I've been using one I've not used in years recently and its a funny kite it seems very unhappy in the air unless its moving at high speed and launching can be a pain - again because of the lack of wind to inflate its aerofoil panels.

Just wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience?

Hi there 72hundred.

I used to fly Razors, Yakuzas and Yakuza GT's.
All of these kites can be a little temperamental due to the design of the kite.
They like to keep moving and require brake line pressure to keep the canopy inflated.
You will still find at times that they will collapse and bow tie but that is the fun of learning how to fly a full blown Fixed Bridal Race kite.
You will find that they want to fly out of the window a lot and that is when the brake input comes into its own.
When launching you will need to turn the kite into the wind pretty much straight away to allow the wind to flow over the canopy.
Keep the kite moving in the window by using brake pressure to turn it.

Once you get the hang of it you will be flying one of the fastest kite ever manufactured.
I won lots of races with my Yaks.
You will get annoyed sometimes and think that it really isn't worth it but believe me they are awesome kites.

All the best

Woody

Most of the high aspect race kites behave that way. The Sonics, the Vapors, even Reactors don't like launching straight up through the window. You really have to pop it off the ground and then immediately turn across the window to get it fully inflated and pulling, but once they lock in, there is no question that they are high performance.

It might be that the upper bridle has stretched. I only have a yak Gt 14 m and have only flown it once so I'm not sure of the bridle layout as to whether it's easy to adjust or not.

That's really interesting about the brake lines - I've used them for turns but can you use them when actually in full traction mode? You mention them them keeping the kite inflated?- does that mean you should tie the brake lines tighter?

Funny I think you know exactly the problems I've been having - the kite hates launching and wanders over to edge and dies a death!

Brake lines need to be separate. You have to keep the kite moving at all times, it is not a "Park at zenith" kite. The faster it moves the more power they produce. Brake lines can be sensitive when maximizing power, over brake and you stall the kite and it will begin to collapse.

Launch it hard with several steps backwards and let it turn sideways (whichever way it want to) then full top lines across the window. When it nears the edge then turn it hard upwards and back through the window until it is fully inflated.

If you are flying in gusty conditions race kites can be monsters. They lunge hard during a gust and then if you are not careful, will collapse or overfly the window.

They work best in the buggy where you can drop them on their side and ride them out to the edge of the window. If the winds are perfect you can park and haul the goods. Pump it up and down a couple times and its like hitting the turbo at full boost.

Quote: Originally posted by 72hundred

That's really interesting about the brake lines - I've used them for turns but can you use them when actually in full traction mode? You mention them them keeping the kite inflated?- does that mean you should tie the brake lines tighter? Funny I think you know exactly the problems I've been having - the kite hates launching and wanders over to edge and dies a death!

You will get the hang of it in the end.
What you will find with the brake lines is they need to be tighter than with other lower aspect ratio kites.
When you have perfect wind conditions and have parked the kite in the front of the window, tweak the brakes a little and turbo charge the kite.
Wooooohooooooo!!!!!

Quote: Originally posted by slapbasswoody

Quote: Originally posted by 72hundred   That's really interesting about the brake lines - I've used them for turns but can you use them when actually in full traction mode? You mention them them keeping the kite inflated?- does that mean you should tie the brake lines tighter? Funny I think you know exactly the problems I've been having - the kite hates launching and wanders over to edge and dies a death! You will get the hang of it in the end. What you will find with the brake lines is they need to be tighter than with other lower aspect ratio kites. When you have perfect wind conditions and have parked the kite in the front of the window, tweak the brakes a little and turbo charge the kite. Wooooohooooooo!!!!!

That's really cool. It'll be something I'll look forward to trying out when next on the sand.