I just bought one, I had the original way back when it came out and raced it for years before swapping to the Lazer ZXR. I so regret selling it, hence I bought it again lol. I also picked up a few small upgrades as well as the brushless 240 motor. I was a little disappointed that they didn't include the Ball diff's and universal drive shafts. That's my only complaint, otherwise I totally love this unit. I'm going to wait and get the ball diff's and universal drive shafts and just install them in the initial build.
I do plan to get one of these soon so cool of a vintage buggy. They are still preorder status here for some reason though. 🇨🇦. Nice video love it! Fun little backyard play car
I got the 60th Kit and love it. Wanted one since I was a kid in the 80s. I was so happy with it. However, how do you feel about the belt drive? The fact that you have to take the entire car apart to replace the belt or chain is frankly crazy to me and I wonder how long it will last? Curious about your thoughts...still it's really cool to be able to own an Optima....I still get excited when I look at it.
It’s a nice looking bit of kit, I do quite fancy getting one if I can but I’ve spent a good chunk of money recently so it not in the cards just right now. Be nice to see it built up ;)
Lovely. Just received mine last week before heading away for half term hols with the kids, looking forward to building one again after nearly 35yrs. Be great to see any tips on hop ups - looking at undertray and getting a set of the original spikes if they are still available?
Hi Gavin i like the decals they look fresh compared to the vintage ones. Chassis i actually love the long wheel base chassis on the optima mid custom because it’s brushed anodised aluminium i think its one of the better chassis of all the mids considering it was a entry level model.
Nice video! The new style wing has held up nicely on my Ultima so far, and it's had a few tumbles... Please let me know what you plan to do with the kit tires, as you showed the repro tires you'll be using... I have an Ultima I've had a blast racing g so far this year, and a Turbo Optima Gold kit still waiting to be built.... I'm kinda torn about whether to get this one or not...it WOULD go nicely with an Ultima...lol Cheers
What you doing to me Gav🤣🤣 I wasn't going to get this as i got the Turbo Optima last year and this year i got the Tomahawk but now i might have to get this one as well😬😂😂
From previous comments the mid is more stable than the turbo and I have to admit, the chassis parts look like it will be a good kit bit I just don't like the shell. The turbo looks sleek but the mid looks a bit clanky.
There are too many variants of the Mid for Kyosho to re-release all of them, hence why they have just produced the decals for the SWB Turbo. My guess is they will also re-re the Turbo SE, which will feature some of the hop-ups in the kit, and then they will bring back the LWB Turbo Special & Turbo Custom. After that they will bring back the original Lazer ZX, before moving on to the Gallop Mk2 and maybe Rocky and Turbo Ultima.
The towers and top deck are both made from black grp. They need a small amount of fettling but they’re quite nice and certainly preferable to aluminium for running on modern tracks
@@artieaudio77 Most the time I have had the kits for a while and have opened them and taken images for other platforms before I film. That or I could have filmed the unboxing twice due to an issue and I put everything back in a little different.
I just got one from a LHS in NZ. Still not sure what ESC and motor to pick. Should I go premium brand-bling and get the recommended Le Mans ESC and brushless motor?
@@RCKickschannel A bit of backyard bashing, and a bit to admire at it (wear and tear is from having fun with it is ok). I am not against going premium if it avoids any complication of ESC fit within the chassis. Plus I have never tried Kyosho ESC and motor electronics before (kind of curious).
Tamiya blow Kyosho out of the water? That's funny. The kit looks really nice though, I thought they would've had the extra bracing on the inside of the wheels.
So far I’ve discovered my kit is missing one of the OT256C parts from Bag A to build the diffs. Be interested to know if anyone else has experienced this. Currently trying to get a replacement from Kyosho Europe.
yeah its crap how they cant supply enough kits, ya go and pre order it oh we didn't get enough to get you one so you can wait another 3 months. Not super upset about the wait more very annoyed that it wont have the Turbo bits... That's how I want to build it... (WANTED).. Yeah sure I can go get the bits = more money and the car already was out of my budget.
£400 just for the kit is just too much. Woukd love one but it's just too much. Used to dream of owning one when I was 12 but too much. ALas here I am at 47 in the same position
Off to work, my Optima is sitting in the living room still wrapped, tomorrow morning I will be having my own unboxing. Yee Haw!!
Enjoy
I bought the original back in 1986. Loved it. ❤ Was fun making the dog chase it. 😂
I just bought one, I had the original way back when it came out and raced it for years before swapping to the Lazer ZXR. I so regret selling it, hence I bought it again lol. I also picked up a few small upgrades as well as the brushless 240 motor. I was a little disappointed that they didn't include the Ball diff's and universal drive shafts. That's my only complaint, otherwise I totally love this unit. I'm going to wait and get the ball diff's and universal drive shafts and just install them in the initial build.
can't wait for mine to finally ship here in the US- my original Mid SE has been a shelf queen for decades now it'll be nice to have a runner again
Got mine... It is very cool. Going to run a 17.5t Toro RC brushless in mine as you need a small ESC
Just picked one up can't wait for its arrival
Kyosho know how to do a re-release 👌
agreed they seem to be very underrated compared to Tamiya but I've always been pleasantly surprised whenever I have built kyosho kits.
@@babupranav and Kyosho address faults that the kit may have had before releasing it again unlike tamiya .
Me original belt snapped and sold the car as parts 😢
I cannot wait for the USA release! I plan on running mine on track along with my Ultima rere
Amain has preorder up.
I have one ordered from a-main Hobbies. Can't wait to get it.
I do plan to get one of these soon so cool of a vintage buggy. They are still preorder status here for some reason though. 🇨🇦. Nice video love it! Fun little backyard play car
Very nice to see yours sir. Excited too I’m still waiting impatiently here for mine as I’m wanting to do old and new build videos.😊
I got the 60th Kit and love it. Wanted one since I was a kid in the 80s. I was so happy with it. However, how do you feel about the belt drive? The fact that you have to take the entire car apart to replace the belt or chain is frankly crazy to me and I wonder how long it will last?
Curious about your thoughts...still it's really cool to be able to own an Optima....I still get excited when I look at it.
Belts last ages unless you’re running big power
Expecting delivery tomorrow ! 🤩🤩🤩
Excellent video Gav, mine is sat in the living room (unopened) while I complete my Top Force Evo build, it has been an expense couple of months 😁.
Tell me about it lol. Everything has come in at once.
It’s a nice looking bit of kit, I do quite fancy getting one if I can but I’ve spent a good chunk of money recently so it not in the cards just right now. Be nice to see it built up ;)
My pre order of the mid has arrived 🤩 great piece of kit!
Lovely. Just received mine last week before heading away for half term hols with the kids, looking forward to building one again after nearly 35yrs. Be great to see any tips on hop ups - looking at undertray and getting a set of the original spikes if they are still available?
Yep you can get repo vintage spikes
@@RCKickschannel thank you
I'm really happy with my Optima mid. Kyosho does know jow to make re-releases.
Thanks for sharing. It is in good quality. And I just got one, but it seems no thread lock included. Right?
Nope none that I can remember
Awsome video, can you let me know which Tamiya or other paint you use the yellow and blue decals body. Just ordered mine yesterday
The body was painted already but you can use the Tamiya PS paints. PS6, PS27
Excellent video as always! Where did you get the reproduction tires? I just finished restoring an original and had to go with the new style tire.
I was going to ask the same 😅 Link please, Gav?
Hi i eas reading so of the replys and seen your question. I believe its marwan rc.
@@David-069 Thanks! I just ordered a set. Hopefully Gavin will confirm this is the same brand. Either way, these look nice.
I wonder if the wheels will take dye well? Back in the day pink and blue were very common
Hi Gavin i like the decals they look fresh compared to the vintage ones. Chassis i actually love the long wheel base chassis on the optima mid custom because it’s brushed anodised aluminium i think its one of the better chassis of all the mids considering it was a entry level model.
Can you add the supply source or brand of the original style repro spike tires. Thanks!
Looks awesome, seems like it could compete even today
Yep you can still run these no problem. You can get the rerelease that came out this year and run that in vintage races with brushless.
Hi Gavin, do you have a link for the spiked tyres you got for this car as i'd like to do the same but I can't find those. Many thanks
Nice video! The new style wing has held up nicely on my Ultima so far, and it's had a few tumbles...
Please let me know what you plan to do with the kit tires, as you showed the repro tires you'll be using...
I have an Ultima I've had a blast racing g so far this year, and a Turbo Optima Gold kit still waiting to be built.... I'm kinda torn about whether to get this one or not...it WOULD go nicely with an Ultima...lol
Cheers
I have put the kit tyres on an Avante lol
So many great releases this summer!! I’d love one of these. Keep up the hard work and excellent content! 🏁
Gav I think they have released this kit with both liveries for the shirt wheelbase mids then release the long wheelbase ones later
What you doing to me Gav🤣🤣 I wasn't going to get this as i got the Turbo Optima last year and this year i got the Tomahawk but now i might have to get this one as well😬😂😂
I’m holding out for a Mid CS as my original is a bit too precious to run much now. I wouldn’t mind a Lazer ZX or ZXR too👍
I think the unit sales of the Mid will send a clear message to Kyosho to make more legendary series kits.
Damn u lol. I'm dying to get my hands on this bad boy. Ughh takes to long to get stuff here to the US 🤷♂️😕
Great Unboxing Gav. 👍
From previous comments the mid is more stable than the turbo and I have to admit, the chassis parts look like it will be a good kit bit I just don't like the shell. The turbo looks sleek but the mid looks a bit clanky.
Is the hardware mostly hex or JIS? I think by the 90’s most folks were changing to hex
Mine ist in the way. Where do i get those tires from ? I will do a mid, not the turbo....
Gav the belt covers do fit the original. I have them on mine
Nice 👍🏻
Finally. This should be good.
Are the new wheels 1.9” or 2.2?
Wow amazing. Must get one now.
Hello from southeast alaska. That looks sweet
There are too many variants of the Mid for Kyosho to re-release all of them, hence why they have just produced the decals for the SWB Turbo. My guess is they will also re-re the Turbo SE, which will feature some of the hop-ups in the kit, and then they will bring back the LWB Turbo Special & Turbo Custom. After that they will bring back the original Lazer ZX, before moving on to the Gallop Mk2 and maybe Rocky and Turbo Ultima.
It’s a nice one! Kinda proud I got mine before you did though… Got me some needed views. Lol
Awesome mate!!
Haha that was my first car in 1985...cool
This came out in 87.
Getting one.
Are the shock towers aluminum? I think mine had silver aluminum ones and the turbo had carbon fiber
The towers and top deck are both made from black grp. They need a small amount of fettling but they’re quite nice and certainly preferable to aluminium for running on modern tracks
I just built this buggy last week hahah. U didn't get the poster in ur kit?
I think so, I would have to check to confirm.
@@RCKickschannel hmm mine was right on top when I opened it. I didn't see it when u opened urs 😔
@@artieaudio77 Most the time I have had the kits for a while and have opened them and taken images for other platforms before I film. That or I could have filmed the unboxing twice due to an issue and I put everything back in a little different.
Why does your intro show the old tires and the one you have has the new tires?
I just got one from a LHS in NZ. Still not sure what ESC and motor to pick. Should I go premium brand-bling and get the recommended Le Mans ESC and brushless motor?
Depends on what you plan on doing with it?
@@RCKickschannel A bit of backyard bashing, and a bit to admire at it (wear and tear is from having fun with it is ok). I am not against going premium if it avoids any complication of ESC fit within the chassis. Plus I have never tried Kyosho ESC and motor electronics before (kind of curious).
Cant wait......should make it to Australia by next year.....
Already for sale if you check online, for just under $700 aud
Australia was one of the first places to get it, for once - they were in store just over 3 weeks ago now
Out of stock in all Aussie shops that I could see
@@DeliriumElectric I preordered back at the start of Feb when it was announced. No doubt there will be more
Tamiya blow Kyosho out of the water? That's funny. The kit looks really nice though, I thought they would've had the extra bracing on the inside of the wheels.
would the turbo optima mid special body fit on the optima mid?
No, it's the longer wheelbase.
Hopefully Kyosho America gets off their collective asses and start shipping these to hobby shops one of these days.
So far I’ve discovered my kit is missing one of the OT256C parts from Bag A to build the diffs. Be interested to know if anyone else has experienced this. Currently trying to get a replacement from Kyosho Europe.
That sucks
yeah its crap how they cant supply enough kits, ya go and pre order it oh we didn't get enough to get you one so you can wait another 3 months. Not super upset about the wait more very annoyed that it wont have the Turbo bits... That's how I want to build it... (WANTED).. Yeah sure I can go get the bits = more money and the car already was out of my budget.
£400 just for the kit is just too much. Woukd love one but it's just too much. Used to dream of owning one when I was 12 but too much. ALas here I am at 47 in the same position
Tamiya would struggle to match that.
Tamiya should drop a vintage TRF buggy. The only issue would be the price tag would be so eye watering people not many would be able to justify it.