BeamerBob - 15-4-2008 at 02:56 PM
Ok, so I opened up the dirtsurfer today and put the wheels on. A screw is missing but on the way, but who needs brakes anyways? So I give it a try
or two and can't get it stable enough to jump up on. Wexler gives it a try and has the same problem. I support Wexler and we get him moving. With
that experience we go up on the hill (street) across from the house and Wexler makes it down the hill. Ok, speed is the key, so I jump on it with
wild abandon and ride it down the hill. It seems really twitchy and I felt if the front wheel was a little less responsive, it would be a good thing.
So I get some really light bungees and hook one between the front wheel frame and the chassis on each side. This makes a huge difference in being
able to hop on but doesn't take anything away from its turning radius. Now my problem with it is that if feels like the turning is top heavy. Riding
flat feels fine but the slightest carving turn makes it want to dive into the turn both directions. Anyone have similiar issues on their first rides
and how did you overcome them?
SecondWind - 15-4-2008 at 07:37 PM
Glad you got to try it out BeamerBob! The brake cable bolt is on the way (must have got lost during shipment).
I learned down a grass hill (not steep at all). After a few runs, I slowly started to get some turns in. It just takes some time to get the knack of
it.
After you feel comfortable enough, add the kite in 
No need for bungee cords – you just need to get moving a bit faster and it gets more stable.
strictlycarved - 15-4-2008 at 07:54 PM
thats awesome beamer. youll get the hang of it im sure.
BeamerBob - 16-4-2008 at 02:53 AM
Wexler rode it some more while I was gone last night and he says he doesn't notice the accelerated steering I'm feeling. I wonder if the geometry
should be different for heavier riders? If I commit to much of a turn at all, it just wants to dive into it, like the center of gravity in the
steering system is not pivoting on its axis but rolling from on top of it down. Maybe also it is a speed issue. I didn't get over about 8 mph with
it and it might like a little more speed to lighten up the turning.
kullas - 16-4-2008 at 01:44 PM
Sounds like its going to be fun 
dylanj423 - 16-4-2008 at 02:13 PM
Ive thought about putting bungees on my front wheel, too. How did you do it, and was it that much different?
I bought a 4 wheeler to learn on, and will get back to the dirtsurfer soon enough. It was my first board, and pretty hard to learn on.
SecondWind - 16-4-2008 at 06:43 PM
Here's a good way to start off (easy hill):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IhIu13QiTU
SecondWind - 16-4-2008 at 06:47 PM
And then maybe this soon 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mB-2u6m4drU&feature=relat...
Kiteboarder2B - 16-4-2008 at 09:06 PM
Hey BB, here's a couple of pointers that should help get you started.
- Always look at where you are going, not at what the front wheel is doing. It's jut lke snowboarding. Look where you want to go and not where you are
at and the mind will automatically avoid what's in the path of your sight.
- Stay relaxed. Keep your knees at least slightly bent. Dirtsurfers are designed to not speed wobble, and they won't, as long as you stay relaxed.
Keeping your body rigid plus looking at the front tire is a recipe for speed wobble.
-KEEP YOUR SHOULDERS SQUARE TO THE BOARD. By this I mean keep your shoulders parallel to the board. Opening up you shoulders perpendicular to the
board off-centers your balance and also opens you up to instability, especially at slower speeds and when crossing rough terrain. This a very common
mistake for new riders.
- Many new riders find it more comfortable to have the brake lever as close as possible. You can flip the brake lever 180 degrees or tape a spacer
onto it. After practice you'll find it annoying and remove it.
- This is tough to swallow at first, but speed equals stability. You really don't need bungee on the swingarm. If you are uncomfortable with the
amount of swing it has adjust the pivot bolts on the swingarm all the way out for the least amount of play in the front tire.
- Remember to start out with your back foot on the board first! All the stability at slow speeds is in the rear tire until you gain momentum.
On that note, always run 2 straps or no straps at all. Some people will naturally want to remove the front footstrap for skating. DON'T DO IT!
Leaving only on foot in the strap gives the board a tremendous amount of torque and leverage aganst your ankle. Imagine tumbling down a hill with only
one ski on and the ski doesnt have a quick release and that's pretty much what you have, except the DS weighs much much more.
Also, when going downhill, do not put a foot down. This sounds self-explanatory, but trust me, it's been done. If you get scared slow down with the
brake or ride it out.
Well that's about it for starters. If you have any questions shout them out. The DS is a little tricky at first, but very rewarding once practiced.
Stick with it and you won't regret it. Also keep in mind that the 16 " has a slightly higher learning curve than the 20", so you are probably doing
better than you think.
Joe
Kiteboarder2B - 16-4-2008 at 09:17 PM
BB
Also just thought of this. If I am reading it right, it sounds like you are experiencing the same problem I had. Overall weight should not matter,
where you put that weight does. If the above suggestions don't work for you, try shifting more weight onto your back foot when turning, much like a
surfboard.
There's also one more thing you can try, even if the above suggestions work.
If you move the swingarm adjustment bolts closer to the pivot point, you effectively raise the nose clearance during your turns. This means that the
swingarm has less turning radius, so you make up for it by leaning harder and making the wheels have a cambered effect. I don't know how well it will
work with a GP because of the low deck clearance, but I know it works with the Flexi's. This is called the "Mad Mike setting"
Good luck
BeamerBob - 17-4-2008 at 02:42 AM
I didn't get to try it yesterday. Wexler put the rear stirrup back on and he is stepping on it with no fanfare at all. He was going to put the front
stirrup on it today. The problem with sharing with him is he is regular foot and I'm goofy footed. This thing shows promise. I will get a chance to
play again today. I'll try the new position for the swabs and see if that tightens up my carves. On the other hand, that eagerness to turn could be
an advantage when leaning back against a kite.
BeamerBob - 17-4-2008 at 02:45 AM
The bungees I used were the loops with a ball at one end. You pull the loop over the ball and it holds. The ones I used were red ones about 8-10
inches long. Wexler took them off and like I said, he is starting to look fine. That grass hill looks easier than the roads and sidewalks we used.
A tribute to the powder coating. You can imagine two people learning on this on asphalt. Not a scratch anywhere on the coating.
SecondWind - 17-4-2008 at 05:31 AM
Excellent tips kiteboarder!
Beamer - the powder coating does hold up well.
However, don't worry about scratching it - they always seem get the typical scrapes on the side rails 
BeamerBob - 9-5-2008 at 08:21 AM
I am heading for the beach this afternoon with a full day of beach time with mild winds tomorrow. We have a demo Montana III 7m to try with the land
board and the dirtsurfer. I am determined to build some confidence with both toys tomorrow and Sunday am. I think I am going to print the tips above
so I can look at them after trying tomorrow morning. Wish us luck!
f0rgiv3n - 9-5-2008 at 08:44 AM
O.O I am so jealous. Sounds like a great time :P Have fun man!
Kiteboarder2B - 9-5-2008 at 08:48 AM
Since you'll be harnessed in here's another coupe tips.
- Keep your footsraps parrallel instead of duck-footed. Since it's directional, duck stance is not needed and keeping your rear foot parallel with the
front makes twisting your body around for toeside riding MUCH easier.
- If you have a waist harness, use it, a least to start with. If you keep the harness a little loose than you can shift it around when riding toeside
so that it pulls from the side the kite is on.
Good luck! Let us know how it goes
BeamerBob - 9-5-2008 at 10:27 AM
I was hoping my climbing harness would have less crowding with me leaned back and the kite not at zenith. I also thought of trying some means of
lessening the pull from the thighs either by hooking a biner along with my D ring or not hooking into the thigh strap at all. I'm all about
experimenting to make things better so I'll report on what I worked out. Wexler isn't having to suffer at all. He has a brand new HQ waist harness
that also has two straps that go down around his thighs. Worked great for him yesterday on his maiden flight with the 7m. When we get the Montana
III, I'll have to get me a proper harness as well.
Kiteboarder2B - 9-5-2008 at 11:19 AM
My first harness was an old 5 point full body. I cut the upper half off and made the lower to convert between waist and seat. I now have a proper seat
harness, but I still unbuckle the leg straps and leave the harness loose enough to travel around my waist if I plan on riding toeside hooked in.
BeamerBob - 2-6-2008 at 04:22 AM
New progress on my harness. I again tried my climbing harness because I really wanted to fly the Montana III yesterday. I hooked up my climbing
harness again without the QR or pulley and this time instead of connecting the lower part of the harness with the upper with just a D ring, I used a D
ring and a biner. This put less pressure on the lower part of the harness even with the kite directly overhead. This transfers most of the pull to
the waist portion of the harness. This will work and it is very low profile for the buggy (when I actually get my own).
BeamerBob - 2-6-2008 at 08:30 AM
I had the dirtsurfer at the field but couldn't get enough steady pull to step up on the DS. I'll watch for wind. I want a go with this thing but I'm
starting to feel some self induced pressure to get this thing on its way.
dylanj423 - 4-6-2008 at 08:11 AM
I'm going out on mine, today. Its been since January that I tried it, but as I had a blowout on my 4 wheeler, the DS is my only landboard,, and winds
are 15 for the first time in a while. I'll let ya know how it went.
Last time I tried it, it was mandatory to have a little speed built up before bringing the kite down. Toeside still scares me, but I have more pads
now, so I may try harder today!
HOW IT WENT: ANYONE WANT TO BUY A GP 16?? I THINK I LIKE 4 WHEELERS BETTER