tonyjwheeler

I'm selling a fantastic condition Nirvana Rodeo with a barely run-in engine (after rebuild by Nirvana dealer).  £2500 - an absolute bargain.

I'm open to offers.  It's sat in my garage ready for the season and not used since this advert.

Tony Wheeler

The empty Nitro 200 with electric start and clutch is a little over 20kgs.

On 8/14/2017 at 22:07, adamjedgar said:

What is the weight difference...i used to think i could go to a lighter unit but now i wonder if the problem is the engine weight rather than the nirvana equipment. 

Adam, 10 Kgs!  That is really quite noticeable.

I am selling my Rodeo.  Working perfectly and in great condition - just changed to a light paramotor (AC Nitro 200) - Interested?  See here: https://www.paramotorclub.org/topic/11160-nirvana-rodeo-for-sale-£3200-ono/

On 05/08/2017 at 00:29, adamjedgar said:

I have been wondering why Nirvana choose to use a 16.8 volt system?

Anyone ever looked into changing it over to 12v so it uses similar parts to motorcycles? I am not an autoelectrician, and although i have a bit of an idea, what would be involved in doing that?

You can actually use many parts with that voltage as it's often in the range of allowable voltages for the input.  I added a USB double socket for charging devices - that was a motorcycle part (wired to the battery connectors).

NIRVANA RODEO Simonini 200

Lots of photos and a video on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pcqYY5yu60

http://www.paradrenalin.com/shop/paramotors/rodeo/ - full spec here.

I am selling my barely run-in Nirvana Rodeo (Simonini 200) after buying a Nitro 200.  I am only changing from this great machine because I want something a little lighter.  This was bought new in June 2014 but has been mostly unused for 12 months in that time.  It’s in excellent condition.

I have now flown 20 hrs since a complete rebuild by the US Nirvana dealer (Ryan Shaw) and it runs perfectly.  There is only the usual wear and tear but that is minimal given the new prop, cage parts, fuel tank, and engine components.

A very high spec and high power machine with electric start, pull start, in-flight battery charging, Skyflar combination strobe (nearly new), 3-blade prop, full kit as new (see web page).  Easily dismantled and fits in the supplied cage and motor wheeled bag.

The engine is running perfectly and with the beautifully smooth 3-blade prop gives me 3 Ltrs per hour!  If you want power, electric start, and smooth quiet power then this is for you.

Please call if interested.  When next at the field I'll capture some video of the detail of my Rodeo and post on Youtube with a link here.

Tony Wheeler
Swindon (UK)
07904 125 756
 

The voltage used by the newer starter is the same - supplied by Nirvana.

5 hours ago, adamjedgar said:

I have a Nirvana Rodeo. Mine is the 200cc Simonini mini 2 plus engine. The Rodeo is a great paramotor unit, very high quality and comfortable. Thing to keep in mind, is that the Rodeo is high hang point (no weighshift). Its still a wonderful paramotor to fly and very reliable.

The downside the a unit like mine is the weight...200cc engines are very heavy (18.5 kg just the engine itself not including the paramotor frame and harness etc), all up flying weight for the Rodeo 200cc is about 35kg including fuel. It wouldnt make much difference what ppg unit you buy, most of the weight is in the engine, fuel, and reserve. 

Irrespective of all the marketing hype, if you want lightweight, you really do have to consider a small engine.

Adam,

I fly the Rodeo too of course and I am very happy with it .  The AC Nitro 200 is very light though.  The Rodeo is about 30kg with no fuel whereas the Nitro is just under 21kgs.  9Kg is a lot and I am sure will feel significantly different on my back.  I would miss the other Rodeo features though and I'm pretty sure that the Nirvana Simonini produces more thrust for less fuel burn too - but it's always about compromise and I am starting to favour a lighter model with slightly advancing years - and a desire to reduce the likelihood of injury with slightly less than ideal landings and aborted forwards at high speed (something that recently kept me off flying for over 2 weeks!)

I've also got the 3-blade prop, Skyflar strobe, big reserve, and a PPG Meter fitted - all adding to the all-up-weight - and all totally self-inflicted of course.  Throw in the GoPro, Icaro Rollbar helmet, camera, mobile phone, good boots, etc, etc, and I am probably carrying half my body weight in kit when fuelled up.

2 minutes ago, Hodders said:

Looks so light it's floating in the YouTube thumbnail !

That must be the new anti-gravity field generator..

17 hours ago, adamjedgar said:

hi guys, problem sorted.

Even though the NGK spark plug was producing spark when testing, i purchased a new plug at my next opportunity (actually got 2 of them NGK BR9ES and NGK BR10ES). When i connected the plug up i initially thought, oh crap now it has got no spark (i couldnt see a thing)...however i figured that perhaps its just very difficult to see a very light coloured spark on the background of a brand new plug and inserted the BR9ES plug into the unit and hit the starter (its winter time here so i went for the slightly hotter plug as my old plug is tending to run the engine a little black which perhaps may be why i only got 100 hours out of the old plug?)

 

I run 50:1 synthetic (Motul)

My carby settings are usually pretty much factory on the low and a leaner than factory on the high speed as the engine misfires at lower rpm settings in the air when i leave high speed at factory settings. I suspect this is because i fly in a relatively warm climate and at sea level + 2000ft most of the time?

 

Because i am only flying the 25 mtr Dudek Universal wing, i dont really use high power settings at cruise very much at all...mostly 1/3 throttle with trimmers closed and perhaps  1/2 throttle trimmers open. Because prior to this point i havent regularly undertaken long distance xc work...i dont fly with trimmers right out for very long or very much...I am mainly down very low scooting around with trimmers shut as i dont feel its particularly safe to fly low to ground with trimmers out more than about 1/3 at this point in my motoring experience.  I have 100 hours motoring, on the Universal, and also have an additional 400 hours free flying of which the last 100 hours is flying an Icepeak 6 - 2 liner competition wing..

 

Anyway, after installing the new plug into the Rodeo, she "cold" fired up instantly without even so much as a peep of priming. 

Adam,

Great to hear it's ok now - but do beware of using the wrong plug.  Did you look at the YouTube video link?  It seemed to me that your prop rotation speed was slower than it should be regardless of the plug issue.  In my video you'll see the difference changing the starter motor made - huge increase in rotation speed on the same battery with no charge.

My Nirvana Rodeo?  I am thinking of selling for a new motor.  Contact me if interested - not advertised yet.  Perfect working with only around 15 hrs since rebuild.

Adam,

I fly the the Rodeo too.  Take a look at my YouTube video here:  https://youtu.be/IY_muQ8XUEE - shows a possible solution!

I've had what sounds to be exactly the same issue.  I thought it a battery issue - mainly because I flew with plenty of other Rodeo flyers and their props rotated much faster when starting than mine.  So I charged the battery and no change - I used their battery and no change!  So the issue had to be the starter.

I agree that the Rodeo is a pig to pull start!  Clearly not optimise for pull starts - but then it's only needed in an emergency.

I spoke with Ryan Shaw (US Nirvana importer - I was in the US in Florida then) and advised it might be the starter.  He recommended the better quality starter fitted to the Instinct - I bought that and the problem went and has not reappeared.  I am on the same battery from new and that is now 3 years plus old.

It looks to me like the starter motor is your problem - I see you are in Australia so if parts are an issue then maybe you can source the starter elsewhere?  The one I have now is apparently Japanese made.

Regards

Tony Wheeler

Steve, Thanks. Ive tried chest mounting the GoPro and find I get tilted views as I lean during flight. Cameras on the helmet suffer from rapid head movement (whilst I'm looking out) but at least you tend naturally to level your head even if the cage is slightly off vertical in flight.

I assume any good system with a stabilising capability also levels itself as a setting you make - this would overcome the chest-mount problem that I've found to date.

The Osmo seems a good bit of kit and I'd imagine using it off the Paramotors too for quality stabilised video.

Tony

Steve & Notch - thank you.

I dislike the idea of having anything much bigger than my GoPro mounted to the helmet top - especially with reverse launches. Of course the advantage of the helmet mounted option is that you can look towards items of interest and know they are being captured in the video.

The Z-1 Rider seems to have mixed reviews - do you need to run a lead from the helmet to the battery pack/controller?

I agree (Steve) that it could be held like an SLR but I would love to capture some of the manoeuvring flight and be able to control the wing whilst filming - that tends to exclude hand holding anything.

Clearly helmet mounting the DJI OSMO (in it's current set-up) is a none-starter. But I wondered if it could somehow be chest-mounted. That would allow airborne capture without obstructing lines etc and also provide a great hand-held option for both air and ground use = more flexibility and cost benefits.

It will be good to see how they develop this OSMO idea - will they further modularise it so that it might even become helmet mountable I wonder...

Tony

Does anyone think think might lend itself to Paramotor flying - airborne use?

Clearly it's not a helmet mount (yet) beacause of size but I wonder if you could somehow chest mount it, or get it out on a selt-stick/pole looking back at you?

All thoughts welcome.

Tony

My first post on here - and a great resource BTW.

I've now got about 60-70 hrs under my belt here in Florida flying the Nirvana Rodeo and MacPara Muse 3 wing - a great combination . I'm having a great time and now looking to move to a faster and more manoeuvrable wing. I tend towards throwing it around and enjoy low flying, tight pattern touch and goes, and turning tight etc.

I've read many of the comments here and know there's a lot to consider. I find the Rodeo a great Paramotor but I now find the wing rather slow and the roll rate a little low for me. I am a 55 yr old RAF pilot (ex F4s) and fixed wing instructor - but building my PPG experience..

So I am ready for something better but is the Paramania GTR 22m too much, would the Dudek Nucleon WRC 23m be OK, or should I hold-back? I also like the sound of the GTX too. I'd welcome views. I have an offer of a GTR 22m for only $3130 new - and it sounds very tempting and ready for collection at Beach Blast very soon. I know it would be 'twitchy' when compared with the Muse 3 but I enjoy active flying and long distance cruising is not yet for me.

I post videos of my flying here to YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMA3WszG0ZrQN6whjNG6uQg/videos) and this will give an idea of my skill level. Advice here ranges from the Nucleon to the GTR and I have offers of being able to test both (a 23m Nucleon and a 24m GTR) so I will certainly do so.

I look forward to the advice. I know there's lots here already but new wings are coming out all the time, technology is maturing (as is an appreciation for reflex!), and the offer of a GTR at $3130 (incl) very tempting indeed...

Regards

Tony