Badminton Racket Kawasaki Meteor & Hurricane 088 Reviews

Jayce October 9, 2024 1 0

Recently, I’ve been using a lot of Kawasaki rackets, and after trying several models, I’ve noticed a trend towards some homogenization. As one of the brands that can also take custom orders and has its own production line, Kawasaki’s advantage in manufacturing can lead to the same kind of “OEM” issues with product standardization.

However, it’s a good thing that the average quality of their rackets is consistently high. Even among the generally competent rackets, there are still standout products.

Specifications: Meteor, 5U G5, unstrung weight 91.0g, balance point 295mm, shaft length 213mm, low stiffness, box-shaped frame, 76-hole string bed, 3-9 o’clock grommets, warranty for 30lbs, strung with 24lbs durable string.

The Meteor is positioned similarly to the previous Aurora, so Kawasaki needed to showcase its strengths in appearance and paint quality. The Meteor features a pink-white color scheme with a semi-matte finish. The frame uses low-contrast pink and cyan for accent colors, making the racket look more delicate. This may be more appealing to some of the younger players.

The feel of the Meteor is very similar to the Aurora. The lower weight and slightly higher balance point ensure that the racket doesn’t feel too light when swung. Apart from the parameter differences due to quality control, the Meteor’s lower stiffness and moderate swing speed, combined with its length and consistency, make it quite similar to the Aurora. So, for those interested in these two rackets, choosing based on personal preference for appearance is a reasonable approach.

However, I feel that the warranty tension for these rackets seems unnecessary. I recall when the Big Hammer was first introduced, many beginners were seeking lighter rackets with higher tension, which were not essential for entry-level rackets and were quite misleading. Of course, I don’t doubt that Kawasaki’s rackets can handle high tension.

So, when using these types of rackets, it might be more reasonable to choose based on personal aesthetics rather than specific needs.

Specifications: Hurricane 088, 4U G5, unstrung weight 94.5g, balance point 297mm, shaft length 215mm, medium stiffness, box-shaped frame, 76-hole string bed, 3-9 o’clock grommets, warranty for 30lbs, strung with 26-28lbs BS710.

While the Meteor’s appearance is quite good, the Hurricane offers a strikingly unique look. The bright cyan and some purple-red stickers on the frame are not commonly used colors. The bright appearance over the white base coat makes the Hurricane visually vibrant. However, I don’t understand why the racket includes some gray carbon fiber-like patterns. Nevertheless, the larger area of water decals on the frame does provide a fuller visual impression.

The Hurricane’s head-heavy feel, swing speed, and sweet spot performance are similar to the previous models, but it has the highest shaft stiffness and provides a more authentic hitting experience.

Don’t underestimate this change, as it makes the Hurricane my favorite racket among those I’ve used.

In terms of flexibility and face performance, the Hurricane feels more solid during downward shots, reducing the feeling of wasted effort. Although for advanced players, the heavy smash effect still doesn’t match mainstream mid-range equipment, the enhanced downward feel and improved sound quality contribute to better shot consistency and confidence. Additionally, the racket’s weight provides a more stable and precise control over the ball.

While I’ve been adjusting my feel, using several low-end rackets with similar types and feels has led to some boredom due to homogenization. Reflecting on my experience with the Aurora, Kawasaki’s entry-level products this time are comparable in quality but have fewer fine-tuned adjustments. Except for the Hurricane, the other three models are not very different from each other, providing a reason for indecisive players to choose easily. However, the stock of these four rackets isn’t large, and similar products will likely appear in the future. If you need them now, you can enjoy a good price, but missing out might still offer another chance.