I've been on the fence forever about the 10.8 Reactor II. Something about it just freaks me out. It seems like it would be such a beast of a kite.

I only weigh 150lbs and I use a PL Folding Buggy with the barrow tires aired up good so it rolls easy and I ride on smooth mowed grass.

http://locations.splocs.com/landkite/loc/Hefner_kite_field.h...

I have times when the wind is light and I can't buggy with my 5m Flow or my 7m Frenzy. I have to really keep them moving just to keep them in the air and they aren't enough to move me around.

What about the 6.9 or 8.6 sizes?

http://peterlynn.com/products/pro-range-kites/peter-lynnreac...

Or is there some other kite that would be more ideal?

We have really dodgy gusty wind conditions here. I just don't want to get the 10.8 and be flying it in light wind and have it always want to ball up in a big mess on me considering the size of the kite.

Are the 6.9 and 8.6 just flat not going to have the low end that the 10.8 does? What might be minimum launch and being able to buggy windspeeds be for the two sizes down from the 10.8?

I have been rolling in my home made buggy, of which is no slouch in size, with the 10.8 Reactor II. It weighs in probably around 60-75lbs and I got going on the grass in about 6mph winds. It does not handle as bad as you might think. It might not be hauling you at record speeds, but you can get going and have fun. My buggy is almost 5.5 foot wide and 6 foot long, riding on bigfoots. This is just my humble experience. I had relatively clean wind and the grass had just been cut.

I don't usually go out in that light of wind.

When I first got my 10.8m I took it out for a static session when I could barely feel the breeze on my face.... I just was curious to see if it would fly. I was able to get it airborne and had to keep it moving but it stayed in the air.... the 10.8m will fly in a gnats fart of a wind.....

If you buy all 3 you will never get skunked......

Longer lines can make a big difference - put some 30m or 40m lines on the 5m Flow - you'll get a much longer power stroke through the window and much more time to fig 8 and loop it to generate some power which will get you moving and create a bit more apparent wind. Or join two lines sets and try it. Cheap and easy to try.....

What John said! long lines = power shorter lines = less power

If you are aired up pretty good, you can get moving with a 6.9 at a satisfactory pace. An 8.6 is my limit personally in 10 mph winds. The Reactor is a great choice. I love the Vapor as well, but on grass it tends to outrun the rider more so than the Reactor

I am of 2 minds with my 10.8 Reactor II.

It does fly early and does get me going but not " that " early. I ride with folks with 16m Vapors and 14m YaS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-s that put it to shame !

Yesterday here at SOBB was an example. Winds so low we got the " run Ricky RUN " show all day again! I never even bothered to roll out the 10.8!

Over the winter , it got me going on snow but lifted me a couple of times in dirty winds and gusts.

I am also 150lb and get overpowered easy.

U2U sent