How hot is the Wilson Burn 100? (and Yonex Ai)

Legend of Borg

Legend of Borg

G.O.A.T.
so i'm almost ready to make the switch from ye old 6.1 95 inch relic to a more midplus/modern type racket (bigger headsize and powerful stringbed)

after some research, watching and reading reviews etc, i've narrowed it down to two rackets

the Wilson Burn 100 and the Yonex EZONE Ai 100

basically nothing below 100sq inch and a string pattern of 18x16

at the current time i'm not able to demo the Yonex racket because it's almost as rare as diamonds from King Solomon's mines and secondly i'm getting REALLY impatient playing with the 6.1 peashooter that i currently have and urgently want to upgrade

does anyone play with either the Burn or the Ai and can you give some feedback about both rackets (how they feel, power, control, etc etc)?

would be much appreciated, thanks
 
Stanimal

Stanimal

Rookie
I recently demoed a Pro Staff 97, Burn 100, and Yonex Vcore Tour 100.

The Pro Staff is the best racket I have ever used in my life. Amazing. The Burn has slightly more power with less control but is still manageable. If you're looking to keep your shots beefy, the Burn is a good way to go. There's a sort of dead impact, but you can still get enough feedback to feel the ball with it. The Burn is ok for spin and slice, not great but definitely not bad either. I like it much better than the Pure Drive and a little more than the Radical Pro Graphene.
 
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A_Instead

A_Instead

Legend
The Burn is a nice racket that hits a nice ball but requires poly...It is STIFF and add poly into the mix.. Well you be the judge.
 
K

Kasmatsu

Rookie
I use a Yonex Vcore XI 100. It is amazing. I have tried many other 100 racquets and haven't found anything I think compares yet. However I haven't tried the AI 100 yet. Several of TW testers had used versions of Vcore racquets and switched to AI ones, so they must be great.
 
jersey34tennis

jersey34tennis

Professional
i have a wilson burn s and i'm normally a poly user but with poly this thing is an arm wrecker. that being said... i injected the handle full of silicon to move it up to 12.3 ounces string (overgrip and dampener included) and restrung it with wilson sensation 15 gauge at 56 lbs and somehow it's made it way more playable. easier on the arm, still controllable and i can flatten out my shots easier. only shot that's a struggle is a quick on the rise groundstroke from the baseline because it's a little tough to bring around in time. i can do it with much heavier sticks with higher swingweights (tecnifibre 325 xl v02 max) but this racquet isn't as easy on the lower shots. that being said again, anything waist level or higher it will demolish
 
BHud

BHud

Hall of Fame
The Burn is appropriately named, similar to the Wilson Surge, for the feel it sends through your elbow... :twisted:
 
Legend of Borg

Legend of Borg

G.O.A.T.
hm i'm seeing some really good feedback from the Ai 100 so far

some kind of secret Japanese tech almost

many positive, almost no negatives or downsides

i might be sold for Yonex

the Burn's main problem seems to be the stiffness but it lacks nothing in the power/spin department
 
SpinToWin

SpinToWin

Talk Tennis Guru
Legend of Borg said:
hm i'm seeing some really good feedback from the Ai 100 so far

some kind of secret Japanese tech almost

many positive, almost no negatives or downsides

i might be sold for Yonex

the Burn's main problem seems to be the stiffness but it lacks nothing in the power/spin department
Click to expand...

Prince Textreme 100 as an option instead of the Burn?
 
o0lunatik

o0lunatik

Professional
Legend of Borg said:
hm i'm seeing some really good feedback from the Ai 100 so far

some kind of secret Japanese tech almost

many positive, almost no negatives or downsides

i might be sold for Yonex

the Burn's main problem seems to be the stiffness but it lacks nothing in the power/spin department
Click to expand...

I've owned all of the racquets that you're inquiring about. My vote goes to the Ai100 for sure. It got all the good characteristics. It may be too dampened for some, including myself, due to the dual shock gel inside the handle but I replaced the rubber middle throat grommet with a pure drive tour one, and it added some feel back in the string bed.
 
Legend of Borg

Legend of Borg

G.O.A.T.
o0lunatik said:
I've owned all of the racquets that you're inquiring about. My vote goes to the Ai100 for sure. It got all the good characteristics. It may be too dampened for some, including myself, due to the dual shock gel inside the handle but I replaced the rubber middle throat grommet with a pure drive tour one, and it added some feel back in the string bed.
Click to expand...

so one grommet changes the whole racket feel?
 
fibonacci888

fibonacci888

Rookie
I've played with the textreme 100t and the stabilty is much better over the ai100. It makes my ohbh much more stabel. With the wow factor I mean there is no specific quality of the ai100. For example the pure drive has power, the 99s spin, and Tex100t stability in a tweener spec frame. The yonex is a solid 8/10 but nothing exeptional.
 
Legend of Borg

Legend of Borg

G.O.A.T.
fibonacci888 said:
I've played with the textreme 100t and the stabilty is much better over the ai100. It makes my ohbh much more stabel. With the wow factor I mean there is no specific quality of the ai100. For example the pure drive has power, the 99s spin, and Tex100t stability in a tweener spec frame. The yonex is a solid 8/10 but nothing exeptional.
Click to expand...

hmm, well i AM looking for a general upgrade in several categories over my 6.1 and the Yonex seems to fit the bill, not looking for the maximum power racket just more power over the 6.1


the stiffness of the Burn is making me very wary however since my wrist has been a problem with my 6.1 especially when playing without a dampener + increased vibrations
 
S

smirker

Hall of Fame
As you are in Europe you could look at the Wilson Pro Open from TW Europe. An excellent frame in the Pure Drive category but with more feel and a bit less power. Good value too. Tried a few Yonex frames but never found one I really liked. Much better option than the Burn IMO.
 
Moveforwardalways

Moveforwardalways

Hall of Fame
Depends on whether you can stomach using a racquet with a cheesy name like "burn" on it. Like you hit a winner and "oh snap you just got burned bro" or you hit a winner and "burn!". Lol. Wilson missed on that one. Not sure how Kei kept a straight face in that commercial on the rooftop.
 
o0lunatik

o0lunatik

Professional
Moveforwardalways said:
Depends on whether you can stomach using a racquet with a cheesy name like "burn" on it. Like you hit a winner and "oh snap you just got burned bro" or you hit a winner and "burn!". Lol. Wilson missed on that one. Not sure how Kei kept a straight face in that commercial on the rooftop.
Click to expand...

If you're using the Burn racquet, it would be truly sad and embarrassing if you get burned by your opponent. Burn the burn. I would go snuggle up in bed after and cry to myself.
 
Legend of Borg

Legend of Borg

G.O.A.T.
any suggestions for a string that goes really well with the Ai 100?

i've been using nothing but the RPM Blast on mains and crosses for 5 years now so anything more varied will be welcomed

thanks
 
Turbo-87

Turbo-87

G.O.A.T.
Seems like the TW reviewers really liked Volkl Cyclone 16ga @ 54. My demo is sitting boxed at home right now and I am playing a match tonight with it. I am curious to see what strings it came with.
 
A

Amp1

New User
I have tried many strings and Alu power soft at 53lbs has worked the best on my ai100. Make the rackets power controllable and no arm issues
 
MarcusInKensington

MarcusInKensington

Hall of Fame
Legend of Borg said:
any suggestions for a string that goes really well with the Ai 100?

i've been using nothing but the RPM Blast on mains and crosses for 5 years now so anything more varied will be welcomed

thanks
Click to expand...

I used RPM Blast in my Ai100 for ages. It's a really good combination, although it goes off pretty quickly.

I'm currently experimenting with some different strings, and my findings so far are as follows:

1. Solinco Tour Bite @ 59lbs. Matches the racquet really well. It's a low powered string, so complements the relatively high powered racquet nicely. Not the softest on the arm, but not too bad either. Crisp without being jarring. Spin is far greater than RPM Blast. Ideal for someone who doesn't need the strings or racquet to generate power, would like a bit more help with spin generation and doesn't have any arm/elbow issues.

2. Volkl Cyclone @ 59lbs. Great string. Does everything really well, although I found it to be a tiny bit too powerful. Spin comparable with Tour Bite. Ideal for someone who likes the feel of RPM Blast but fancies a change, and would perhaps like just a little bit more power and spin.

3. Gamma Zo Verve @ 59lbs. Does everything well, but nothing spectacularly. Nice and crisp but not jarring. Spin pretty much on a par with RPM Blast, perhaps a little less powerful than RPM Blast. Perhaps the best feeling string out of all I have tried.

4. Solinco Tour Bite Diamond Rough @ 65lbs. Had to play around with tension in order to dial it in. Started at 59 and it felt like a trampoline. My OH tried it at 59 and she really liked it, so she's basically stolen that racquet from me now. It's a really soft feeling string, and to be honest I didn't think I would like it, but when I increased tension it changed markedly. It's still not quite as crisp as I would like, but it spins probably on a par with RPM Blast and seems to have greater longevity. Ideal for someone who wants more spin, power, and arm comfort.

5. Kirschbaum Spiky Shark @ 59lbs. Great control, decent comfort, but wayyyyy too much spin. I found it really tough to hit through the court and found myself trying to hit way too flat, which when I went back to my other racquet ended in disaster. Cut out after about 15 minutes. Ideal for someone who is desperate to add more spin to their ground strokes.

6. Volkl Cyclone Tour @65lbs. BOINGGGGG! This stuff is like a trampoline. It spins really nicely, but is way too powerful for the AI100, even strung at 65. Ideal for your grandparents.
 
S

sma1001

Hall of Fame
MarcusInKensington said:
I used RPM Blast in my Ai100 for ages. It's a really good combination, although it goes off pretty quickly.

I'm currently experimenting with some different strings, and my findings so far are as follows:

1. Solinco Tour Bite @ 59lbs. Matches the racquet really well. It's a low powered string, so complements the relatively high powered racquet nicely. Not the softest on the arm, but not too bad either. Crisp without being jarring. Spin is far greater than RPM Blast. Ideal for someone who doesn't need the strings or racquet to generate power, would like a bit more help with spin generation and doesn't have any arm/elbow issues.

2. Volkl Cyclone @ 59lbs. Great string. Does everything really well, although I found it to be a tiny bit too powerful. Spin comparable with Tour Bite. Ideal for someone who likes the feel of RPM Blast but fancies a change, and would perhaps like just a little bit more power and spin.

3. Gamma Zo Verve @ 59lbs. Does everything well, but nothing spectacularly. Nice and crisp but not jarring. Spin pretty much on a par with RPM Blast, perhaps a little less powerful than RPM Blast. Perhaps the best feeling string out of all I have tried.

4. Solinco Tour Bite Diamond Rough @ 65lbs. Had to play around with tension in order to dial it in. Started at 59 and it felt like a trampoline. My OH tried it at 59 and she really liked it, so she's basically stolen that racquet from me now. It's a really soft feeling string, and to be honest I didn't think I would like it, but when I increased tension it changed markedly. It's still not quite as crisp as I would like, but it spins probably on a par with RPM Blast and seems to have greater longevity. Ideal for someone who wants more spin, power, and arm comfort.

5. Kirschbaum Spiky Shark @ 59lbs. Great control, decent comfort, but wayyyyy too much spin. I found it really tough to hit through the court and found myself trying to hit way too flat, which when I went back to my other racquet ended in disaster. Cut out after about 15 minutes. Ideal for someone who is desperate to add more spin to their ground strokes.

6. Volkl Cyclone Tour @65lbs. BOINGGGGG! This stuff is like a trampoline. It spins really nicely, but is way too powerful for the AI100, even strung at 65. Ideal for your grandparents.
Click to expand...

Wow - those are high tensions for poly. My arm would fall off. I was wondering how it might play with a control poly in the mid 40s!
 
MarcusInKensington

MarcusInKensington

Hall of Fame
65 is pretty high, but 59 is around the upper end of average isn't it? I have always thought that wrist/elbow/shoulder injuries are more to do with the racquet frame itself rather than the strings.

I have used tensions between 58-65 ever since I first started playing. It feels great, so much control, and the sound it makes when you nail it is very satisfying! I imagine playing with mid 40s would feel similar to playing with a broken string.
 
MikeHitsHard93

MikeHitsHard93

Hall of Fame
You shouldn't go by recommendations here for a purchase. Demo them both along with some other similar frames from different companies (aeropro drive/pure drive and maybe head extreme mp are good choices here) and see which one you like. You only pay for the cost of shipping from TW and you get them for a week. Seriously, you'll waste money if you just buy one without trying it and end up not liking it.
 
Legend of Borg

Legend of Borg

G.O.A.T.
MikeHitsHard93 said:
You shouldn't go by recommendations here for a purchase. Demo them both along with some other similar frames from different companies (aeropro drive/pure drive and maybe head extreme mp are good choices here) and see which one you like. You only pay for the cost of shipping from TW and you get them for a week. Seriously, you'll waste money if you just buy one without trying it and end up not liking it.
Click to expand...

dammit i knew you were gonna say something like this

i was SO tempted yesterday to just instabuy the Ai 100 with RPM Blast 16 gauge from TT Europe but it seems like a bad decision

what if I feel like the Ai sucks once they ship it to me and I start playing?

PS: OMG Yonex is doing 20% off cuz Stan beat Djoko at the French WTF!!!!
 
MikeHitsHard93

MikeHitsHard93

Hall of Fame
Legend of Borg said:
dammit i knew you were gonna say something like this

i was SO tempted yesterday to just instabuy the Ai 100 with RPM Blast 16 gauge from TT Europe but it seems like a bad decision

what if I feel like the Ai sucks once they ship it to me and I start playing?

PS: OMG Yonex is doing 20% off cuz Stan beat Djoko at the French WTF!!!!
Click to expand...

I'm not forcing you to do anything lol. You're a big kid, you can make your own decisions ;)

Joking aside, I'm only saying this out of experience. If you buy a racket new and use it, they won't allow a return as new.
 
Legend of Borg

Legend of Borg

G.O.A.T.
MikeHitsHard93 said:
I'm not forcing you to do anything lol. You're a big kid, you can make your own decisions ;)

Joking aside, I'm only saying this out of experience. If you buy a racket new and use it, they won't allow a return as new.
Click to expand...

ye i've already ordered two demos

Ai and the Burn

gonna be here next week but that's TOO DAMN LONG!
 
Turbo-87

Turbo-87

G.O.A.T.
I played with an AI 100 demo over the weekend and I absolutely hated it. I couldn't do a thing with it and I am not sure if it was the horrible strings in it or the racquet itself. It felt very disconnected and I couldn't get into any shot I attempted with it. I had no control at all and couldn't serve worth a darn with it. I knew it would take some getting used to but I played two sets of terrible tennis, grabbed my Head from my bag and immediately improved every facet of my game.

I want to give it another chance, though. I was REALLY disappointed in the condition of the racquet and the el cheapo strings that were in it. If I could string it to my specs, I would try it again just to see but I was really turned off on this racquet. It was not at all what I was expecting.
 
Legend of Borg

Legend of Borg

G.O.A.T.
OK, huge dissapointment

not from the racket, but from the TT Europe service

racket delivery dates were all over the place, changed almost every day and finally they told me due to unforseen delays or something like that they could not give me a final date for when the rackets will arrive

could be mid-July, could be a whole month

i canceled my order and i'm getting a full refund in a few days

the problem right now is that i don't have any place to demo my rackets from, London kinds of sux for demoing rackets there's a lot of private operated tennis shops which don't have enough of a supply to allow demoing

i feel like i'm gonna do something really rash and actually just buy one of the two rackets without even demoing it

YOLO am i right? ;)
 
Turbo-87

Turbo-87

G.O.A.T.
I guess if you have the cash, go for it. I would never buy a racquet without a proper demo but it sounds like your hands are tied. My club never has any decent demos so I always order a demo on Monday, get it Thursday and then have several chances with good matches for the 7 days I get it. I have really thought about buying a racquet just based on written and youtube reviews but have not fallen into that trap ... yet.

I really disliked my demo with the AI 100, but don't let that sway you. :)
 
Legend of Borg

Legend of Borg

G.O.A.T.
ye i JUST saw your review of the Ai 100 as i wrote my post and thought to myself "damn, maybe Yonex is overrated" haha i really get affected by players reviews on rackets in this way

ye i have the cash for BOTH rackets actually so in theory i could just buy out both the Wilson Burn and the Yonex Ai 100 but that would feel tremendously wasteful considering i will only play with one of those rackets consistently (i won't be switching between them every other day or anything)

honestly, i'm just gonna do another few hours of solid review/number crunching and maybe spin a coin or something LOL

this is kinda exciting
 
CopolyX

CopolyX

Hall of Fame
I have both the AI and the Burn. I love the Burn for singles and the AI for doubles. Different animals, I prefer a stiffer frame but depend on the feel and vibration. I do use softer polys and a low 50 tensions and my arms are elbows are fine.
I had the full Pure Drive Line and found that felt stiffer that the burn, even with there cortex and fsi....But again, to each their own, we all swing differently and your need to find what works for you ( string/tension/frame)....just have fun and win!
With the Burn I love to fire it at the opponents feet, burns their toes... it is very precise with the right string set up!

I love the fact that the masses follow the babolat pied piper and want to swing the ADP's or the PD's (both also fantastic for the elbow -but it is really the swing first) while texting on their iPhone.
 
A

avocadoz

Professional
Hated both Ai 98 & 100. The 98 is too flex and too easy to swing that I'm afraid to swing all out while the 100 is too head heavy and lacks control. I haven't tried the Burn and probably never will since that RA rating scares me.
 
prjacobs

prjacobs

Hall of Fame
I'd recommend demoing a lot of stick. The 6.1 95 is over an ounce heavier than the Yonex. (Not sure about the Burn weight). That's a huge leap to make without investigating what's out there). Lots of 11.5 ounce frames to consider?
 
CopolyX

CopolyX

Hall of Fame
Stiffness / RA Ratings
Stiffness is related to two things: power and comfort. A stiffer racket will provide more power. When the ball strikes the frame, the frame deflections. Contrary to what many believe, this deflection doesn’t add power to the shot (it doesn’t spring the ball forward again like a catapult) but rather takes power away from the shot. Think of it like this: the ball has a certain amount of energy in it. Bending the frame takes energy away from the ball. Thus, the stiffer the frame, the less it deflects or bends, and the more power remains in the ball. Now comes the interesting part: comfort.

Comfort is a funny thing, and an area where science and feelings collide. The generally assumed knowledge is that softer frames are more comfortable and help with things like tennis elbow. The science is murky at best. When a racket strikes a tennis ball, it vibrates. The amplitude, frequency and damping rate are all affected by the stiffness. Stiffer rackets have a lower amplitude, but higher frequency and damping. That is to say the size of the vibrations are small, they happen more quickly but also stop more quickly. More flexible rackets have larger vibrations that happen at a lower rate but continue for longer.

Which is better? Theoretically the stiffer racket should be as it would be putting less overall stress on the arm with smaller vibrations that stop sooner. The tough part is separating that out from other factors such as swing, grip size, strings, stringbed pattern as these can all affect the feel of a racket also. My personal experience is that the " strings" affect the feel far more than the actual racket stiffness does for the most part (excepting possibly the most flexible racket I’ve ever hit with which was a true 49 flex frame). I will say that the smoothest hitting I’ve ever had is with a 70RA stiffness racket, but clearly that’s just anecdotal.
 
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