Hey guys i am looking for a good LEI FreeRide style Kite. I am taking kiteboard lessons at WBB and would like to start looking for a good kite that will not break the bank. It does not need to be new but I do want it in good shape. I have found that the LEI kites are ridiculous in price compared to my buggy kites. Wow so any help would be greatly appreciated along with any wisdom! the kite needs to be RTF as i do not have any others. :saint:

looks like your quiver is ready to go! save your bank!

but if lei is what u want there are alot to choose from...

2008 is ok and price but can be tattered plus a few bladder replacements <300 ready to go

09,10 could be fresh with little time 4-700

bow, delta style by far easiest. and some hybrid C all will have small LE bridles and are very simple. Cabrinahs are premium an old crossbow 08 would be champion for sure. north rebel, Slingshot rev, Liquid force havoc, there are ton of other brands takoon, griffin, starkites, royal, rrd, caution, GIN, ....

size choice - 12m with a 9m if you are around 170# gives alot range

if you are bigger 190-220# 13/14m and a 10m

12m is a good start.

wide board 40cm+ , length 135- 145cm ( houston airhead has one up 4sale)

if your skills are solid with the Venom 13 or the phantom 15 you could drag with these and feel it out just wear a vest/seat and off you go.

i have about 3 solid years with V13/16 and arcs on the water so it is an avenue.

good luck

PHREE, Wow some great info. Thx

I am 175 lbs 5'10 I am ok as a buggier but when it comes to water I will play it by feel. I don't want my nice PL to become a anchor or anything? LOL I am being told many things so I felt that I would cover all of my bases. A LEI will let me mess up play around and still not have a sinking kite :-) by the time I get ready to fly again. When i get comfortable on the water i will start taking out my Venom's and playing.

Slingshot Rev or Rev 2 would be an excellent choice...............................great kites, one pump system, robust build, great bar and safety release system.....................If I hear of anything local Ill send a U2U...................

Thx Tridude please do...

I think you should wait on the LEIs. I don't see how you could even get those Phantoms wet. I kitesurf with the Phantom and they never touch the water even with all the screw ups. I've got both LEIs and Arcs and I think all beginners should learn on Arcs. They are more stable so give you more time to focus on getting on your board.

sure auto zenith is a good thing but this puts you on water with little or no rescue skills........................If you cant relaunch a bow, SLE, or delta you should be looking for another hobby....................part of your water progression is dunk the kite and relaunch over and over and.......................board starts are a bit more intense at first but will become second nature in no time...................

Van i plan to use my Arcs after i get the hang of the water rescue and some other basic skills down. I do not plan on using the LEI's for long but it is nice to know it will never become an anchor if i take to much time getting things straight? I have been doing very well this last year on my buggy with my Arcs, self launching and relaunching 90% of the time. but the Anchor thing does scare me a little. $500-700 is not a lot for the peace of mind? Then when I am ready i can sell it and use my Arcs for land and water.

I am sure I will be pinging on you guys after WBB when I am done with my lessons. I feel that i will get most of what i need for safety there then I can learn on my own with friends. no one close to me that I know kiteboards but I will make time to meet up with some. I learn by watching and then just keep trying until i get it.

Thx for your time and wisdom..

I've got an 04 Diesel and an 06 Octane for sale. Asking 300 for the set of them

Thank you but sorry I cant do that old of a kite. 09 at the oldest

i have a liquid force havoc 10m from 2010

That instinct should be the ticket :dunno:

It does work good but it has been down due to needing repairs. As I have now had it repaired there is not enough wind??? what else is new. I am still looking for a 16 or close for the light wind days i always have here in SOMD.

Chad may be worth having a look at this site in Australia lots of blow ups reasonable prices
in the for sale section
www.seabreeze.com.au

If you're looking for a beater, my old learner kite (2007 Airush Lift) is available - 16m C-kite but 5th line so relaunches ok - and flies good enough for what you need I learned to rig, launch, land, body-drag, water-start and get on the board with it ...
Bar and lines are almost unused - look new but it's an older design bar - 2007 I think. No leaks, a couple of pinhole repairs to canopy. $200 shipped.

Or ... I seriously thinking about giving up my 2010 Crossbow 16 but that'd be more expensive ...

Thx Nocando will take a look!

Kami u2u!

Chad its Winter here that influences prices

I am also looking for a LEI for first runs on the water. A bunch of great info here. nocando (or anyone) - what would shipping to the east coast from Australia likely run?

I was ever grateful in my 45 minute drift on Sunday to have a big tube under my arm. Can't say the same issue would have hit if I had the Venoms out but still - the point is it felt reassuring to have that big LE to talk with

Ocean Rodeo Rise

KAMI Hooked me up Thx guys!