Best stand up jetskis

[Husqy510]

Id like to find a stand up for the river. What are the best ones? I'm leaning towards a superjet or kawi 750, but don't know much about the differences. I'm not interested in freestyle. I've had a 550 and a 650, but want something with more power. My buddy just picked up a 92 750 so I'd prefer something faster than his!

 

[sintax]

So i've kinda been toying with the idea of grabbing a new ski too so heres my take on what i've gathered.

I grew up riding 550's and 650's, to me, the 550s were fun skis quick and nimble, the 650s were tanks and handled like shit. I never rode a SJ but a lot of people swear by them, so I started researching. They seem to be the good mix between nimble and stable, with excellent engines. The later model ones are obviously better, but they command a TON of money. It looks like the sweet spot is the 96-07 skis, they have the upgraded dual carb engine, somewhat updated round nose hull, and are not like 10k. The 08+ ski's look amazing, and have further hull upgrades, if you can float that kinda loot, but that not really what i'm looking for.

97-07+ SJ Horsepower = 73

750 kawi horsepower = 63-68 depending on what you read.

 

[Husqy510]

Thanks for the reply. Have you found a good place to search used skis

 

[D19]

I have had 550s and 650s. 650s suck. If you want something fun that gets with it on the cheap, look for a built 440 or 550 but plan to wrench on it all the time. If you can find a unmolested and taken care of 550 you will pay big bucks. They can be great reliable skis but you have a 30 year old ski.

Super jet is the best all around reliable ski out there IMO. They are hard to find used and for what people want, you may as well spend a little more and buy a brand new one.

Offerup, PWCtoday.com and Stand Up FB groups are the best places to look.

 

[sintax]

Thanks for the reply. Have you found a good place to search used skis

nothing special, just the regular pain in the ass places (craigslist, offerup, web forums)

 

[SJP]

I like the Kawasaki SXR 800s. They ride well in bigger water and have power / good free ride ski. At some point I am going to breakdown and get a 4 stroke 1500 so I can pretty much tour ride it down to Moabi / anywhere. With the newer skiis you will be able to sell and not take a beating if you do not like it. They hold their value.

 

[warpt71]

I have ridden everything up to the new 1500's, I still like the 550's. I do not like super jets at all! Everyone that I have ridden has felt unstable to me. I have a 650, its not bad, has plenty of power, but doesn't have a light and nimble feeling. I would suggest looking for an 800 SXR if you dont want to constantly be working on it. My 550 was pretty reliable, but like has been said, they are 30+ years old. I have a clean 550 hull that I really want to swap a 650 motor into, maybe one day

 

[mbrown2]

SXR800.... I have had everything from a 440, rode a 550 and 650, owned a 750si and now a SXR800. I took one of the 1500's for a ride a couple of weeks back. Give me back my 800...was not impressed with the nimbleness of the 1500. However, I only rode it for about 30 min so maybe more time and I would like it. The thing I like about the 800 is it has great response for people of all sizes and is a very stable and comfortable hull in chop. The others except for the 750 are somewhat underpowered and you have to keep them on the pipe to move fast through the chop.

 

[SJP]

SXR800.... I have had everything from a 440, rode a 550 and 650, owned a 750si and now a SXR800. I took one of the 1500's for a ride a couple of weeks back. Give me back my 800...was not impressed with the nimbleness of the 1500. However, I only rode it for about 30 min so maybe more time and I would like it. The thing I like about the 800 is it has great response for people of all sizes and is a very stable and comfortable hull in chop. The others except for the 750 are somewhat underpowered and you have to keep them on the pipe to move fast through the chop.

I have talked to a few guys that have race shops and they are waking up the 1500s to make them feel lighter and nimble. I guess enough HP / power and pump work you can do a lot. This is the standard race platform now. Guys are ripping them at Body Beach and it is pretty wild how fast they are going. I like the range and being able to just take off but am going to wait until my boys get a little older. The 1500s are freaking huge. They like 800lbs I think.

 

[D19]

I like the Kawasaki SXR 800s. They ride well in bigger water and have power / good free ride ski. At some point I am going to breakdown and get a 4 stroke 1500 so I can pretty much tour ride it down to Moabi / anywhere. With the newer skiis you will be able to sell and not take a beating if you do not like it. They hold their value.

View attachment 895044 View attachment 895045 View attachment 895046

Nice collection!

 

[77charger]

I have 2 550s they’re great and fun but IMO best all around would be an sxr800. They’re fast and handle great.

 

[c_land]

2008+ Superjet or SXR 800. You can buy a brand new superjet for $8,700 according to Yamaha's site

 

[Todd Mohr]

I got a 1500 2 years ago, hella fast and it's nice that it starts every time a you can gas up anywhere. I had 550's since the 80's, the 1500 is definitely not as agile but it handles
rough water way better than even the 800's. I'm going to be in Havasu in July and I'm thinking of riding it up to Topock one morning just to do it. With as rough as the Phoenix lakes are, the 1500 is worth losing some agility for the stability, it still carves turns great and takes skill to drive it. 60+ MPH is OK too!

 

[77charger]

Just got the 94 two weeks ago for 2200. Very clean low hours.

 

[450grip]

Brand new super jets are 10,500 OTD.
Just got one out of Parker Yamaha

 

[8dayz]

Is that with a trailer?

 

[warpt71]

I'm going to be in Havasu in July and I'm thinking of riding it up to Topock one morning just to do it.

I rode my 550 from Jack Smith back to Site 6 one year with about a dozen other skis, it was a blast!!! We had a pontoon follow with fuel

 

[2Driver]

Had lots of skis as well including 550s and 800s. My all time favorite was a mildly built 750 SXI. LOL it was a handful and wasn’t for people looking for an easy ride. The 800s to me were too big and harder to jump and throw around but that may be partly an aging thing.

 

[450grip]

Is that with a trailer?

No. Just the PWC

 

[riverroyal]

Used 800 SXR for the win for stabilty and light fun. New 1500 for turn key stable fast fun, just heavy. Older 750 kawis are great, but nothing compared to the SXR.
Super jets are good, never really like the feel of them, they ride very flat

 

[warpt71]

Super jets are good, never really like the feel of them, they ride very flat

I felt that they were twitchy from side to side, and I like a 550 lol

 

[530RL]

Brand new super jets are 10,500 OTD.
Just got one out of Parker Yamaha

That's within a couple hundred bucks of what I paid last September. Sounds like you got the same basic deal.

For us old guys, I think the 800 is easier and more fun to ride unless you have glass.

 

[sintax]

That's within a couple hundred bucks of what I paid last September. Sounds like you got the same basic deal.

View attachment 895167


For us old guys, I think the 800 is easier and more fun to ride unless you have glass.

oh she looks good!!! Man i wish I could justify that kinda coin. I really like it.

 

[mbrown2]

I have talked to a few guys that have race shops and they are waking up the 1500s to make them feel lighter and nimble. I guess enough HP / power and pump work you can do a lot. This is the standard race platform now. Guys are ripping them at Body Beach and it is pretty wild how fast they are going. I like the range and being able to just take off but am going to wait until my boys get a little older. The 1500s are freaking huge. They like 800lbs I think.

I like the fact I can still maneuver my 800 around on the trailer and from trailer to stand ect.... the 1500's are so large....nice bikes though.

 

[530RL]

oh she looks good!!! Man i wish I could justify that kinda coin. I really like it.

People are definitely paying up lately.

Somebody recently offered me 20k for this and it isn't for sale.....

 

[King295]

I have a 2018 superjet with all the handling mods (intake grate, ride plate, sponsons, pole spring and 4 degree bars). Setting them up is key, mine nose dived constantly and would get wobbly when riding straight. Along with the bolt on mods I adjusted the nozzle pitch and while I was at it did a steering mod which fixed most of that. Mine will get a little wobbly still but night and day compared to stock, but if you like riding straight a superjet probably isn't for you anyways. I'm currently adding a factory pipe and head and doing some carb work to give it a little more giddy up.

The superjet is much more nimble than the SXR 800 which don't get me wrong is a good ski but the fun factor just isn't there for me on a SXR. I've also rode the new 1500 and while it is fast its a fucking boat.

 

[rrrr]

I've had a 550 and a 650, but want something with more power. My buddy just picked up a 92 750 so I'd prefer something faster than his!

Kawasaki changed the 750's block casting between 1992 and 1993, which improved the oiling system. Keep that in mind while shopping,,

 

[D19]

Has anyone rode a Polaris Octane?

 

[Rivergirlz]

If you really loved riding the 550 then find yourself an old Yamaha fx1. The super jet is a great ride but this is supposedly the last year with rumors of a four stroke coming next year. The super jet is really hard to find new right now. They make announcements at end of July I’ve seen posted. If money is no issue, buy a Rickter. If you want a heavy boat that just goes fast,
get a new Kawasaki.

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[sintax]

If you really loved riding the 550 then find yourself an old Yamaha fx1. The super jet is a great ride but this is supposedly the last year with rumors of a four stroke coming next year. The super jet is really hard to find new right now. They make announcements at end of July I’ve seen posted. If money is no issue, buy a Rickter. If you want a heavy boat that just goes fast,
get a new Kawasaki. View attachment 895349


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Funny you mention it, I spotted an FX1 on offer up last week. I've always wanted to check one out. They are rare birds though.

 

[hallett21]

Sea Doo 3D lol


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[2Driver]

People are definitely paying up lately.

Somebody recently offered me 20k for this and it isn't for sale.....

View attachment 895174

Geez I sold both my sxr's on a premium trailer for less.

 

[530RL]

Geez I sold both my sxr's on a premium trailer for less.

Last year of production. Never been in the water or started. Some people want a virgin.

 

[Rivergirlz]

A decent fx1 goes for 2500-3500. They are really fun, fast and jumpy but squirrely. Under full power. They ride like a 550 with a lot more power and more reliable...as far as the handle pole doesn’t just twist sideways on you and the pads and parts don’t fly off like a Kawi.


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[King295]

@Husqy510 honestly, your best bet is to ride them all and see what you like the most. Two of my buddies have fully built race motors and have different handling mods (aftermarket handle pole vs. not, tubbies vs. not) and they are completely different riding experiences. If the lower river ever opens back up you are more than welcome to come down and give them all a try...

 

[77charger]

If you really loved riding the 550 then find yourself an old Yamaha fx1. The super jet is a great ride but this is supposedly the last year with rumors of a four stroke coming next year. The super jet is really hard to find new right now. They make announcements at end of July I’ve seen posted. If money is no issue, buy a Rickter. If you want a heavy boat that just goes fast,
get a new Kawasaki. View attachment 895349


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Or do a 750 swap and use 750 pump. I rode a friends 550 he had an rc520 cylinder total loss dual carbed with 750 pump was the funnest hardest hitting ski I have ever ridden.he took third at world finals in 550 vintage. Not a cheap engine to build though.

 

[Hallett285]

Not stand ups, but we are having fun with these two.

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