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THIS TEST FIRST APPEARED IN KITEWORLD #107 ON OUR NEW FREE DIGITAL PLATFORM IN NOVEMBER 2020. THE PRINT ISSUE IS ALSO AVAILABLE TO BUY HERE

Core GTS6 8 & 10M Kite Test Review

“That beautiful click into gear and then incredibly assured, natural arc around the bottom of the window is so reliable… and addictive.”

TESTED BY: JIM GAUNT AND CHRIS BULL

TEST TEAM NOTES

You won’t find a kite more at home in incredibly strong winds. Modifications to the sixth incarnation of the GTS include a beefier leading edge diameter and lighter but more robust struts to better handle brutal winds; smooth refinements and tweaks to what is one of the most incredible high wind performance machines.

Like the Nexus (which we reviewed in issue #106 – find that review here), the GTS has three CIT (Core Intelligent Trimming) modes for ‘wave’, ‘all round’ or ‘freestyle’.

SWEET FUTURE C

We rode four sessions in different winds on the all-round setting. It’s so sweet. The Future C shape feels potent and exciting while the sheeting feel and connection through Core’s sublime Sensor 3 bar is phenomenal. You plug in and there are no loose wires, no energy is spilt, lost or wasted while you’re in operation. It’s like shutting the cockpit door and becoming cocooned from the craziness.

The ‘Exotex’ Ultra Rigid Dacron and ‘Coretex’ triple ripstop canopy maintain shape and performance for seasons. These aren’t the lightest kites, but they are built to excel in strong winds when absolute weight saving isn’t so important.

TOTAL TOP END PERFORMANCE

As such, the GTS6 again doesn’t compete with the likes of the Switchblade, Bandit or Nexus when it comes to bottom end performance. In chaotic wind, however, you can maintain a really easy upright body position, allowing you to perform better for longer and with more control.

The GTS6 sits up there with the Duotone Dice; both super happy at 14,000 revs in ballistic winds, delivering clean feelings of control. Where the GTS6 does stands out is when it comes to kite loops; it’s just so consistent. In mid range conditions the Dice gets into jumping mode a bit earlier, the GTS6 meanwhile fires into kite loop mode sooner. When it gets really windy, the jumping performance gets better and better while the looping reliability and clean power will blow your mind.

LIGHTER WIND…

As the turn rate is so very smooth and consistent, in lighter winds it’s not unrealistic that a decent rider could learn to loop on this.

In lighter winds, sure, you won’t be jumping as high as someone on an XR6, Orbit or Switchblade, but you’ll be having a lot more fun throwing loops and enjoy more all-round riding potential, too. The way the GTS6 initiates a turn with such instantaneous consistency, means that once you pull the end of the bar you just need to go with the kite and it’ll do the rest. It leaves no burning rubber marks and that beautiful click into gear and then incredibly assured, natural arc around the bottom of the window is so reliable… and addictive.

SENSOR 3 BAR

The GTS6 will fit previous Core Sensor bars, but we must highlight their new Sensor 3 and the Pro version we had with carbon fibre construction and Tectanium Vario lines. The Sensor is always among the lightest and thinnest diameter bars on the market and, although very simple in both visuals and in feel, the new model is very well featured, as you’ll see from the video, here.

SUMMARY

The way the GTS6 manages power so smoothly allows for good riders to perform insane kite loops with rare levels of confidence in strong winds. In other areas of performance, the quick shut-off depower, instant turn initiation and beautifully mid-weight bar pressure will make this a very capable kite when you switch to the surfboard / foil as it can also be thrown around to generate power in lighter conditions. Good option for ambitious lighter weight riders.

KW LIKED

Instant turn initiation and constant arcing drive mixed with insane high wind control. The GTS6 always feels so balanced and poised.

KW WOULD CHANGE

Nothing. You don’t buy this kite for its low end grunt.

GTS6 BALANCE POINTS:
Build quality: 9.5
Full package: 10
Low end: 6.5
Top end: 10
Steering speed: 7.5
Turning circle: 6.5
Bar pressure: 5
Water relaunch: 8
Drift: 7
Boost: 8.5
Hang-time: 8
Unhooked: 8
Crossover: 8.5
Ease of use: 8

SIZES: 17, 15, 13.5, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6 and 5m

Watch the Core GT6 product video here:

For more information on Core and their product range, visit:

www.corekites.com

READ THE CORE GTS REVIEW HERE IN ISSUE #107

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