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RRD FIREMOVE V2 LTD 140L 2016 TEST REVIEW

Stats Price E-Tech £1158 - Wood £1457 - LTD £1793 Volume (L) 140 (quoted) Weight (Kg) 9.2 (naked, quoted) Length (cm) 238 Width (cm) 90 Fin MFC Liquid Pro G10 48cm (Power) Construction Limited

 RRD Firemove V2 140 480px

RRD FIREMOVE V2 LTD 140L 2016 TEST REVIEW

THE LOW-DOWN
The design of the Firemove 140 has remained in the RRD range for some years now, being introduced way back in 2011, the brand’s 16th year. The widest in the group at 90cm, it has a subtle dome to its deck throughout and plenty of volume in its chunky tail. Its rocker-line is quite distinct, with easily the longest rocker-flat in the group, before kicking in the nose and curiously in the tail as well – unique for a board of this size. There is a wealth of footstrap options available, (all placed relatively inboard, particularly the front strap positions), and comes complete with RRD’s favoured Da Kine straps and an MFC fin.

BRAND CLAIM
“The Firemove concept is based on an oversized middle width, an extra reduced volume thickness and rail shape, combined with a very long flat section scoop rocker line. An impossible combination for most at first, a real innovation for all after testing this magic breed of board shapes … The wide body of these new shapes allows better planing capacity by keeping a relatively short compact shape. Rig a wave sail and you can still plane quickly and manoeuvre like on a freestyle wave board, use a freeride or a two cam sail, and off you go. Full blast at top speed, keeping the same track of those freeriders around you.”

PERFORMANCE
With such width, it is not surprising that the Firemove is incredibly balanced and easy underfoot. It is a big disc – short yet wide and capable of carrying weight effortlessly. It does take more persuasion than some others in the group to release, turning it off the wind and shifting weight back on the board to drive the power into it. Accelerating progressively, it is easy to find the straps, the ride comfortable and forgiving whilst encouraging the rider into an upright stance over the board. As the wind increased and we loaded the board with an efficient sail, we did find the fin begin to falter, spinning out more often than expected, particularly when pointing high to the wind. Changing the fin to a different model did alleviate the issue, but didn’t completely annul it, leading us to believe the Firemove is more suited to comfortable freeride cruising rather than high end blasting. It certainly feels its size, providing a safe and dependable platform for the progressing rider. In the gybe, the 140 cuts a smooth and predictable path through the water, the wide tail requiring a positive step over, whilst the volume offers the support to mask over any clumsy footwork. Stamp or drive hard and the board responds, carrying its speed as it glides freely through the turn. It really does flatter the rider, rewarding positive input with secure crisp cornering, and the volume to support any mistiming.

THE VERDICT
The Firemove 140 is a large stable platform, best suited for easy cruising over large distances before responding to positive carving styles with smooth glide and hassle free exits.

www.robertoriccidesigns.com


Other boards in this test:

FANATIC GECKO 146

JP MAGIC RIDE 142

RRD FIREMOVE 140

STARBOARD ATOM IQ 140

TABOU ROCKET WIDE 138

 


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