Not yet, but they've improved it every year, so can't see a problem with it. They are great aren't they in on, x on conditions. Lots of drift and the light weight and speed really helps, the Reo was good but really hated the flutter.
I have a big drive, so only bother when it's good, so that's why I use the 9m most.
Mike
I had the 11m and 8m last year. I am 85kgs and there was a gap between 11m and 8m. If using in the uk waters I would get 11m and 9m. Which is what I am going for this year and what I should have bought abd was gutted I didn't last year! The 11m I used 80 percent of the time and love it, such a good kite. But when you do finally get overpowered and you switch to the 9m you hit that sweets spot on it straight away. The 8m you didn't. There are such few days that you really need smaller than a 9m over here as the range on bandits is so big.
Have had 12/9/7 Bandit V's for last year. was going to go to 10 and 8m but Part Ex'd my much used 9m for a new Bandit 6 9m. lovely black and red.
Rode it today in 15-30mph, waist/ chest high x on waves on my Mulcoy 5'10.
No major changes, but lots of tweaks. I loved my V5's, my most favourite kite of my 13yrs, so was just expecting a crispy new version with better colours, However, it feels even lighter, the strut framework and canopy feel and look even tighter and solid. I felt the low end was marginally better but the high end was even more so. Very stable with great drift still. I felt that the turn has been speeded up (and the V5 wasn't slow) and caught me out on my first couple of waves as its fractionally quicker. The lift on the tacks I did also seemed more,
Was going to keep my 7m V5, but think I'll trade that up too.
mike
Marginally lighter and I use a 17 inch BWS bar and takes a bit of force to start moving then it turns quick, but that might be different on a 20 inch bar.
Mike
Does any one know. Can you buy the bws chicken loop seperate and will it fit on to an ozone bar. I like the ozone bar and use it on my fones. but the bws would allow the lines to spin with the safety still connected to full depower flag?
Have had mine for 2 months now and continually noticing the small details! To me the bar pressure feels so much better balanced and the kite fly´s so smooth unhooked, the loops are amazing and bar response is brilliant making handle passes and landing blind so much easier. for me anyways..... I have the 11, 9, 7 and a 6 for wave riding.. I LOVE THEESE KITES!! I travel frequently and love the fact they are a brilliant freestyle kite as well as amazing for waves not to mention their from my experience unmatched ability to deal with gusty wind without you being scared to unhook or throw a huge loop:-), saves money having to have wave and freestyle kites, not to mention the build quality is great, have always given my kites a good beating and they show no sign of wear and tear... The new bar is lighter and the grip is a much better quality.. worth the few extra bucks hands down:-)
Well it's not often I add to these reviews but I must tell others if you haven't had the chance to fly these kites you must demo them. I have just upgraded from 5-6. 10 and 12. I went out for a few hours on the 12 yesterday, took the 10 out last week.
Bar pressure smoother , fluttering through the turns doesn't exist . Power delivery smoother , no pulling off the wave due to increased range . The 12 feels like it has benefitted from the small changes more than the 10. For some reason it sits slightly wider in the window, upwind performance has improved I'm guessing because of its wider location in the window.
You can fly these kites blindfolded , the feedback is superb , the new bar leaves your hands as good as new after a 3 hour sesh.
All in all for a wave kite this kite just got better . Please try and I'd like to see your thoughts . 10 years of buying every sling shot out there and I'm never going back , this kite seems like an advanced rpm with added range at both ends , try and enjoy .
Mc
Agreed, I kept my B5 12m, but changed my 9 and 7m for B6' as I use these the most.
They are pretty special, does everything well and perfect in the waves. a very refined and smooth kite.
Can't see me changing kite brands for a long while if they keep developing this.
mike
Great gear but cannot get it, waiting half last season, and same again this season, bad customer service, wishy washy excuses, not worth the heartache....
Gave my new bandit 6 a work out this weekend, 8m. It is a nice kite, it just works, does everything you want, smoothly. Good floating depowered in waves, good smooth kiteloops and stable unhooked, quick easy self launch on the beach and relaunch.
My only negative is that it doesn't have as much power as the original bandit and the bandit dos.
i really want the B6 after reading all this, what is the best site or shop to buy from??
I got a few they're nice, smooth as try adventure sports Noosa excellent service,