Power Kite Forum

Need advice on stepping up my ride

dman - 6-4-2011 at 02:54 PM

So after coming back from NABX I have determined that I want to move up from my Flexi wide axle to something a little more stable and speed oriented. I know a little bit about the Libre buggies but there seemed to be quite a few other types out there I haven't seen before.

So let's have some recommendations on a few with availability and pricing being a focus as well as comfort.

BeamerBob - 6-4-2011 at 03:17 PM

I had a Flexi wide axle that served me well, but found its limitations on the playa. I've never ridden in a libre, but judging from the construction, they look to be a middle step beyond your flexi. You might decide that a libre meets your needs or you could make the jump to the top of the line, heavy duty race level buggies. In no particular order, and possibly excluding other contenders, you might consider the MG, the Apexx, and the Ivanpah buggies. They are heavier, arguably more robust, and possibly more safe and secure than buggies built with other criteria in their design intent. Ultimately you will have to study the differences and decide what attributes are important to you. Ride in models if you have the opportunity so you know for sure if they fit your style and needs.

DAKITEZ - 6-4-2011 at 03:41 PM

yep ... apexx, mg, and ivanpah. The ivanpah is a great buggy for the money. It is considerably less money than the apexx or mg. If you want ultimate performance than it will cost you :) I do not know the current prices of the libre but I would have to guess they are somewhere in the ball park of the ivanpah. If this is the case you need to go with the ivanpah over a libre. The libre is a good step up from a flexi or PL but the ivanpah is another step up from the libre ... then the mg .... then the apexx (in that order :) )
So if you can get into a ivanpah for roughly the same money as a libre then thats a no brainer.

I have never ridden a PL or flexi on the playa. But I did ride a libre. This year was my first year on the playa in the mg and it was like night and day difference. I could scrub off speed with the mg and had no worries of coming out of the buggy. I topped out at 48 mph but that was because I had the wrong kite out. I felt super comfortable at that speed and was wanting more, but my engine was maxed out.

Also take into account all these buggies mentioned are not going to break down easy like your flexi. You will need a truck or some sort of rack to carry these.

BeamerBob - 6-4-2011 at 04:19 PM

I agree with everything Dino says. Last year in my Flexi, I was constantly afraid of getting dragged sideways out of the buggy. I never once felt that way this year in the Ivanpah. All the veterans were saying last year to not take the kite high when I wanted to slow down but keep the kite low and turn upwind. No way I could do that without side support and never having ridden in a race buggy, I didn't even understand the concept. This year, when the interstate or powerlines were looming and I found myself needing to slow down in the Ivanpah, I could do just like the big boys told me last year, and keep the kite low so it can't hurt me, and keep cutting the buggy upwind. In a few hundred yards at most, I'd be down to an easy turn speed. One thing for sure, my buggy won't be holding back my learning progression anymore.

Another thing, the Ivanpah is built seriously heavy duty. I seriously can't see you ever hurting the buggy unless you do something purely to abuse it outside of the kite buggy activity. Very thick plates and all the tubing is large and has thick walls. When riding, you don't see any flex in the buggy frame but you can see the sidewall of the tire leaning over. Also, that weight makes things steady and secure feeling.

Ivanpah Windspeed Pro

dman - 6-4-2011 at 06:42 PM

Thanks Bob and Dino. I'm not familiar with the MG buggies but the Ivanpah I new of but thought they were more of a Libre nock off, I had now idea Popeye was involved in the design.

With the Ivanpah being built in my back yard that kinda makes sense to consider it unless somebody could tell me otherwise.

BeamerBob - 6-4-2011 at 07:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by dman
Thanks Bob and Dino. I'm not familiar with the MG buggies but the Ivanpah I new of but thought they were more of a Libre nock off, I had now idea Popeye was involved in the design.

With the Ivanpah being built in my back yard that kinda makes sense to consider it unless somebody could tell me otherwise.


Compare the steel dimensions and you will see that the Ivanpah is a great deal more heavy duty.

awindofchange - 6-4-2011 at 09:56 PM

As the builder of the Ivanpah, I can assure you that it is in no way a Libre knock-off. The design was 100% created from the ground up with major input from Popeye and his incredible designs. There is nothing on the Libre that was carried over to the Ivanpah, nor was the Libre any factor in the design of the Ivanpah full race buggies.

The buggy is much more heavy duty in every way from the Libre buggies. This is in no way to knock the Libre's, they are great buggies and work very well for what they are designed, they are just not the same quality in construction and durability as the Ivanpah.

All Ivanpah buggies come with a 5 year warranty as well. Better than any other production buggy on the market. With the added bonus of customizing the Steel version in nearly any possible color, the Ivanpah buggy is a very nice ride. At NABX there were several Stainless Steel Ivanpah's as well as some other colored ones. I have produced the Ivanpah's in many colors including Purple, Desert Tan (camo buggy), Yellow, Red, Blue, Burnt Orange and several in Black. They have all come out awesome looking. :)

There are several authorized dealers on PKF here that are more than willing to work out a great deal for you should you decide on an Ivanpah. Dino (Dakitez.com), Angus (Coastalwindsports.com), Jeff (BigKidKites.com), EastCoastKiteSports.com and of course, Awindofchange.com

Although we have some Ivanpah Buggies in stock right now, they are usually made to order, so please allow 3 to 6 weeks for delivery.

If you have any other questions regarding the Ivanpah, just post them up and I will be happy to talk about it.

ripsessionkites - 6-4-2011 at 11:39 PM

if you want the best and only one buggy ... get an apexx

tight on budget get the Ivanpah

Bladerunner - 7-4-2011 at 05:03 PM

I have only been going to NABX for 4 years but the evolution has been amazing ! In 08 pretty much everybody going for speed was using a Libre.

Libre is a lot of things and I think it is still the only " production model " buggy for race ? This makes Libre a good choice for the budget consious.

After taking TDMC's Apexx out I fully understand why he thinks it's worth paying more for a hand crafted one ! :yes:

If I understood what I heard in the wind Poppeye just may be taking on some orders ??????

dman - 7-4-2011 at 05:24 PM

Why the hell didn't I beg some rides in a few of these is beyond me. I missed a perfect opportunity for test drives:mad:

ripsessionkites - 7-4-2011 at 11:39 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by dman
Why the hell didn't I beg some rides in a few of these is beyond me. I missed a perfect opportunity for test drives:mad:


dude, you just needed to ask. next time you can use my buggy anytime