Pro_Tour_630
Legend
1. Yes i will switch
2. No I will not
2. No I will not
all PS85 users will you switch to the KSP88?
- Thread starter Pro_Tour_630
- Start date
Kirko
Hall of Fame
its the Best option with no gucci prices or hassles. wilson did a marvelous job with this frame.
Pro_Tour_630
Legend
you mean it is not a special edition BB11 for $500
Pro_Tour_630
Legend
WOW!!!! judging from all the PS85 users on this board you'd think there would be more responses oh well so far two to one will switch, seems like an improvement over the 85
oh well so far two to one will switch, seems like an improvement over the 85pepelepieux
New User
I'm still leaving on my 6 PS
88 feels like a mid plus in my hand^^
88 feels like a mid plus in my hand^^
pepelepieux
New User
"living on", sorry I can't edit.
Pro_Tour_630
Legend
it seems the die hard PS85 users will not switch and this is why I created this thread,
it seems the KPS88 is taking more from the k90 users than the PS85 users,
your thoughts
I would like to hear from more die hard 85 users, why don't you want to switch? have you tried the KPS88 in a long test? was it the balance and the high SW? or was it just that it feels like an MP
pepelepieux
New User
Balance and high SW are OK with me because my 85s are leaded up at 9&3.
With the 88, the sweetspot seems "too" big, hence the MP feeling.
On one hand I get the extra pop with the 88, but on the other hand I lose the scalpel like feel of the 85.
I found the 88 entertaining but as Nikdom said in an old post about the 85:
"...its like I don't have a racquet in my hand but a wand and I can literally point to where the ball needs to go."
With the 88, the sweetspot seems "too" big, hence the MP feeling.
On one hand I get the extra pop with the 88, but on the other hand I lose the scalpel like feel of the 85.
I found the 88 entertaining but as Nikdom said in an old post about the 85:
"...its like I don't have a racquet in my hand but a wand and I can literally point to where the ball needs to go."
lodeen
New User
The improvements I get from using the kps88 over the ps85 are:
1) better 1hbh slice (no biggie for me because I seldom slice since I use 2hbh flat and topspin most of the time)
2) better kick serves
Besides these 2 things, everything else for me is the same with the ps85. Since I only have 5 ps85, I will start buying kps88 when I have the $$$. If the ps85 was still in production, I wouldn't switch.
1) better 1hbh slice (no biggie for me because I seldom slice since I use 2hbh flat and topspin most of the time)
2) better kick serves
Besides these 2 things, everything else for me is the same with the ps85. Since I only have 5 ps85, I will start buying kps88 when I have the $$$. If the ps85 was still in production, I wouldn't switch.
The Ripper
Semi-Pro
In the FWIW department, I love playing with the PS85's. I had trouble playing with the K90 for all the reasons everyone has talked about when it came out. I demoed then bought the KPS88 mostly because Pete is a great player, I love his style of play and it was just a great looking racket. I was shocked to find that the weight of the racket and solidity completely changed my approach to playing: now I have to set up properly for shots and use my whole body to hit the ball, not just muscling or arming the racket. It has made a huge improvement in my timing, footwork, placement and overall game. It took about 3 weeks of playing 2-3 times per week (both doubles & singles) to start to feel really comfortable. Touch shots are still tricky, finding just the right amount of power. But the weight of the head gives you a lot of feedback (I know where the head is) that I actually get more balls over the net then with the PS85 or the K90. Although, a couple weeks ago I switched to the K90 for a few games and couldn't believe how light and quick it felt! Nevermind, the KPS88 is still the bomb. I haven't completely committed to the KPS for everything, but did win my last two matches rather handily!
textbook strokes
Semi-Pro
I had the same experience about changing my game for the better. In fact, I see it as a trainning tool more than a competition racquet.
Pro_Tour_630
Legend
this is excellent all of the four above posts,
I agree it took about one month for me to really get into groove with 1/2 dozen different setups but once you zero in on your strokes it is rewarding. It is impossible to judge this frame with just a few demo sessions. This is not out of the box performance frame.
I agree it took about one month for me to really get into groove with 1/2 dozen different setups but once you zero in on your strokes it is rewarding. It is impossible to judge this frame with just a few demo sessions. This is not out of the box performance frame.
afransella
New User
I switched from the PS95 to this frame, it caused me to chang my forhand in a positive way, and my 1HBH has become a canon when I line it up right.
I went from the PS85, to the nCode90, to the K90, and now the KPS88. I like the KPS88 the best, although it does take a swing and timing change to make it work the best. You have to be very early on your backhand to really get the power from the racket, and when you first hit a forehand with the KPS88 you tend to hit it a lot flatter (because you will be late with your swing due to the weight of the racket), so you have to accentuate the upward swing a lot more to get good topspin. But once you get dialed in, you'll be hitting rockets with this frame. Great volleys, best touch shots I've had in years. I took out the Wilson HollowCrap (57 lbs) and put in Cyberblue (55 lbs), and I have a lot more feel.
I do not use my PS85 as often as I should, but I like playing with the classics. All the new stuff to me is all marketing. next year what will they have? and we just all end up buying and switching again. But I think its nice that there is a new racket that honors the name of Sampras. But I don't think I will buy one.
stevewcosta
Professional
Although I haven't used the PS85 as my main stick in over two years, I have switched. Went form the ps85, to k90, to microgel prestige mid, to kps88. feel like I'm hitting a more powerful/spinnier Chicago version of the 85.
Hey man. I've read many of your posts, but since I'm nearly brain dead at work, I figured I'd ask here. By just cutting the grommet, what is the resultant approx. SW? I found the KPS88 too unweildy in stock form (sucks b/c I really wanted to buy). Thanks.
The unwieldy ones are not the only ones available. Try to ask TW to pick up a few (say 6) in your grip size and tell you the most head light balance and then get that one. That is how I found my frame out of three in a pro shop. It is 8 pts HL strung with OG + dampener with a SW of just 337. Similar thing happened when I purchased my MGPP a year ago. Out of 6 frames in the shop in my grip size, one matched the specs.
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drakulie
Talk Tennis Guru
stevewcosta, suresh' suggestion is a very good one, and I would most likely go that route first.
That said, all things being equal (in other words, you get a frame that is the exact specs it is supposed to be). if you only trimmed the bumper guard, you would be losing about 6 grams of weight. Not much, but it will probably make the frame about 7 pts headlight, making it a bit more maneuverable, and drop the overall swing wieght by a couple of points.
The frame I play with currently has no lead in the handle making it 8 pts HL, 13.1 ounces (with tournagrip), and has a swing weight of 348.
Hope that helps, and Good luck.
That said, all things being equal (in other words, you get a frame that is the exact specs it is supposed to be). if you only trimmed the bumper guard, you would be losing about 6 grams of weight. Not much, but it will probably make the frame about 7 pts headlight, making it a bit more maneuverable, and drop the overall swing wieght by a couple of points.
The frame I play with currently has no lead in the handle making it 8 pts HL, 13.1 ounces (with tournagrip), and has a swing weight of 348.
Hope that helps, and Good luck.
Steve,
Sureshs' suggestion is a very good one. I measured the balance of 3 K88s in my LTS the other day (all the same grip size, all with the inserts in the hoop and plastic on the handle) and they came in at 5 pts HL, just under 8 pts HL, and just over 8 pts HL. The more head light racquets swung noticeably easier.
I'm pretty sure TW would be willing to pick out a more HL frame for you. Last year, I asked them to send me the heaviest AG100s they had and they did.
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Jack & Coke
Professional
stevewcosta
Professional
Thank you very much Drakulie, Sureshs & Keifers!! I may be able to enjoy tennis again if this works.
Pro_Tour_630
Legend
true by definition but
I wanted to know how good the KPS88 is to the die hard 85 users, if there is an 85 die hard that switched I would love to know, you never know
I am a die hard PT630 user, everything revolves around the PT630 for 15 years, and I am considering switching
Glad to help. Let us know how you go.
Good luck. But keep in mind that even at 8 pts HL and SW=337, I find my PS85 (9 pts HL, SW=339 on the same machine) to be easier to play with. The difference in weight (13 oz vs 12.8 strung) could be one reason, SW measurement definition may be another. So even the most HL K88 (and I thing the best you can do is 8 pts HL strung) will still feel substantial and you will need to be prepared much earlier against fast balls. It will also not be as comfortable as the PS85, with which I don't feel like I am holding anything. The K88 will make you very aware you are holding it, for sure. I have played 3 hours once continuously with it, but that was doubles. In singles, it will tire you out faster unless you play so much better that you are winning most of the time (losing = feels more tiring).
Generating swingspeed is also challenging. For an intermediate player, using this frame makes sense only if you want to compensate for a slower swing by hitting the ball solid and deep, specially with a 1 handed BH. If you are looking to generate a junior-style fast topspin ball, this racquet will be a burden. But there is no other frame with this much stability and solidity. It has absolutely no twisting of the head, no matter how out of position you are. You can lead other frames to 13 oz but you won't get this feeling. For the one handed backhand, it is a great boon, because the two painful situations - high bouncing ball and body jamming ball - can be returned defensively with confidence. Other frames expose the slightest weakness in technique. With this one, tap the ball with a moderate swing and you will neutralize it with a deep return.
I'm a longtime fan of the 85. Nothing I've hit with could match its combination of quickness, precision and power. It's so quick, it is like you're wielding a scalpel... and then, at the point of impact, it absolutely hammers the ball. Great fun!
Downside: I had too many mishits with the 85-inch head.. couldn't use it as my regular stick.
The 88. Not as quick (maybe it can't be with that 90-inch head.. and certainly not at spec'd sw), but boy can it crush and spin the ball -- more than the 85 on both counts. Heavy, heavy shots. Mondo stability. Far fewer mishits (no more mishits than hitting with any of my 95s). A lot of fun!
I hope Kirko won't mind me quoting something he wrote in his K88 Customer Feedback entry:
LOL!
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I will still use my ps 85. for me the K88 was ok, but nowhere near the ps85 in feel and "arm extension" feel, too sluggish too even if TW picked the most headlight and i trimmed the bumper... I simply can`t understand why they did not make it the same balance as the ps85... I actually play better(than K88 ) with Head fxp mid, Wilson tour 90 and even Fischer pro90...
gymrat76
Banned
I play with bumperless early Chicago/SV frames with one or two long strips of lead at 3/9. I ordered one KPS88 and I think it will be very similar to my racquets in terms of weight and SW.
It appears ppl want this racquet with less SW. But I think SW and plough through go in the same way. In other words, when the racquet is more HL, it will also have less plough through effect.
I think these kind of old school racquets do not require upper body strength, as the whole arm goes into play, not forearm only. What is necessary to make these heavy racquets to work is, fast feet. In other words, set yourself early with feet. High(er) level fitness is a must imo
It appears ppl want this racquet with less SW. But I think SW and plough through go in the same way. In other words, when the racquet is more HL, it will also have less plough through effect.
I think these kind of old school racquets do not require upper body strength, as the whole arm goes into play, not forearm only. What is necessary to make these heavy racquets to work is, fast feet. In other words, set yourself early with feet. High(er) level fitness is a must imo
v1rotate
New User
Not sure if I'm an Old Timer (I'm 37) but I agree with Gymrat, footwork is the key and early preparation. With my PS85 (at 13 pts HL with lead at the handle) I could swing at the ball with lazy feet. With the KPS88, I find that I really have to move my feet and get that racket back early to hit (earlier than my PS85). Downside is I get tired but the upside is the added fitness... and weight loss!!!
To answer the thread, Yes, I have switched because I can't get anymore China PS85s.
My KPS88 mods:
- Bumper Guard 5 grams
- Leather Grip 19 grams
+ 2 overgrips 10 grams
+ 6 grams at 3&9 6 grams
+ 4 grams in Butt 4 grams
Static Weight 361 grams and 4 pts HL
To answer the thread, Yes, I have switched because I can't get anymore China PS85s.
My KPS88 mods:
- Bumper Guard 5 grams
- Leather Grip 19 grams
+ 2 overgrips 10 grams
+ 6 grams at 3&9 6 grams
+ 4 grams in Butt 4 grams
Static Weight 361 grams and 4 pts HL
v1rotate
New User
I just measured the swing weight so final stats are:
Weight: 361 grams
Balance: 4 Points HL
Swingweight: 349
Strung with Babolat Hybrid Pro Hurricane Tour 17g and XCel 16g at 55lbs/53lbs
pshulam
Hall of Fame
Just curious -- Which classic rackets do you use?
pshulam
Hall of Fame
"diehards" will eventually die.
pepelepieux
New User
Yes, but we'll die hard^^
Pro_Tour_630
Legend
well die hards means that they will pay more money for the PS85 maybe double even though they can get the KPS88 for 1/2 the price. they will look all over for new ones even though they are a pain to find.
the die hards might pay much more for these PS85 now that they know that the KPS88 is not going to be a replacement for them
the die hards might pay much more for these PS85 now that they know that the KPS88 is not going to be a replacement for them
pepelepieux
New User
PT,
We'll die hard, and broke ^^
We'll die hard, and broke ^^
OTMPut
Hall of Fame
I received my frame yesterday. Strung it with VS touch 16 (M) @ 48 lbs and ALU power rough 16 (X) @ 45 lbs.
My control frame was leaded up PS 85 - 6g each at 3&9 '0 clock positions.
Hit for an hour. The stick did not feel haevy though. Really enjoyed hitting 1hbh drives. BH slice was not as penetrating as it is with my PS 85 (or may be it was just me). Serves were noticable better - more spin & power. I might lead it up a bit without disturbing the balance.
I am playing for another couple of hours this evening. Let me see how it goes.
My control frame was leaded up PS 85 - 6g each at 3&9 '0 clock positions.
Hit for an hour. The stick did not feel haevy though. Really enjoyed hitting 1hbh drives. BH slice was not as penetrating as it is with my PS 85 (or may be it was just me). Serves were noticable better - more spin & power. I might lead it up a bit without disturbing the balance.
I am playing for another couple of hours this evening. Let me see how it goes.
