The biggest impediment is the price at $49.50, and if you plan on running lots of them you will have a tough time removing all the Dark Angel iconography you probably won't want.
Next up, is Forge World release of the Legion Scimitar Pattern Jetbike this model is pedestrian considering Forge World standards, especially when you look at the other sculpts Daren Parrwood has produced. The scale and interchangeable weapon mounts gives you way more flexibility than the Sammael model, and since the model is pretty nondescript it makes for easy conversion to any Space Marine chapter. The Scimitar Jetbike though is very pricey at $40.00 bucks a model.
This left Jetbikes only in the hands of Space Elves ever since. With the passage of time and some could say legal wranglings, the Imperial Jetbike has made a glorious comeback with many third-party manufactures creating models.
Before we get to those models let us take a look at what GW currently has to offer. GW currently have two offerings for Imperial Jetbikes. The first and best one is Sammael this fantastic model is has been around for a few years, but still showcases some of GW best metal (now Firecast) casting.
Now on to the alternative models. First up is perhaps the most notorious Jetbike, the Javelin Imperial Jet Bike by Chapterhouse Studios. The Javelin besides its legal troubles is a OK looking Jetbike. The cast is simple and has a lot of elements combining the old Rogue Trader models and current Bike kits. The biggest drawback personally for me is the weapon mount. The "Bolters" sit haphazardly on the model and don't have any "mechanical connection" to the model. What does make the Javelin very appealing is the price tag of $14.00! Easily, the cheapest alternatives on the market.
Similar, to the Javelin is MaxMini's Gothic Jetbike. In this sculpt has greater detail than the Chapterhouse model. The model is stylistically more appropriate to the Rogue Trader aesthetic, with the "hood" inspired directly from Imperial spaceships. It also, makes more sense technically, with pipes, gears, engines clearly shown. The price tag is higher than Chapterhouse at $20.50 a model.
Next up, we have the Kromlech "Iron Shark" Pattern Assault Jetbike This little model is very Kromlech who are known more for their Ork range than anything else. The look is fine, but it ain't for everyone. If you have designs on a Squat army this is a great model, otherwise you have love movies like the Fifth Element or the Judge Dread comics. In other words, you better build an army around this design if you want to make it work it. The Iron Shark has a reasonable price tag of $19.99.
The most impressive Jetbike alternative, sadly, seems to be discontinued. The Blood and Skulls Industry Assault Speeders were the best because of unique enough design, still firmly grounded in the 40k universe. It also had multiple front mount options (Mako, Talon, Thunder) making it very customizable. In addition, the Thunder variant had an extra crew compartment in the backseat, making an easy Assault Bike conversion. Why, Blood and Skulls doesn't seem produce them anymore, I don't know, but let us hope they bring them back soon!
Finally, I leave you with the current king of the crop the Star Jetbiker by PuppetsWars. This model combines the best of the many worlds. It is futuristic looking, you can imagine it as a rediscovery from Dark Age of Technology, but simple enough for use in any army. The Star Jetbiker also has holes and studs ready for magnets or weapon mounts. It is the simplicity that makes the jetbike an easy template for creating a gang of flying destruction. The price when compared to other options is just right at $19.00 bucks a model.
There are plenty Jetbikes currently on the market, just know, no matter which ones you choose, expect to spend a ton of money to field an entire bike army! If you want to go cheap Chapterhouse is really the only answer, but if you can spend just $5 bucks more per model you cannot go wrong with the PuppetWars Jetbike.
If you know of any other bits or kits from around the net please feel free to link them in the Facebook page for this post.
Thanks to an intrepid reader he discovered another Jetbike that I completely missed!
The expensive, but super unique Jetbike comes to use from the fantastic Hitech Miniatures called the Xyster Jetbike
It comes in at about $33.20 a pop, but looks amazing!
Warning
40k Buying Guide is rated empty your pockets. These articles are meant to help you continue complaining about GW pricing schemes at the same time you are buying used models on Ebay
Very few units inspire awe and desire then the Jetbike. Specifically, the special nostalgia for Imperial Jetbikes. Imperial Jetbikes have been with us since the Rogue Trader days; with rules and models for both Imperial Guard and Space Marines. Once 3rd edition came around everything changed as the rules and fluff were retcon to fit a more structured 40k universe.