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KITEWORLD SUMMARY:
From the ride you can tell it’s one of the shorter boards on the test, and felt really nice when you were lit. A pro rider could do all their tricks on that board. This is more towards the top end of the market in terms of construction as well as performance. It doesn’t get going that quickly because it’s smaller, but once you’re up and running it’s very smooth. Still quite skatey though, too.
MANUFACTURER'S HYPE:
The all-rounder of the Dragon series. The medium’s elaborate scoop rocker forgives mistakes in landing jumps, yet retains sufficient flexibility for switch stance riding and waveriding. Despite riding properties, the Dragon ‘05 has a surprisingly wide range of application. As well as a PVC core, John Amunson has come up with a shape concept giving riders the choice between three different widths all at 134cm long. The sharp rails in connection with the new flex tips let the board glide smoothly through choppy water and provide unusual pop for loaded jumps. North have put no wind limit on this for heavier riders!
TEST TEAM NOTES:
NEAL: The North construction makes a point of reinforcing the heelside more than the toeside so you get an asymmetric flex: the toeside flexes more then the heelside so it flexes properly rather than like a banana. Quite a few manufacturers have done that.
GEORGE: It keeps it rigid under your heels so that when you do load up your heelside rail you’ll get loads of pop. When you ride on your toeside it’ll be more comfortable as you never load up as much on that side, and it flexes easier. It’s lush. I think it looks the nuts...all this thin material, lovely flex tips. You take that down the beach and people will be all like, “Oooh, what’s going on here?” Does it all for me.
NEAL: High intermediate to advanced, and delivers too.
GEORGE: This puppy’s hipped-in, it’s got flexi tips, it’s all about fast riding, lots of pop, easy transitioning from heel to toe. A down side? That’s the shittest handle I’ve seen on any board, ever. If I tapped it like this... look, I just dented it!
NEAL: Nice pads and I really like these two-way adjustable straps. You can’t have a problem with these, George?
GEORGE: I think your feet fall out the sides because they’re too narrow on the outside. Having said that they are comfy. It’s like putting a slipper on but it’s no good if your feet fall out when you’re in the air.
NEAL: You’re strange.
SIZES:
134x36cm
134x38.5cm
134x43cm
www.northkites.com
This test is in issue #16
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