General Kiting

Just by chance cruising the EK sales section I see a DirtSurfer, that lead me to look a bit closer. The newer models come with disc brakes, then there is the choice between 16 and 20 inch wheels.

So how suitable are these DirtSurfers with foil traction kites. I'm not talking about kitewings, cross them out.

Sounds like these would be great for a speed run along the beach or the paddock. So some other questions start to come to mind. How well suited are the bearings for use in sandy salty environments? Some how disc brakes and sand do not sound like a good mix. The buggies and landboards don't have brakes when used with kites, so what do the DirtSurf riders with kites recommend --- brakes or no brakes and if brakes which ones?

On nice flat surfaces I would image ground clearance not to be a problem, but for most of the time I would use it on grass covered paddocks with the occational bump here and there. So which DirtSurfer model would be best suited for foil kiting? We have a nearby hill for training (grass covered hill). I would not be interested in street riding.

As most of you know, I use a Venom II 13m^2 and a Synergy 8m^2 kite for landboarding.

So let's here it from those that have used one of these or seen them in action with kites.

Nigel, have you tried one yet?

Regards,
Norman

Yes Norm I have tried one.

They roll sooooo easily that speed is easy to do.

They gain more stability the faster you go.

I have only use the 20inch sized wheel ones, the 16 are for freestyle tricking. But would be smaller and easier for Zac to handle.

The wheels are bike wheels, so any parts should be easily available should bearings etc. die, and cheapish to.

Can be used for down hill work, of which I'd suggest learning to do first before trying with a kite. And no foot straps either.

For hard surfaces these will beat a ATB any day of the week in a race over more than 500 metres.
Turning is the only issue, a large turning circle, and toe side as you can't change your footing while in use (the older one's I used all had a deadman brake activate when you back foot came off the foot plate, this would activate if you swapped feet, but you can cancel it very easily should you want to).
They can't be loaded up as much as a ATB due to tipping over, but a smaller kite can be used, which will prove far better than a big slug of a kite.

I too have been looking for a cheap Dirtsurfer, as I wouldn't mind one to play with from time to time.

The current disk brakes on bikes are awesome, little to worry about here.
Pop over to a mountain bike forum and ask if disk brakes are any good?, the new disk brakes will still work covered in mud, dirt, sand, etc., so I have no problems in saying they will be fine.
As long as parts are available for it, I can't see any issue with disk brakes.
They also work when the Dirtsurfers wet, unlike the old style brakes which would slide on the rims and not grip if they got wet.

They can be used on roads as well and have gone as fast as 120kph.

For a great Aussie invention, I wish there was more of them around in the local kite scene.

Maybe Mr Sanz should be pushing the Dirtsurfers?

Good find Marty. It's hard to find data on the Dirtysurfers and foil kites, the kitewings seem to make the bigger hits on google.

Bump, so any one from the EK fly the dirty surfers with foils?

Westfire built one ..... I don't believe the 'tweaking' worked out quite right and it would not function properly ..... I then rolled along, distracting him and he gave it away for building brilliant buggies instead.

Yes, I've heard they are a bit tricky to learn with kites. They say learn how to ride them on a hill first then mix in the kite. I was thinking about making one myself as well, but thought there would be too much experimenting involved and thought better leave it up to those that have already gone through that --- a product that works. I would have enough challenges learning how to ktie with it let alone designing and fine tuning one from scratch. Perhaps fine tunning is a big understatement, let's say a large scale tuning.

I also saw a video of a fellow riding his home made dirt surfer look alike, the ride did not look that solid, some more tuning of the design required.

i own a white and black 16inch wheeled dirtsurfer it has a disk brake and i have had no problems with any of it yet!!!!


i usually go street racing with my dirtsurfer but when i get a really strong wind i get my hq beamerIII 2m n go drag racing!!!!


me and my dad usually go out racing and riding and the dirstsurfer beats a buggy hands down evem though he usually races his 8.5m pansh and sometimes his 4m pansh!!!


they are better as stright-line racing than turning full loops and things!!the best way to turn the dirtsurfer whilst with a kower kite is to catch some air then swing yourself around!!!!

they are better as stright-line racing than turning full loops and things!!the best way to turn the dirtsurfer whilst with a kower kite is to catch some air then swing yourself around!!!!

I've been talking with the distributor/reseller in Australia, (WA) and he mentioned the same thing for turning. At the moment the FS16 units retail for 800$AU.

With a bit of luck a bit more interest in the Port Melbourne will be generated.

Judging by the size of kite your are flying it with nutcase, my 8m^2 Synergy will be more enough.

i have only had the kite about 3 years and i have had the dirtsurfer about 2.5 years!!!! my 2m beamer is fine pulling my dirtsurfer and it is much easier to turn than the big kites so i think it is just great on beaches and other places in wales!! i do want a 4-5m kite for the really low winds so i can get some serious air!!!

Nutcase,

Before I forget, welcome to the EK.

Yes the bigger kites are more fun for the big airs. On my landboard + my Venom II 13m^2 up to around 17knots air time is great. When it hits 19 I start thinking about the smaller kite. Above 20 knots definitely the smaller Synergy 8m^2 kite.

So what wind speed do you use your 2m^2 Beamer+DirtSurfer with and what surface roughness (ie grass, hardpacked sand, etc.)? Which model of the Dirtsurfer are you using, GP, DH or the FS? They (DirtSufer) tell me your weight and height are important in the choice of the board. I weigh 67 kg.

Just courious, I'm considering the FS16inch, though looking at the prices may have to reconsider whether the GP will do.

Norman

i havnt a clue what type of dirtsurfer it is!! but i usually fly my 2m beamerIII in about 20mph to 35mph winds! the dirtsurfer is usually raced on grassy flat grounds!!!i have been looking at a 6m flexifoil bullet which would get me some serious airtime!!!LOL!!! i weigh 10stone 2pounds!! and the fastest i have got to in these windswas about 45mph great fun but quite scary!!!LOL

ahaaaa i found out what type it is!!!!

it is a 16inch GP dirtsurfer!!!lol

Thanks Nutcase,

Just did the conversions that make sense to me of your stats:

64.4 kg rider.
In 17 to 30 knot wind
Travelling 72.4 km/hr

Far out that is fast.

How tall are you. The Dirtsurfer people tell me height and recommended board length are related.

Regards,
Norman.

well i am just over 5ft and i am a bit of an adrenaline junkie!!!LOL

i was actually out on my dirtsurfer and my kite today!!!20mph winds and a 1/2 mile of grassy field!! great speed!!LOL

Well after some telephone calls to DirtSurfer Australia (WA) I've decided to get one of these:

DirtSurfer GP16

GP16_08_full.jpg (180.21 KiB) Viewed 817 times

the GP16" 07/08 model. As the name implies it comes with 16 inch wheels and will be the perfect speed machine for land kiting.

Rod and Rachael from DirtSurfer Australia at: http://www.dirtsurfer.com.au/ were most helpful in assisting me with my selection of a board appropriate for my intended use. If you want more details refer to the worldwide dirtsurfer site at: http://www.dirtsurfer.com

I have timed it so the board will arrive mid Feb 2010. Expect some madness and mayhem to follow!

Norman

that is the exact 1 that i have!!!!!! mine cost £250 n it has not let me down yet!!!

Nice one Norman can't wait to see the videos and photos. How much did it set you back?

I have timed it so the board will arrive mid Feb 2010. Expect some madness and mayhem to follow!

oooo, just in time for Labour Day

Nice one Norman can't wait to see the videos and photos. How much did it set you back?

Goz,

It's $545.00 (the unit) + $50.00 (postage), in Aussie dolloars including GST.


He will be sending me a demo CD, that will perhaps quell the excitement until the unit arrives or perhaps make the wait even worse. Yep, I'll get my son Zachary to take the photos so you can all laugh along as I learn how to ride it. From what Nigel tells me I should have no trouble in learning how to ride it. I'm managing Ok on Zachary's ripstick, so just another balancing act on a board ---- yea haaa can't wait.

It was a toss up between the GP and FS. The FS is more flexible and is targeted at those nut cases doing tricks on half pipes at the skate parks which is not what I'm into. The GP is much more rigid and feels more solid on the corners, so will be perfect for my kiting activities and the price point was much better too.

Norman.

they are very rigid on the cornering as i found out 20mph downhill apex hit it perfect!!!