I don't hear about the k90 that much anymore =/

[DjordjeRosic]

Recently, as I've been looking at this section to see what useful opinions and info I could collect about the K90, i haven't been able to find anything, has this racket lost its popularity/people tired of it/ or was it never that interesting of a frame to begin with?

Well so thats why I've decided to start this in hopes of gathering some pros/cons on this stick. I personally have demoed this stick twice, but both times the racket never had its original leather grip on, but was rather replaced with some synthetic one, so my question is does the leather grip cause a dramatic weight shift in headlight balance, or create a more solid feel....(also overall opinions on the stick are much appreciated)

Thanks for looking!

-Djordje

[theZig]

The talk has died because the conclusion has been reached; it's a great racket that does everything well, so provided you can wield it. That is basically the only thing you can say about it. So long as you're good/strong enough to use it, it will perform well on ANY shot.

[VGP]

yooz da sertch funk shun

[DjordjeRosic]

Originally Posted by VGP

yooz da sertch funk shun

I laughed really hard at that, eh .
But the second question regarding the leather grip, a quick answer would suffice, after that this thread shall die =D

-Djordje

[corners]

Sure, removing the leather grip is going to change the balance and static weight some; how much depends on what you replace it with. But we're talking a change of 10 grams and 2 balance points - so it's not like it's a totally different frame without leather.

It feels better in my hand with leather + overgrip, but I play it with just one overgrip over the bare pallet. I don't like the feel as much like this but I needed a smaller grip than Wilson offers.

Previous poster is correct: consensus of this board is that the stick is superb, providing you can wield it. I'm pretty short and not getting any younger so I switched from US to Asian K90. Of course I lost the fabulous stability and plowthrough of the US version, but if you can't swing it fast enough the extra weight isn't helping anyway. If you're in that boat then the AK90 is an option. Same great ball feel, which can't be beat - but then I grew up playing a Pro Staff, so I'm biased.

If you think you can handle the weight and swingweight definitely do some more demo, or get hold of a used one for cheap and give her a go.

[lightning.lu10]

The leather grip hurt my hand because it was rock hard.

[adams_1]

Originally Posted by lightning.lu10

The leather grip hurt my hand because it was rock hard.

Girly man!

I kid, I kid. Leather is an acquired taste, it would seem.

[markwillplay]

I played it for a short time and my game was not good enough. I played great at times and missed too many shots against people who were really hitting hard and as good or better than I was. Sweetspot just too small for me and when I was a little late, it absolutely punished me. If I played someone who did not hit hard and was below my levl, I looked like a king....played a tournament against other strong 4.0's and it showed me that I am not consistant enough with my technique to use it. At 39 I ain't getting any younger and it was just too demanding. Switched to the 002 tourn and my game immediately went up a lever...no kidding. Spo;lit sets with a STRONG 4.5 player yesterday and I know I could have never done that with the k90. But if you have the game for it, it will do what you tell it to in spaids.

I had a 5.0 college coach hit with mine and when he said "man I would have to be really on all the time to play with this stick" it really rang true.

I don't think you can really tell about a stick until you play competition that is just slightly above your level. People that push you to play your best...that is when you can really see if you can handle a stick or not. that is not to say you can't get better or adjust with time, but for me the k90 was too far away.

[Dgpsx7]

Originally Posted by theZig

The talk has died because the conclusion has been reached; it's a great racket that does everything well, so provided you can wield it. That is basically the only thing you can say about it. So long as you're good/strong enough to use it, it will perform well on ANY shot.

True, true. The K90 is sick.

[projoe]

is it similar play wise to the ps88?

[vndesu]

the kps88 and k90 are different.
kps is heavier and is a lot more demanding compared to the k90.
but other than that both are still solid sticks and i love them both.

[jasonbourne]

Originally Posted by projoe

is it similar play wise to the ps88?

Similar in you can produce similar shots, but also different where you can add more shot variety to your game with PS88.
The PS88 is heftier than the USK90 with improved balance and feel IMO. These improvements allowed me to increase the variety of shots I can produce.

[klementine79]

Originally Posted by markwillplay

I played it for a short time and my game was not good enough. I played great at times and missed too many shots against people who were really hitting hard and as good or better than I was. Sweetspot just too small for me and when I was a little late, it absolutely punished me. If I played someone who did not hit hard and was below my levl, I looked like a king....played a tournament against other strong 4.0's and it showed me that I am not consistant enough with my technique to use it. At 39 I ain't getting any younger and it was just too demanding. Switched to the 002 tourn and my game immediately went up a lever...no kidding. Spo;lit sets with a STRONG 4.5 player yesterday and I know I could have never done that with the k90. But if you have the game for it, it will do what you tell it to in spaids.

I had a 5.0 college coach hit with mine and when he said "man I would have to be really on all the time to play with this stick" it really rang true.

I don't think you can really tell about a stick until you play competition that is just slightly above your level. People that push you to play your best...that is when you can really see if you can handle a stick or not. that is not to say you can't get better or adjust with time, but for me the k90 was too far away.

Agreed and absolutely the truth--- if your footwork is not quick and light or you are off that day and just not feeling it, the k90 will not help you. It's not the weight, but the sweetspot... Still the most forgiving 90sq.in. out there. And yes tournament play is not recommended, unless you can relax and really dictate points.

On the other hand, it does force you to not become lazy and anticipate shots. I'm absolutely in love with it for it's offensive and defensive capabilities. Tennis is more of a mental game anyway.

Tried once to replace the leather with wilson tru-grip and it was horrible-- it lost all feel and off-balance. Not that it become head heavier-- which it did, but the weight distribution was just off.

[coloskier]

Originally Posted by projoe

is it similar play wise to the ps88?

No, not at all. The KPS88 is much heavier, with more plowthrough. The K90 is much more nimble at the net, but once your arm gets used to the KPS88 (which can take up to 6 months), you'll never put it down. The K90 has more touch, and the KPS88 has much more power and control.