Hi this is my first post but I have been lurking for a while. I am looking to get my first buggy in the next month or so and from reading and searching the forums it seems like there are only a few different makes/models out there that are commercially available ( I do not plan on building one) I am leaning towards the PL Comp XR+. I live In Bucks County PA which is located right outside Philly and will be mainly riding inland on grass fields. As for kites I have a HQ Rush Pro 300 trainer and a Prism Tensor 4.2 which I am currently flying statically.

Are there any other buggies I should be looking at? I read the reviews on the Kitetrike3 and the Radbuggie and they seem like they will not hold up as well over time. Are Flexifoil Buggies still being made? I could not find any shops selling them?

I have scoped out a few fields that should be ok for the buggy I still need to get a helmet and possibly a harness I am going to just use the handles to start with. Also does anybody have any experience with the Prism Tensor 4.2 with a buggy?

Thanks and this hobby is addicting :-)

Matt

You might look at the Libre Sprinter as your first bug.
The Tensor is not a buggy engine. IMHO

Looks like Flexifoils new buggy is the Navaro, discussed with video, here. http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=23264 The PL XR+ is a good buggy for general cruisin', I have the older PL Comp STD(I got it used on this forum), I've been riding it pretty hard for 4 years now, and though it is showing signs of wear, it has held up pretty well to my 200# torture. You being in Philly, you ought to make sure you make it to the Wildwood Buggy Bash(see the related forum) where you will meet a bunch of like minded folks, and be able to try some other gear, etc. Also, my sponsor - Don, at powerkiteplace.com is in York, PA, and is very helpful, might be able to meet up with you sometime. Welcome to this crazy addiction.

How abour you come meet with me in DE. I will let you try several buggies and a few kites then you can decide before you buy. We have several inland riding spots like you have. This will give you a similar riding condition to try things out. If need be I can also come to you. Give me a ring, numbers in the sig.

Hey guys thanks for the info
Are there any US dealers for the Libre Sprinter ?

bobalooie57 I was actually thinking about checking out the Wild Wood Buggy Bash but was hoping to pick up a buggy before then

Rich I might take you up on that offer. My schedule is pretty tight for the next 2 weeks but I will give you a call later this week or next week and we can figure out when a good time would be.

If you can swing a visit to demo a few buggies it will be well worth it !

Very often you can pick up a good used buggy at events. Going to one is a great education in what all is out there. If you are willing to ask , most folks are happy to let you sit in or try their buggy. More than happy to tell you all about it !

I find the PL seat setup doesn't offer enough back support and I can only ride in one for a short time.

I am pretty sure Jeff at BidKidKites has now got the distributership for Libre???

Hey cyclesteel if you give Jeff from Big Kid Kites a shout he should be able to square you away with a sprinter.

most definitely take Rich up on his offer. He will show you the differences in some buggies and help you make an educated decision.

I would also recommend you take a look at the vtt cricket buggy. Van has done a good job of creating a comfortable, yet still small and compact buggy. The best part its American made (by and Asian lol). Help keep your money here in the USA economy instead of sending it over seas Not to mention you save money instead of over spending on a lesser buggy because of costly shipping .

Rich will take care of you ... he is good people

Bigkid, Why do you say that the Tensor is not a buggy engine. Could you explain that to me as am in the market and had the Tensor 4.2 on my short list. Thanks

Might I add trikebuggy for your consideration. They are making the old flexifoil classic, primarily as the base for paramotors. I have no experience with their version of the original classic, but I have the Flexi version and am very impressed with its toughness. I bought it second hand after too many trips to the welder with my PL Comp XR+. I am into my third season with it and no trips to welder to fix cracked tubes.
My girl friend has my original buggy a Libre special: forerunner of the Sprinter. It also has stood up to the rigors of our grass field far better my PL. It is a pretty nice buggy, but very hard to get on two wheels and the sitting position is such that you are sitting on it, like the PL, rather than in it like my flexifoil.
The trike buggy is more expensive than the Sprinter, but the worth extra money to my mind, (I have been called extraordinarily cheap on this forum) . My experience is In the short run you will save money with the PL over both these suggestions, but the savings will be quickly eaten up by trips to the welder.
Kite buggying is about as much fun as you can have with your pants on, enjoy.
S
p.s. Tensors are not bad to fly static on, but are not designed as traction kites.

I remember last year you almost made it to WBB...Are you coming this year? I know you probably want one for the bash, but this is the time to check them all out....There are going to be a ton of different buggies there for you to try and some members that own kite shops with demos too so.......Try before you buy.....you'll be happier in the end knowing you made a good decision...

Matt already got a buggy, right before the fall bash. He was in the process of moving and couldn't make the bash. He has already upgraded his XR + with a backrest from AWOC. I am hoping he makes it to the bash this time around.

Quote:

Originally posted by drummer5140 Bigkid, Why do you say that the Tensor is not a buggy engine. Could you explain that to me as am in the market and had the Tensor 4.2 on my short list. Thanks

I can jump in for the moment. Tensor is a good recreational kite for the first timer with modest ambitions, but with an aspect ratio (A/R) of under 3 for the 4.2, it will not be fast enough or point upwind as well to be a good buggy engine. It will have some grunt but only towards the center of the wind window.

Look for something with an A/R of over 3. If not published in specifications, you can back in to it by taking the square of the wingspan and dividing by the area.

Consider something like an HQ Beamer, PKD Buster or Peter Lynn Hornet if you are new to powerkites and want to end up in a buggy.

On that note cambell, how is the HQ Apex 2 for buggying? I have an apex 2 5m depower and not sure how well it will work for the buggy.

I think the aspect ratio is 3.6.

@purely- my apex 2 has been my goto buggy kite for awhile when i dont feel up to flying handles (ie more in cruising and chill mode) that would work fine if there is enough wind or you are willing to really work it when flying. Problem is the 5m is going to need at least 15mph to move on a hard surface and more on grass- unless you only weigh a 100lbs.
scott