Yonex Vcore Tour 97 "Light" (the 310 grams version) discussion thread

I'm a gut/poly guy, specifically 17g Pacific Classic / 18g MSV Co. Focus. I think the gut helps soften the frame a bit, seeing as how it is more firm than my Pacifics.

I tried Tier One T1 Firewire (full poly) last night as an experiment. My initial impression was 'eh', but I'm reserving an actual review for when I can get out on the clay (it's been raining/drizzling in the Mid Atlantic for 3 days now).

Tension should most definitely be in the low 50s max. I'm down to 53/51 for the gut/poly, and strung the T1 at 50 even.
 
Well I did it! I had a TW credit burning a hole in my pocket and I've been wanting to test this racquet for months.

Ordered the Yonex Vcore Tour 97 (310), 4 1/4 grip, strung with Solinco Tour Bite Soft 17 (52mains/50crosses). It will be here tomorrow. Very exciting!

Not sure about my string choice. Probably should have gone with a hybrid for more power - but I can always change that later.

Thanks again to everyone for all their feedback.
 
BC1 said:
Well I did it! I had a TW credit burning a hole in my pocket and I've been wanting to test this racquet for months.

Ordered the Yonex Vcore Tour 97 (310), 4 1/4 grip, strung with Solinco Tour Bite Soft 17 (52mains/50crosses). It will be here tomorrow. Very exciting!

Not sure about my string choice. Probably should have gone with a hybrid for more power - but I can always change that later.

Thanks again to everyone for all their feedback.
Click to expand...

Cool. Let us know how you like it.
 
I'd be interested to know if anyone has tried this 310 as well as the VCT89. Which did you prefer?
I've tried Yonex 310's before and had mixed results: RDX500 MP was good but RDTi-80 lacked plow-thru. I'm wondering if the VCT89 is a heavier - but not too heavy - maneuverable compromise?
 
My 97 Tour 310 was delivered - She's beautiful!

Typical Yonex high quality PJ (love the Red, and the color is different then the other vcores). Specs are right on target or very close. Mine strung is 320 grams without overgrip and dampner. 6-7 pts HL.

I also love the fact that it comes with a Yonex dampner and a Yonex cloth drawstring cover - very nice touches!
 
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BC1 said:
My 97 Tour 310 was delivered - She's beautiful!

Typical Yonex high quality PJ (love the Red, and the color is different then the other vcores). Specs are right on target or very close. Mine strung is 320 grams without overgrip and dampner. 6-7 pts HL.

I also love the fact that it comes with a Yonex dampner and a Yonex cloth drawstring cover - very nice touches!
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It IS a beaut that's for sure. But I found it to lack power and plowthru. Go very low on tension. I think you will ened up preferring the PD in the end. I demo's it and was underwhelmed. Maybe you'll like it better? I think the VCore Xi 98D is a much better choice. In the end though, I always pass on Yonex's due to the weird head shape and the horrible grip (ultra thin w/ no flare).
 
JackB1 said:
It IS a beaut that's for sure. But I found it to lack power and plowthru. Go very low on tension. I think you will ened up preferring the PD in the end. I demo's it and was underwhelmed. Maybe you'll like it better? I think the VCore Xi 98D is a much better choice. In the end though, I always pass on Yonex's due to the weird head shape and the horrible grip (ultra thin w/ no flare).
Click to expand...

Wow Jack - Rain on my parade why don't you!!
That's ok... deep down I know you are probably correct in your assesment, but let me dream a little! I have had various mixed feeling about the vcores in the past, but this one just looks special, but I know it's a stretch for my 4.0 game. My next racquet (IF this one fails) will be your racquet, the 104. I KNOW i like that one and it is great for my game and soooo easy. I played with it for around a month right after they came out, and loved it. I just keeping fighting it for no good reason - I guess only because it's a "104". But you can't argue with results.

FWIW - the headshape on the tours are not as pronounced as on other yonex sticks - looks more "regular", but yes, you are definitely right about the grip (butt), absolutely horrible, but I knew that coming in. It's fine. I'll just build one.
 
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BC1 said:
Wow Jack - Rain on my parade why don't you!!
That's ok... deep down I know you are probably correct in your assesment, but let me dream a little! I have had various mixed feeling about the vcores in the past, but this one just looks special, but I know it's a stretch for my 4.0 game. My next racquet (IF this one fails) will be your racquet, the 104. I KNOW i like that one and it is great for my game and soooo easy. I played with it for around a month right after they came out, and loved it. I just keeping fighting it for no good reason - I guess only because it's a "104". But you can't argue with results.

FWIW - the headshape on the tours are not as pronounced as on other yonex sticks - looks more "regular", but yes, you are definitely right about the grip (butt), absolutely horrible, but I knew that coming in. It's fine. I'll just build one.
Click to expand...

lol...sorry my friend. That PD12 is very tough to beat. If u are OK with the stiffness there's no many better in it's class. I LOVED it when I was using it.
What I love about the 104 is I can play any style well with it. I can crush groundies or cut slices low to the net...I can hit droppers on a dime or loop moonballs into the corners. It's the swiss army knife of racquets!
 
BC1 said:
Wow Jack - Rain on my parade why don't you!!
That's ok... deep down I know you are probably correct in your assesment, but let me dream a little! I have had various mixed feeling about the vcores in the past, but this one just looks special, but I know it's a stretch for my 4.0 game. My next racquet (IF this one fails) will be your racquet, the 104. I KNOW i like that one and it is great for my game and soooo easy. I played with it for around a month right after they came out, and loved it. I just keeping fighting it for no good reason - I guess only because it's a "104". But you can't argue with results.

FWIW - the headshape on the tours are not as pronounced as on other yonex sticks - looks more "regular", but yes, you are definitely right about the grip (butt), absolutely horrible, but I knew that coming in. It's fine. I'll just build one.
Click to expand...

If you compare the headshpe of the tours to a "regular" racquet you'll notice that the shape is regular, with the only difference being that the top and bottom of the oval are cut off. This effectively places the center of the stringbed higher, or further from one's hand. The center is in the same location as it would be with a midsize. This is a good thing if you tend to hit high in the stringbed, IMO.

Regarding "power", I wouldn't put much stock in claims about this. Every study on racquet power has shown that differences are minimal if the swingweights are similar, minimal to the point of being miniscule, in fact. For example, someone in this thread mentioned that the Rdti 80 was very low power, but Chris at TW says that racquet is so lively he needs to string it tight with poly, just like he does with the C10 Pro. And lots of people have complained about the low power of the C10, but Chris gave it an 85 rating in terms of power, about the same as he gave the Pure Drive Roddick. Power is bull****, in my opinion, it's mostly a matter of perception, or more precisely, of perceptual errors. But even though I believe that I still try to find racquets that offer free power. Such is the suggestive power of twenty years of marketing focusing primarily on "power."

I would focus on other performance characteristics - feel, stability, etc. Most people don't adjust string tension properly when moving from one stick to another, which can skew reports about "power." The tours have 20 crosses and are rather short from bridge to tip, making for a pretty dense stringbed. If you string it up at the same tension you would with a Pure Drive, for example, it's going to feel boardy and low powered. Need to drop tension.
 
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Which strings have you guys been using in your 97s?

I currently own the 89 but its weight is kiling my shoulder, so I'm moving to the 97 310g. Already ordered them, but will get them only by next week.

I'm wondering if ALU or Focus Hex would be a good choice.
 
Corners, I agree somewhat with your take on "power", but there is a HUGE difference if you compare a super stiff, thick beamed tweener to a low powered racquet like a Prestige. But if you are looking at similar speced racquets in the same general class, then yes, power can be easily adjusted with 5-10 lbs change in tension. A Pure Drive at 60 lbs is probably pretty equal in power to a Prestige at 50.
 
i demoed this one and didn't really find low powered. i've never played with other yonex frames though. thin beam was maneuverable, 2hbh loved the long grip. nice feel. no issues with plow or stability, racquet head speed took care of that. demo had yonex 850 multi at mid tension. it had good power and was pretty controlled. minimal string movement. the racquet was comfortable, not stiff, but would have preferred it more flexible. had it been so, i might be playing with one now. didn't have time to dial in serves, but it had promise, as i threw down a couple of aces.
 
Gasolina said:
Can anyone compare the "comfort/stiffness" level vs. the 95D? I think the 95D is the stiffest my wrist can take.
Click to expand...

Definitely and noticeably stiffer.

It is comfortable to hit with, and does not seem as stiff as the stock RA indicates. Once again though, stiffer than the 95D.
 
Gasolina said:
Can anyone compare the "comfort/stiffness" level vs. the 95D? I think the 95D is the stiffest my wrist can take.
Click to expand...

forget it then. definitely stiffer than the 95d, which I didn't feel was very stiff at all FWIW. If you want a Yonex with some nice flex to it, try the Xi98 or the RDiS 200.
 
I have been playing with mine since last August and found that Wilson NXT tour 17 at 55/58 to be just about perfect for me.
 
MAXXply said:
I'd be interested to know if anyone has tried this 310 as well as the VCT89. Which did you prefer?
I've tried Yonex 310's before and had mixed results: RDX500 MP was good but RDTi-80 lacked plow-thru. I'm wondering if the VCT89 is a heavier - but not too heavy - maneuverable compromise?
Click to expand...

Not sure about your comment of having tried the 310's before. It is niether of the above racquets?
 
Have changed the standard grip for a Wilson premium leather grip ( not sure wether to use an overgrip yet ). It now wieghs in at exactly 12 oz ( 340g ). 10 1/2 points headlight with a swingwieght of 322. This seems almost ideal for me playing doubles, rock solid on volleys and easily able to reach within 3 feet of the baseline when on my baseline if hitting at about 70%.
 
GBplayer said:
Not sure about your comment of GMShaving tried the 310's before. It is niether of the above racquets?
Click to expand...

I meant I have tried both the RDTi-80 310gms - better known as the RDTi-80 Lite, as well as the RDX 500 MP which is also 310gms unstrung. The RDTi I found lacked plow-thru. The RDX 500 was ok in that respect.

I was asking those who have tried both the VCT97 310gms as well as the VCT89 which one they preferred... :-)
 
MAXXply said:
I meant I have tried both the RDTi-80 310gms - better known as the RDTi-80 Lite, as well as the RDX 500 MP which is also 310gms unstrung. The RDTi I found lacked plow-thru. The RDX 500 was ok in that respect.

I was asking those who have tried both the VCT97 310gms as well as the VCT89 which one they preferred... :-)
Click to expand...

Sorry, misunderstood your question.
 
JackB1 said:
forget it then. definitely stiffer than the 95d, which I didn't feel was very stiff at all FWIW. If you want a Yonex with some nice flex to it, try the Xi98 or the RDiS 200.
Click to expand...
Thanks - I am coming from the RQiS 1 Tour. I think I'll settle for the 95D for now :)

Btw - are you referring to the Ezone Xi 98 or the Vcore Xi 98?
 
I demoed the Yonex Vcore Tour 89 a month ago and it is a really great racquet. The headsize feels a lot bigger than an 89 probably because of the big sweetspot i can hit a lot of spin and in front of net on the volleys it felt pretty good too
 
Francis27 said:
I demoed the Yonex Vcore Tour 89 a month ago and it is a really great racquet. The headsize feels a lot bigger than an 89 probably because of the big sweetspot i can hit a lot of spin and in front of net on the volleys it felt pretty good too
Click to expand...

currently playing with the 89, a great stick but so tiring for me in longer matches and the SW is slowing my backhand a little.

just ordered the 97 310, will see how it goes ...
 
ASH1485 said:
currently playing with the 89, a great stick but so tiring for me in longer matches and the SW is slowing my backhand a little.

just ordered the 97 310, will see how it goes ...
Click to expand...

I hope that you enjoy it, as I have mine. I have been playing with it for over a year now, and still enjoy every minute on court. :smile:
 
so ....... kept coming back and forth between the 89 and the 97 310
i returned the 89s then i asked TW to have them shipped back to me again ... now i am re-sending them to TW !!
i have been in a dilemma, but now i really know the 97 310 is the one for me.

found that the 97 almost plays the same as the 89 with so little adjustment, but it was much easier toplay with.I wasnt getting late on my shots like the 89, it is very fast and manuevrable. The deciding factor for me was the serve, the 97 allowed me to generate more head speed and was serving bombs,in addition kick serves was unmatched and better than any other racket i served with.


can anyone share their customization experiences with the 97 310?
 
ASH1485 said:
so ....... kept coming back and forth between the 89 and the 97 310
i returned the 89s then i asked TW to have them shipped back to me again ... now i am re-sending them to TW !!
i have been in a dilemma, but now i really know the 97 310 is the one for me.

found that the 97 almost plays the same as the 89 with so little adjustment, but it was much easier toplay with.I wasnt getting late on my shots like the 89, it is very fast and manuevrable. The deciding factor for me was the serve, the 97 allowed me to generate more head speed and was serving bombs,in addition kick serves was unmatched and better than any other racket i served with.


can anyone share their customization experiences with the 97 310?
Click to expand...

Hey ASH 1485

I got a pair of 97 310 just over a week ago and love them. What I did was put a leather grip (head) and then added 4 grams of lead at 3 and 9. It worked out pretty well for me.

I have mine strung with yonex poly tour spin. I hope this helped!
 
Yonex vCore 97 light

I've demoed it a couple times with different strings and just pulled the trigger yesterday as I'm sold on it and I don't switch racquets regularly. I've essentially been playing with qvWilson ncode 6.1 95 16 by 18 for 7 years now. I am although always on the occasional demo jag in search of something better and I think I may have found it in this stick. Control=better. Feel=better. Power=same or slightly more. Spin=slightly more. Weight=slightly less (good for my advancing age). Arm Friendly=same if not better.

So my only customization that I'm thinking is putting a little lead around the bottom of the handle under the grip to create more of a "butt" as the Yonex grips have less than the Wilsons and add a touch more head light feel.

Eagerly awaiting it's arrival tomorrow.
 
dhdriver said:
Hey ASH 1485

I got a pair of 97 310 just over a week ago and love them. What I did was put a leather grip (head) and then added 4 grams of lead at 3 and 9. It worked out pretty well for me.

I have mine strung with yonex poly tour spin. I hope this helped!
Click to expand...

thanks dhdriver

what is the weight and SW after your setup ?
i think adding a leather grip will reach it to 12oz, which is why exactly i left the 89.

i want to keep it below 11.8oz but have the same balance.
 
I am still on the fence between the 89 and the 97 (310)! I hit well with either of them. I am partial to the plow of the 89 though. I'll probably just keep them both in my bag :D
 
ASH1485 said:
can anyone share their customization experiences with the 97 310?
Click to expand...

See here:

In the end it did not work out and I went back to my X Force Pros. But for my inability to control the forehand, it was a great racquet.

To be sure, I blame my stroke and not the racquet. Backhands, volleys, serves: They were all better with the Tour 97. But as my confidence waned on my forehand, it bled into the other strokes, and in the end I just couldn't keep a ball in play. 100% mental.
 
I'm very interested in the vcore 97 so this has been a very helpful thread. I'm still using my ncode six-one 95, so would probably be comfortable with a 330 weight but I am curious about the 310 - do most people prefer it due to its increased maneuverability? A lot of reviews have described it as being whippier.
 
I've still got one of these. Great stick for this weight class, IMHO. I love the head shape; nearly every square inch is usable space. I haven't played enough with it to give it an informed review, but my only complaints so far are a feel that's more muted than I prefer and that it's a little more rigid than I like. But both things might be OK once I get my preferred strings in it.
 
^ For me it lagged behind the 89T when I used a nat gut/poly hybrid. Going to full bed Tour Bite soft has transformed it immensely!
 
Greg G said:
^ For me it lagged behind the 89T when I used a nat gut/poly hybrid. Going to full bed Tour Bite soft has transformed it immensely!
Click to expand...

Interesting. How so? I would have thought a softer string bed would compensate for the higher stiffness and lower intrinsic power of the lighter 97. In fact, that's kind of what I'm banking on with this stick. The one I have is strung with Alu right now and I was thinking of putting gut/poly in there.
 
Well strings are a very personal thing, so everyone will have different experiences. I found that with gut poly, the trajectory of the ball was flatter, and I was missing more long. Perhaps I could have adjusted with higher tension. But I went with full poly and got the effect/trajectory/feel I wanted. It may be a purely string issue :)
 
corners said:
Interesting. How so? I would have thought a softer string bed would compensate for the higher stiffness and lower intrinsic power of the lighter 97. In fact, that's kind of what I'm banking on with this stick. The one I have is strung with Alu right now and I was thinking of putting gut/poly in there.
Click to expand...

in fact, a poly like Tour Bite will bring the best out of the 97 because its a racket with huge spin potential. haven't tried natural gut though.

i am currently using it with yonex poly tour and also played with LUX Alu Power, both play great.
 
McLovin said:
See here:

In the end it did not work out and I went back to my X Force Pros. But for my inability to control the forehand, it was a great racquet.

To be sure, I blame my stroke and not the racquet. Backhands, volleys, serves: They were all better with the Tour 97. But as my confidence waned on my forehand, it bled into the other strokes, and in the end I just couldn't keep a ball in play. 100% mental.
Click to expand...

Mclovin, of course i saw your famous thread before purchasing the racket. i am having the exact same issue like yours. the 97 improved my serve, backhand and volleys but i am still not adjusting with the forehand.
i am determined to keep hitting forehands only in my coming practice sessions till i get the hang of it. i have gained confidence in all the other shots PLUS the manuevrability i got, it was a good switch for me.
 
GBPlayer, i didn't weight it actually but yes i use the yonex super grap overgrip.

which i believe adds around 6 grms to the racket.

i am happy with the stock so far, but i feel if adding little weight it would feel perfect. it gets a little flimsy on off center shots and while returning big serves.

Just don't know where to locate the lead, i am confused here because i feel it doesn't need any lead at 12, but then i didn't like lead at 3 & 9 :???:
 
ASH1485 said:
GBPlayer, i didn't weight it actually but yes i use the yonex super grap overgrip.

which i believe adds around 6 grms to the racket.

i am happy with the stock so far, but i feel if adding little weight it would feel perfect. it gets a little flimsy on off center shots and while returning big serves.

Just don't know where to locate the lead, i am confused here because i feel it doesn't need any lead at 12, but then i didn't like lead at 3 & 9 :???:
Click to expand...

I found by putting a leather grip on, it made it a bit dead in the upper hoop. So I added 5 grams on the outside of the frame just below the bumper guard. It raised the sweetspot to make the whole frame usable. So placed at about 10 and 2.

You use polys which are heavier than multis, so maybe 2 grams at 10 and 2? 1 gram either side would do the job?
 
Lead tape placement.

e98yfn.jpg


2.5 grams placed either side on outside of racquet.
 
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Hi , what strings and tension du you use on you Vcore's Tour G ? i have 2 310G and i used since now only Signum Pro Tornado strung at 53/51 lbs .

Did any of you used Signum Pro Firestorm or Luxilon ALU Power? At what tensions?
 
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