Best Nemesis NXG (2010)

AT A GLANCE

For 2010, Best have given the Nemesis a fresh new took with all the kites coming in an almost complete white colour. The older HP Nemesis was a high aspect SLE, pretty much designed with boosting in mind, whilst the new NXG has been given a deep more C-shape like design canopy for extra grunt and low end power. The reason behind this is to give the kite better wake style performance, quicker turning speed and better board loading ability. The Nemesis has a very skinny, aerodynamic leading edge that still features Twister Tech design which allows more of the kite to be used to steer as opposed to just the tips. The VP3 bridal gives maximum depower for a small amount of bar travel up the depower line. All five struts which inflate through a one-pump system, have been given a kevlar wrap style joint to attach them to the leading edge ensuring a strong rigid construction. The LE bridal attachment reinforcement points have been hidden out of the way on the inside of the leading edge to avoid any raised points that might be prone to wear. The leading edge has been triple stitched from tip to tip to give bombproof strength. Overall they have taken their performance SLE and made it more C-shaped to aid in its low end wake style performance as well as re-stitching, triple stitching and making everything as strong as possible.

THE BAR

Best have finally finished their new kite bar that can work across the whole kite range. The new bar comes as standard on 20m lines, but for a better low end from your kite and improved hang time Best are producing an upgraded extension line set. The bar still features a double pull down depower strap for adjusting kite trim on the go, and the chicken loop line is made up of two centre lines with a slide down stopper to adjust and set bar travel on the fly. Best have scrapped the line swivel on top of the depower strap and stuck a swivel within their all-new chicken loop. The new loop has a locking pin situated on top to lock the loop out straight for easy entry and exit when riding unhooked. The quick release is very sensitive and can release with ease under any amount of pressure. The leash system works on a false fifth line that travels through the middle of the chicken loop and up on to the two front lines, for complete safety and depower the new bar still has re-ride rings on both outside lines with grab handles.

IN THE AIR

Grabbing hold of the Nemesis had me prepared for a punchy, quick and aggressive session that I was used to from the old HP. Instead I had a reasonably well-mannered machine that wasn't trying to run away with me every time I picked up some extra board speed. The NXG was slower travelling through the wind window than its predecessor but with this steady, lower, more controllable kite speed came some extra grunt you could edge against to create extra power and drive. The extra grunt has the kite flying closer to the water using the rail of the board to control the power like you would on a C-shape, but when push comes to shove leaning forwards to add some extra bar throw tilts the kite forward enough to kill any unwanted low down raw power. Even though the kites forward travelling speed has been slowed down, the turning speed has been turned up and the kite spins quicker on a smaller circumference making the rider able to point the kite where they want, when they want. Be careful when really cranking the bar not to hang on too hard on the rear lines in light winds or you will find the kite wanting to stall. With a little front line pressure and enough wind travelling over the canopy the kite will keep turning and climbing through the wind like you wish it to. With less bar pressure from the new bridal layout and a faster responding kite the Nemesis still can, and does, boost very well. However, with this boosting ability comes a kite you can lock down low and use its grunt to create pop from your board. Water re-launch is pretty much automatic, so recovering from any bad crashes we normally associate from a performance machine, is made just that little bit easier.

FOR
An advanced rider who wants a kite that can depower but also boost when the wind is pumping as well as being able to perform technical freestyle tricks when they want to really mix it up. For a rider who goes everywhere, and does everything on a performance competition kite.

AGAINST
The Nemesis isn't for the less experienced rider who needs a kite to fly itself. The Nemesis likes a nice amount of input on the rear, and front line tensions need to be in tune to be able to use this kites full potential.

OVERALL
A durable, well-built performance kite with plenty of added grunt compared to last years Nemesis. This kite will keep the best of riders exited with heaps of boosting and popping potential. Plenty of leading edge pressure is recommended to keep the kite flying at its full capability, but once tuned in to its turning and flying characteristics, the kites aptitude is endless. A real kite flyers kite.

The Nemesis series has long since been the high end performer in the Best range, with last year’s HP version offering huge air and hangtime and speed for big surf days. For 2010, Best have made the NXG even more C shaped and freestyle orientated so that the kite will appeal to more serious freestylers.

The bar supplied with the NXG comes loaded with features but managers to keep itself simple by the absence of a mini 5th line; instead leashing options are rear line flag out, suicide, or bypass. Bypass is where the leash attaches to the depower rope that then doubles up when you hit the safety. The QR is smooth and well made, but you’ll need to practise it a couple of times before you’re reassembling it blind in the water as it requires precise relocation.

The leading edge is still remarkably thin stood next to other kites, and the struts are likewise slender. All Nemi’s this year come with an external one pump and it gave us no trouble in getting the kite into a smooth, crinkle free frame. The leading edge is super reinforced with Cuben Fibre and thick stiffening seams and the VPC bridle is simpler this year using just two pulleys per side and guiding rings rather than last year’s three.

The new C shape and upright stance of the Nemesis NXG is instantly noticeable the moment you launch. The handling felt fantastic; very fast and responsive when you crank the bar, but not twitchy and the kite is super smooth as it turns around the wingtip. It’s also quick through the air but doesn’t shed power too quickly when you unhook and load up against it. It’s clear the NXG leans more towards the unhooking and freestyle side of things rather than old school big air freestyle, as a bit of the upwind ability from last year has gone. However, the 9m certainly has better low end than last year’s and even in light wind the NXG’s fast, kicking kiteloop makes its presence felt.

The bar when setup on the suicide system is naturally very easy to collect but we found the bypass system would be excellent for people getting into freestyle. The kite completely depowers but the thick depower rope is short enough not to tangle and the system is very quick to reset. The NXG relaunches pretty easy too, peeling itself lightly from the water.

The rear line attachments give Best’s usual turning speed options, but we found the AA – fastest setting – was superb. The NGX’s fast, light handling is not twitchy but when you crank the bar you can put the kite anywhere you want; this nimble kite is also very well suited to surf and throwing the kite around as you scream into cutbacks and powered turns. The bar system is tried and tested and offers an uncluttered solution to let you use the NXG’s full wind range and fly it unhooked without any hassle.

We think this kite would provide immense fun for lovers of staples surfing in light winds through to strapped shredding when stacked. Twin tip riders will get a big kick out of kiteloops and punchy delivery of this smooth flying, light handling kite, and it should inspire confidence for anyone wanting to try unhooked and more power based moves. The Nemesis NXG identifies its target audience and goes after them with excellent results.

The first backroll kiteloop I threw on the new NXG I initiated just like normal… that is until the kite launched me about twice as high and twice as far than what any other kite on the market would have done. What’s the best part about it? Super soft landings… the kite will catch you every time!

What makes the kite so much better? Best changed the overall shape of the kite. The NXG is quite literally the next generation, taking the Nemesis to an entirely different level. The kite has more a dedicated “C-kite” shape, allowing the NXG to initiate turns quickly and loop insanely tight!

Unhooking on the Nemesis NXG felt like you were being pulled behind a boat! The kites power felt smooth and continuous unhooked, leaving the rider feeling in control and confident when going into that next trick!

The new VP3 bridle compliments the NXG’s new profile, keeping a tight bridle that won’t allow the bridle lines to catch the kites wingtip; while at the same time giving the NXG insane stability in gusty conditions! The best part about the new bridle is how the kite is almost always perfectly tuned!! Whether you’re going out really underpowered on the fast turning setting or working on a new trick with the slower turning speed, the kite always feels perfectly powered and tuned! This kite has got a sick range!

REAL’s team of riders and coaches has been stoked on the new NXG. The Best Waroo is one of the most popular kites to be used by the REAL lesson center, but the NXG is the new kite of choice for when the REAL Coaching Staff rides after work. The reason? The 2010 NXG is all about performance and that’s what the best riders want!