Hey guys,

Got a question for you.

Im 6ft and 85kgs. I ride on the Gold Coast and am going to buy an F-One Bandit
within the next couple of months.

Now, I have been reading the multitude of reviews on the Bandit in here which stand to solidfy my decision to buy one.

But I wish to ride in a preety decent window as per in relation to knots.

I want to be able to ride in the window of say 7-10knots up to say 18-23knots with the one kite.

Would you guys suggest either the 11m or the 13 mt for such a feat?

I dont want to have to go buying numerous kites to cover this region as Im going to be buying a NEW kite in the 9m Original series from N8 later on to in order to cover the top end and at the moment I want something to be able to cover that window and launch with minimal wind or enough.

Say just under the 10knots region is where I'd like to be able to launch it comfortably.

So what do you guys recommend - the 11m or the 13m?

Thanx,

Mickydee

go the 13

13m for the bottom end, but getting 23 knots out of it may be a struggle.

The Bandit 08 (13) is probably a really nice kite. Even if I have had no chance to try it till now I doubt that you could get going with it in 7-10 knots. It might fly in this wind but would definetly not has enough power or is stable enough to get you on the board especially not with 85 kg.

Another point you should consider is that so far I know at the moment there is no kite on the market that covers a windrange from 7 - 23 knots. You would need at least two kites (Kite1: 16 - 20 sqm; Kite 2: around 12 sqm) and two boards (Board 1: Big surfboard or a Door, Board 2: small twintip around 130 - 135) to cover this windrange properly.

Its just my opinion. I cover with my setup a windrange from 7 - 40 knots but I am still thinking about a 12-13 (maybe Bandit 08 to close the gap between my 10 (sweet point 25-30) and the 19 (sweet point 10 -17 Knots) for winds around 20 knots)

Kites: SA 19, SB2 10, CB2 7
Boards: Door 164, 555 145, FLX 132

Cheers

Granini

Taking into account that you will buy in addition a 9 m to cover everything around 25 - 35+ knots I personally would not go for a 11 because it is just too close. The 13 would fit much better into your quiver covering a windrange easily of 12 - 22 knots.

Cheers

Granini

Remeber, Bandits are really grunty kites. The wind was blowing about 17 knots, and an instructor was going pretty well on a 7.5m with a Nobile 555; raleys, jumps, cruising upwind.

I am just comparing it to a SB2 14 which I can use from 13-25 Knots but my weight is 95 Kg and having said that the SB2 14 is definetely not one of the most grunty kites. That brings us to the only correct conclusion.... demo the 13 in windspeeds above 20 knots and you will know..... its all depending on much more factors than weight, Kite size and board size... so for example personal preference (some like the feel to being overpowered), experience and skill.


Cheers

Granini

Select to expand quote

granini said...

demo the 13 in windspeeds above 20 knots and you will know..... its all depending on much more factors than weight, Kite size and board size...

Exactly... Demo the 13 and see if it fulfills your requirements. If your too overpowered, demo the 11 in lower winds. If you dont like either of the top end or bottom end respectively, simple; buy two kites

There are a lot of bandits at my local beach they have a very large wind range i ride a 7.5 bandit from 16kts to 40kts and weigh 90kgs. have riden 11m in 25kts and had to fully depower on strap but was still comfortable kite would probably handle 30kts. for a light wind kite i ride a 15m rev from 12kts on a TT129. if i had a bigger board would work down to 10kts have had kite out in 23kts. after buying the 7.5 bandit and 15 rev this year i havent used my 12 or 9. Have seen people ride the 9 bandit in 40-50kts storm insane. best kite I have tried this year. Try to demo each size you may like the smaller kites and save some$$$.

bandits are good kites.

Hi guys I teach with these kites pretty well every day and I ride a 13 and a 9 but most of the time I'll use the 13. My wife also uses the 13 she's only 55kg and she's not been kiting long. I'm 70KGS and I've held it when its been gusting 28knts lotttts of fun, but you've got to hold on and edge or just launch . The trick to this kite is setup, you can depower it more than expected if you no how.

The safety makes this kite really user friendly and if you practise using the release, you will get to trust it in higher wind.

Have Fun
George

I got the 11 and have used it in 12-30knts, awesome allround kite. prob got power of 13-14 c kite and would prob work well with 9 new. I got the 11 over 13 so would have more range an comfort when windy and unhooked. But the 11 has lots of power in 20knts. 13 for max bottom end, but all kites are better when it at least 12knts, an you could get started on 11 in this. Am same weight an ride small board. 11m is best value pricing in bandit range also. If ya wanna try em come up to kite nirvana sometime(bundy)

I have an 11m Bandit which I bought early January. It's an awesome kite. The first time I used it was in 9-11 knots with my 125TT and I was staying upwind!

These kites have a lot of power, but it can easily be managed with the correct tuning.

I also took it out in 25 knots, and was still under control, boosting big jumps. However I would not personally try un-hooked tricks with winds above 20 knots. (But I'm probably not experienced enough)This is why I am downsizing to a 9m, which I will hopefully get in about a weeks time. I guess the 9m will cover 14-25 knots easy (sweet zone), which is what I need for Perth.

Does anyone think it's not a good idea?

Also, I have just posted an add for my 11m, so check out the 'buy & sell' forum if you're interested.

Cheers

emmanual its paulie go the 9 mate im getting one as well sick