’09 Never Summer Legacy R
First things first.... I own the '08-'09 Legacy R which includes the Never Summer R.C. Technology.
The Legacy is one of my favorite Mountain/Freestyle boards. With that being said, there isn't a huge difference between the '08-'09 Legacy R and the '09-'10 Legacy R, besides the rather rad graphics update, and the board is a tad softer this year.
I rode the '09-'10 Legacy R out at Echo earlier this spring, in typical spring conditions, slushy runs, hard packed groomers, and in some areas nice Pow from a recent snow dump. First things first, the '09 Legacy R is a smidge softer than the previous year. It wasn't something I noticed right away, but after a bit of riding, I noticed the difference. The Legacy R conquers Mountain/Freestyle terrain, and actually holds it's own in a park environment. The ride started out stiff, but loosened up after a few runs. Don't get me wrong this board isn't uber flex, because that's not what it's about, but I feel it definitely provides the right amount of flex and pop for hitting some booters, or a rail or two.
The torsional flex on the Legacy provides quick response when you need it, allowing you to turn on a dime. As with just about all the newer Never Summer boards, the Legacy R does have the R.C. technology. R.C. combined with the overall shape, flex, and response of the board make it a dream to ride in powder. I hit a few runs deep with pow, and found the board holds its own. It doesn't take much effort to keep the nose up out of the pow, and the board feels like it's flowing through hot melted butter. Supa Sweet and quite nice. On hard packed icy groomers, you may find a bit of board chatter, but nothing really to write home about. Butters were easy and fun, and tail presses were alright.
Edge to edge the board holds it's own. Both toe and heel felt stable at speeds, and held when needed. Never really felt like the board wanted to wash out, or go where I didn't want to go. Board handles well overall.
The waist measures roughly 26.1 - 27 depending on the length you buy, making the Legacy -R a pretty good ride for those of us with larger feet. I rode with a pair of Flow M9s and Size 13 Sims Sage boots. I found a slight overhang with the 13"s on, but blah, nothing to consider an issue. Overall, the board really excels at freestyle, mountain, and fast riding. With that being said, you may find the Legacy R can make you feel right at home in the park, just watch the length of the board. Would I buy this board strictly for the park scene... Nope, that's what the Revolver is for 
Final Thoughts:
- Fast solid board
- Wide enough to fit you, thin enough to rock your face off
- Flexes enough for fun, but don't expect park domination
- A lil bulky with the Flows on it making jumps a bit more tedious
- Still one of my favorite MT/freestyle boards
August 16th, 2009 - 23:16
Just curious to know what size board you rode for this review. I have the 08-09 legacy-r 166 and love it for the really deep days, but for everyday riding its too heavy and too big. Im torn between this years revolver and the legacy for my all mountain board. Im looking for something that makes cruising/buttering the groomers fun but can also bomb some steeps when needed. Sounds like this years legacy at a 159 or 161 might do the trick for me since its a bit softer.
Thanks for keeping us folk with large clod hoppers in the loop.
August 17th, 2009 - 07:14
Hey Allann,
The Legacy I rode was 161. I have the 08-09 Legacy and definitely hear you on the weight of the board, As far as the 166 you're riding, have you tried to bring the size down just slightly? My 08-09 is a 163, and I'm toying with going a tad smaller this year (161). The 09 Legacy does have a slightly different feel, as I said, it's a bit softer, not overly so, but you can feel the difference after a run or two. The Revolver on the other hand is a different animal. The Revolver butters like a dream, and tends to handle speed really well. The Revolver is geared more at park/freestyle type riding, but can hold it's own on a run. The Legacy uses the FlightCore, which includes built in dampers/absorbers allowing the board to flow at high speed, whereas the Revolver uses the Press Flex Core it shares with the EVO, which has two softer flex points between your feet/binding area, which tends to give it greater pressing and ollie performance. Both boards are a blast to ride. If you're looking for flex to play with, grab the Revolver. If you're looking to bomb runs, yet still be able to butter, nab the Legacy. If at all possible, hit up a demo day, and take em out for a spin. Not sure where you're located, but Demo's are a great way to give them a run. Thanks for reading, and commenting, I appreciate it!
August 17th, 2009 - 14:09
I usually ride a 161 for my all terrain board. I went with the 166 b/c I wanted that board for the deep stuff, although now in retrospect I could have probably went with the 63. Ill be out in Mammoth for the season, hopefully NS will have a demo out there at some point. Also, have you ridden a Capita Black Death Inc? Interested to get the big footed perspective on those too…
August 19th, 2009 - 16:35
Nice, I'm not sure of the NS demo schedule, but I would wager there would be some CA days in ther e somewhere. I haven't ridden the 09 Black Death Inc, but it's on my list of boards for this season, so I'll have a review up in a few months on it.
September 9th, 2009 - 08:53
Hey JT,
Great review. Hard to find a good review of the Legacy, but yours nailed it.
I'm 6"3, 210 pounds riding a 166 Option Supercharger at the moment. Great board, but bit stuff and bulky. Wanted something which was a good all-mountain board, stable at speeds, quick through turns, and butters without too much trouble. Sounds like the Legacy is it! What do you reckon about getting a 163 instead of a 166? Keen on getting the 163 so it would be easier to chuck around and stuff, but i've been told that the legacy handles like a shorter board anyway, so thinking maybe i should stick to the 166. What do you reckon? Don't want to get the 163 and lose stability at speed.
Cheers
Rob
September 9th, 2009 - 10:59
Hey Rob, thanks for the comments! I'd run with the 163, and you should be fine. I scaled down my boards for this season to 163 and 161 respectively on a lib-tech board, I'm 6'3" On the 163 NS, the board felt great. You shouldn't lose any stability or speed with the 163.
September 10th, 2009 - 01:54
Great. Thanks very much.. think'll order it today.
Cheers
September 22nd, 2009 - 13:49
Hi JT,
Took your advice and plucked for the 163, received the board today. Got admit, out of the bag was disappointed with the graphics, makes the board look a bit cheap imo, not what's with the corrugated cardboard look to it? Shame they couldn't have extended the effort they put making the board into the graphics. Shouldn't grumble, its how it rides that counts, n I got high hopes.
Cheers
September 22nd, 2009 - 17:16
Rob,
Are you referring to the stringers that show through the top sheet as the corrugated cardboard look, or the background graphic included on the top sheet? I've always felt they could do more with the Legacy graphics, so I can agree a bit with the lack of love in the graphics department. The graphics theme they used this year flows through several of the boards with the striped look to it. I hope you enjoy the ride as much I do. I use this board as a daily rider here in CO. I'll be interested to get your feedback on the board. Did you get the same color top sheet/graphic that I reviewed?
September 23rd, 2009 - 01:13
Yeah, got the same colour top sheet, wasn't aware there was a choice.
Yeah, I meant the stringers that show through the top sheet… not the best look. I'll leave some feedback once I've had a go on the board. I'm sure it'll be awesome, only heard good things about it.
Considering getting some Union Force to go with it. know you ride them, would be great to get a review on them at some point.
Cheers
September 23rd, 2009 - 08:44
Rob,
Yeah I know what you mean about the stringers. I have the Union Force DLX bindings, and will actually be posting a first review of them in the next few weeks. I think the Legacy only comes in a blue topsheet, but I have seen a one off green top sheet, but that looks too much like the SL, so blue it is from what I understand, just wasn't sure if they released something different because NS can be crazy like that.