Best Kiteboarding Nemesis HP 12m 2008
Reviews / Kites
55,300
At a Glance
For 2008 the long standing Nemesis kite, which has been a feature of their range since they started, gets a major makeover. This year the design is an SLE hybrid affair using their new VP2 leading edge bridal. The new bridal uses a dual pulley system to ensure maximum depower can be reached with minimal bar input. The clever thing is that all of this is done at the kite end so you don’t need a 2:1 bar set up. This means you get the benefit of a 2:1 bar, without the drawbacks of slow and sluggish turning. The other immediately noticeable thing about the Nemesis HP is the Cuben Fiber leading edge. Best have been using Cuben Fiber on their Pro Model kites for a while now and it does some strength and rigidity benefits in a section of the kite that needs to be as solid as possible. By using the fabric here it also has allowed Best to put a very small diameter leading edge on the kite. This will aid the aerodynamics and also help the kite to fly further forward in the window aiding its upwind capabilities. One last thing to mention are the tuning points on the wingtips. You have three options to set the kite up how you want, allowing for faster or slower turning speeds and lighter and heavier bar pressures. So however you like to ride you should find a setting on the Nemesis to suit you.
In the Air
Once in the air the kite delivers a good solid pull to the rider, the Nemesis is very well behaved and stable and the kite feels extremely well balanced. The bar pressure is enough to let you know where the kite is at all times, yet not to heavy to be overbearing. The thin leading edge help the kite in two main areas, first up it is quick, very fast through the sky both in a straight line and in the turn. Put some input into the bar and the kite turns with a solid impressive arc that delivers plenty of pull for freestyle junkies to put a smile on their faces. Secondly the kite has some very impressive upwind performance, when powered up it really attacks the edge of the window and allows you to point really high with ease. The top end range of the kite is also impressive and it is definitely happy when the wind is stronger. Although the low end is good, it isn’t as impressive as some others, but then generally where a kite lacks low end it has high end so no major grumble there. Relaunching is also simple and easy as you would expect from any modern hybrid style kite. Jumping is good and the kite will certainly impress in the right hands, it delivers a really floaty jump and the direct steering make it easy to redirect and land.
For
Solid and stable, good rider feedback on the bar, excellent hangtime and impressive freestyle capabilities.
Against
Lacks a little low end grunt.
Overall
A really easy to use kite from Best, lots of fun to ride and some impressive performance to be had.
This review was in Issue 6 of IKSURFMAG.
For more information visit Best KiteboardingRelated
By Rou Chater
Rou has been kiting since the sports inception and has been working as an editor and tester for magazines since 2004. He started IKSURFMAG with his brother in 2006 and has tested hundreds of different kites and travelled all over the world to kitesurf. He's a walking encyclopedia of all things kite and is just as passionate about the sport today as he was when he first started!
