Bikini frame no more???

[tipsntails7]

Looks like the bikini frame got pulled of the site, not in the rhino den either. Wonder if they are redesigning it or are just going to run with one frame.

I'm sure the new frame has been selling like hot cakes but the bikini was pretty damn light and pretty damn good.

 

[Wileycoyote]

Knowing Kifaru they are building another new and improved rendition! They are good at keeping us spending money

 

[rhunter424]

Didn't you know that the prototype name for the UL frame was the "anti-bikini"? AKA's include "one-piece" and "cover-up".

 

[pyroducksx3]

Yeah I think the new ultralight duplex with arrow shafts was within a few ounces of the bikini and solved alot of the complaints people had of the bikini

 

[tipsntails7]

Yeah I think the new ultralight duplex with arrow shafts was within a few ounces of the bikini and solved alot of the complaints people had of the bikini

26 " Bikini was 2 pounds 5 oz I believe with composite stays. new duplex with arrows is 2 lbs 12 oz, with stays its 3 lbs 14 oz. So if the arrows don't work for you your still a pound heavier.

Just surprises me is all. Bikini plus argali would put someone just above 4 pounds total. That's pretty damn lite for an insanely capable setup.

 

[russ_outdoors]

Knowing Kifaru they are building another new and improved rendition!

Hope this is the case.

 

[tipsntails7]

Knowing Kifaru they are building another new and improved rendition! They are good at keeping us spending money

Imagine if they made the bikini with interchangeable stays. Bikini frame plus arrow stays equals lite as shit...

 

[dotman]

26 " Bikini was 2 pounds 5 oz I believe with composite stays. new duplex with arrows is 2 lbs 12 oz, with stays its 3 lbs 14 oz. So if the arrows don't work for you your still a pound heavier.

Just surprises me is all. Bikini plus argali would put someone just above 4 pounds total. That's pretty damn lite for an insanely capable setup.

I think they are also slimming their line some, no camo options on the new frame. Might make it easier to keep inventory and reduce wait times. I have a feeling we will not see a replacement for the bikini since the UL duplex really is within a handful of oz's.

After going from a bikini to the UL there is no comparison, the UL is hands down better IMO and I was one of the guys that the bikini fit like a glove, didn't think the new frame could be better but it is.

 

[Manosteel]

I am with dotman on this one, but that didn't stop me from regretting selling my Bikini frame to a buddy. I regret it so much I scooped up a used Bikini frame off here at a great price. The bikini pared with my T3 bag or my 4800 has me at a more than capable scouting/back up set up at just a hair over 4lbs.

 

[Ryan Avery]

I am with dotman on this one, but that didn't stop me from regretting selling my Bikini frame to a buddy. I regret it so much I scooped up a used Bikini frame off here at a great price. The bikini pared with my T3 bag or my 4800 has me at a more than capable scouting/back up set up at just a hair over 4lbs.

The Bikini with a T3 can handle 90% of the hunting I do. Great setup!

 

[bud]

I have a bikini and t3 bag with a side zipper installed by bearpaw designs. Use a guide lid,grab-it, and couple pockets to set it up for the trip im going on. Carried a lot of meat also used it for day pack,wilderness fishing trips,shed hunting, long backpacking trips. I like it.

 

[Ryan Avery]

I have a bikini and t3 bag with a side zipper installed by bearpaw designs. Use a guide lid,grab-it, and couple pockets to set it up for the trip im going on. Carried a lot of meat also used it for day pack,wilderness fishing trips,shed hunting, long backpacking trips. I like it.

Can you post pics of that side zip?

 

[Snyd]

I have a Bikini Frame that I put a Kelty 50th Anniverary bag on. 7200 cubes. 5lbs 7ozs. I call it the KeltyFaru

The KeltyFaru Project

I've packed out 2 rams with it. 120ish lb loads on rough terrain for a total of proably 25+ miles with those loads. I suppose it was probably max for the Bikini but I can't say it didn't handle it. I know that's heavy enough for me! With that kind of weight on rough terrain everything wants to "goes south" and you feel like your getting pressed into the earth....

 

[jmden]

Yeah I think the new ultralight duplex with arrow shafts was within a few ounces of the bikini and solved alot of the complaints people had of the bikini

What were the complaints? I think I heard a thing or two but can't remember for sure besides it's not supposed to carry the heavier weights as well due to the stays bending, etc. apparently. I got one with the DT2 bag as soon as it came out to replace a Gen 1 Kifaru frame. Works for me in the vast majority of situations. I had 130lbs on it last year for awhile in nasty steep, x-country high mountain terrain packing out all the meat from a good sized muley but that's just plain brutal in any pack. Have had 65-100 lbs in it many times (13lbs of that is rifle) packing in camp and packing critters out. Did send it in last spring due to noticing a crack next to the rivet that holds the vertical and cross stays together, but that was there from the beginning and I'd just finally gotten around to asking Kifaru about it. Guess I'm surprised they are completely going away from it as it is quite a bit lighter if you are counting ounces.

 

[dotman]

What were the complaints? I think I heard a thing or two but can't remember for sure besides it's not supposed to carry the heavier weights as well due to the stays bending, etc. apparently. I got one with the DT2 bag as soon as it came out to replace a Gen 1 Kifaru frame. Works for me in the vast majority of situations. I had 130lbs on it last year for awhile in nasty steep, x-country high mountain terrain packing out all the meat from a good sized muley but that's just plain brutal in any pack. Have had 65-100 lbs in it many times (13lbs of that is rifle) packing in camp and packing critters out. Did send it in last spring due to noticing a crack next to the rivet that holds the vertical and cross stays together, but that was there from the beginning and I'd just finally gotten around to asking Kifaru about it. Guess I'm surprised they are completely going away from it as it is quite a bit lighter if you are counting ounces.

I think some had fit issues and others complained about stuff poking through and some thought it swayed too much. It fit me like a glove and things poking through never bothered me I guess. That said the new harness is way better, one thing I didn't love but again wasn't bad was the the shoulder straps of the bikini.

 

[jmden]

By harness you mean...?

 

[dotman]

Shoulder straps, they are wider and the foam is more comfortable.

 

[bud]

I have never posted pics on a forum before, but I will give it a shot this week. Im working down in TX right now but have my pack and camera with me. Maybe I will get it figured out and post some pics of my hunts this year also.

 

[jmden]

Shoulder straps, they are wider and the foam is more comfortable.

OK. That actually has been a little bit of something I've noticed, but for me, this bikini with DT2 bag and XTL lid has been a real winner. With a 13 lb rifle, I count every ounce everywhere else to get high and far in the mountains.

 

[5MilesBack]

With a 13 lb rifle, I count every ounce everywhere else to get high and far in the mountains.

If I were you.......I'd cut that rifle weight in half by picking up a bow.

I find it funny when bowhunters complain about a 6.5lb "heavy" bow setup. They've obviously never carried a heavy scoped rifle around the mountains for days on end. My "heavy" bow is a delight to carry.