Todays standup jetskis

[69hondo]

Whats up with how big they are? We were at body beach last weekend and I cant believe how big the new Kawi is!
Is it because the 4stroke engine is so large now?
One of the best things about a stand up was learning how to balance that thing.
I learned on a 440 and then got a 550 and eventually moved to a round nose Superjet. The superjet was bigger and heavier than the 500 but man the power made all the difference. You still had to balance that thing though. Watching everyone just hop on these new ones and no effort to balance as they were in a small boat hull

 

[coolchange]

Jet skis would vet the amateurs for sure. First time I rode on I was pissed. Been riding bikes for most of my life and it took me hours to get it.

 

[Bigbore500r]

Whats up with how big they are? We were at body beach last weekend and I cant believe how big the new Kawi is!
Is it because the 4stroke engine is so large now?
One of the best things about a stand up was learning how to balance that thing.
I learned on a 440 and then got a 550 and eventually moved to a round nose Superjet. The superjet was bigger and heavier than the 500 but man the power made all the difference. You still had to balance that thing though. Watching everyone just hop on these new ones and no effort to balance as they were in a small boat hull

4 stroke 1500cc is what happened. They weigh 600lbs with fuel.
You're not carrying this down to the water with a buddy

 

[Runs2rch]

4 stroke 1500cc is what happened. They weigh 600lbs with fuel.
You're not carrying this down to the water with a buddy

Right?!

 

[Lower river sludge]

The new superjet is reasonably light-ish and nimble-ish. I think the Kawasaki is there for us geezers that rode stand ups in the 80s and 90s and are beat up and need a nice stable tank to cruise around....

 

[4Waters]

The new superjet is reasonably light-ish and nimble-ish. I think the Kawasaki is there for us geezers that rode stand ups in the 80s and 90s and are beat up and need a nice stable tank to cruise around....

Like the Big Daddy waterski

 

[GOTTBoat]

The new superjet is reasonably light-ish and nimble-ish. I think the Kawasaki is there for us geezers that rode stand ups in the 80s and 90s and are beat up and need a nice stable tank to cruise around....

They are both eventually just donor skis to strip and build a GP1.

 

[poncho]

Jet skis would vet the amateurs for sure. First time I rode on I was pissed. Been riding bikes for most of my life and it took me hours to get it.

Amen

 

[King295]

Making them bigger and more stable widens the market to less experienced riders. Layer in the fact that four strokes are always going to be heavier than their two stroke counterparts and you've got a big ass standup. One of my buddies has the 1500 and it is flat out boring to ride. Doesn't turn worth shit but goes fast in straight line and handles chop better but if I want that I jump on the sit downs.

I bought a 2018 superjet knowing it was the last year of the two strokes and love the thing. Like most I grew up on 550's and always wanted a superjet and said screw it may as well. I've ridden moto my entire life and carving the thing up and down the river is a blast. I've been considering grabbing a new four stroke superjet for the ease of not having to mix gas but it's going to make my storage unit a bit tight so I haven't pulled the trigger.

 

[HotRod82]

The new superjet is reasonably light-ish and nimble-ish. I think the Kawasaki is there for us geezers that rode stand ups in the 80s and 90s and are beat up and need a nice stable tank to cruise around....

Exactly. Kawi and Yamaha stopped making the small skis because people stopped buying them.....they are too difficult for the average fatty to ride.
IMO, a reasonably built rear exhaust 550 with a modded 440 pump was the shit.....;

 

[77charger]

Grew up on 80s into early 90s riding 550s. Loved them then come 2017 felt young again got another.

Todays new ones are big had to make room for the four stroke as 2stroke pwcs were facing bans on some lakes like Powell mead Mohave.

Ridden the kawi1500 it’s huge but turns hood and stable makes it easy and boring for me. My brother got 2 new superjets they are big too but not nearly as big as Kawi. They are fairly nimble and power is great for their size.

My favorite riding ski is the sxr800 for a bouy ski it turns so good. I do like my current 550s though as I like to ride a course here and there and also hit the surf. I know many consider the older superjet 2007-2018 the best do it all though.

As for Powell I’ve been known to still sneak a 550 and ride it around although that’s just a rumor

 

[77charger]

Exactly. Kawi and Yamaha stopped making the small skis because people stopped buying them.....they are too difficult for the average fatty to ride.
IMO, a reasonably built rear exhaust 550 with a modded 440 pump was the shit.....;

Today the vintage racing class is usually the largest count. A friend of mine silver 476 ski is running 57 mph on a radar gun.

Todays combo is of course reed cylinder pjs or rc520 and the 750 pump. Limited to 550 cc. Back in day jeff jacobs was pushing almost 700cc and using 440 style pump although oversized big time. He was running 56-57mph then.

 

[NicPaus]

I will probably pull the trigger on the superjet. Just trying to figure out how to fit in my 45' conex. It currently has a 6 seater Ezgo, defender crew, Yamaha HO, 5 dirt bikes and the rzr 200.

 

[dezertrider]

In the 90's I rode the piss out of a Kawi 650. That thing was hard to ride. When Yamaha came out with the Super Jet is was alot easier to ride. I got into boating and the jet ski went away. I see these new ones and think about buying one every summer. It would be nice to get a little physical activity in the mornings.

Hearing how easy and boring they are to ride is more my jam now.

 

[Todd Mohr]

I have a Kawi 1500, it's a ton of fun on the course, turns more like a 800 than a 550. The acceleration is awesome and will do over 60 mph, go out and ride one for a few laps, forearms will be burning like at the moto track. The extra stability is nice for a long ride, I've ridden mine to Pirates from the channel, great ride. That being said, I too have a desire for the Yamaha as well, have not ridden one yet. I still have a 550, still fun to ride but the power of these new skis is awesome.

 

[Boat 405]

I love my 2023 Superjet. I got it last year. It fits in a long bed truck with the tailgate closed. Two guys can still move it ( Two strong guys ) It still rides similar to the older 750sx I had. Yes it is about 380 lbs, so its still way lighter than the Kawasaki....

 

[NicPaus]

The salesman yesterday told me the Kawi was 30lbs heavier. Which is not even 10% heavier. The availability is the issue with the Kawi.

 

[Boat 405]

The salesman yesterday told me the Kawi was 30lbs heavier. Which is not even 10% heavier. The availability is the issue with the Kawi.

Your salesman is wrong. The kawi is 550 lbs dry. The superjet is 375 dry. 175lbs difference...

 

[Outdrive1]

Like most of us river people, I started on a 440 then 550, X2, superjet, sxi pro, blah blah blah. I rode my neighbors Superjet a couple years ago and it kicked my ass. lol I hadn’t used those muscles in 20 years. But it is great exercises. I love riding still and would buy one if I had someone to motivate me to ride it. If not it will just be another dust collector that needs the carb rebuilt.

Never ridden a 1500 but I’m not opposed to riding something easier to ride

 

[rightytighty]

Last weekend, chugging the Houseboat home, buddy making a fast pass in his 496 Ho mag Lavey. As he’s passing, we notice a white standup angling to catch for a race.

They were out in middle of lake, less than glass conditions s for sure. Dude pinned it across with the lavey. Looked like Lapchik from Canonball Rally! Lol!

Buddy said the Ski was right with him until about 62 moh , then lavey pulled a bit- but not that much. I was amazed(at rider talent and ski speed. )

I remember the 650 being mid 40 mph? ( not really sure)

Wow! Times have changed!

 

[Todd Mohr]

It's kinda painfull to fall at 60+, takes a bit of swimming to get back to the ski. Only did that once, 60 is fast when you hit the water.

 

[NicPaus]

Last weekend, chugging the Houseboat home, buddy making a fast pass in his 496 Ho mag Lavey. As he’s passing, we notice a white standup angling to catch for a race.

They were out in middle of lake, less than glass conditions s for sure. Dude pinned it across with the lavey. Looked like Lapchik from Canonball Rally! Lol!

Buddy said the Ski was right with him until about 62 moh , then lavey pulled a bit- but not that much. I was amazed(at rider talent and ski speed. )

I remember the 650 being mid 40 mph? ( not really sure)

Wow! Times have changed!

My supercharged Yamaha is 73mph. And my buddies tuned Seadoo smokes mine like no comparison. My new Yamaha HO has the programmable speed so I can let others ride it. The supercharged I only let a few on it. It's to fast for inexperienced.

 

[NicPaus]

Your salesman is wrong. The kawi is 550 lbs dry. The superjet is 375 dry. 175lbs difference...

That's huge. I didn't do much research. Always been a Yamaha guy. My Buddy is set on the Kawi.

 

[baja-chris]

We used to rent 440's from U-haul, toss them in the back of a hatchback, bungee the lid closed and off to the lake.
Rode a first gen SuperJet for years then sold it after all the sit downs polluted the river.

 

[77charger]

The salesman yesterday told me the Kawi was 30lbs heavier. Which is not even 10% heavier. The availability is the issue with the Kawi.

And he also said they need to charge an assembly fee. atleast 150 pound difference. It’s also 9 ft long vs8.

 

[stonehenge]

My supercharged Yamaha is 73mph. And my buddies tuned Seadoo smokes mine like no comparison. My new Yamaha HO has the programmable speed so I can let others ride it. The supercharged I only let a few on it. It's to fast for inexperienced.

your yamaha is a stand up?

 

[NicPaus]

your yamaha is a stand up?

No I have a SVHO and a 1.8 HO. Looking to buy the new superjet. Maybe by Monday I will have 1.

 

[bk2drvr]

Also standup racing used to be so fun to watch and now its meh because the skis are bigger and are glued to the water. If the ski comes out of the water it isn't going as fast so they like to stay planted on the water. Weight and hull design has solved that. No hoping of the ski in the waves that gave the sensation of speed. The last exciting jet ski racing to watch was during the Kawi 750 era. Since then the skis have been planted to the water the entire race, even the 800s. I rode stand ups for 30 years. Glad im done. Now I enjoy my Avalon pontoon. Hard to imagine I went from a Kawi SXR800 to a pontoon. Im happy. ha!

 

[rioshock25]

And he also said they need to charge an assembly fee. atleast 250 pound difference. It’s also 9 ft long vs8.

Kawasaki 1500 curb weight (full of gas and oil) is 551 lbs...Yamaha full of gas and oil is over 400 lbs.
The 1500 is a big ole beast! Hoping to add a new SuoerJet when I sell my 800 SXR

 

[86403]

Everything today is bigger, fatter and heavier.
New Porsche 992 GT3RS is almost a foot longer and 9 inches wider than a 930. Give me a 20' V drive and a 440/550 and I'm 100% content and that's from a guy that flew the USAF's hyper tech jets and still flies Boeing's newest stuff.

 

[stonehenge]

Everything today is bigger, fatter and heavier.
New Porsche 992 GT3RS is almost a foot longer and 9 inches wider than a 930. Give me a 20' V drive and a 440/550 and I'm 100% content and that's from a guy that flew the USAF's hyper tech jets and still flies Boeing's newest stuff.

I'm bigger, fatter and heavier for sure!

 

[mbrown2]

Like most of us river people, I started on a 440 then 550, X2, superjet, sxi pro, blah blah blah. I rode my neighbors Superjet a couple years ago and it kicked my ass. lol I hadn’t used those muscles in 20 years. But it is great exercises. I love riding still and would buy one if I had someone to motivate me to ride it. If not it will just be another dust collector that needs the carb rebuilt.

Never ridden a 1500 but I’m not opposed to riding something easier to ride

Come on man....Jack Mann's (Dale's) constant standup mafia rants on face book don't motivate you?

 

[rioshock25]

Come on man....Jack Mann's (Dale's) constant standup mafia rants on face book don't motivate you?

Just send Dell a message. He'll let you ride one of his ski's

 

[Outdrive1]

Come on man....Jack Mann's (Dale's) constant standup mafia rants on face book don't motivate you?

I know I see them. Carter and Tommy were out riding recently too. I feel too old but I see Jack and Clayton out shredding up the river and I think maybe I’m not.

 

[NicPaus]

Come on man....Jack Mann's (Dale's) constant standup mafia rants on face book don't motivate you?

He let my Buddy ride one. So last trip sitting at the bar at Sundance. He said we need to buy stand ups when we get home. The cute bartenders were riders as well which I think was a factor also. I didn't know Dale has a house ahere and used to be a concrete pumper. See him on the strip riding more than anyone else.

 

[Yoshiro]

They had to make the stand ups larger and more stable so the next generation could ride them. They don't have the athletic ability, patience, strength, or drive to learn to ride them like we did decades ago.

 

[mbrown2]

He let my Buddy ride one. So last trip sitting at the bar at Sundance. He said we need to buy stand ups when we get home. The cute bartenders were riders as well which I think was a factor also. I didn't know Dale has a house ahere and used to be a concrete pumper. See him on the strip riding more than anyone else.

He's got a place in moonridge and retired...he rides daily... used to run the big 38 fountain and now he is all about the stand up's... I could not believe the weekend of Run What you Brung... the amount of stand ups on the strip..... Its awesome to see so many out there. I like the sit downs too... but its nice to get a bit of work out going from the dam to fox's or pirates and back... knock on wood...I have an 09 800 and those two strokes are reliable... keep them charged and start them every couple of months to keep things lubed and they keep running.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

They had to make the stand ups larger and more stable so the next generation could ride them. They don't have the athletic ability, patience, strength, or drive to learn to ride them like we did decades ago.

Or the attention span.

 

[77charger]

Kawasaki 1500 curb weight (full of gas and oil) is 551 lbs...Yamaha full of gas and oil is over 400 lbs.
The 1500 is a big ole beast! Hoping to add a new SuoerJet when I sell my 800 SXR

meant to say 150 pound difference. will correct it

 

[Echo Lodge]

I had 550s and 650 for decades. Love early morning dam runs from Echo. Kind of got tired of getting beat up in rough water during afternoon rides. Rode both the new 4 strokes from Yamaha and Kawasaki back to back two years ago. Decided to go with the Kawi. Yes its a big beast. But the weight and speed allows you to blow through chop. As mentioned, 60 mph falls suck! You can run out of talent quickly. I wear a smart watch when I ride and record my heart rate. I am in fair shape and see 135-155 bpm when riding. Watch Moto Ed or Dell ride on the 1500s and tell me the big ski can't carve. True your not going to get air from wake jumps like the old 550s but the speed from the 1500 never gets old. The 1500s on big water like Powell are a blast. I have a converted dual 550 trailer that carries my buddies and my 1500s. The dam guards allow it to cross the dam. Going to launch from Take Off Point and ride to the channel in August. Would not want to attempt on a 550,

 

[Mini Kat]

Back in the day I made damn good money racing. And then when the sit-downs came out Kawasaki wanted me to ride sit downs as well. I told them that I quit before I sit and I did! I will still number one and announce my retirement still number one on the podium. I told them that all car manufacturers make minivans. I don't think anybody wants to watch them race and NASCAR! I got the world title for 4 years and the national title for 5 years.

 

[lbhsbz]

I remember the 650 being mid 40 mph? ( not really sure)

My old 650sx would run right about 40mph when I was 140lbs and 15 years old....had a mariner head / Factory Pipe exhaust, and a few other little things.

I blew the dust off of it about 10 years ago and took it for a ride...a lot older and a lot fatter, and of course proceeded to each shit WOT....it hurt a lot more than I remember it hurting lol. I don't think I'd like to get off one at 60+

 

[riverroyal]

Also standup racing used to be so fun to watch and now its meh because the skis are bigger and are glued to the water. If the ski comes out of the water it isn't going as fast so they like to stay planted on the water. Weight and hull design has solved that. No hoping of the ski in the waves that gave the sensation of speed. The last exciting jet ski racing to watch was during the Kawi 750 era. Since then the skis have been planted to the water the entire race, even the 800s. I rode stand ups for 30 years. Glad im done. Now I enjoy my Avalon pontoon. Hard to imagine I went from a Kawi SXR800 to a pontoon. Im happy. ha!

I agree

 

[Bajastu]

My 17 year old son wanted a JS440 so I picked one up and rebuilt the engine, bored it out and slapped it back in the ski. I saw how much fun he was having so I had to buy a 650SX for myself and a 650TS for the wife. We’re a boating family but the skis are a blast to ride. I loved them as a kid and they are just as fun now.

I’d love to buy a new ski but I can’t get over the price tag. I’ll be just fine with the early 90’s skis that we picked up. I’d also love to have a super chicken but people think that they are worth gold now.

Cleanest setup out there…..

 

[Mini Kat]

Also standup racing used to be so fun to watch and now its meh because the skis are bigger and are glued to the water. If the ski comes out of the water it isn't going as fast so they like to stay planted on the water. Weight and hull design has solved that. No hoping of the ski in the waves that gave the sensation of speed. The last exciting jet ski racing to watch was during the Kawi 750 era. Since then the skis have been planted to the water the entire race, even the 800s. I rode stand ups for 30 years. Glad im done. Now I enjoy my Avalon pontoon. Hard to imagine I went from a Kawi SXR800 to a pontoon. Im happy. ha!

The end of real jet ski racing days started when the manufacturers of personal watercraft started sponsoring the IJSBA events. That's when it became a political event and it killed the sport of racing! The sport turned into not being able to make money racing. It got to the point where you really don't even have to qualify to get an invite to the world finals what a joke! There's only one reason that the world finals is in Lake Havasu City is because the United States in foreign countries consider us as world recognition. A person can come nowadays and race the world finals when and be recognized as the world champion. And even with that win they're not going to make any money they're not even going to break even for what it cost them to do the race versus money-wise! Anybody on any given day can have a good day. When you used to have to qualify in a seven race series you would still have to be top three for that seven race series in order to get it invite for the rule finals.

 

[D19]

I have a 550 and a SXR 1500. I love them both for different reasons. My 550 is dialed and is so fun to ride but the power and stability of the 1500 is unreal.

 

[HotRod82]

The end of real jet ski racing days started when the manufacturers of personal watercraft started sponsoring the IJSBA events. That's when it became a political event and it killed the sport of racing! The sport turned into not being able to make money racing. It got to the point where you really don't even have to qualify to get an invite to the world finals what a joke! There's only one reason that the world finals is in Lake Havasu City is because the United States in foreign countries consider us as world recognition. A person can come nowadays and race the world finals when and be recognized as the world champion. And even with that win they're not going to make any money they're not even going to break even for what it cost them to do the race versus money-wise! Anybody on any given day can have a good day. When you used to have to qualify in a seven race series you would still have to be top three for that seven race series in order to get it invite for the rule finals.

You just described nearly all racing series. If you want to destroy a class in racing, get the manufacturers involved, I’ve seen it over and over in off road and road racing. The average guy can’t compete with the factory budgets.

 

[Bakotrash]

I love my 2023 Superjet. I got it last year. It fits in a long bed truck with the tailgate closed. Two guys can still move it ( Two strong guys ) It still rides similar to the older 750sx I had. Yes it is about 380 lbs, so its still way lighter than the Kawasaki....

Never ridden a standup in my life, but want one of these things. Recently sold the dirt bikes.........maybe this would fill that void. Just trying to find a dealer that isn't charging $3000 ADM.

 

[NicPaus]

Never ridden a standup in my life, but want one of these things. Recently sold the dirt bikes.........maybe this would fill that void. Just trying to find a dealer that isn't charging $3000 ADM.

Where you located?

 

[Baja 252]

I rented a 550 back in the 80's, never could stand up. Now my son has three 2 stroke stand-ups and rides almost every day.