I just bought an 8M Royal Era but haven't had an opportunity to give it a go. I know others on this forum have experience with this kite (and size) and was wondering if you all could comment on the wind range I should expect with this thing - especially, the low end. I weight about 165 just in case that helps.

Thanks

the 8 and 10m are my favorite sizes in the era. the 8 is a blast and you can ride in 20mph on up and have a ball. i have riden it with gusts up to 40 (according to ikitesurf), but my spot becomes a washing machine around 30mph. if i have an opposing current i rig the 8m @ 20mph and try to work on stuff without getting too powered.
the kite is pretty quick and it is easy to get planing.
weight 160# and 132 nobile 666
-hope that helps

All I use is an 8m Era and 132cm Royal(UG). 20-40ish but the sweet spot is 22-32. I often use mine when I should be on a 6m but I love going big. I'm around 155lb. I've gotten away in less wind than that but it wasn't much fun other than just proving that I could do it.

-Toast

For me, 170lbs in Jax Beach area: current goes with the wind:

On a surfboard: I could have fun when it was blowing in the low 20's

On a normal size twin tip: I needed mid to upper 20's

High end, is as high as you probably want to be out riding.

i love my 8m and if on a surfboard i can use it in just about anything from the mid teens on up to the thirties.

Thanks guys - I appreciate the info.

I have a 14m Era (2nd gen) and it has an extra attachment point for the center bridle. Does anyone know how this can be used? Does that appear on the 8m and 10m as well? I was thinking of changing the attachment the next time I use it to see what happens.

what do you mean by "center bridle"
-T

Wow - got to use the 8M today - kite is awesome - super powerful.

I do have a question though. My buddy has a 10M Era and his kite (the canopy) is made of ripstop material (pretty much same as waroo and other kites). My kite, however, is made of this satin/cloth material - really smooth texture. Just wondering why the difference. Both of us were told that our kites are the 2008 2nd Generation. Does anyone know anything about this?

Thanks

I mean the main bridle on the leading edge of the kite that attaches to the center lines. Pardon my bad description.

JaxMarley, Does it happen to be a white one? I have both and theres some slight difference in feel while flying but performance is the same. The differences in materials are due to the colors and not any other factors. If your like Codder though and get rashes from sleeping with kites you should go with the smoother material.

hitinhigher, Do you mean it has 2 knots to choose from on the front line connections? If thats what your talking about it so you can get max performance out of the kite in different conditions without having to use the depower strap to adjust the kite. If you have any more questions or I misunderstood let me know.

Toast, It has two attachment loops on the leading edge (one on either side) and they are further down towards the tips. I'll try to post a pic sometime later.

It's the yellow one - but thanks for the info.

For the 2008 Era, was there any more discussion of this bridle attachment location for the front bridle V shoulder attachment point? I browsed the forum and didn't see any update. I didn't see any mention in the manual. I'd like to know what difference to expect between the two front bridle attachment points. Has anyone with an 08 Era tried the other attachment point, and can comment on what effect it has?
I just picked up an 08 10M Era (already had 07 12M Era). I like how the 08 has a second layer of dacron fabric to cover the leading edge stitches.
Thanks.

sflinux,
The attachment point your talking about allows for MASSIVE depower. I only recommend it if your really jones'n for a session and your kites a bit big. I was able to take my 2008 8m out in over 40 which I wouldn't suggest. The downfall is you lose some steering ability and it makes the kite horrible at jumping. You can still ride but its more along the lines of "I came, I conquered" than "I had a blast". The 2009 does not have the extra attachment point.
-Toast

Found this thread:
http://www.extremekiteskiteboarding.com ... ht=era+bar
Thank you Ryan for your speedy response.

One more question, anyone know how much depower throw the newer Royal bars have?
(the ones with the double depowerloopline)