Rider: Weight 80 kg Level advanced
Style: Freeriding, Surf
Weather: 10-14 knots
Build Quality: 10/10
Satisfaction: 10/10
Disclosure:Team rider

My Comments:
I just picked up my new 2015 F One 7m & 10m Bandit 8 from Surf Sail Australia and had the opportunity to try both over the weekend at Leighton Beach, first impressions have been really good. The last Bandits I owned were the Bandit 3’s so I can see some really good improvements over recent years.

The new push away safety system is a lot better than the previous velcro system that F-One were using and is simple to put back together once activated. The dual front line flagging leash works just the same as the previous Bandits and puts the kite on its back in a nice stable position once activated or when self landing. I’m also happy to see they have maintained the auto water relaunch feature from the earlier Bandits.

The wind started off light earlier in the day so I got out for a while on the 10m then as the wind picked up switched to the 7m. It was good to see the characteristics didn’t change between the two different sizes. The kite is smooth and responsive with direct input through the bar so you can feel where the kite is all the time but still maintains light bar pressure. The responsiveness of the kite makes it feel like you’re flying a kite that’s a size smaller and the speed that the 10 turned made it feel like a smaller kite.

F-One market the Bandit as an all-round kite that will suit every riding style and I can see why - felt great cruising on the twin tip, boosting big air or riding strapless on the surfboard. The kite does everything expected and does it well and its impressive how quickly it moves to the edge of the window making riding upwind a breeze. Delivers nice big floaty jumps with great hang time, the kite loops well and you can easily get it back overhead for a smooth landing. The bottom end of the wind range is really impressive and the kite has smooth consistent pull even through the gusts.

Overall, really impressed with the improvements over the last few years, and at 80kg the 7m and 10m combo looks like it will more than cover my wind range.

Mark at Surf Sail Australia has got some great deals on 2014 Bandit 7 but I decided to go for the latest one. Mark also has a demo 9.0 Bandit 8.0....call him if you are interested.

I picked up a 10M and 8M Bandit 7 from SSA recently and can say that the service was quality with the kites arriving three days after ordering. Mark is a good guy to deal with.

They have got some great prices on the B7 right now which is an awesome kite!

Disclosure: A happy customer.

Cheers

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SurfSailAUST said..
Rider: Weight 80 kg Level advanced
Style: Freeriding, Surf
Weather: 10-14 knots
Build Quality: 10/10
Satisfaction: 10/10
Disclosure:Team rider

I'm amazed that you went out in 14 knots in a 7 meters. Nice.


Cheers.

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SurfSailAUST said..
Rider: Weight 80 kg Level advanced
Style: Freeriding, Surf
Weather: 10-14 knots
Build Quality: 10/10
Satisfaction: 10/10
Disclosure:Team rider

My Comments:
I just picked up my new 2015 F One 7m & 10m Bandit 8 from Surf Sail Australia and had the opportunity to try both over the weekend at Leighton Beach, first impressions have been really good. The last Bandits I owned were the Bandit 3’s so I can see some really good improvements over recent years.

The new push away safety system is a lot better than the previous velcro system that F-One were using and is simple to put back together once activated. The dual front line flagging leash works just the same as the previous Bandits and puts the kite on its back in a nice stable position once activated or when self landing. I’m also happy to see they have maintained the auto water relaunch feature from the earlier Bandits.

The wind started off light earlier in the day so I got out for a while on the 10m then as the wind picked up switched to the 7m. It was good to see the characteristics didn’t change between the two different sizes. The kite is smooth and responsive with direct input through the bar so you can feel where the kite is all the time but still maintains light bar pressure. The responsiveness of the kite makes it feel like you’re flying a kite that’s a size smaller and the speed that the 10 turned made it feel like a smaller kite.

F-One market the Bandit as an all-round kite that will suit every riding style and I can see why - felt great cruising on the twin tip, boosting big air or riding strapless on the surfboard. The kite does everything expected and does it well and its impressive how quickly it moves to the edge of the window making riding upwind a breeze. Delivers nice big floaty jumps with great hang time, the kite loops well and you can easily get it back overhead for a smooth landing. The bottom end of the wind range is really impressive and the kite has smooth consistent pull even through the gusts.

Overall, really impressed with the improvements over the last few years, and at 80kg the 7m and 10m combo looks like it will more than cover my wind range.

Mark at Surf Sail Australia has got some great deals on 2014 Bandit 7 but I decided to go for the latest one. Mark also has a demo 9.0 Bandit 8.0....call him if you are interested.

Hi Noob
Sorry I should clarify my post. The review/test was provided in tandem by my TWO test riders, one is 80kg, the other is a sub 50kg experienced female rider. That's how you go out in 10-14 knots on a 7.0, maybe wind strength was more like 11-15 knots

Hello,
do you know how much the 10m weigh? I'm considering switching from Park to bandits, but only if the weight (kite only) is less or the same. For travel purpose. Thanks!

Rider- 100kg advanced
Style- freestyle/wake
weather 14-25
disclosure- dealer/team rider

Finally got some of our demos and have had some great sessions this past week on the 10m. Turning in 10m would be quicker this year, more similar to 9m b7. Good feel on bar and pretty responsive. Super smooth through the gusts, seems to handle the wind well in the top end yet the bottom is better too. I'm a big fella on am usually on a bigger kite than everyone else however the 10 got me racing around fine when others were on 12m's. Jumping is great, you can loop it any which way and you land sweet. Also loving unhooking on this thing super stable and easy on the arms, 100% on all my hardest tricks since getting it so far. Canopy is even more stable again this year, build is solid. Havent really tested in waves yet, but riding as fast as possible at the kite coming back from session, could still easily figure8 on itself and even steers well depowered so i have confidence it will work awesome in surf too. So no complaints at all with gear, just need to get out there and try new moves :)