on favorite to be the one on his
team to do it first. Enough about my kids....... for now.strictlycarved - 5-6-2008 at 06:18 PM
cool man that dirstsurfer looks like so much fun.BeamerBob - 13-6-2008 at 07:06 AM
Strictly, just u2u me an address and I'll get this bad boy on its way to you.SecondWind - 13-6-2008 at 03:10 PM
So how did it go Beamer??
or SecondWind - 19-6-2008 at 07:50 PM
Did you get it strictlycarved?BeamerBob - 20-6-2008 at 04:52 AM
It is shipped now. I didn't have great opportunities to explore the dirtsurfer. Not that I didn't have enough time to play. I just never had strong
steady winds on ground it would roll on. My limited experience was without a kite and that was fun once I got past the horror of stepping that front
foot up on a hope and a prayer. This thing could be fun if you had wide open spaces with a strong steady wind. Using the power of the wind to create
a force to balance against is a tall order when you are riding on something you can't balance on unless you are moving. It would require a balancing
act and enough wind that when you dip the kite down, you can just roll away and go until you decide to stop or turn around. Inland winds stop and
start here so even though I took it to the field several times, I never had winds that I could lean back against and have steady pressure. I can see
that this is a ride that would not really get more scary with speed. Speed doesn't seem to bother it at all. Thanks for the ride Joe.SecondWind - 20-6-2008 at 08:22 AM
Thanks for the update BeamerBob!
JoeSecondWind - 2-7-2008 at 04:18 PM
So how is it going with the DSer strictlycarved?SecondWind - 8-7-2008 at 08:14 PM
Any word from strictlycarved yet?SecondWind - 14-7-2008 at 07:50 AM
Bump ;-)
This is the most boring demo program ever f0rgiv3n - 14-7-2008 at 11:31 AM
I know!!! no one is posting any opinions or details! Come on! :P I want to see your opinions of it I'm curious as well (i'm sure) as others are.BeamerBob - 14-7-2008 at 01:44 PM
I've never heard one way or the other. Did Strictly carved actually get the DS? I still have my receipt if not. I would've done better with this in
february or March. Not much wind here since I got the Crossfire II. Only flown it 2-3 times. I feel a trip to Jekyll Island or Charleston coming
on. Peter Lynn Buggy arrives tomorrow.SecondWind - 22-7-2008 at 08:28 PM
Got an update from strictlycarved
Sounds like it is going well with the DSer and that he should be ready to ship to the next in line soon.
1. BeamerBob
2. strictlycarved
3. dlish89
4. kullas
5. barnesSecondWind - 4-8-2008 at 04:26 AM
Any news strictlycarved? How did it go in Vegas with the Dirtsurfer?SecondWind - 9-8-2008 at 10:43 AM
Anyone heard from strictlycarved??Sthrasher38 - 10-8-2008 at 08:19 AM
Not I. Dakitez and myself were checking these out at Nabx last year. They look like a lot of fun I never really tried to ride it but the guy's who
were looked like they had a great time. Bladerunner may have some good points about the dirtsurfer even though he loves his coyotes I am sure he has
tried one.kullas - 27-8-2008 at 07:39 PM
