Slingshot RPM 9m 2015 Kitesurfing Review

Slingshot RPM 9m 2015

Reviews / Kites

Slingshot 34,266

At A Glance

The RPM has been in the Slingshot line-up for quite some time now, and this latest offering builds even more on the quality and performance of its predecessors. It features a simple 3-strut Open-C design which is what many brands are now producing, and the RPM was one of the first having originally been released 5 years ago.

The RPM has been designed for those who want an all-round freeride kite, with a good emphasis on freestyle. It has been put to good use as a World Champion winning kite (Youri Zoon, 2011) and is also just as much at home in the hands of someone in their first year of kitesurfing.

For 2015 the greatest addition has been that of the Intuitive Response System (IRS). Slingshot have done away with the pulleys which have been on previous models, and instead attached a small amount of bungee cord to each bridle. Slingshot claim that this groundbreaking bridle system leads to a more direct connection, greater response, faster turning and a more stable kite.

Also for this year, the RPM has really been beefed up in terms of construction. The trailing edge of the kite has undergone an upgrade and now benefits from a tougher, more durable, diamond leech construction. The material used for the leading edge and struts has also undergone a change and is now made from DP 175 Dacron.

A very welcome addition to the 2015 RPM is that of a fast inflation system. Most kites now do come with these so we would have been rather surprised if the 2015 RPM was to be lacking. Pumping the kite up now takes no time at all, and deflating is incredibly quick. The valve for this is quite different from previous years and other brands on the market, and as such the kite comes equipped with a hose and valve. We’re not sure whether this is a good or bad thing. (Yes you now have the correct valve and a hose to attach to the pump, but no pump to actually inflate the kite, this has to be purchased separately as with a lot of brands nowadays.)

The Bar

The bar has had some tweaks after the overhaul it received a couple of seasons ago, it is functional and works really well, not to mention tried and tested! Slingshot have split the bar up into three distinct areas: Flight Control, the area above floats; the Comp Stick Zone, featuring the bar and the floats; and lastly the Rider Control Centre, featuring the chicken loop and its safety features.

In the Flight Control area you have a 47cm long depower throw offering you plenty of control over the kite. There is also a moveable stopper which allows you to tune the bar throw and also perform no-handed old-school tricks. There are dual O’Shit handles and a Guardian swivel, which stops the 800lb lines from twisting.

The Comp Stick Bar has an upgraded ergonomic one-piece centre hole designed to reduce finger pinching when riding unhooked, new graphics on the floats and also a new competition grade grip on the bar itself to stop your hands from slipping. The Guardian Safety Release System is an upgrade of the previous chicken loop design incorporating the kite trimming system too. A full front line safety release system is located here so you can ditch all the power in the kite if you need to.

In The Air

The RPM has a huge top end range to it, we never really found ourselves overpowered to the point of wanting a smaller kite on the 9m. It has a seemingly endless amount of depower whilst offering great amounts of control. The low end on the kite isn’t as impressive as some of the other 9m kites we’ve tested, so think of the RPM as needing a decent bit of wind to get it working really well, but having a near limitless top end.

The RPM is a very quick and snappy kite, which is heaps of fun for those with experience, but may be a little too much of a handful for complete beginners. It is incredibly stable in the air though, especially in gusty conditions. Slingshot liken the IRS bridle to suspension on a mountain bike. The bungee is there to flex and move as the forces applied to the kite change with shifts in the strength of the wind. The bungee can react much faster and more effectively than the pulleys that Slingshot used in the past. This means the kite can actually do some of the work for you, at the bar this feels like a very smooth kite indeed. Usually when the wind is gusty we’d be making small adjustments all the time at the bar to adjust the sheeting angles. With the new bridle this is a much less hectic process and the kite offers a more stable platform.

The kite flies very well upwind, really powering round to the edge of the wind window and creating lots of pull when powered. Jumping is great fun with the RPM, and the kite offers constant feedback throughout. It’s not an aggressive kite to jump, there is a much more mellow pull on take off than on some super high aspect kites. When the wind is blowing though it will get you up there and offer a good amount of float with the Open-C canopy profile really helping to let you down gently.

Unhooking is a dream on the RPM and this is where the kite really excels. The kite is well behaved and sits perfectly still whilst really powering you through your moves. It inspires a confidence that will have you pushing for harder and more technical moves. Inevitably, you are going to crash and the RPM is thankfully a really easy kite to relaunch. Just pull on the rear line and it will work its way to the edge of the window.

The new 2015 RPM is a definite improvement on the previous incarnations and we really enjoyed flying it. The new bridle system certainly seems to offer a more stable feel and leads to less rider input in gusty conditions. This means you can concentrate on your riding and not worry so much about what the wind is doing.

The RPM is amazing for pulling the latest unhooked freestyle moves.

For

Excellent response and feedback at all times. Great build and craftsmanship throughout the whole package. Top unhooked freestyle capabilities with speedy relaunch. Incredibly stable even in very gusty winds.

Against

What the RPM has in top end range it does lack a little in low-end power compared to some of the other 9m kites we have tested, an 8m and 10m may well suit someone who usually uses a 9m and a 7m for instance. Whilst the freestyle handling is impeccable the raw boosting power may not be enough to satisfy the most demanding of big air junkies.

Overall

The 2015 RPM has improved stability and feedback and will take you from your first jumps to tricks you can only dream of. A really solid bit of kit perfect for those who want to step their kiting up a notch this summer.

Videos

This review was in Issue 50 of IKSURFMAG.

For more information visit Slingshot

Related

By Robin and Sukie
With years of kite sport experience combined, you can be sure you’ll be receiving the highest quality of knowledge on the best equipment the industry has to offer.

Tried this? What did you think?