Hi guys! I am looking to purchase a used Rage 3.5. I don't mind if it cosmetically well used as long as it has no rips/tears or damage to the mesh etc, and operates as it should.

Another quick question, I have flown many times with someone else's kite and this will be my first own kite. My boyfriend will be using it too and was wondering if this kite would be ok for a pretty big bloke? He's probably about 18 or 19 stone and over 6ft.

Thanks

Rages turn up with a fair amount of frequency on the Kitecrowd forum. You will have to pay attention though, as there also seems to be a fair amount of demand for Rages on the Kitecrowd forum right now.

Only mention this as a lot of the members here are located in the US, although we have members from the UK, Australia, Japan, etc.

Kitecrowd (www.kitecrowd.com) has a lot of UK members (assuming that is where you are located), so the shipping charges would be a lot less.

The 3.5 should be fine for static flying, but might be a bit small for him if he is looking to scud (slide on the backs of his heels) or landboard.

If you go larger, the kite might be more to his tastes, but might be too large a kite for you, especially if this is your first one.

Generally speaking most people have different size kites for difference wind conditions.

Might help a bit if you could tell us what other kites you have flown and what it is that you would like to do with the kite.

ATB,
Sam

Thanks Indigo! I am indeed in the UK!
I am basically looking to get back into the swing of the things, some recreational but also don't want to have to upgrade soon if I want to get a wee bit of air of scudding in.
I have flown the rage 2.5 previously.

Also, do you think a bullet would be too much to handle so early on? I have had a look at a 2.5 and 4.5.

The Bullets were the predecessor to the Rages. Probably the best way to describe it, is they are a bit more "visceral" than the Rages.

I secretly think that Flexifoil detuned them a bit to allow an easy upgrade path to the larger size Rages from the Flexifoil Sting, which tops out in size at 3.3M.

The 2.5 should be fine and even the 4.5 should be manageable as long as you are mindful of the winds you fly them in. Be aware that they are capable of generating a fair amount of power in the middle and upper range.

The classic video of the 5.5M Bullet Supermanning someone should be taken to heart.



If you and your boyfriend are at different ends of the weight spectrum, keep in mind that a single kite for the two of you is going to be a balancing act between what might otherwise be two different kite sizes. You generally factor in your weight when you are choosing a kite for a particular wind range.

Worse comes to worse, err on the side of caution with regards to wind condition. It's always better to abstain and stay in one piece to fly another day.

Footnote: Another thing worth noting, is that the inlet mesh on the Bullets were more prone to snagging, if you find yourself flying in fields with lots of thistles and burrs.

ATB,
Sam

Bullet is a great kite. I had the 4.5m and 7m . One warning with them. They are a buggy engine . The way they produce power means they can toss you downwind and slam you into the ground when trying to jump. I have seen it happen a few times with both My 4.5 and a 5.5.

Thanks again Indigo, and Ken.

I do see the weight differences being tricky, however as he has never flown it may be manageable for a while

So is the consensus that a bullet is a worthwhile investment as a first kite? And would a 2.5 be a bit on the boring side compared to a 4.5?
I've had a look at a couple of bullets and rages (and blades, but I don't much about these!) on ebay and really cannot make a decision! I was erring on the side of the Rage, simply because this is what I have flown before.

I am also open to suggestions of other brands, should anyone think flexi can be topped by something else.

Another vote for the Bullet and Rage. Great kites. (not that I am biased or anything.. ) I agree with both Sam and Ken.
The Rage is a tamed down bullet IMHO. Awesome kite and the 3.5 you will never really "outgrow". I have the 2.5 Bullet and the 3.5 Rage. Both are a lot of fun to static fly, and will snatch a buggy along pretty good as well. The 4.5 Bullet will be a handful in higher winds. For just getting back into things, I'd say your thoughts of the 2.5 and 3.5 great. As you progress to larger kites, you will still have days where only these will work. Can't go wrong IMHO.
Welcome to PKF!!

I own several Bullets, Rages, and a Blurr. You can't go wrong with Flexifoil quality, I'm a big fan for sure. I love those Bullets but they can be beasts for newbies. I think you will really enjoy a 3.5M Rage for what you want to do and your BF can enjoy static flying with it as well. One of my most versatile kites is the 4.7M Rage, really good power but well mannered.

I break down the flexifoil FB kites like this:
Bullet= brute power, can be unpredictable/unstable forthe inexperienced
Rage= Best overall compromise of power and manners, very stable
Blurr= Lots of power, excellent buggy engine, more responsive and faster turning than a Rage