What can someone tell me about a PL Twister 5.5? One on flea bay that I am thinking about buying tonight if it's the right kite for me. I have been looking for a 5m that is fast and with minimal lift in gusty conditions.

Plenty fast... Lift is a matter of opinion. I buggy with it and don't find it that lifty at all. Others will tell you different.

Bruce

I don't know if you remember that you tried one at north beach at the last bash. You did not particularly like it, then you tried the ozone razor and you were much happier. Not the fastest kite, but good in lumpy wind. Might be a good kite for upstate NY.

The one I have is a twister 2, and not a twister. I am not sure what the differences are between the two.

Here is the review that I did on one a while ago:

Quote:

Here is a review of a Peter Lynn 5.6 m sq Twister II. I have flown the kite for a while to get to know it; here is what I think about it. Let me first start out by saying that I am primarily and kite buggier that normally uses fixed bridal race kites, with a preference for small fast highly maneuverable (unstable) ones. The Twister is known as a “stable jumping” kite, so this kite is somewhat different than what I am used to flying. Secondly I won this kite a Kitestorm and want to thank Rachel Miller and all the folks at Stormboarding that make the event possible and to Peter Lynn for supporting the event and making such a good kite. The kite comes in a high quality backpack that is quite roomy and has lots of pockets/pouches for accessories. It is a nice addition and I do appreciate it, but you don’t fly the bag so let get onto the kite. The kite is very well constructed and uses high quality materials. It has a “reduced bridle” with some internal reinforcements. This is something that works well in race kites to reduce drag and I was glad to see it in this kite. The kite also came with high quality dyneema lines with coded numbers on them. These numbers correspond to numbers on the handles and kite to help novices hook the lines up correctly. The handles that come with it are exceptionally long and surprised me at first, but work well with the kite and allow it to turn quickly for a large FB kite. It is a very easy kite to fly and is incredibly stable. The power deliver is slow and steady, very different than the peaky race kites that I usually fly. I know that it is described as a lifty kite, but it does not seam that way to me. Perhaps I have not flown it in high enough wind, but it is quite tame in up to 15 mph winds. It does well in dirty turbulent winds and recovers almost automatically from stalls and collapses. It is not a fast kite, and takes you up to the low 30’s while buggying; after that it just starts generating more side pull and you go no faster just sideways. It is a kite that is well suited for cruising or freestyle. The only thing that I think that it is lacking, and its minor, is adjustment knots on the kite or handles to adjust the amount of brake. I think that Peter Lynn left them off to be more beginner friendly and not confuse new flyers with more settings, but out of the bag I felt it had to much brake. I had to lengthen the brakes about 2-3 inches to feel right to me. I generally like the kite and I am happy with it. I have refused a few offers to sell it, so it is a keeper to me. It has become my low wind teaching kite and many have flown it and have done well with it. I also use it in dirty wind when my race kite won’t do well. I believe that it is well suited for use with a mountain board and will soon play with one with the kite.

I've been flying twisters for over a year now. I LOVE them, but they're definitely lifty kites. Controlable for sure, but lifty nonetheless. They're marketed as PL's most lifty fixed bridle kites. I use mine on the ATB and for jumping, and they're great for that. I haven't had much success with them in the buggy though, their upwind performance leaves a bit to be desired.

....for me.

Dan's review is right on, pointed and encompassing. I can say I've had great fun and used this exact kite alot in a buggy.....a real lot( ..But I don't own 20 different kites like some of the guys!)

What this kite has in stability(very good) it takes away in upwind ability(fair at best) . But disregarding that...a good multi-use kite .


Regarding lift... I do get out of buggy and jump a bit with it. I feel It definitely has some design advantage(easier) for that...but I don't seem to get it till I want it and work it by redirecting it. And maybe that's a good thing in an all around (cruising and freestyle ) kite!

:roll::roll::roll::roll::roll:

Here some observations about my Twister IIR 5.6, mostly similar to what others have already said though. It's a fun kite if you like to do some jumping and is really nice for ATB. This is not a fast turning kite, it is not particularly quick to respond to brake line input like a Viper is. The Twister IS a lifty kite by design, the lift can be controlled or at least planned for in steady and clean winds. If you have nice clean winds you can buggy with it but as others have said it's not so hot going upwind. This is not a kite for gusty conditions period. This is the liftiest kite I have, with the Blurr being the next liftiest. If you have gusty conditions and are buggying with a Twister I'd say it is a foregone conclusion you will have an OBE. I never bring this kite out in gusts, even when just flying static. If it turns gusty or winds start really picking up I'm not comfortable flying this kite in it's upper wind range and it gets put away. The Twister is a fun kite to have for static jumping and ATB but due to my size and the lift of the kite it is the most limited use kite in my quiver.

Forgot one other point, I use handles when I've ATB'd with this kite. I have not put it on a bar because its been pretty well documented that Twisters don't do well on bars, so I haven't bothered to even try it on a bar.

Thanks everyone! Between a choice of a viper and twister which one would you be most likely want to purchase. The one on flea bay just says twister 5.6...no mention of a # II.. You can see the one I am talking about. I won't even attempt to try to link it for you. haha

BuggyDanny...thanks for bringing that memory back. I was extremely happy with the second kite choice and had a blast flying that Ozone. Can't wait to hang out, buggy, and try some kites with you and the gang.

I might just look into the 5m viper a little more. I guess I could fly/try both again before I buy, but what fun is that just waiting to buy kites.

I believe you could indeed have an OBE with this in a good sudden gust. I felt a little Upward pre- OBE once! That's when I changed to different kite. Oh.. and the sidepull was definitely noticed in the steady but higher winds.

If you don't want to get any air(when not using in buggy), then the Viper sounds the better choice. I got my twister mainly cause it was too good a deal and needed a lower wind kite of some kind that the 5.6 provided.

see you at WBB...

I think the viper would be a better choice for me. After BuggyDanny jarred my memory I think that is what I didn't like about the twister...If left me on the edge of just getting lifted out of my buggy....I love going fast, but don't like those gusts we get here, as you slowly get lifted out of the seat and then watch your buggy leave you. Not fun...

Thats exactly the wind we get here....blowing and then huge gust out of nowhere or in a slightly different direction..usually with the kite in the wrong position for the wind direction change...I guess it makes you a better pilot.

Less then a Month to WildWood Buggy Bash.....Now the "Greatest show on Earth" :wee: