Bandit 2019/20 or XR5/6

[Mrzogs]

Hello,

I’ve been riding my 2016 7/9/12m quiver of bandits for several years now. They are great kites and as I travel a lot and do a mix of jumps/surf/freeride.

I will try for one more season out of these kites before upgrading and when I do I want to be sure I’m upgrading to the right kite.

Questions are:

Has anyone ridden 2016/2017/2018/2019/2020 Bandits and noticed any real difference or improvement?

Has anyone ridden the latest Bandits and the also the latest Core XR kites and can give me an idea which will be the better all round performer?

I am leaning towards wave kiting a bit more these days, but I enjoy twin tip riding and jumping also so the kite has to be a perfect all rounder.

Thanks!

[nothing2seehere]

Bandit is a better all-rounder between the bandit and the XR5. The XR5 is significantly slower turning so will dictate the way that you have to surf.

But you should really be comparing it to the Core Nexus if you want surfing. Not tried the Nexus myself but everyone I have spoken to changed because they wanted to do more surf/hydrofoil riding but still have something good on a twin tip.

Worth mentioning that quite a few 'Wave' kites boost rather well so if you aren't going to do freestyle, you might also look at a few wave kites (I'm thinking Neo, LF Wow, Eleveight WS here). Plenty of choice out there really. Work out whats wrong with the bandits before you go shopping as there's a lot of choice in that sector

[soeren76]

I lately upgrades from bandit 12m 2015/9m 2016 to 2019. No revolutions. Beleive kite is more stable, with less flutter. Quicker turn. Considersbly easier to pump (if important). Bar is probably bigger upgrade (if you come from monolith). Linx 2019 has one line flag out, adjustable width, swiwel at qr and considerably stiffer lines.

[soeren76]

And the new line system does that it "flies"/steeres better when depowered

[Kash]

XR6 is nowhere near alround. Its high jumping kite with good hangtime (and thats pretty addictive). But it sucks at all other disciplines (its slow, bad drift etc. etc.). Nexus is good (but not great) in any aspect, so thats your alround choice if u go core.

[alexeyga]

Back in Bandit 6 days I owned an XR3 in 10m for a few sessions... really liked its windrange and boosting ability, totally seek upwind - but it sucked balls for everything else. Loops one way with tight lines, loops another way with slacker lines, etc. Replaced it with the Bandit and this thing felt just perfect.

Ever since my take on the whole XR line - great kite for beginners, these who just like cruising (read - mow the lawn) and these without imagination to look elsewhere. Basically - what Cabrinha SB used to be in 2008-2012. For everything else - there are more interesting and fun kites.

[andylc]

I can’t give you comparisons between different years but I can say having come from C kites through Enduro V2s with a brief foray into foil kites the Bandit V12 for me is the perfect all round kite for every type of riding, excepting I guess unhooked stuff, which I suck at.