2010 Flexfoil Kite Buggy: First Impressions

[Cooleyes12]

Specifications
Name: 2010 Flexfoil Buggy
Manufacturer: ExtremeKites Germany
Weight: 29 lbs.
Options: Mud Guard, Foam Side Rails

After 2 weeks of use (over 100 miles), I thought that I would share my new found enjoyment of the 2010 Flexfoil Racing Kite Buggy. The name says exactly what it is, a full grown racing machine.

I first saw one on Borkum in September at the European Championships, I was very impressed and after a week of racing on Euro Beaches in My small (normal size) Predator Buggy, being out classed by the bigger, heavier buggies that the majority of people were using, I was determined to own one. Upon my return I was straight in touch with the Flexifoil manufacturer who said that they would get one in the Post from Germany that day, and that I could try it out for a while.

"Impressed" well that is a bit of an understatement, I have had a new lease of life injected in to my Obsession for Kite Traction. The Flexfoil guys have pretty much thought of everything whilst designing the "Full Race", the foot rests are adjustable into 4 different positions (up, down, forward or towards the pilot). The seat (more like a chair) is by far the most comfortable that I have ever buggied in. The thing that really rounds the buggy off is the fully adjustable Camber & Toe in/out. This together with the overall size and weight of the Flexfoil is what really makes the difference whilst traveling at speed.

My normal test in any buggy is first a 360 followed by an Axle Stand, then just give it hell !!!!! The 360 was not a problem surprisingly, considering the increase in size from my Predator Buggy with a standard 1m axle (which freestyles like a thing possessed) , it seemed to slide round very controllably with no problem at all, in fact, it felt "very" safe indeed. The high (padded) side rails & seat really support you well, and install you with confidence. Those dodgy bits of the beach where people have been digging for worms or kids trying to bury their father in the sand the previous day (the cause of many a wipe-out), are know much less a concern, and we all know how quickly they suddenly appear in your path (Too Soon !!)

As for the axle stand, well, this buggy has a 1.35m axle, I have to say that it don't wanna do it ! What I mean is that this is the hardest buggy to get on 2 wheels that I have ever tried, but with al lot of effort it will eventually go. This buggy wants to stay reassuringly on the ground. I have given it hell ever since, and will continue to do so as "The Full Race ......LOVES IT !!........And does it so well.

The whole Flexfoil Buggy experience is certainly one to recommend, the handling inspires you to buggy from "Dawn till Dusk" in the knowledge that you will drive home in high spirit, & in one piece, whatever the weather.
Since I took delivery from the Flexifoil guys, I have caused a bit of a stir on the local Beaches in Kent & last week at "The Last Gasp". I have never seen so many grown ups standing in a line shouting "me next" (contrary to rumours).
The beaches of Kent have certainly undergone a German Invasion since their introduction into the UK 2 weeks ago, and I am sure that they will be warmly welcomed by many more pilots here in the UK.
WARNING : If you get one, you will have to share it with everyone in the queue.

[joey128]

Thanks for the review and I can not disagree.

If ever I was to sit down and design a kite buggy which had good balance coupled with a rigid chassis and scope for upgrading, I feel like I would end up with something not too dissimilar to the Flexfoil, by that I mean it is difficult to improve on this basic design. In practice any design of this nature is going to be about how long it stays good!

Before I bought mine I had a go on just a 2006 Flexfoil and a couple of Peter Lynn's. With my budget being what it was at the time I figured pretty soon that the extra money (over $900) spent on the 2010 Flexfoil would pay dividends, even before sitting in one. From a construction point of view, it was clear that, in my view, the Flexfoil was far superior to the PL's. Generous overall size coupled with joints that allow all around welding were clear to see.

The seat is a very well stitched tough fabric with a backrest at a height which suits me well for trick buggying, which is fitted with a removable stiffener retained by a Velcro flap. There is virtually no adjustment in the seat though, but I have had virtually no reason to adjust the seat apart from when a wide axle was fitted! The footrests have turned up ends, which prevent your feet from sliding off, and provide some ground clearance when you're up on two wheels.

The buggy is made from polished stock Stainless Steel tubing, and the only re-polishing that has been carried out is to remove the surface discoloring after welding. In most places this means that the welded areas are shinier than the rest.

Where the side rails meet the down tube they are terminated in plates with folded top and bottom edges which comply reasonably well around the square section to which they fit. The seat is very well stitched with no loose threads. Wheels are standard fayre. Robust, tough, basic mouldings fitted with 'barrow' tyres and inner tubes provide simple and proven contact with the ground.

Assembly of these is straightforward. The supplied instructions are very well laid out with quality photographs showing how it all goes together. The fitment of the seat is a bit of a challenge as it is important that the straps are all in the right place before the fitting of the rear axle, otherwise disassembly is needed to correct it all. The rearmost seat straps are fitted via a double wrap around the side rails, then routing to the back axle, and it is here that the instructions need to be closely looked at. Many times I have seen misassembled straps on other buggies. I found that the loose ends of the straps once tensioned on the buckles can be wrapped and tucked it in a neat manner to stop things flapping about.

In conclusion then the Flexfoil buggy is a solid machine, which has proved itself over a serious battering during the first year of use. As I said, it is difficult to think of any ways of improving this fundamental design.

So hats of to Extreme Kites for a sound product, which has become a firm favorite.