It's Here - The BWPs vs. KTPs Review

[sempai]

Remember reviews are basically just personal opinions. What we like and don’t like is all subjective.

Ok, so here it is. First let me tell you about the kind of rider I am. I like to ride fast, carve tight, ride fakie, do butters, lay-it-over carves, and small jumps with my ass-kicker move. I’ve pulled a few 180s but never a 360. I don’t do park.

I rode the KTPs for the first time today, and I also rode the BWPs. I’d been on the BWPs a couple times before. I rode both sets of boards center mounted. The conditions were groomed packed powder with some slick hard-packed spots.

First up the BWPs

The good: They carve on a dime, getting on edge is practically effortless, they are light and feel like extensions of my feet, surprisingly fast and stable for sub 100cm boards, flex is perfect (in my book), easy to skate, float well and keep good speed on flats, great on groomers (Is there a board that isn't?) :), able to ride fakie and do butters (until the cows come home, whatever that means), can get through 2-3 inches of powder stashes by weighting the tails (anything deeper, well that would be tough). I love these boards!

The bad: The only thing for me would be that they aren’t powder hounds, but no boards that size are going to be.

The ugly: Some might say the graphics, but I think the graphics rock.

Now for the KTPs

The good: Width wasn’t a problem, very stable, can get up on edge (with some effort), do well on groomers, good speed and float on flats (perhaps slightly better than the BWPs), was able to skate just fine, able to do butters and ride fakie with no problem, didn’t experience the chatter others have mentioned.

The bad: Too much effort to get on edge (for this old man), though able to ride fakie and do butters; I felt nervous because of the extra width, boards stiffer than I prefer, didn’t get the edge hold I hoped for, my feet ached while riding (can’t explain why), no WOW factor for me.

The ugly: Because I wasn’t overly impressed, here I am with another set of boards for sale.

Summary: I’m sure the KTPs are great boards. They’re just not for me. I had to try them out and see what all the hype was about. I didn’t get the chance to ride them in powder and test there float. I would bet the extra inserts for setting the bindings back are a huge help with tackling the deep stuff. Nonetheless the BWPs give me everything I want in skiboards that size and are the best sub 100cm boards that I have ridden. With the Nomads a close second just nudging out the Tanshos because of their added stability with length. The Tanshos are just plain frickin’ fun, and the BWPs seem like a bigger more stable version of the Tanshos.

PM me if you are interested in buying the KTPs. They are virtually as good as new. I was out on them less than an hour and a half. I didn’t fall or do anything to put any scratches, dings, chips, or nicks in them. I’m including a brand new 100cm skiboards.com bag and clip leashes for the Bombers. The boards are what you see in this thread: http://www.skiboardsonline.com/vbulletin/upload/showthread.php?t=7343. I'll probably ask $400 for everything and may or may not throw in free shipping.

[valmorel]

Did you ever try the ALPs Sempai?

[CrazyBoy-1]

Interesting comparison. I haven't ridden BWP's, but I do have KTP's. They are definitely wide aggressive boards, and they can take some getting used to depending on what you're coming from. It's interesting that you mention your feet hurting. I noticed the same thing after riding my Condors the first time. I'm guessing the wider boards work your feet differently.

[anaesthetic]

how heavy are you? would put powder comments into context. i am 135lbs 5'3" and take bwps in at least foot deep pow.

[Karl]

I'm really interested to see what I think of my KTPs now. Hoping to get out this weekend. I wonder if I'll enjoy them having come straight from the Sun 83s which are almost the exact width? I'll let everyone know what happens.

[jjue]

Sempai , really sorry the KTP's didn't work out for you .. it is important to get as big a data base as possible on how different folks feel on different boards , maybe as Valmorel says , the ALP might be more to your liking if you are looking for something for powder but more manuverable then your 120 ..
certainly a bit more like the side cut of your 120 and the BWP then the wide bodied KTP..

[sempai]

Did you ever try the ALPs Sempai?Not yet. I want to try them next.

[sempai]

how heavy are you? would put powder comments into context. i am 135lbs 5'3" and take bwps in at least foot deep pow.5' 11" and about 180 lbs. all geared up.

[pinkkid]

Good stuff Sempai, thanks for your honest input on both boards!!
I'm bummed the KTP did not work out for you though, I was hoping they would. Oh well.

My ankles rather my feet got a work out on the KTP, but the longer I rode them, the easier things got. I am eager to really try good powder in them, if I'm not liking that ride, then they will be up for sale as well. Hard to compete with the BWP's in my book.

Glad width wasn't a problem, a slight misconception I feel about the KTP's, but then again the feet and ankle issue is probably because of the width???
Skating and butters are easy on the KTP's, I agree, for whatever reason easier than on the Rums. dunno.

Did you feel that the KTP was heavier, did you notice?? I did, but a solid and yes stiff board... more stiff than I prefer too and was hoping the '09 showed more flex, but I know you ahve riddent the '08 and probably don't care too now. But none the less, the KTP is a great board all in all!

I too LOVE the BWP's a perfect board for me in all areas for what snow conditions and riding style I see and do. No way I'll get rid of them, just waiting for new BWP graphics I like, so far the '07 graphics is it for me.

Again, sorry the KTP's did not work out but glad you got to try them! It's good to try all the different boards out to find the ones that truly do work for yourself.
Nice review.

Shelley

[sempai]

Did you feel that the KTP was heavier, did you notice?? I did, but a solid and yes stiff board... more stiff than I prefer too and was hoping the '09 showed more flex, but I know you ahve riddent the '08 and probably don't care too now. But none the less, the KTP is a great board all in all!
ShelleyThe KTPs definitely feel heavier, but it's not night and day from the BWPs.

[pinkkid]

The KTPs definitely feel heavier, but it's not night and day from the BWPs.

cool, that's what I thought too. There was something about the KTP's that felt like the BWP's... maybe the ease of butters and skating? Certainly not the flex!:D

[wjeong]

Sempai,

Thanks for the feedback. It really helps us to have of people buying boards just to try them out and moving on when they don't work for them. We need this feedback. I think it's definitely the width that's causing the feet pain. I really notice the extra effort on my ankles and feet to stay on edges on the wider boards. You sure you want to sell them so soon? You might want to try them in powder first. I would be curious what your thoughts are after riding powder with them.

Wendell

[sempai]

Sempai,

Thanks for the feedback. It really helps us to have of people buying boards just to try them out and moving on when they don't work for them. We need this feedback. I think it's definitely the width that's causing the feet pain. I really notice the extra effort on my ankles and feet to stay on edges on the wider boards. You sure you want to sell them so soon? You might want to try them in powder first. I would be curious what your thoughts are after riding powder with them.

WendellI need to sell them to get money for my next boards (ALPs). I don't think waiting to try them in powder will make me feel differently. I'd go to the 120s to ride powder when given the choice.

[SkaFreak]

Sempai, how well do your boots fit and how tight do you normally have them? Just from an engineering veiwpoint, I would be willing to bet that most of the problem of foot pain due to wide boards is a result of either poorly fitting boots or really really poor technique. Your boots should basically move as a solid unit with your lower leg, meaning most of the force to get the board up on edge should be from your ankle and lower leg pulling the boards over onto edge. If the boots don't fit well, it could be sliding which would result in your outer foot being crammed into the outside edge of the boot. This is all somewhat speculative, but I am curious

[sempai]

Sempai, how well do your boots fit and how tight do you normally have them? Just from an engineering veiwpoint, I would be willing to bet that most of the problem of foot pain due to wide boards is a result of either poorly fitting boots or really really poor technique. Your boots should basically move as a solid unit with your lower leg, meaning most of the force to get the board up on edge should be from your ankle and lower leg pulling the boards over onto edge. If the boots don't fit well, it could be sliding which would result in your outer foot being crammed into the outside edge of the boot. This is all somewhat speculative, but I am curiousI've worn them for years and never had any pain from riding other boards. As soon as I switched to the BWPs the pain went away.

[eldiablodenieve]

I am really amazed at the vast differences people experience with the KTPs. I had no problem going from shorter thinner boards to the KTP. I thought it was possibly a riding style thing as I ride really relaxed so I was suprised when Greco said he had a noticable difference going back to KTPs from rumspringas(he rides pretty relaxed IMO). As far as the pain thing I would venture that is is a fitness or a boot issue. Early season riding on a sports bike generally means sore wrists but by late season you can take long trips with out wrist fatigue. I imagine you are experiencing the same thing with the KTPs you are on a wider board that is putting you in a position you are not used to using muscles not regularly used. Unless it a boot issue where the position is actually uncomfortable due to boot fit. Just my 2 pennies worth.

[t21]

hey sempai, well ignore the question i just posted on the gear section about you selling your boards. too bad it did not work out for you. about your feet on pain, i guess its not the boot, just the much more effort you are putting your foot to work for you while riding the KTP. skating and butters is only about 20% of your riding while the rest is just bombing down trails,carving, cruising thru moguls,etc. so KTP it just not meant for you. again goodluck selling them and i'm sure it will be bought soon. BTW,your a team III rider??? how you do that? congrats though:)

[Greco]

so I was suprised when Greco said he had a noticable difference going back to KTPs from rumspringas(he rides pretty relaxed IMO). A

i noticed the difference, which i think you can't not, but it just took a run to adjust to and i never had any foot pain or anything and i rode them all day and the next.

g

[sempai]

BTW,your a team III rider??? how you do that? congrats though:)It's my understanding that anyone with some experience and advice can be a Team III Rider. I've been skiboarding for 10 years or more now and have owned and ridden over a dozen different types of boards. Go check out my user info. I've spent a small fortune buying and selling boards. With all the money I've given to SBOL, I deserve something in return. :) Greco threw me a bone and gave me Team III Rider status.

Not that this really matters much, but I was on sb.com's message board spewing out advice a couple years before joining here. I'm no expert by any means, but I know a few things. I'm always learning more and more from the real experts (you know who you are).

[eldiablodenieve]

i noticed the difference, which i think you can't not, but it just took a run to adjust to and i never had any foot pain or anything and i rode them all day and the next.

g

Yeah you definitely notice the difference in the boards just doesn't seem any harder. Of course could just be that it is negated by the joy of being on Revel 8s. Out of curiosity what do you plan on riding at Jay?

[eyesokman]

Here is a prediction Sempai................ the ALP will be YOUR board, closely followed by the 120. What took so long?

[sempai]

Here is a prediction Sempai................ the ALP will be YOUR board, closely followed by the 120. What took so long?I have a feeling you will be right. It seems that the gods aren't happy unless I burn money buying and selling, selling and buying. :)