North Evo in da Pocket!
Finally we have got round to a review of the 2009 North Evo 6 metre.
A few words of my kitebuddy Klaver:
“I have bought the NORTH EVO 6 metres of 2009. What impressed me most is it’s low end. This kite can be used in winds less then 20 knots, even if you weigh 90 kg like myself. I bought the evo after I compared it to the EVO 7 m2 and the Rebel 7 of 2008. I found that the Rebel behaved a little more fluffy and therefore had a softer feel. I decided that that was not necessarily a good thing..
The North EVO seems much more direct, stable and sturdy. The hangtime of the North Rebel was a little better, I admit, although the EVO has a more rigorous lift when the bar is pulled. I was not able to compare the EVO 2009 with the Rebel 2009. I was told however, that a heavy rider like me would benefit more from the EVO than the Rebel, especially because the Rebel 2009 has no middle strut which makes the kite behave unpredictable if the rider weighs a good 90 kg.
I was surprised that the EVO is rather unnoticed in the market, which may be caused by the stories about the kite being mainly for beginners. The EVO may not be very suited for Ruben Lenten style kiteloops, but personally I don’t care. The kite behaves royal class for beginners and advanced riders in every discipline. ”
Be aware of bigger delta sizes
Ok, so its obvious we are really positive about the Delta shape and especially the Evo. We are very curious if the 2010 model is so much different because it really looks the same and isn’t that much different in design and construction. In other words, the north evo is one of the best second hand kites out there ;). But we do have to say that we have some doubts on the bigger sizes. As you can read in the comments below, we are not conviced that the bigger models (id est from 10m and more) perform as well as the smaller sizes. This conclusion can seem very minor but we believe its very important to mention to prevent any confusion or you wasting your money..
Mr. Klaver in action @ witsands, cape town, SA (with a shiny new North Evo 6 metre).
Conclusions
- unreal windrange
- top of the range stormkite
- the evo = superstable in the sky
- better than the north rebel (especially for heavy riders)
- the bigger sizes (from 10 m and onwards) do not perform as well as the 6, 7 and 9metre north evo
review will follow: just bought the 6m: incredible lowend and a very good storm kite!!!
im stoked!!!!
DAMN
I tested a 7m in oktober and wow, what a great kite!
Testedd a 10m yesterday, the kite has a lot of bar pressure, much more then the 7!
On the north site they have a video about how to cope with bar pressure.
Does it help a lot?
Thank yoy for you’re time.
Hey Koen,
i share the same opinion. the 7 m is a perfect kite but do not buy something like the 10metre.
there is a 4 line / 5 line option but the bigger sizes just are not all that.
Would this do any good, or has it only a minor effect?
http://www.northkites.com/public/content/pics__tv/tv/product/evo___bar_pressure_adjustment/index_eng.html
What about the 9meter 2009, is that any smoother on the barpressure?
dunno actually.
I`m another massive fan of the 7m Evo09 and like many others I was a very disapointed when I tried the 10m, it felt like a totally different kite… :0( I went with the 12m vegas instead…
The 6-7-9 evos feel similar, 10 and above feel horible in comparison… slow and heavy…
I agree totally!
And I want the vegas 9meter. Can tell me all you know about that kite (what year is best) and does it fit on any north bar?
thnx
@Koen: of course, thats a goof way to depower. As mark shinn once said, this is the way to depower a kite, not the depower strap. Depowering is only to adjust your armlenght to the bar to ride comfortably.
hi guys, I have a big question!!! what’s better between north Evo 12 and advance kaiman 12?
I am 83kg and I use a nobile 135×35, I am lookink for a delta easy to ride and with easy relaunch and jump.
Hey davide,
first off: thnx for your question.
in the comments above you’ll find that the North Evo is a KILLER kite, BUT only for sizes 6,7 and 9 metre.
So I would say: buy the Advance Kaiman instead! http://www.kiteboarding-history.com/advance-kaiman-2008/
Thank you very much!
May I ask what’s the biggest defect of north evo 12 and how come the kaiman 12 is better?
thank you very much!
davide
Well, the evo rocks, i can tell you from experience, but i was really looking for a storm kite.
But Davide, with all respect. I would never ever buy a 12m. 11m is the biggest size you need!
thank you admin, actually I come from Italy and here we use two sizes 12mq and 9mq we have not storm but wind from 12knots to 35 knots, I have already a 9qm which I use from 20 to 35 and now I am looking for a 12qm for light wind, that’s why I asked you which is better between Kaiman 12 an evo 12.
Ciao davide
hey davide,
the kaiman is an impresive kite, looks nice a well.
I just tested a 12m north evo 2010, it has less bar pressure and is faster than the 2009.
The 2010 is also good in the bigger sizes, very nice!
@ admin, I have had all the vegases from 2006-2009.
I really liked the 2008 and the 2009.
2009 is very light @ the bar and is a great looper.
2008 is a higher jumper in my opinion.
both are great unhooked.
ohk,
thanks for the info on the bigger sizes. that should prevent some disappointments for some people buying the bigger evo’s/
I will try and buy the vegas 09 9m. just one question though: do you think my evo bar will fit on the vegas 09??
thnx
All 5th line bars from 2007 till now will fit the north kites without adjustments.
I ride vegas 2008 12m and evo 2009 7m, all on one 2009 th elementbar.
I am on board as welll, can”t say enough good things about my 7m Evo. I did however notice the stiching and glue are starting to seperate on the struts where they attach to the leading edge. Might be something to look for if purchasing a used Evo. I also have a 9m Evo, At first I didn’t like it, seemed very slow in comparison to my 7m. I normallly ride 24m lines. Then I purchased a 19m line set on a North bar and it transformed my 9m. On the shoter lines it turns beautifully, it did however take away a bit of the lowend which in my case was a good thing because it has so much low end I was constanly riding it quite depowered. Then I tried the 7m on the shorter lines and it was amazing as well. Does anyone have any info on the 5m Evo?? Looking for a smalll kite, either a 5m or 6m evo.
My and my friend mr Klaver ride the 6m 2009. Good lowend and one of the best stormkites possible.
I do not have that glue problem, I think. Wait’ I’ll check that now… ;0)