Kahalani dead spot?

**gavmck** · 07-07-2009 08:48 AM

So I've been thinking about getting some kahalani trucks for a good year at least now, weighing up the ole pros and cons. I ride 42 degree Randal 180s at the moment so I figure the Kahas should feel at least similar... But hopefully my bearings will line up better!

Anyways, recently, I've been hearing about this 'dead spot' they apparently have in the middle where there's no turn, then you lean a bit more and BAM it's like full lock, turn crazy madness.

Could anyone elaborate? I think it feels a bit like that on my Randal 42s so as long as it's similar that should be ok.

Also wondering what the lean is like, I quite like the way I can really crank my randals over for tasty standup sliding times.

And finally, I think these will be mounted on a custom deck, 1.25" drop at the front, 0.75" drop at the back with 72mm wheels. Too low?

While we're here I might as well ask if anyone has an axle height measurement for em compared to 42 degree Randals.

Mmmm pershishuns!

Thanks for your time fishies.

**krebhorn** · 07-07-2009 08:50 AM

i applaud you for having coherent questions about precision trucks... and not a statement like... wHiCh OnE iS tEh BeSt FoR sLiDiNg?

i'm also interested in the answers to these questions...

**longboardertwan** · 07-07-2009 08:58 AM

they have a little dead spot but it went away when i put venoms in and cranked them enough so it wasn't floppy loose but just below. I can do standers on mine topmounted no problem. In terms of them being dropped, i've ridden them on a nemesis before and they rode well on that but that's not a very big drop.

**Abel** · 07-07-2009 09:04 AM

i bought mine because i had the cash and i needed stable turny trucks, not looked back once since then. super trucks, just change bushings and you can use them for pretty much evrything. the deadspot you are talking about is somewhat true, like they are so friggin low you have to put leverage on them to turn in a bit different way, but by no means would i call that a dead spot, just turns differently! oh and i have mine on a topmount so thats the only thing i can relate to, its sex.
the axles on these things are ultra precise, i was astonished at first what precision axles really can do, i could put wheels on there with dirty bearings that wont spin at all on other trucks (indy/paris etc) but on the kahas they spin just fine! hope this helps, im in a bit of a hurry.

**Blix** · 07-07-2009 09:05 AM

I have never experienced anything even resembling a dead spot in my Kahas, they are very very direct and responsive.
I think I have read about the dead spot once, it was referring to using them dropped through. No such thing happens when topmounted. Are you thinking 184mm or 204mm? My 204mm's are harder to standup slide as it grippier and not as "quick" but it's doeable for sure, 184m will be easier to whip around. Personally I think they shine on a topmount, but they were awesome on a slightly dropped deck as the Rogers Bros Asym as well.

**jaxxstatic** · 07-07-2009 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by Blix

I think I have read about the dead spot once, it was referring to using them dropped through. No such thing happens when topmounted.

I wrote about the "dead spot" dropped-through, but Blix is totally right. There's nothing of the sort when topmounted. If you want to rock a topmount, Kahalanis are sick. They even feel good on a dropped board like a Niko, and I hear people really like them on a Nemesis.

**gavmck** · 07-07-2009 09:28 AM

Wow cheers guys, that's a lot of fast tasty responses.

Another question, how do they respond to wedging? The deck I'm getting made will have a 10 degree front wedge.

No dropthrough though so that sounds ok. Yay for no dead spots! These do sound more and more like a perfect truck to me...

Oh and I'll be getting the 184s, after trying some 219 trackers and finding my foot hitting the wheel a lot when pushing, I think 180ish is the perfect width for me.

**BOMB SQUAD** · 07-07-2009 09:30 AM

Kahas are the ####!!!! Love them and will always own a set

**Hanael** · 07-07-2009 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by gavmck

Wow cheers guys, that's a lot of fast tasty responses.

Another question, how do they respond to wedging? The deck I'm getting made will have a 10 degree front wedge.

No dropthrough though so that sounds ok. Yay for no dead spots! These do sound more and more like a perfect truck to me...

Oh and I'll be getting the 184s, after trying some 219 trackers and finding my foot hitting the wheel a lot when pushing, I think 180ish is the perfect width for me.

they feel retarded when wedged.
....well, i wedged them to 55 deg...so that's probably why.

try it for yourself, if you don't like it, dewedge the nose a bit.

**Longbord1** · 07-07-2009 11:01 AM

Dead spot might occur if your bushings are popping out and stuff.

Never had a problem here.

**jaxxstatic** · 07-07-2009 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by gavmck

Another question, how do they respond to wedging? The deck I'm getting made will have a 10 degree front wedge.

Niko board has a 8* wedge, and like I said, it felt great on that board.
I dunno about any larger wedge than that, though.

**gavmck** · 07-08-2009 02:09 AM

Hmmm sounds like I'll have em wedged to 55 degrees... I wonder how the feel compares to a Randal 42 wedged to 59 degrees which I currently have on the chinook... Guess I can dewedge eh? Seeing as the board will already have forward rake...

**bpz** · 07-08-2009 08:31 AM

All I can say is they don't really feel like R2 42*'s at all. The geometry is much different. The Kaha's have more of a direct steer, less lean - probably because they're at 45*. They also lean in a different way and then don't tip - probably because they're 204mm wide.

Basically, don't expect the two sets of trucks to feel similar because they won't, you might end up disappointed.

**gavmck** · 07-08-2009 08:55 AM

Kaha's have more of a direct steer, less lean - probably because they're at 45*. They also lean in a different way and then don't tip - probably because they're 204mm wide.

That sounds good to me! I need a little less lean cos I'm getting railbite on the bushings I want to run.

As far as the 204 thing goes I'm gonna order the 184mm ones cos 200mm+ trucks are too big for my likings.

**gavmck** · 07-09-2009 07:11 AM

Bump for some bonus comparisons?

**grimble** · 07-09-2009 07:38 AM

i used to ride them dropped through.
i probably used them most for speedy carving, fun times.

they were a bit floppy at low speeds (so that might be this dead spot of which you speak?¿!)
but at speed (what you will be wanting them for) they were funfunfun.
anyway that was probably due to how i had them set up - the bushing will determine quite a lot of how they act, no?

i say they were floppy, but it was possible to really pump them too, so that says something about their capabilities and versatility.

when i've earned more money i will get a set again, quality product.

as for them being wedged and dropped down i remember reading (when i researched getting them) that frederick lindstrom had a set on his deck.
he doesn't do too badly

hope this helps somehow, it'll be money well spent.

**jaxxstatic** · 07-09-2009 07:50 AM

I think you'd like Kookys. 42* baseplate. I run them on a Niko (so that ends up being 50 front 42 back with the wedge up front) and it's really really fun. They're also Randal bp compatible, so you can mess with whatever degree baseplate combos you like. I used to have a set of jimz plates, and a 35* rear with a Kooky baseplate up front was really nice at speed. You could just use all Randal plates and save money, too.

**gavmck** · 07-09-2009 08:09 AM

Hmmm Kooky's indeed, they are the only other CNC truck that has really appealed to me.
I have heard good things about them though... Price tag is a little higher I think...

Hoo hoo hoo maybe for the NEXT set :o

**jaxxstatic** · 07-09-2009 08:13 AM

Originally Posted by gavmck

Hmmm Kooky's indeed, they are the only other CNC truck that has really appealed to me.
I have heard good things about them though... Price tag is a little higher I think...

Hoo hoo hoo maybe for the NEXT set :o

If you bought only hangers it would be way cheaper actually. And if you bought a whole set, I think it comes out to nearly the same price as Kahas. I'd pm Kooky or shoot him an email.

**gavmck** · 07-09-2009 08:19 AM

Hmmm interesting... I'm in Europe though, makes the kahas a little cheaper I think? And I'd be wanting a full set, no more bloody misdrilled baseplates for me! Everything must work perfectly...

Maybe I'll bust a PM to Mr Kooky