Yonex V Core 98D, what a nice surprise!

[Boricua]

Originally Posted by Ten_nuts

I actually never thought that i would buy a Yonex racquet. I borrowed a friend this Yonex V Core 98D and hit for only half an hour, and i knew i've got to have it. I bought 2 of these with grip 4 1/4. The racquet looks so beautiful with quality deisgns. At the throat it has the letters US and a little shiny hologram sticker(as i was told by the Yonex dealer, this same racquet that was made for Asian market doesn't have the letters US and no shiny hologram sticker at the throat. Can anyone in Asia area verify this?). I got the 1st racquet strung with Babolat Revenge 16g full bed at 60lbs main vs. 58 lbs cross, and the 2nd one was strung with Solinco Revolution 17g full bed at 57 lbs main vs. 55 lbs cross. The one with Revenge weighes 11.44 oz and the one with Solinco weighes 11.43 oz, how sweet is that? What a superb quality control Yonex has. My idealized weight would be 11.7 to 11.9 oz, so i added 6g lead tape at 12 on each one as well as Yonex overgrip. Now the one with Revenge weighes 11.82 oz and the one with Solinco weighes 11.81 oz. Now with the lead tape and overgrip, each racquet has about 5 points headlight, and i am very pleased that the headlights on both of them are exactly the same. Sweet. Now it's time for hitting talks.
After a few strokes warming up, i could tell the stiffness of the frame is around 62 max (i think it's 61 or 60) cause my forehand felt very comfy. I was also very surprised that eventhough it weighes 11.82 oz, but i felt a little light when hitting. The power was good but not too much like the Pure drive, and the vibration was very little if hitting heavy balls. I went on and rallied for a while, then i switched to the one with Solinco and played 1 set singles. Here's my thoughts:
Serve: flat serve was great because, as i mentioned above that i felt the racquet a little light, i was able to snap the ball quite easily. Kick serve was better than the Utek Radical MP that i used to play, cause the balls went over my friend's shoulders. I still have to work on slice serve with this racquet because, with the Utek Radical i had no problem serving wide, i got the balls go too wide (out) with this Yonex.
Forehand: all i can say is...awesome. I barely missed the forehand during the match. Again, the racquet was very easy to swing and my topspin forehand did bite the balls like crazy. I also noticed that the accuracy was there wherever i aimed the targets. The sweetspot seems large to me.
Backhand: again my 1 handed backhand with crazy spin worked quite well. At 1st the balls went below the net, but i adjusted it quickly and it worked wonderful. Slice backhand with this racquet was also great thanks to the huge sweetspot.
Volley and overhead: I could punch the balls at net with ease, or like a piece of cake and so with overhead.
In short, this racquet is an all around court racquet with high quality design and beautiful paint job. It's worth the money. I also had a chance to hit with the RDIS 200 Light and i think it's also a very good racquet too. If i have the RDIS 200 Lite, i would put some lead tape at 12 and on handle, and i think the RDIS 200 Lite would do awesome job for me too. But if you like the RDIS 200 Light but want it a little stiffer, want it look prettier, you can give the V Core 98D a demo. This is my review. If you have questions, please ask and i will try my best to answer. Thanks for reading.

What setup did you like more, Revenfe or Revolutiom?

Have you tried other Yonex rackets and if so how do they compare to the VCOre 98?

[Boricua]

Originally Posted by Ten_nuts

Hi XFactorer, i agreed with you that the Pro Red Code does have a break in period, and that's why i use the 17g so the break in period is way much faster than the 16g. Such awesome string.

How foes Pro Red compare to Revenge?

[vsdtrek]

Originally Posted by XFactorer

Try the Ti80 Lite. I played with the RQiS 1 Tour (regular weight) and loooved it after I played with it for a while. The RDiS 200 (regular weight) was my next racquet, but it was just "OK." It didn't help much (besides offering 3 extra square inches). The new Ti80 Lite, however, does seem to off more. 98 headsize, moves well, offers good power and control. I won my first real 4.5 match today... and I credit the racquet (not myself).

I would like to try that but I use a 5/8. Too bad they only go to 3/8.

Did try the 98D one last time Wednesday and am going to rule it out. Just don't like the way it moves.

[Ten_nuts]

Hi guys, and how are you all doing? I've tried the fullbed Pro Red Code 16g at 57# vs 55#, and it was a little hard at the 1st few hours. After that, i am back to normal. Awesome power with super accuracy. I didn't like the Babolat Revenge string because it's like synthetic gut. Now i have 3 of these with the following setups: 1st strung fullbed with Solinco Revolution 16g at 57 vs 55, 2nd strung with Pro Red Code 16g fullbed at 57 vs 55, and 3rd strung with Babolat RPM Blast 16g at 57 vs 55. The best one in 3 would be the one with Solinco Rev for this string has less stiffness than the other 2 but no string movement and the durability is great. The either the Pro Red Code or the RPM Bast are great (by the way, this is the 1st time i used the RPM and liked it already).
I just bought a used RDiS 200 Light at my local tennis shop for 50 bucks. I had it strung with Pro Red Code 16g at 57 vs 55. I put 0.22 oz lead tape (exactly) at 12, 0.20 oz on handle, so it weighed 11.84 oz including 1 Yonex overgrip and 1 Boris Becker dampener (i really love this Boris Becker dampener for it never flies off the string bed and the image of BB's serve). So now i have both the RDiS 200 Lite vs V Core 98D that have the same strings and same tensions to hit. I must say that the RDiS 200 Lite feels more solid, more feels, easier on the arm than the V Core 98D. When i hit topspin forehands, i got a feeling that the V Core 98D is floating on the air (i didn't see this with the RDiS200 Lite). I am really confused between these 2 racquets. If i have to choose, i would pick the RDiS 200 Lite.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Ten_nuts

Hi guys, and how are you all doing? I've tried the fullbed Pro Red Code 16g at 57# vs 55#, and it was a little hard at the 1st few hours. After that, i am back to normal. Awesome power with super accuracy. I didn't like the Babolat Revenge string because it's like synthetic gut. Now i have 3 of these with the following setups: 1st strung fullbed with Solinco Revolution 16g at 57 vs 55, 2nd strung with Pro Red Code 16g fullbed at 57 vs 55, and 3rd strung with Babolat RPM Blast 16g at 57 vs 55. The best one in 3 would be the one with Solinco Rev for this string has less stiffness than the other 2 but no string movement and the durability is great. The either the Pro Red Code or the RPM Bast are great (by the way, this is the 1st time i used the RPM and liked it already).
I just bought a used RDiS 200 Light at my local tennis shop for 50 bucks. I had it strung with Pro Red Code 16g at 57 vs 55. I put 0.22 oz lead tape (exactly) at 12, 0.20 oz on handle, so it weighed 11.84 oz including 1 Yonex overgrip and 1 Boris Becker dampener (i really love this Boris Becker dampener for it never flies off the string bed and the image of BB's serve). So now i have both the RDiS 200 Lite vs V Core 98D that have the same strings and same tensions to hit. I must say that the RDiS 200 Lite feels more solid, more feels, easier on the arm than the V Core 98D. When i hit topspin forehands, i got a feeling that the V Core 98D is floating on the air (i didn't see this with the RDiS200 Lite). I am really confused between these 2 racquets. If i have to choose, i would pick the RDiS 200 Lite.

Why add all that weight to the 200 Light? Why not just get the regular RDiS 200?

[Ten_nuts]

Hi JackB1, my ideal racquet's weight is around 11.4 oz to 11.9 oz. If i use the regular RDiS 200, i cannot use the overgrip and dampener. I think it becomes my habbit that whenever i pick up a racquet, i always put an overgrip and a dampener. So adding up all that, the regular RDiS 200 will weigh around 12.1 or 12.2 oz. Another factor is that i'd prefer a racquet with only 3 to 5 points headlight cause i hit flat forehand. If it has more than 5 points headlight, i could feel the vibration and so does my elbow. The V Core 98 has pretty paintjob, but the RDiS feels much better. But if you play with soft string, the V Core 98 is not a bad choice.

[JackB1]

Just picked up one of these. Will post my thoughts soon.

[parasailing]

I had a chance to hit with this racquet for about an hour as a demo from my tennis buddy. They came with cheap synthetic gut string some off brand that said not for resale . Even with substandard strings and no vibration dampener, this is the first Yonex that I actually like.

Compared to the Youtek Radical MP, this is a bit crisper but i didn't find it stiff and it did not hurt my arm even without the dampener. I can imagine putting gut on this racquet and it would make it nice and soft.

I love the ability to swing out on the racquet and most balls would land in most of the time. This racquet is better for flat hitting though as I was able to generate substantial racquet speed to hit to the corners. I tried hitting with topspin and felt slight vibration with the racquet so this might not be good for those that hit with massive topspin.

I will need more time testing this racquet but so far, I have been pleasantly surprised by the racquet's performance.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by parasailing

I had a chance to hit with this racquet for about an hour as a demo from my tennis buddy. They came with cheap synthetic gut string some off brand that said not for resale . Even with substandard strings and no vibration dampener, this is the first Yonex that I actually like.

Compared to the Youtek Radical MP, this is a bit crisper but i didn't find it stiff and it did not hurt my arm even without the dampener. I can imagine putting gut on this racquet and it would make it nice and soft.

I love the ability to swing out on the racquet and most balls would land in most of the time. This racquet is better for flat hitting though as I was able to generate substantial racquet speed to hit to the corners. I tried hitting with topspin and felt slight vibration with the racquet so this might not be good for those that hit with massive topspin.

I will need more time testing this racquet but so far, I have been pleasantly surprised by the racquet's performance.

Hey parasailing. We seem to try the same kind of racquets a lot

I just strung up a 98D last night with multi mains and copoly crosses and will try it out soon. Mine came in at 335 grams with overgrip and dampener and 7 pts HL. Are u playing your stock so far? Does the swingweight feel "substantial" or do u think it will need some lead tape? Does it feel stable?
How is the feel at impact? Is it more firm and stiff or more soft and flexy or something in between? You said it was a bit crisper than the Rad MP, which is a pretty flexy frame. Can u feel some flex and give with the frame at impact or does it stay firm?

[pepka]

No flex but comfortable. A little dampend feel, stable at impact. Yours seems pretty heavy at 335g.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by pepka

No flex but comfortable. A little dampend feel, stable at impact. Yours seems pretty heavy at 335g.

I have an extra overgrip on it because it's a 3/8 and I usually use a 1/2.
I guess that is adding about 5 g's, so without it would be 330. Is that more like it should be?

Pepka could u add a little more about your experience with it? Also, how does it compare to the London?

[pepka]

^ TW review and description are spot on. If you play with lot of spin (from brushing up the ball, u may want to look elsewhere). Hitting thru is what it's all about with this stick. I could see myself using it as my main stick but im done experimenting with racquets... for some time at least Don't know about the weight thing (lools like your string setup might be a bit heavier, hence the 330g).

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by pepka

^ TW review and description are spot on. If you play with lot of spin (from brushing up the ball, u may want to look elsewhere). Hitting thru is what it's all about with this stick. I could see myself using it as my main stick but im done experimenting with racquets... for some time at least Don't know about the weight thing (lools like your string setup might be a bit heavier, hence the 330g).

I do "hit through" the ball moreso than brushing up.

I am not sure though how a racquet could be made more for "hitting through" than "brushing up" the ball??? Seems like marketing mumbo jumbo to me

[Buckethead]

Originally Posted by pepka

^ TW review and description are spot on. If you play with lot of spin (from brushing up the ball, u may want to look elsewhere). Hitting thru is what it's all about with this stick. I could see myself using it as my main stick but im done experimenting with racquets... for some time at least Don't know about the weight thing (lools like your string setup might be a bit heavier, hence the 330g).

It's not TW's review, it has nothing to do with them and it's actually easy to say that.
First Yonex didn't design that racket for spinners, so Yonex is spot on with their recommendation.
Second if you are looking for spin, it's already proven that 16x19 and 16x18 will be better for, so it is no brainer to stay away from closed plattern rackets.
But you can hit spin balls, but you are not gonna get the main benefits of the racket.
I have played with the 95D and found it to be a great control racket for those who don't use much spin kicking like a mule and it is a very forgiving racket and comfortable. If you are an aggressive player that goes for the line shots and like to just flat it out and go for it that's the racket.
95D or 98D would be a racket for guys like Soderling, Simon, respectively.

[zumzool]

Originally Posted by JackB1

I do "hit through" the ball moreso than brushing up.

I am not sure though how a racquet could be made more for "hitting through" than "brushing up" the ball??? Seems like marketing mumbo jumbo to me

it's true. lefty's review was spot on...

if you drive through the ball the lateral flex of the racquet will give you a comfortable hit... but if your a brusher, the vcore's torsional stiffness will give you a harsh response on off-center hits....

[parasailing]

Originally Posted by JackB1

Hey parasailing. We seem to try the same kind of racquets a lot

Are u playing your stock so far? Does the swingweight feel "substantial" or do u think it will need some lead tape? Does it feel stable?
How is the feel at impact? Is it more firm and stiff or more soft and flexy or something in between? You said it was a bit crisper than the Rad MP, which is a pretty flexy frame. Can u feel some flex and give with the frame at impact or does it stay firm?

A racketholic that can't stop trying out new racquets when they come out . The Yonex was stock and came with cheap strings so I can imagine it playing better once I get a demo or purchase a used one and string it up with better strings. It just feels solid especially if you are a flat hitter. If you put massive topspin, it might not be the racquet for you.

It was solid without being stiff on the shoulder and in the past, I never really like Yonex racquets so I was surprised when I got the results I did hitting with it. I will try to get the V95 to demo as well to see how it compares and then I will try to pick up a use one of whichever plays better to add to me collection.

[JackB1]

Tried the 98D today.

At first I didn't like how it felt, but it grew on me. I can see now how this racquet works better for flatter hitting than loopy topspin. It just does.

This racquet has many nice attributes. Beautiful paint job.
Decent power without being too much. Easy to use and pretty forgiving. Reminds me of the RDiS 300. Contact is pretty firm feeling and I was a little disappointed that the frame has no flex to it. It wasn't overly stiff, but definitely felt a little on the stiff side for me. I have to see if there will be any arm or elbow soreness after playing with it some more.
That is my only concern. Otherwise, this is a great choice for 3.5-4.5 players....especially if you drive the ball more than spin it.

[parasailing]

Originally Posted by JackB1

Tried the 98D today.

At first I didn't like how it felt, but it grew on me. I can see now how this racquet works better for flatter hitting than loopy topspin. It just does.

This racquet has many nice attributes. Beautiful paint job.
Decent power without being too much. Easy to use and pretty forgiving. Reminds me of the RDiS 300. Contact is pretty firm feeling and I was a little disappointed that the frame has no flex to it. It wasn't overly stiff, but definitely felt a little on the stiff side for me. I have to see if there will be any arm or elbow soreness after playing with it some more.
That is my only concern. Otherwise, this is a great choice for 3.5-4.5 players....especially if you drive the ball more than spin it.

It takes a little getting use to but this racquet is great for driving the ball. Topspin just doesn't work well with this racquet so if you have long smooth classic strokes, this it the racquet for you. It really not stiff but not flexy either so if you use to having a racquet that have good flex, this is not for you. I find using this racquet, I hit much flatter but if I go with the Pure Storm Tour GT, I get more spin.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by parasailing

It takes a little getting use to but this racquet is great for driving the ball. Topspin just doesn't work well with this racquet so if you have long smooth classic strokes, this it the racquet for you. It really not stiff but not flexy either so if you use to having a racquet that have good flex, this is not for you. I find using this racquet, I hit much flatter but if I go with the Pure Storm Tour GT, I get more spin.

Parasailing......have u tried the London?

[parasailing]

Originally Posted by JackB1

Parasailing......have u tried the London?

No I haven't had a chance to demo the racquet. I still going through selling some of my other racquets so I can pick up the Yonex 98D and the Organix 10 325 but I will put that on my list of racquets to try out. That should end my racquet thirst hopefully .