Bandit 9 customs - Made in China

We don't actually know much about this outfit. But a regular Sumpster sent us some pictures today and tipped us the wink (thanks, David), and we decided to post them here. The company is called Bandit 9. It hails from somewhere in China and is run by a guy named Daryl Villanueva.

The customs featured here are based on two platforms; the ubiquitous
(by Chinese standards) Chiang Jiang 750cc flat twin, and the Honda CB80SS (90cc - 125cc).

As best we can tell, the Honda custom is available at around $4,600. Naturally, the bikes are all second hand and come with rebuilt engines and lashings of chrome—or a bronze finish if you prefer.

▲ Bandit 9's Nero III custom. Based on the Chang Jiang, these flat twins are the obvious custom choice.

The Chiang Jiangs are also all secondhand rebuilds, but the availability isn't clear. Some are said to have been sold, and it appears that a few are left. We don't have prices on these, but if you're interested, you'll be expected to pay via a money transfer through the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank and wait for delivery (from a firm that's somewhere in China).

Would that persuade you to buy one on that basis?

We're reserving judgement. But suspicion aside, China represents a huge market for Western custom bike talent. It's still early days, and Bandit 9 has probably already made some kind of serious imprint upon its target market. But these are pretty tame customs, which means that there's plenty of headroom for some really radical stuff if anyone this side of the planet, or from down under, is looking for a challenge.

And there is plenty of money in China, take note. Sure, most of the country is living a subsistence lifestyle. But Rolls Royce, Ferrari, Harley-Davidson, Triumph, Land Rover, Jaguar et al aren't operating as charities over there.

Once upon a time, the advice was to go west. Well it could be that it's time for everyone to switch tack and go the other way.

Think on that.

www.banditnine.com

— Del Monte