2016 Airush Razor Kite Review
Kites Tested
11m and 15m in winds ranging from 14mph to 28mph
Three Line Summary
Refined Hardcore Performance
Out of the Bag
The 2016 Razor is the sixth incarnation of the series - a medium high aspect, unbridled, 5-strut C kite.
The canopy's kevlar stringers have been replaced with Dyneema ones, and their regular arrangement has been replaced with one which benefits the highest load areas of the canopy giving greater strength for less weight. The Technoforce D2 canopy is surely designed to take everything you can throw at it and the rest of the kite has all the usual reinforcements in high wear areas too.
The large diameter inflation valve remains for 2016, the three rear line turning options have been reduced to just two and there have also been small changes to the one-pump protection sleeves and a thicker section of Dacron has been added to the trailing edge. The team series kit is available in two distinct versions this year - the black edition which is predominantly black with grey and electric blue detailing, or the Reefer series which comprises of red and brown tones.
Most razor riders will choose the clean 5 line AP bar, with its beefy 400kg line set, large chicken loop, reduced diameter grip and shorter overall length and de-power throw. The 2016 version of which has a yet thinner diameter grip, a slightly increased length, and some minor cosmetic changes. It retains the tried and tested Airush release system and line swivel leading to the PU coated de-power lines, and has a simple pull-pull webbing system for power adjustment.
In the Air
The razor feels very incredibly solid, dependable and refined in the sky, perfectly at ease whether hooked in or unhooked. Its fair to say that the Razor is no slouch where turning is concerned, but retains excellent feedback and medium bar pressure so you can feel its every movement. The bar pressure has perhaps decreased a little over the 2015 version, helping to keep your arms fresher for some big moves!
It generates a great deal of power on tap when worked through the window, and its naturally fast turning makes it a great kite to loop, even in the bigger sizes. The two tuning options on bar and kite allow you to tweak the response of each size to match your exact requirements.
On the water
On land the pull of the Razor can feel a bit much when walking upwind toward the shore; but once on the water it feels sublime with plenty of power on tap. The bottom end is good for a C kite, as working or looping the kite soon generates apparent wind allowing you to park and ride from there onwards. On the freestyle setting, I found the top end to be excellent - remaining comfortable long after I'd normally choose to change down a size, which is great for when the winds are variable or gusty.
Despite being what most would consider a hardcore C kite, the razor scores very well in general usability with its stable flight, great wind range, solid upwind performance and surprisingly good relaunch capabilities. The fifth line is there for light wind relaunch, but normally a prolonged pull on a steering line has it pivoting out of the water in no time.
The razor really comes into its own when coupled with a board such as the Livewire, as its grippy nature allows you to really boss the kite around; when paired together the two compliment each other perfectly.
When powered and the razor is steered aggressively, its capable of some very lofty jumps and is a great kite to downloop on the way down to soften the landing. Kiteloops are deliciously powerful and can be done on larger sizes than you would normally expect. The fast pace of the kite always ensures you can place it where you want for a safe landing.
The new 15m size is definitely worthy of a mention, as its a very fine kite indeed - very stable when the winds are marginal and relaunches far better than I would have expected for such a large C kite. It takes the wind range of the razor range a couple of knots lower, or makes marginal 13m sessions far more enjoyable; retaining all the excellent properties of the smaller sizes. Combined with a livewire and boots, you can treat it like a much smaller kite, and get it to slack with ease.
Freestyle and wakestyle are what most people will be drawn to the Razor for, and it certainly lives up to expectation! The direct connection makes it a great kite to fly which can easily be felt without looking at it, the pop is very explosive, powering you up into the air and slackening off mid flight and on landing to get those air-passes nailed. For further pop and slack the wakestyle setting can be used, at the expense of the top end wind range; but I found it to be a great performer even in the freestyle mode.
Conclusions
The Razor continues to prove that C kites no longer have to be performance at a heavy cost; as its great stability and rigidity, wind range, safety system and relaunch make it user friendly and confidence inspiring.
The excellent bar is simple yet very comfortable and offers many tuning options when combined with the attachment options on the kite.
Its freestyle and wakestyle performance is what this kite is all about, and should definitely be on the shortlist for anyone looking for a high performance modern kite with truly hardcore construction values.
As with any C kite, its best kept out of the hands of beginners, but is surely a great choice for any aspiring rider or someone after an aggressive, boosty ride.
For more info, check it out over at Airush HQ!
11m and 15m in winds ranging from 14mph to 28mph
Three Line Summary
Refined Hardcore Performance
Out of the Bag
The 2016 Razor is the sixth incarnation of the series - a medium high aspect, unbridled, 5-strut C kite.
The canopy's kevlar stringers have been replaced with Dyneema ones, and their regular arrangement has been replaced with one which benefits the highest load areas of the canopy giving greater strength for less weight. The Technoforce D2 canopy is surely designed to take everything you can throw at it and the rest of the kite has all the usual reinforcements in high wear areas too.
The large diameter inflation valve remains for 2016, the three rear line turning options have been reduced to just two and there have also been small changes to the one-pump protection sleeves and a thicker section of Dacron has been added to the trailing edge. The team series kit is available in two distinct versions this year - the black edition which is predominantly black with grey and electric blue detailing, or the Reefer series which comprises of red and brown tones.
Most razor riders will choose the clean 5 line AP bar, with its beefy 400kg line set, large chicken loop, reduced diameter grip and shorter overall length and de-power throw. The 2016 version of which has a yet thinner diameter grip, a slightly increased length, and some minor cosmetic changes. It retains the tried and tested Airush release system and line swivel leading to the PU coated de-power lines, and has a simple pull-pull webbing system for power adjustment.
In the Air
The razor feels very incredibly solid, dependable and refined in the sky, perfectly at ease whether hooked in or unhooked. Its fair to say that the Razor is no slouch where turning is concerned, but retains excellent feedback and medium bar pressure so you can feel its every movement. The bar pressure has perhaps decreased a little over the 2015 version, helping to keep your arms fresher for some big moves!
It generates a great deal of power on tap when worked through the window, and its naturally fast turning makes it a great kite to loop, even in the bigger sizes. The two tuning options on bar and kite allow you to tweak the response of each size to match your exact requirements.
On the water
On land the pull of the Razor can feel a bit much when walking upwind toward the shore; but once on the water it feels sublime with plenty of power on tap. The bottom end is good for a C kite, as working or looping the kite soon generates apparent wind allowing you to park and ride from there onwards. On the freestyle setting, I found the top end to be excellent - remaining comfortable long after I'd normally choose to change down a size, which is great for when the winds are variable or gusty.
Despite being what most would consider a hardcore C kite, the razor scores very well in general usability with its stable flight, great wind range, solid upwind performance and surprisingly good relaunch capabilities. The fifth line is there for light wind relaunch, but normally a prolonged pull on a steering line has it pivoting out of the water in no time.
The razor really comes into its own when coupled with a board such as the Livewire, as its grippy nature allows you to really boss the kite around; when paired together the two compliment each other perfectly.
When powered and the razor is steered aggressively, its capable of some very lofty jumps and is a great kite to downloop on the way down to soften the landing. Kiteloops are deliciously powerful and can be done on larger sizes than you would normally expect. The fast pace of the kite always ensures you can place it where you want for a safe landing.
The new 15m size is definitely worthy of a mention, as its a very fine kite indeed - very stable when the winds are marginal and relaunches far better than I would have expected for such a large C kite. It takes the wind range of the razor range a couple of knots lower, or makes marginal 13m sessions far more enjoyable; retaining all the excellent properties of the smaller sizes. Combined with a livewire and boots, you can treat it like a much smaller kite, and get it to slack with ease.
Freestyle and wakestyle are what most people will be drawn to the Razor for, and it certainly lives up to expectation! The direct connection makes it a great kite to fly which can easily be felt without looking at it, the pop is very explosive, powering you up into the air and slackening off mid flight and on landing to get those air-passes nailed. For further pop and slack the wakestyle setting can be used, at the expense of the top end wind range; but I found it to be a great performer even in the freestyle mode.
Conclusions
The Razor continues to prove that C kites no longer have to be performance at a heavy cost; as its great stability and rigidity, wind range, safety system and relaunch make it user friendly and confidence inspiring.
The excellent bar is simple yet very comfortable and offers many tuning options when combined with the attachment options on the kite.
Its freestyle and wakestyle performance is what this kite is all about, and should definitely be on the shortlist for anyone looking for a high performance modern kite with truly hardcore construction values.
As with any C kite, its best kept out of the hands of beginners, but is surely a great choice for any aspiring rider or someone after an aggressive, boosty ride.
For more info, check it out over at Airush HQ!
|
Kite Style
Struts Inflation Front connection Rear connection Tuning options Depower Safety Low End High End Bar Pressure Turning Freestyle Unhooked Upwind Boosting Relaunch |
Traditional C
5 One Pump (Single valve) Direct Direct 2 rear and 2 front options, plus bar length adjustment Pull-pull webbing strap (above bar) Fifth line, OSR rear line flagging. Very Good Excellent Light increasing to medium when powered Radial, yet very fast Excellent Exceptional Very Good Excellent Very Good |
