I'm a solid intermediate kiter with a full quiver of LEI. I'm in a light wind area, 90% of the time I'm flying a 14m or 17m.

I'm dipping my toe into learning about foils b/c in about 6 months I'd like to have fun in 10mph winds with an 18m Sonic perhaps, and possibly a hydrofoil as well.

Anyway, I started looking at brands, styles, cost, etc. last night and damn are foils expensive. I did see a 2009 Psycho 3 13m for sale with bar at 225$ last month. Not sure if that kite is still available, but I'm curious if at that price range would it be a good idea for me to test out if I like the foil game?

Questions I have are: Is a 2009 just too old? Does the fabric wear out and soak in more water at that age in case you drop it? Does the fabric still hold air at that age or is it almost guaranteed to leak air?

Oh also...can you use any bar with equal line lengths on a flysurfer setup or any foil for that matter?

thanks.

Also, I'm willing to pay up for a new foil here one day, but my thing is I would just hate to drop 1700-2400 for a 18m without having some experience or understanding of what I'm getting into. That's kinda why that cheap azz Psycho looked appealing.

Talk to Feyd, he is very experienced and has some really nice lightwind session saver kites for sale --> http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=32883

I wont recommend a 2009 kite simply because you dont have much experience on foils and wont be able to judge the condition of it. The race kites like the sonic and chrono are great kites but will require some practise to learn how to manage them and probally not good for a first time foil flyer unless ure willing to learn how to properly handel the kite.
An easier kite to handel is the flysurfer speed series or HQ matrix series of kites . check ikitesurf classified section you can usually get a good deal on a used foil kite on there.

I just bought anew pansh aroura2 15m $539 RTF with free shipping.
the half price sale continues.

Chickenkoop: Please write a review when you get it. It would be interesting to know how the Aurora 2 15m compares to Hiaguys A15 15m.

Quote: Originally posted by gemini6kl

I wont recommend a 2009 kite simply because you dont have much experience on foils and wont be able to judge the condition of it. The race kites like the sonic and chrono are great kites but will require some practise to learn how to manage them and probally not good for a first time foil flyer unless ure willing to learn how to properly handel the kite. An easier kite to handel is the flysurfer speed series or HQ matrix series of kites . check ikitesurf classified section you can usually get a good deal on a used foil kite on there.

Thanks...I talked to a guy riding a sonic 2 today and he stated the same thing that a speed would be a much better purchase b/c of the reinforcements and quality of the build for a new person.

On your idea about not judging the quality of the 2009 and not recommending it....I'm not looking for killer quality, specially on a 2009, but I'm just curious if for 225$ if that wouldn't be a decent buy to fly in 15-18mph to get the idea of what a foil would be like before I lay down a #@%$#! load of money for a 18m. I don't even like throwing 1000$ at a used 15m if I'm unsure if I'll like the kite type. I'm just trying to get a taste. For instance my 17m LEI has a nasty lean to the right which when powered up I have to hold the left side of the bar with both hand to keep from diving into the water. I keep the kite b/c it is easy to do loops in one direction on rotational jumps, but it's hell when I'm lit up. I don't mind a poorly flying 2009 foil, but I'm curious if any of yall still fly any kites this old. My concern is will it present me with enough evidence of what a foil kite is like to fly even with a moderate amount of issues such as a bias to flying side, or problem getting to the zenith like my beat up 3.5m HQ trainer has now. Thanks.

yea I see your point, 225 sounds like good deal as a first kite . I do have foil kites that are from 2009 that fly just fine but they were only used for landboarding. Kitesurfing puts a lot more strain and therefor wear on the kite. I would therefore ask the seller what the kite was used for. There are lots of good deals on foil kites out there .

Quote: Originally posted by lovethepirk

Quote: Originally posted by gemini6kl   I wont recommend a 2009 kite simply because you dont have much experience on foils and wont be able to judge the condition of it. The race kites like the sonic and chrono are great kites but will require some practise to learn how to manage them and probally not good for a first time foil flyer unless ure willing to learn how to properly handel the kite. An easier kite to handel is the flysurfer speed series or HQ matrix series of kites . check ikitesurf classified section you can usually get a good deal on a used foil kite on there. Thanks...I talked to a guy riding a sonic 2 today and he stated the same thing that a speed would be a much better purchase b/c of the reinforcements and quality of the build for a new person. On your idea about not judging the quality of the 2009 and not recommending it....I'm not looking for killer quality, specially on a 2009, but I'm just curious if for 225$ if that wouldn't be a decent buy to fly in 15-18mph to get the idea of what a foil would be like before I lay down a #@%$#! load of money for a 18m. I don't even like throwing 1000$ at a used 15m if I'm unsure if I'll like the kite type. I'm just trying to get a taste. For instance my 17m LEI has a nasty lean to the right which when powered up I have to hold the left side of the bar with both hand to keep from diving into the water. I keep the kite b/c it is easy to do loops in one direction on rotational jumps, but it's hell when I'm lit up. I don't mind a poorly flying 2009 foil, but I'm curious if any of yall still fly any kites this old. My concern is will it present me with enough evidence of what a foil kite is like to fly even with a moderate amount of issues such as a bias to flying side, or problem getting to the zenith like my beat up 3.5m HQ trainer has now. Thanks.

yea I see your point, 225 sounds like good deal as a first kite . I do have foil kites that are from 2009 that fly just fine but they were only used for landboarding. Kitesurfing puts a lot more strain and therefor wear on the kite. I would therefore ask the seller what the kite was used for. There are lots of good deals on foil kites out there .

Quote: Originally posted by lovethepirk

Quote: Originally posted by gemini6kl   I wont recommend a 2009 kite simply because you dont have much experience on foils and wont be able to judge the condition of it. The race kites like the sonic and chrono are great kites but will require some practise to learn how to manage them and probally not good for a first time foil flyer unless ure willing to learn how to properly handel the kite. An easier kite to handel is the flysurfer speed series or HQ matrix series of kites . check ikitesurf classified section you can usually get a good deal on a used foil kite on there. Thanks...I talked to a guy riding a sonic 2 today and he stated the same thing that a speed would be a much better purchase b/c of the reinforcements and quality of the build for a new person. On your idea about not judging the quality of the 2009 and not recommending it....I'm not looking for killer quality, specially on a 2009, but I'm just curious if for 225$ if that wouldn't be a decent buy to fly in 15-18mph to get the idea of what a foil would be like before I lay down a #@%$#! load of money for a 18m. I don't even like throwing 1000$ at a used 15m if I'm unsure if I'll like the kite type. I'm just trying to get a taste. For instance my 17m LEI has a nasty lean to the right which when powered up I have to hold the left side of the bar with both hand to keep from diving into the water. I keep the kite b/c it is easy to do loops in one direction on rotational jumps, but it's hell when I'm lit up. I don't mind a poorly flying 2009 foil, but I'm curious if any of yall still fly any kites this old. My concern is will it present me with enough evidence of what a foil kite is like to fly even with a moderate amount of issues such as a bias to flying side, or problem getting to the zenith like my beat up 3.5m HQ trainer has now. Thanks.

Quote: Originally posted by lovethepirk

Quote: Originally posted by gemini6kl   I wont recommend a 2009 kite simply because you dont have much experience on foils and wont be able to judge the condition of it. The race kites like the sonic and chrono are great kites but will require some practise to learn how to manage them and probally not good for a first time foil flyer unless ure willing to learn how to properly handel the kite. An easier kite to handel is the flysurfer speed series or HQ matrix series of kites . check ikitesurf classified section you can usually get a good deal on a used foil kite on there.[/rquote] Thanks...I talked to a guy riding a sonic 2 today and he stated the same thing that a speed would be a much better purchase b/c of the reinforcements and quality of the build for a new person. On your idea about not judging the quality of the 2009 and not recommending it....I'm not looking for killer quality, specially on a 2009, but I'm just curious if for 225$ if that wouldn't be a decent buy to fly in 15-18mph to get the idea of what a foil would be like before I lay down a #@%$#! load of money for a 18m. I don't even like throwing 1000$ at a used 15m if I'm unsure if I'll like the kite type. I'm just trying to get a taste. For instance my 17m LEI has a nasty lean to the right which when powered up I have to hold the left side of the bar with both hand to keep from diving into the water. I keep the kite b/c it is easy to do loops in one direction on rotational jumps, but it's hell when I'm lit up. I don't mind a poorly flying 2009 foil, but I'm curious if any of yall still fly any kites this old. My concern is will it present me with enough evidence of what a foil kite is like to fly even with a moderate amount of issues such as a bias to flying side, or problem getting to the zenith like my beat up 3.5m HQ trainer has now. Thanks.

I had a 13m Psycho 3 and liked it but it didn't have the depower of a switchblade. Super floaty jumps. Newer Speeds will be better but more spendy. $ 225 is a screamin' deal if this kite isn't completely worn out or has bad repairs. Almost too good a price??? I would ask a lot of questions and want pictures. Ask if the white parts have yellowed. If so it has seen a lot of sun + hours.

Flysurfers are designed to give reliable service for many years. People pay extra up front for this added quality yet Flysurfers drop in value as quick as any other reputable kite? LB rated breakaway links and blow outs protect the canopy. You can do a " mixer test " and adjust your mixer if the kite has been flown hard and is stretching out. Personally, I think Flysurfer got things figured out with this kite. It was a huge step up from Psycho 2. They may have gotten better but this kite would give you a good intro to closed cell foils.

My personal quiver is sonic 15/11/9 and psycho3 10/8/6

the psychos are a diamond in the rough.... i really love em. super stable (once tuned properly) and rock solid. not the new-tech but the smaller sizes are great kites