Kite F-One Bandit S2

KITE F-ONE BANDIT S2

Altough there are two separate F-ONE KITE BANDIT,  their development share the same DNA.

For 2021 the focus has been on the profile skin tension and the trailing edge design and construction.

A new vertical panel layout together with its warp line orientation at the rear of the profile, and the new trailing edge design with our 135gr Dacron has greatly improved the control of the profile as well as the kite’s static weight.

This new Bandit profile offers impressive stability and responsiveness – both essential kite qualities for wave riding.

Traction and control of the Bandit S2 is the constant in any wind conditions and everywhere in the window. The Bandit S2 allows you to ride on impulse which makes your motion so much more fluid.

On top of this we’ve improve the profile and stability, and we have also modified the outline of the S2. The centre strut is now shorter and the wing tips are wider – and the result is the handling is now even more reactive. The S2 will match the carves of your board.

Every aspect of the design has been improved and the profile has been rethought. The leading edge has an extra segment at the centre to give an even cleaner ‘C’ shape curve. We’ve also cut a segment from the tips to make them sleeker.

The bar feeling has been tweaked and is now lighter and more precise – it will react instantly to your input.

When wavering or riding strapless you are constantly using the bar to adjust the power and the direction of the kite. The connection with your kite is essential and we use the term “bar feeling” but in reality it is a lot more than that.

While we were working on the design of the new BANDIT S2 we made major improvements on the steering, especially when sheeted out. Sometimes when depowered, you lose the backline tension and therefore the steering control. This is more noticeable in on-shore conditions, where the kite needs to change direction before each turn.

With the new BANDIT you will keep the control and have very precise steering over the whole range of the bar throw with very little pull through your arms.

You will find that your surfing skills, your transitions and jumps with naturally improve thanks to this enhanced control.

Power delivery feels exceptionally linear and progressive, with smooth depower that is highly intuitive allowing you to have perfect balance and focus on your surfing or tricks. It never surges in power if you send it back quickly through the window.
The control and stability in overpowered conditions along with its impressive vertical lift also makes S2 a fantastic kite for strapless freestyle!

Most of our tests were done on the BANDIT 7 m, and we were amazed by how much wind it could handle! It was hard to believe we could surf with so much control, freedom and stability in that much wind. On other days we could effortlessly play in light wind with less technique than usual, pull the bar and let the kite handle the lulls and gusts!

The BANDIT S2 is reactive, light and drivey making it the ideal kite also for foiling. The stability of the S during the drift is a great help when you are on a foil, especially when your lines are slack during turns or carves.

KITE F-ONE BANDIT S2