Yonex 98 XI users

[tendat]

@martini1 yes, it is more rounded than the usually square head shape, but nonetheless does retain a little bit of it. coming off of a vcore, there is a difference, with the mains being longer than the ezone xi 98. the rqis line was when the introduced the "Aero Shape Head" and yonex has incorporated it in ever incarnation of the line. interestingly enough, the first ezone 100 was rather "normal"/square no? when i tried it it was far too light, super thick beam n bad demo string job. This is the tech explanation of Aero Shape

"The Aero Shape of RQiS Series racquets creates more frame thickness for higher repulsion. Compared with a conventional frame, the Aero Shape creates a thinner, more flexible shaft that sends hits downcourt with more top spin. The YONEX Aero Shape together with the Cup-Stack Carbon Nanotube structure, instant-recovery Elastic Ti frame, and Dual OPS shaft create racquets that deliver the perfect mix of speed, power and control.

@Anton So where exactly did u place the lead again?? how many strips? how long? i have 2 layers of head guard stretching from 10-2 n the racket is a big sluggish. in my vcores, which had leather grips, i put some strips in the throat n it was good. thanks

[Anton]

Originally Posted by tendat

@Anton So where exactly did u place the lead again?? how many strips? how long? i have 2 layers of head guard stretching from 10-2 n the racket is a big sluggish. in my vcores, which had leather grips, i put some strips in the throat n it was good. thanks

On my racket I have 4 pieces of lead 1.5"x0.25" at just bellow the top loop corner bends. So its basically 1.5g total at a bit above 10 &2 (and 1.5mm TW leather on handle)


Not sure how much your headguard tape weights and even more gravely not sure how much your particular frame weights...and where.

Given that, it's tough for me to give you any useful advice beyond most obvious one - take off one layer of head guard tape and see how it goes

[klementine79]

Anton!?

How's the comfort of this frame with a leather grip?

The 98d and 100s were just too stiff/harsh with a leather.

[Anton]

Originally Posted by klementine79

Anton!?

How's the comfort of this frame with a leather grip?

The 98d and 100s were just too stiff/harsh with a leather.

Well i do have a tournatac over grip on. Personally I'm loving it.

With nrg2 16 main and Hyperion 16 cross, both at 60lbs the stringbed feels really smooth and comfy 8 hours in.

[tendat]

@Anton. ok I'll try it out. I remember reading somewhere here that adding lead at 10 n 2 or around that area enhances yonex rackets. Can anyone find that post/thread? Whats ur string n tension? I have poly tour spin 60/58 on one and 58/56 on the back up.

@klementine79 this racket is much more comfortable than the vcores. even though i did not experience any arm pain even with polys at 60 in them. perhaps it was the fact that i played with softer polys. I had a leather grip on said vcore and it was good. cant comment on the xi 98, but it has the classic yonex flex which is synonymous with the brand name. TW rates stiffness of the vcore 98d at 65 and 66 for the ezone. also due to the SD grid in the handle, its very comfortable. The new ops shaft gives it the flex n cradle as opposed to the vcore which stays rigid for control rather than power, which each line cater towards. i actually played with out a shock absorber on the ezone xi 98 due to the comfort and dampening from the handle n throat. When i played no shock on the vcore it felt hollow n pingy.

[klementine79]

Fantastic. Thanks Anton & tendat.

The flex for the ezone xi98 is 63, the same as the 95d, which did not produce any harsh/stiff vibes for me, even with a leather grip. The 98d and 100s were murder with anything but a multi/syn.gut, + the leather put it over the top for me.

Interesting racquet for sure. That tapered beam could be just a little thinner for my tastes in the middle, but hey, I went into the 100s demo expecting not to like it and ended up falling in love with that one. Looking for a similar Yonex that's more comfortable.

It's a crap-shoot every 2 years with Yonex. Can't believe they're actually re-introducing two of the same racquets (98d+100s). They usually scrap everything and start over, which I can't stand!

[Anton]

Just put my xi98 on the scales -11.85oz with just the strings and original grip, so that's over 0.3oz over the TW spec. With overgrip, leather grip and a bit of lead I was actually swinging a 12.5oz racket.

I thought it swung a bit a hefty -

So I've reworked my setup a bit - 1.5g at 12, original grip and 4g at handle base - 12.2oz.

Feels pretty swift now and carries the stroke nicely, though will need some match/court time to finalize.