2008 Caution Mayhem - 11 square meters - Review

[reyrivera]

Level:


I guess I'm an early intermediate flat water kiter, I have only been riding for exactly a year now in the bay. I weigh 170 lbs. Independent rider not affiliated with any kite company or store.

This review is based on user experience only. I have limited experience when it comes to the brand of kites flown from different manufacturers. I'm posting this for begginer kiters like me get additional information to help them decide which kites to buy this year. Oh yeah, this is also my very first kite review.

Kites that I have flown or owned:
2003 Caution Spitfire 4 line C kites, 5, 7, 11.5
2006 Liquid Force (Menace and M80) 5 line C kites - 9,12,14,15,20
2006 Best Yarga Pro 5 line C Kite, 7
2007 Slingshot Link, Hybrid, 5 line setup - 9, 12, 15


Conditions:

Flat water, Alameda Bay


Wind range

10 to 20 mph
Gust - 20 mph
Average - 13.9 mph
Lull - 10 mph


Kite used:

2008 Caution Mayhem 11 square meters. demo kite from Caution

Board(s) used during this review:
2007 Liquid Force Proof 151 for low wind ride
2006 Cabrinha Custom 138 for moderate winds

Riding style:
"Mowing the lawn." Just your basic free ride.

• Kite Bag:
  
  Very basic, fashioned toward simplicity and usability. Kite fits in the bag when deflated.
  
  
• Bridle:
  
  Short bridals. Well constructed. Since the bridals are short, it looks like the kite will not get tangled if you crash compared to other bow kites out there that has long bridal setup.
  
  
• Construction
  
  Looks like bomb proof construction, similar/better than the older Caution C kites that I have. Built to withstand the punishing Waddell waves.
  
  
  
• Pumping the kite:
  
  Single inflation system, strut clips are wrapped with protective cover to prevent them from damaging the canopy. I just wished that they used a stopper ball so I did not have to pinch the valve.
  
  
• Low wind condition testing:
  
  Between 14 to 20 mph, the kite is stable, very responsive. Turns really fast, but not twitchy, manageable. This behavior gave me the confidence to agressively ride the kite. It was so much fun when I power up the kite that I made my very first kite loop using this kite. This was also the first time that I was able to do an Ollie since my confidence was up while I was riding.
  
  During lulls, I was expecting the kite to just drop out of the sky because its beyond the expected range for the kite to fly. I was pleasantly surprised that the kite stayed up in the air, I guess the best way to describe it is that the drift is great and super stable even at low wind condition. Of course I have to wait for the wind to pick back up before I can start riding again. I have not kited in waves before, but this seems like a behavior that you would want with a kite built specifically for wave riding.
  
  
• Bar Pressure:
  
  Not too bad, feels a little bit lighter than what I am used too, but there was enough bar pressure so I know what the kite was doing without me constantly looking at it. I guess if I rate the pressure between 0 to 10, it will be a 5. The bar is very simple, typically Caution fashion geared toward simplicity and usability.

Recommendations:

Highly recommended for beginners contemplating on buying a new kite. This is a stable and very forgiving kite.

Additional review hopefully this coming Tuesday, since there's suppose to be windy that day.
Pictures, coming soon as well.

[reyrivera]

15 mph average
gust 22 mph

I was able to take the kite out yesterday (March 20, 2008).
Late afternoon, the wind was about 15 mph average, around early evening, picked up between 20 to 25 mph on my wind meter.

The conditions were perfect for the kite. Kite response was very good on gusty conditions. I was able to do my first complete toe side on this kite. Overall, switching to the Mayhem made me a better kiter. I was surprised on the sudden improvement of my skill level when riding this brand.

For Alameda, taking into factor my weight and flying skills, 11 and 14 would cover most of the wind ranges there.

There's plenty pictures at the the Caution website (http://www.cautionkites.com)

[obiejuan]

Thanks Rey,
Thanks for the review. I have tried an 11m and was instantly impressed.
I am going for the whole arsenal 7-14 and believe it will be totally worth it.
Alot of guys here can't see through the hype and advertising by the bigger kite companies, But the Scheible brothers are local and have been nothing but nice and helpful to me when I have seen them at Waddell.
They are going to be demo-ing kites and boards at the Pismo event later this month and I am heading down to try out their 5'5 Trespass board, stoked to support some locals in the industry

[KirkTalon]

Hey Rey, what's up buddy? Thanks for the review...

[reyrivera]

Hey Kirk,

A bit disappointed with the wind this weekend. Now I gotta figure out how I can make an excuse so I can kite either this Monday or Tuesday.

Yeah, I'm trying to save enough dough so I can afford a new quiver of Caution towards the end of this year. The current econonic downturn is not helping at all.

Although I strongly want to support our local brand, I still want to try and see if I can demo the Slingshot Rev or the Eclipse Thruster, I'm curious what the comparisons are with the Mayhem as far as turning speed and stability are concerned. The one thing I know with the Mayhem is that is super stable and responds quickly for the type of wave surfing that I want to do. I'm an experienced surfer, but don't know how to fly a kite and surf at the same time, hopefully be able to start riding my hometown break this summer.

[KirkTalon]

You going to Pismo???

[reyrivera]

YUP, me and my girl spending the weekend there. I think I got her hooked on kiting.

She's having a blast on my 3 meter trainer. That's why I'm trying to figure out my next quiver at the end of the year. She's probably going to bash the hell out of my gear this year once she starts flying an inflatable this summer.

See you at Pismo.