Anyone Remember the Yonex Ultimum RD Ti-80?

corners

Legend
Well, the rd is a better frame, -for me-.

With the vcore tour 97, I didn't feel the stringbed to be trampoline-like, but rather, the lack of control on flat shots was due to the lack of torsional stability of the frame itself. So I don't think it was the string pattern of the vcore that is causing the loss of control, but rather the torsional stability of the frame. At least that was my experience from hitting with both the rdti80 and vcore tour 97.

I have never hit with the RDS 002 Tour, but the Yonex's I have used over the years are: RDX 500 MP, RDS 001 mid, RQiS 1 Tour, RD Ti 80, VCore Tour 97 330g. Unfortunately other than the rdti80 and vct97, I forgot how all the other racquets played!

Currently I still use the vct97 as my backup when the string breaks on my rdti80, so it's clear in my mind what the differences are between the two. I know I said I have two rdti80s... I am just too lazy to string the other one.

Thanks bro! Glad you mentioned that you are hitting the 97 and Rdti 80 more or less side by side. A lot of credibility comes with that kind of arrangement - obviously there's no better way to compare two racquets.

BTW, when you say "torsional stability," what do you mean, exactly? Is it just the frame twisting in your hand on off-center shots?
 

hawk eye

Hall of Fame
I remember the obscure Yones RD ti Control 05. Very nice (and cheap) racket, but I'm sure it won't ever have vintage/classic reputation.
 
Thanks bro! Glad you mentioned that you are hitting the 97 and Rdti 80 more or less side by side. A lot of credibility comes with that kind of arrangement - obviously there's no better way to compare two racquets.

BTW, when you say "torsional stability," what do you mean, exactly? Is it just the frame twisting in your hand on off-center shots?

Yup, by lack of torsional stability I mean that I feel the racquet twist more often hitting with the vct97 versus the rdti80. I think the sweetspot is "wider" on the rdti80, whereas the sweetspot for the vct97 seems narrow.
 

corners

Legend
Yup, by lack of torsional stability I mean that I feel the racquet twist more often hitting with the vct97 versus the rdti80. I think the sweetspot is "wider" on the rdti80, whereas the sweetspot for the vct97 seems narrow.
Thanks bro. I think you're right, I think the rdti80 is about a centimeter wider in the head, right? If so, the sweetspot must be larger just by virtue of that dimension. Still gotta get my hands on one of these. :)
 

sofahead1108

New User
I actually just discovered this racquet about 3 weeks ago and immediately fell in love. I've been playing with volkl dnx 10 mp for the last ten years and have been trying to find something I like more for years. This is it. Perfect amount of flexiness, a little more powerful (imo), massive sweetspot, and an amazing paint job. I've never actually played a yonex so I was shocked to fall for this one so instantly. I've already managed to pick up 3 of them and have some tournaments scheduled to see how I hold up with them. The one question I have for all you former/current users is, what string setups did you guys like the most? I've got one with rpm blast/nxt, one xcode/xcel, and one with another hybrid I can't remember. I think I like the xcode/xcel combo best so far but I'm curious which combinations you guys found to play best!

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Sander001

Hall of Fame
I actually just discovered this racquet about 3 weeks ago and immediately fell in love. I've been playing with volkl dnx 10 mp for the last ten years and have been trying to find something I like more for years. This is it. Perfect amount of flexiness, a little more powerful (imo), massive sweetspot, and an amazing paint job. I've never actually played a yonex so I was shocked to fall for this one so instantly. I've already managed to pick up 3 of them and have some tournaments scheduled to see how I hold up with them. The one question I have for all you former/current users is, what string setups did you guys like the most? I've got one with rpm blast/nxt, one xcode/xcel, and one with another hybrid I can't remember. I think I like the xcode/xcel combo best so far but I'm curious which combinations you guys found to play best!

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Poly Tour Pro 125 was really good.
 

royroy85

Rookie
I actually just discovered this racquet about 3 weeks ago and immediately fell in love. I've been playing with volkl dnx 10 mp for the last ten years and have been trying to find something I like more for years. This is it. Perfect amount of flexiness, a little more powerful (imo), massive sweetspot, and an amazing paint job. I've never actually played a yonex so I was shocked to fall for this one so instantly. I've already managed to pick up 3 of them and have some tournaments scheduled to see how I hold up with them. The one question I have for all you former/current users is, what string setups did you guys like the most? I've got one with rpm blast/nxt, one xcode/xcel, and one with another hybrid I can't remember. I think I like the xcode/xcel combo best so far but I'm curious which combinations you guys found to play best!

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Still my main racquet. I find as I grow older it become less easier to play with. What ever string bed it rewards great footwork. Period. I started with your bite 1.30 but it was too harsh. Now settled on SPPP 1.23. Better feel. Sightly more power.
Well, the rd is a better frame, -for me-.

With the vcore tour 97, I didn't feel the stringbed to be trampoline-like, but rather, the lack of control on flat shots was due to the lack of torsional stability of the frame itself. So I don't think it was the string pattern of the vcore that is causing the loss of control, but rather the torsional stability of the frame. At least that was my experience from hitting with both the rdti80 and vcore tour 97.

I have never hit with the RDS 002 Tour, but the Yonex's I have used over the years are: RDX 500 MP, RDS 001 mid, RQiS 1 Tour, RD Ti 80, VCore Tour 97 330g. Unfortunately other than the rdti80 and vct97, I forgot how all the other racquets played!

Currently I still use the vct97 as my backup when the string breaks on my rdti80, so it's clear in my mind what the differences are between the two. I know I said I have two rdti80s... I am just too lazy to string the other one.

I recall Chris at TW writing that this frame was too "lively" the first time around, as was the C10 Pro, but that he really enjoyed re-issued versions of both when he started putting copoly strings in them. Ah, here is the blog: http://blog.tennis-warehouse.com/racquets/rediscovering-the-yonex-rd-ti-80/


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I actually just discovered this racquet about 3 weeks ago and immediately fell in love. I've been playing with volkl dnx 10 mp for the last ten years and have been trying to find something I like more for years. This is it. Perfect amount of flexiness, a little more powerful (imo), massive sweetspot, and an amazing paint job. I've never actually played a yonex so I was shocked to fall for this one so instantly. I've already managed to pick up 3 of them and have some tournaments scheduled to see how I hold up with them. The one question I have for all you former/current users is, what string setups did you guys like the most? I've got one with rpm blast/nxt, one xcode/xcel, and one with another hybrid I can't remember. I think I like the xcode/xcel combo best so far but I'm curious which combinations you guys found to play best!

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Awesome, just got a notification pop-up when royroy85 quoted me =) I'm still using the RD TI 80! Luckily I have 4 of them and they are in decent shape for now, so they should last for some time.

I added 10 grams of weight total to each racquet (a pack of http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Wilson_Tungsten_Tuning_Tape/descpageWILSON-WTTT.html); 5 grams at 6 o'clock and 2.5 grams each at 9:30 and 2:30 (ish). For strings, I stuck with using Kirschbaum Super Smash 16L Orange at 60 lbs. I find this setup gives me plenty of confidence in my shots, while producing good spin. Power is lacking on those stretched-out defensive pokes, but the control and spin I get more than makes up for that. When I'm set up and/or can step in, there is no doubt in my mind I can take a full cut at the ball and be aggressive.
 

Sander001

Hall of Fame
I still have mine and still carry it in the bag after all these years. It was the first racquet I bought from TW, some 15+ years ago. Mine weighs 370gr 13oz but feels so much lighter with superb spin, manueverability, control. Massive sweetspot.

Anybody know where I can get more?
 

sofahead1108

New User
So after purchasing 3 of these recently I have since switched back to my Volkl Dnx 10 MP. I've found that the Ti 80 is very string dependent and I can't figure out what the original string was that was in it when I first tried it! I've yet to find a setup that works like it and I tried the Volkl again to compare and immediately my strokes felt like second nature again. I actually think a lot of the reason too that the RD Ti 80 didn't end up working out for me is the handle shape. My stroke just never felt right with it. I also think it could be the change in balance. All my Dnx 10 MP are 13oz with 12 pts headlight. The Yonex is only 10 as I have it. I may give it one more chance and get it shifted to 12 pts and see if that makes it work. If not though I may be willing to offer you a couple @Sander001. haha
 

Sander001

Hall of Fame
So after purchasing 3 of these recently I have since switched back to my Volkl Dnx 10 MP. I've found that the Ti 80 is very string dependent and I can't figure out what the original string was that was in it when I first tried it! I've yet to find a setup that works like it and I tried the Volkl again to compare and immediately my strokes felt like second nature again. I actually think a lot of the reason too that the RD Ti 80 didn't end up working out for me is the handle shape. My stroke just never felt right with it. I also think it could be the change in balance. All my Dnx 10 MP are 13oz with 12 pts headlight. The Yonex is only 10 as I have it. I may give it one more chance and get it shifted to 12 pts and see if that makes it work. If not though I may be willing to offer you a couple @Sander001. haha
Grip size?
 

Alan_Hill

Rookie
I still have mine and still carry it in the bag after all these years. It was the first racquet I bought from TW, some 15+ years ago. Mine weighs 370gr 13oz but feels so much lighter with superb spin, manueverability, control. Massive sweetspot.

Anybody know where I can get more?
I know a guy who can find some NOS Ti80


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Sander001

Hall of Fame
Bumps

I want to return to Yonex, going to make my ti80 my primary for now. I also got my eyes on the Ezoner DR98, can anybody compare them?
 

basil J

Hall of Fame
Antone still using this stick and how does it compare to the newer Yonex players frames? I tried the Vcore 330 the other night and I thought it was okay. very solid, but had a different balance than I remember the TI 80 had, Which I really liked. I found two brand new 2012 4 1/2's TI 80's and I may pull the trigger on one just to revisit an old stick I really liked years ago. and may be play test it against some of the newer Yonex players frames.
 

da

Rookie
Nothing quite like the TI 80, and some grommet sets are still available on the auction site
 

basil J

Hall of Fame
pulled the trigger on a TI 80 today. Should have it by Wednesday. he has 3 left. If I like it I may grab another. My melbournes are getting tired and I have not found any suitable replacements for them yet.
 

Seth

Legend
Nothing quite like the TI 80, and some grommet sets are still available on the auction site
pulled the trigger on a TI 80 today. Should have it by Wednesday. he has 3 left. If I like it I may grab another. My melbournes are getting tired and I have not found any suitable replacements for them yet.

I wouldn’t mind finding 3 of these in either 1/2 or 5/8.
 

basil J

Hall of Fame
My TI 80 arrived today. 12.4 oz strung, 7 pts head light. Will hit with it tomorrow and report on how it compares to my memory of when I used it it 10 years ago. Its a nice looking frame. I liked the red White & blue paint job better, but it still looks pretty good. I have Yonex 850 string in it at 55#which I never really liked, but that's what the shop manager recommended and it was at no charge, so I went with it.
 
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basil J

Hall of Fame
So I got a chance to hit after work today so I took her out for a ride. The first thing I noticed was that the racquet feels light in hand compared to my Melbournes. I hit for 50 minutes with the Yonex, 10 minutes with My Beckers and then another 30 minutes with the Yonex. We played points off a feed and then we served out a set.
Comfort: 9/10 The yonex has that tinny/ceramic feel I remember when I first started hitting, but then I noticed that If I took the ball in the center of the frame or a little higher in the string bed, it was solid and crisp, so that quickly became a non issue. The launch angle is a little higher than my Melbourne and and the swing weight is also lighter than my Melbourne, so the balls were launching with more of an arc thank usual but once I adjusted and trusted that they would stay in court, I started playing more aggressively and quickly found my groove off of both wings. The handle is a lot rounder and smaller than what I am used to, but again I adjusted easily. No vibration or arm soreness what soever, so the comfort appears to be good. Not Melbourne good, but very good.
Ground strokes: 8/10 I found my range pretty easily, but noticed I felt like my shots were coming in slower than usual and of less weight of shot, but again will need more time to get dialed in, I only played 90 minutes in total. Control and spin were very good, but again a little short in power compared to the Melbourne. Backhand topsin and slice were both average good. In fairness, I have a Gut mains/poly hybrid in my Melbourne, so inherently the set up probably brings more power than the Yonex string.
Volleys: 8/10 I served and volleyed a bit tonight and the frame was pretty good at net, but I sprayed a couple of volleys long, I think maybe due to the more open string pattern and a little less stability up there than my Melbourne. First impression: Not bad, but not great.
Serves. 7/10 At first, just plain awful, but once I started to find my range I found good consistency but not the pop I get with the Melbourne. Spin and slice was excellent and I had no issues holding serve after I warmed up and adjusted to the different handle shape, which I actually like, but no big first serves tonight.
Return of serves: 9/10 Good low power control frame that comes around quite nicely and allows big cuts at the ball with good control. BH slice returns were very effective and I could drive the ball nicely.
Overall, this frame played well and I think If I put in a gut poly hybrid at the right tension, I could easily use this as a replacement to my Melbournes. I have been using the Melbourne as my main stick since 2012, with some very short stints with a MW 200G and most recently the Aerogel 200, but I am looking for some easier power. I have 2 old Melbournes and One I just put into circulation last summer, that My daughter primarily uses when she plays, but has at times, found its way back in my bag, but at this point I need to upgrade the 2 old ones with something new. They are getting very tired and have lost lots of their feel and power .I may tinker with some lead weight on the hoop, to add some more stability and pop, but I like the HL feel that the TI 80 has. Sorry for the long write up. I'll play a few more times and post again for anyone interested.
 

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
The lite version of the rd ti-80 modded with lead used to be my favorite Yonex before I switched to 18/20s. Still have it but now when I need an 16/19, I pull out the vcp97 310.
 

basil J

Hall of Fame
Played 4 sets today. Frame was solid and predictable, but a little under powered. I think I need to juice it up with some livelier strings. I found depth okay, but felt like I had no real heavy balls off the ground today and I wasn't hurting my opponent off the ground in longer baseline rallies today . I'm going to try adding a little bit of lead at 3:00 & 9:00 and maybe try a gut /poly hybrid or go full gut.
 
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basil J

Hall of Fame
Hit for 90 minutes tonight in 85 d heat. I put 3" strips of 1/4' lead tape at 3:00& 9:00. Strings have settled, the lead tape helped with the ping as I did not feel any of that tonight. I am finding that this frame really rewards you when you go after it. I was really hitting out tonight off both wings and I was getting great height and depth with good consistency. My hitting partners stated that I was playing much more aggressively than usual and I was rewarded with a good consistent heavy ball. As soon as I backed off or played defensively I found myself hitting short and getting in trouble. I don't think this frame would suit a pusher or even a heavy topspin defensive type of player. The frame really shines when you hit out and I found my self quite invigorated tonight and enjoying my more aggressive style of play more so than my usual all court, wait for my opening style of play I have fallen into as I have gotten older. Frame is good at punch volleys as well as I closed in may times tonight with good success.. I still will replace the string later this week, but had a real good outing with the Ti 80 tonight.
 

basil J

Hall of Fame
Restrung with 16g gut in the mains and 17g multi crosses. Frame played very, well, predictable and comfortably. I played it against my Melbourne today for 2 hours, playing 30 minute blocks. Melbourne is strung up the same string except with 17g gut mains. In every category, including spin, which surprised me a bit, I found the Melbourne to still be the superior frame for me. My buddy who is also a Melbourne player (4.5 rated) Had a few demos out this weekend, The vcore 97 310, 330, and the new Blade 16 x 19.He played my TI 80 as well and he also felt that the Melbourne out shined all of them with the TI 80 easily being the 2nd best frame. I took the new Melbourne I gave my daughter back, changed the pallets to an Attiva pallet and I think I am going to keep the TI 80 in my bag, but the Melbourne will continue to be my main frame, especially that now I have my daughters ( basically new, old frame). My daughter is fine with withe TI 80 when she hits with me, since she is shifting gears to Track and then ski racing in the fall. The Attiva pallet shape is a little more traditional than the rectangular Volkl grip shape, so it works well for me.
 

basil J

Hall of Fame
If anyone is interested in picking up a new TI 80 pm me and I will tell you where they are still available.
 

basil J

Hall of Fame
I have a new one with less than 3 hrs play on it 4 1/2" grip. not a mark on it. I'll sell it for $75.00 shipped if interested.
 
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