Badminton Racket New Launch: Yonex Z-Force II Lin Dan Limited Edition

Hello peeps! It's been a long time hasn't it?! I realise that I've been absent for awhile, but you have to understand that the badminton market's been really slow of late.. Not a lot of nice products being released and not a lot of new stuff to try.

Imagine back in the golden days where Yonex hasn't started to sell all their rackets at rock bottom prices - product releases actually meant something, and companies were vying for attention on your wrists. 

That competition brought players like Pro-Kennex, Bekia, Hart, Dunlop and Prince to the market. I've been fortunate to have been able to be part of that racket boom, and also to be able to bring you accounts of my experiences with those rackets. 

Now, it seems like we're down to the three brands - Victor, Yonex, and a gaping-for-air Li Ning. 

These are dark times, but here's something to make it a little brighter.

That's right. The moment you've all been waiting for. When the legendary showman shook hands with Yonex, we all knew it was a marketing gimmick to milk that cash cow. We knew, Yonex knew, and Lin Dan (and his bank account) knew.

This comes in the wake of Lee Chong Wei's drug scare. Never a better time to release Lin Dan's collection than when his arch-rival was on hiatus, unable to challenge his superiority on court with the new racket.

So anyway, here's what it looks like in the bag.

I know, not an inspiring design.

Hardly anything to cheer about, given how awesome the LCW version looked. But what the hey, it's LIN DAN. He'd have us drinking breast milk in between games if he'd do it first.

The design on the bag carries through to the racket - yellow and black and all things awkward.

I don't like it. Was never a huge fan of yellow rackets, and honestly I was waiting for a freakishly gaudy red-yellow-gold combination like what manifested in the Armortec 700.

But then again (and again) it's LIN DAN. The rackets flew off the shelves. I turned down my stringer's offer of a reserved racket (did I tell you I hated the design?) coz I really don't like the design.

Like with the other badminton superstar reboots, I began to question what bloody difference color made to a racket, apart from my refusal to use it on court?

They told me it has a thicker frame. More power. Heavier. Softer shaft; the exclamations were as illustrious as the flying Super Dan himself.

I didn't believe a word, because paint is paint. Well I suppose if you whiffed enough of it, it would make you fly...

But then.

Well, well... doesn't it feel good to shut someone up? Obviously the online critic didn't get his hands on one to actually bother to find out.

The Yonex Lin Dan Z-Force II Lin Dan Limited Edition definitely has a thicker head frame. I have since gotten my hands on both rackets for a real life comparison.

But what does this mean for on court play? The racket swings well in practice - nice and solid feel with a good weight transfer. But I could feel a loss in power from having to overcome the heaviness and stiffness.

Once again, words. Words to be proven by getting myself one of these ugly ducklings to see if it'll grow into a swan.

Till soon readers.

P.S. There's also a whole range of Lin Dan apparel and bags. The shoes look awesome.