matt21 Posted September 4, 2003 Report Posted September 4, 2003 Are you considering a dirtsurfer? don't know how hard it will be? looks a bit dangerous? The pros say it's great, heres my newbie experience... I got mine about 5 hours ago and have had about 2 hours time playing with it! So I guess what i'm doing is trying to give some tips that the pros take for granted, and assure people that these boards are usable!! I didn't get round to trying it with a kite today. Firstly, got home, straight away stood on the board in a doorway, hands either side and pushed off lighty. It really worked well, made it across the dining room first time! Got down the park, different story!! (but read on, happy ending!!) First thing I worked out was it is not possible to get on a dirtsurfer without something to hold onto (for the first few runs anyway) so don't waste time trying! I then tried pushing off a lampost on the flat but couldn't go straight and kept coming off. I think this is because unlike the doorway at home the lampost was making me lean over one side of the board too much. So I decided the only way to get going was to find a gentle slope with something got hold onto, it took a while but I finally found a spot with a gentle grass slope and a tree for me to hold onto to get on the board, all that was required then was a slight push and you could roll 40-50m fairly slowly and steadily!!!! Keep repeating the above step and you will quickly build up confidence and start faster steeper runs, it took me only about 20 mins to go from my first steady run to going fairly quick down grass bankings (with a big run off at the bottom to slow down gently). As soon as you are doing some good runs you'll find it amazingly easy and it feels very safe compared to a mountain board. The main hints I can give is: * Don't have the footstraps too tight, someone correct me if i'm wrong but the back foot at least should be right in the middle of the frame, otherwise the board is difficult to keep straight. This may have been my problem at first as I didn't adjust my straps until I was getting very close to doing a steady run. * Don't try to force the turns, the turning circle is large and you can't do anything about it, turning requires very little pressure and lean, especially at newbie speed. Don't try and turn it harshly like a mountain board, look at the dirtsurfer turning circle and think how little input would be required to get your mountain board to turn like that. * Try having you leg just touching the calf brake, this gives a better feel for the angle of the board and I found increased my stability althouth the brake was rubbing very slightly. FInally, you can push start a dirtsurfer to get going on a gentle slope, I can do it 50% of the time already. Just don't try it until you suss out the feel of the board. In summary, if you fancy one, go for it!! Especially if your into non-kite use. The first hour is the hardest but after 2 I am really confident and can use the brake to help control my speed. I can see the progression of this being much faster than a mountain board as it feels much safer, no vibration, no speed wobble and good brake. Can't believe i've wasted 22 years of my life without one! A very happy, Matt Quote
kk Posted September 4, 2003 Report Posted September 4, 2003 Good posting, Matt! I have to say, I think they look great - but they also look like two broken ankles waiting to happen! Quote
blade3k Posted September 4, 2003 Report Posted September 4, 2003 cheers for that. Thinking of getting a board for Chrimbo. But couldn'tfind much info on dirtsurfers. Quote
skytigerer Posted September 4, 2003 Report Posted September 4, 2003 just how good it the brake on those things? i'm looking for something to bomb my DH track for my bike, havent dared use my norm atb as its in woods, and no room to powerslide vince Quote
Garthy Posted September 5, 2003 Report Posted September 5, 2003 I've had my flexideck dirtsurfer since xmas last year, and I prefer it every time over four wheeled boards, and its great. The all the 2003 models have disc brakes which are excellent - I have been bombing down the quantocks at 45mph-50mph, and been able to brake with control using the calf lever. There is also space to adapt your brake and add a second rear brake if you want to. I know Tom who posts on this site has done that to his dirtsurfer. Some other advice to newbies on dirtsurfers would be not to look at the front wheel when riding as it will put you off, and there is info on dirtsurfers at http://www.mkyd.com or http://www.dirtsurfer.com - i think. I'm just starting to learn to kite board with my dirtsurfer now so I'll let you all know how I get along with it. Garthy Quote
Dan_T Posted September 5, 2003 Report Posted September 5, 2003 I think i have a link somewhere to some video of mine and my friends first attempts which may show how far you can progress in 60 minutes. Will go hunt it out. Quote
tom1599968574 Posted September 5, 2003 Report Posted September 5, 2003 its also worth spending the time and effort to learn to skate properly on the flat. it opens up so much more riding and makes it much easier with a kite. When you try it with a kite, DONT point the board at the kite! most people on 4 wheelers do that to start, it doesnt work very well with a surfer. cos the board accelerates so fast, you end up killing the kite. try pointing almost 90 degrees to the wind, skating a step then dropping the kite from the top. as for the turning circle, when i got mine, i learnt in a park down the road, at first i could barely make one of the corners. as your confidence and experience grows, you'll find you can throw it over so much further and turn so much tighter. i can make that corner easily at full pelt now! tom ps as for the brake, the disc is easily enough to lock the wheel by itself, you can even lock it with the vee if its setup right. Ive got a disc and a vee on mine, it helps you not get any twist in the calf lever when you slam it on really hard cos there is a cable either side. It does add a bit of braking power but not much! Quote
fly_boy Posted September 5, 2003 Report Posted September 5, 2003 Matt21 is this soemthing that we are going to see over the racecourse. I have never seen one of these but if your out anywhere with it over the weekend and done mind me goggling let us know... Quote
elmer Posted September 5, 2003 Report Posted September 5, 2003 i am total exot.. never used a board...but what is a difference between dirtboard and mountainboard ,, are there any other mutants of this kind?... :-)) Quote
matt21 Posted September 5, 2003 Author Report Posted September 5, 2003 Originally posted by fly_boy Matt21 is this soemthing that we are going to see over the racecourse. I have never seen one of these but if your out anywhere with it over the weekend and done mind me goggling let us know... I'll have it everywhere I go! I'm well impressed with it and can't wait to get a decent enough wind to try it with a kite. Theres a couple of bankings at racecourse that would be ok for some short runs. Not sure what i'm doing over the weekend yet though. elmer, biggest difference between a mountain board and a dirtsurfer is that with a mountain board you can easily stand on it whilst not moving, and edge along at a few miles an hour very safely with a kite. With a dirtsurfer it needs to be moving and the faster the better, this is why the first hour is so hard, but once you can get it moving it actually feels MUCH safer than a mountain board, no vibration, wobble, it's very steady. As Tom said, its worth learning without a kite first, i'd say this goes for a mountain board aswell. If you've no idea how to free skate it you could be in big trouble if you have a problem with the kite as the riding position is different. Quote
tonyb Posted September 6, 2003 Report Posted September 6, 2003 Matt21 and Tom, You both have PM'S!! Quote
tom1599968574 Posted September 6, 2003 Report Posted September 6, 2003 forgot to say in me pm, check out mkyd.com. the new ebsite has a bit about brake setup. tom Quote
Arretu Posted December 2, 2003 Report Posted December 2, 2003 I like em. Great! Now for some more suicidal speeds Quote
Arretu Posted December 2, 2003 Report Posted December 2, 2003 I like em. Great! Now for some more suicidal speeds. At the start they are hard. Now serious fun. I think I will try with a kite soon. Quote
Flasharry Posted December 3, 2003 Report Posted December 3, 2003 Nice review Mat21. I've had my dirtsurfer for about a month now, and i've got to say, its excellent with the kite, you will love it. Very dificult to get coordinated and moving at first (briefly considered giving up and getting a buggy, v glad i didn't though), with a few hours practice, it all seemed to click, and there is nothing to beat the feeling of leaning back holding an edge and wizzing up/down a field at heigh speed, must be the closest sensation to snowkiting on a snowboard there is (looking forward to trying that hopefully sometime soon as well). Had no trouble riding toeside with the kite, seemed very natural. I just need to practice the turns at each end of the field more, so i can nail em every time and not have to climb large trees to retreave my kite when it all goes pear shaped (fitted kite killers now). Its also true that the Ds gets more stable the faster you go, it would be really scary if i didn't have so much confidence in the board, just dont edge too far, cos the front wheel will slide eventually (pads definately a good idea). I bought the 2002 standard model, but i now see that Oceanside are now selling the 2003 GP for £199,. Doh! Tom. Quick Question, I've been looking for a low wind kite, and i notice you have some of the larger Nasa Wings, how are they with the Dirtsurfer? i was thinking of a NPW9 12m. Cheers Flasharry. Quote
da5id Posted December 3, 2003 Report Posted December 3, 2003 Any recommendations for and against using a harness with a Dirtsurfer and a kite? Quote
rasga Posted December 3, 2003 Report Posted December 3, 2003 Originally posted by Flasharry I bought the 2002 standard model, but i now see that Oceanside are now selling the 2003 GP for £199,. Doh! I'm not too hot when it comes to dirtsurfers though i have seen the GP for £149 here Quote
gingerob19 Posted December 3, 2003 Report Posted December 3, 2003 What are the cheaper dirtsurfers like? any good compared to the stupidly expensive ones? bought a cheap ATB when I first got into boarding and regretted it fairly quickly and went over the Air s. cheers Rob Quote
Flasharry Posted December 3, 2003 Report Posted December 3, 2003 Originally posted by rasga I'm not too hot when it comes to dirtsurfers though i have seen the GP for £149 here The blue or black Dirt Surfers are the 2002 models, slightly less ground clearance, slightly different brake, but effective. The silver ones with blue annodised wheels are the 2003 models. Whichever you go for you should have fun, but for the extra £50 I'd go for the 2003 as it should lean (edge) more before the frame hits the deck. As for the Flexideck I'm sure its a wonderfull piece of kit, but at £500 I feel no need for one, if you are using it on a beach or level(ish) fields, i can't really see the point. Quote
Jack H Posted September 10, 2005 Report Posted September 10, 2005 I've had one a couple of years now and find it to be great fun downhills. i have hit some scary speeds on roads with one and felt totally safe. takes a while to learn how to use a dirtsurfer with a kite on the flat but they can get you going fast in really light winds. Also a real head turner. Quote
g0nz01599968659 Posted September 10, 2005 Report Posted September 10, 2005 DSers rock:D The flexi is only 350 now and thats shed-load of board for the money! Hflz do the gp at 135!! I think everyone should have one for light wind days. The extra speed means it'll jump in less wind than anything else:cool: It is worth learning to skate em properly cos this is really usefull and helps technique generally. They help your riding plenty, cos they require a 'correct' stance to hold an edge toeside at speed. The Flexi is good for fat jumps and really rough fields. Also if the wind aint on they are sweet for gravity work:D Dan Quote
Foilman Posted September 10, 2005 Report Posted September 10, 2005 Any recommendations for and against using a harness with a Dirtsurfer and a kite? Do it! You'll find that (once you're competant) it transforms the way you ride. Coming back toeside, harnessed in with a strop - preferable on a pulley, you can lean right over fly the kite with one hand & drag your other hand through the grass - mind the poop! Also allows you to twist your body round to a better aspect, makes your riding more fluid. G0nz0 uses a climbing harness - gets on with it really well & its nice & cool. I use a Dakine waist harness with the hook cut off the spreader & a wichard & pulley instead. Works a treat, but does get a tad warm. The Flexi also has better ground clearance at the nose - not so likely to do a face plant landing a jump, and the turning circle is tighter as you can lean it over more. Slightly harder to learn on (for 5 mins) as being higher it can wobble more till you get the hang of it. The other thing to consider with the older models is its hard to retro fit brakes to the older models if they don't have them. The GPX (GP 2004) and flexi come with disk brake lugs on the back. I Just put front & rear hydraulic disk brakes on mine - stops on a pin:D Quote
g0nz01599968659 Posted September 11, 2005 Report Posted September 11, 2005 The best upgrade for any DSer is a pair of MBS F3 foot straps:) Hydraulic brakes not withstanding - lol I might consider seeing if v brakes are lighter than the disc.... after the welsh road trip tho;) Dan Quote
Foilman Posted September 11, 2005 Report Posted September 11, 2005 May yet manage to blag a place on the Welsh trip for the day on Sat - dont tell the missus..... Quote
g0nz01599968659 Posted September 11, 2005 Report Posted September 11, 2005 Sweet! Be good to c u. Tell 'er its a buisness trip... monkey buisness:D lol I have no idea whats gonna happen that w/e, but i'll try and pin some folks down about details on the other forum.......... Quote
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