The Thruster series is Victor’s power line: head-heavy rackets with stiff shafts, built for steep smashes and heavy clears. It includes some of the most popular attacking rackets in the world, led by the Thruster Ryuga models associated with Lee Zii Jia. This guide compares the main Thruster models on their published specifications and explains who each one suits.
Victor Thruster Models Compared
| Racket | Weight | Balance | Shaft | Max tension | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victor Thruster Ryuga II Pro | 3U, 4U | Head-heavy | Stiff | 3U 32 lbs, 4U 31 lbs | Advanced attackers who want maximum smash power |
| Victor Thruster Ryuga II | 3U, 4U | Head-heavy | Stiff | 3U 32 lbs, 4U 31 lbs | Strong club and league players who play an attacking game |
| Victor Thruster Ryuga Metallic | 3U, 4U | Head-heavy | Stiff | 3U 32 lbs, 4U 31 lbs | Attacking players who want Ryuga-style power |
| Victor Thruster F Falcon Enhanced | 3U, 4U | Head-heavy | Stiff | 3U 32 lbs, 4U 31 lbs | Players stepping up to a head-heavy attacking frame |
Specs come from the manufacturers' product pages or, where those were unavailable, from authorised retailers. A dash means sources disagreed or the brand does not publish the figure. Compare any two rackets side by side.
All four models share the Thruster formula: a head-heavy balance and a stiff shaft. The differences are in how demanding they are and where they sit in Victor’s range.
Thruster Ryuga II Pro
The Ryuga II Pro, released in 2024, is the top of the Ryuga line. Retailers list a balance point of around 295 mm, which is clearly head-heavy, and a stiff shaft. It is available in 3U and 4U, with a maximum tension of 32 lbs (3U) and 31 lbs (4U).
Who it suits: advanced singles players and rear-court doubles attackers with a fast, well-timed swing. The extra head weight and stiffness give heavy, steep smashes, but the racket is slower to bring back for defence, and players whose technique is still developing will find it tiring.
Thruster Ryuga II
The standard Ryuga II shares the Pro’s head-heavy, stiff character and the same maximum tensions. It is a little more accessible in price and is a popular choice for strong club and league players who want the Ryuga attacking feel.
Who it suits: attacking intermediate-to-advanced players. If you are choosing between the Ryuga II and the Pro, the Pro is the more specialised, top-level option, while the standard version is the more practical buy for most club players.
Thruster Ryuga Metallic
Launched in 2023, the Ryuga Metallic is another member of the Ryuga family with the same head-heavy balance, stiff shaft and maximum tensions in 3U and 4U. Its main difference is cosmetic and in which markets it is sold, so compare current local prices with the Ryuga II.
Who it suits: the same players as the Ryuga II. Buy whichever is genuine, available and better priced where you live.
Thruster F Falcon Enhanced
The Thruster F (Falcon) line gives you the Thruster’s head-heavy attacking character at a lower price point than the Ryuga flagships. The Enhanced Edition comes in 3U and 4U (around 80–85 g for 4U), with a stiff shaft. There are also Ultra, Ultra-X, Claw and Tai Tzu Ying edition variants, so check the exact version you are buying.
Who it suits: players stepping up to their first head-heavy attacking racket who still want Victor’s power feel without paying flagship prices.
Is a Thruster Racket Right for You?
Choose a Thruster if you:
- Win most of your points with smashes and attacking clears
- Play mostly singles, or play at the back in doubles
- Have a fast swing and good timing
Look elsewhere if you:
- Spend much of your time defending or playing at the net. A head-light Auraspeed will feel quicker.
- Prefer placement and all-round play. An even-balanced DriveX will feel more natural.
- Are still learning the basic strokes. A stiff, head-heavy racket makes good technique harder to develop. See our beginner’s racket guide.
Thruster vs Yonex Astrox
The closest Yonex equivalent to the Thruster line is the Astrox series, which is also head-heavy and power-focused. The Ryuga II Pro sits alongside models such as the Astrox 88D Pro and Astrox 100ZZ. On paper the Thruster rackets allow a slightly higher maximum tension (31–32 lbs against 28–29 lbs for those Astrox models), but feel is personal, so try both if you can.
| Racket | Weight | Balance | Shaft | Max tension | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victor Thruster Ryuga II Pro | 3U, 4U | Head-heavy | Stiff | 3U 32 lbs, 4U 31 lbs | Advanced attackers who want maximum smash power |
| Victor Thruster Ryuga II | 3U, 4U | Head-heavy | Stiff | 3U 32 lbs, 4U 31 lbs | Strong club and league players who play an attacking game |
| Yonex Astrox 88D Pro | 3U, 4U | Head-heavy | Stiff | 3U 29 lbs, 4U 28 lbs | Rear-court attackers, especially in doubles |
| Yonex Astrox 100ZZ | 3U, 4U | Head-heavy | Extra stiff | 3U 29 lbs, 4U 28 lbs | Advanced players with a fast swing who attack relentlessly |
| Yonex Astrox 99 Pro | 3U, 4U | Head-heavy | Stiff | 3U 29 lbs, 4U 28 lbs | Singles attackers who want heavy, steep smashes |
Specs come from the manufacturers' product pages or, where those were unavailable, from authorised retailers. A dash means sources disagreed or the brand does not publish the figure. Compare any two rackets side by side.
Stringing a Thruster Racket
Thruster frames allow up to 31–32 lbs, but that does not mean you should string that high. Unless you have a very fast swing, a high tension will make the racket harder to use. Our string tension calculator suggests a tension for your level that stays within the frame’s limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Thruster Ryuga II and Ryuga II Pro?
Both are head-heavy and stiff with the same maximum tensions. The Pro is the top-level version of the line, aimed at advanced players, while the standard Ryuga II is the more accessible option for strong club players.
Is the Thruster Ryuga good for beginners?
No. Ryuga rackets are stiff and head-heavy, which suits fast, experienced swings. Beginners will usually play better with a lighter, more flexible racket.
What does TK stand for?
TK is the code Victor uses on Thruster rackets, for example TK-RYUGA II and TK-F.
Are Thruster Ryuga rackets often faked?
Yes. As some of Victor’s most popular rackets, they are widely counterfeited. Buy from Victor or an authorised retailer and be cautious of unusually low prices.
