2016 FZR is my dream ski. I sold my 2020 GP1800R and I’m a few weeks away from owing an FZR fully built by DVT performance can’t wait!! Great video that was fun!!
Went to the Yamaha dealership and wanted to price the ski I want (2023 fx cruiser svho in red, speakers, rec deck, premium fish package, large Garmin screen with transom mount) out the door they wanted $30,000! Two questions: 1) would you spend that kind of money on a new ski? 2) in the Porsche or Ferrari world certain models and certain years have become cult classics and are still highly sought after ie. 1996, Porsche 993 twin turbo black on black with sports seats or 2003 Ferrari challenge straddle with a red interior. Is there such a thing with waverunners? Are any older ones with a particular color scheme still super desirable?
I'm not Kevin Shaw, but I'll give an opinion here, do with it what you will. 1) I wouldn't spend that much on a ski unless you know you're going to get use out of all those extras. If you plan to do plenty of fishing though, that's a fair reason. Another good tactic is to check for something used, found my Sea-Doo GTR 230 with only 30 engine hours and $10k CAD less than I would've paid for new. 2) As far as "classics" go, it tends to be older (mid-90s) single-person runabouts, like the Yamaha WaveBlaster or Sea-Doo XP, and it's more about the ride than the colors. The Sea-Doo LRV has a weird, almost cult-ish following of people that like to engine-swap them and whatnot, and Honda usually gets high praise despite not being in the market for very long.
Such a good list! The Kawi in burnt orange wow, the FZR was amazing as was the Seadoo GTR215. Def has some kind of black magic in it. Speaking of black.. the Darth Vader FX SVHO is such a beast 👏
That red on the Honda was a great color. What I’m waiting for is a Kawasaki ultra to look like the first year 02 stxr, the all white with checkers n Kawi green.
Hopefully they bring back the Vader color scheme for 2023 FX SVHO. So was this video prior to 2022 Kawasaki Ultra rides? How do they stack up to current FX?
Hey Kevin do you have any links to get some more performance out of my 09 f15x, I got whatever I could from John Mcalpine, a crankcase breather but I put a catch can instead, pump wedge and velocity stack intake but to be honest only difference i feel is maybe a bit quicker throttle response. Any ideas or links you can throw my way? Thanks
@@watercraftjournal If possible in the near future can you dedicate another show of yours to honda i was just like what more you have to say about the aquatrax.
Some GREAT skis there from an Expert who knows. Thanks because I am buying a 2023 FX SVHO tomorrow and I can't F' in Wait ! If you could get me some contact info for any "Tuners" near California? That would help, thanks again. Ditto what A McKellar said below
@@watercraftjournal its all good Kevin I was able to fix the car and I still already had a fx svho just not the black on matte. Actually from what I remember of your Watercraft test (you remember that test of yours? the fastest to date the acid green yami fx svho the "Darth Vader" was goin be paired with that one on a double trailer. lol.
@@watercraftjournal did they make a limited run of those that year? I been tryin to get a production count like in cars but can't find it. Also have you tested a ski yet then has run faster stock I'm curious.
Not true. Yamaha's hull design is far faster, better cornering and equally competitive in rough/offshore/closed course scenarios. Longevity is a different matter.
@Solar Warden I’ve owned all three and put my money where my mouth is…one thing to review these, another to actually own them. Maybe the new Yamaha FX SMC hulls will be decent..we shall see
2016 FZR is my dream ski. I sold my 2020 GP1800R and I’m a few weeks away from owing an FZR fully built by DVT performance can’t wait!! Great video that was fun!!
Best of luck!
How much?
That was a ton of fun … love your enthusiasm in this.
Thanks!
Just got my 2022 GTR 230 Supercharged. Very Happy. 98 degrees in central Wisconsin today .Water temp 68.
Awesome!
Went to the Yamaha dealership and wanted to price the ski I want (2023 fx cruiser svho in red, speakers, rec deck, premium fish package, large Garmin screen with transom mount) out the door they wanted $30,000! Two questions:
1) would you spend that kind of money on a new ski?
2) in the Porsche or Ferrari world certain models and certain years have become cult classics and are still highly sought after ie. 1996, Porsche 993 twin turbo black on black with sports seats or 2003 Ferrari challenge straddle with a red interior. Is there such a thing with waverunners? Are any older ones with a particular color scheme still super desirable?
I'm not Kevin Shaw, but I'll give an opinion here, do with it what you will.
1) I wouldn't spend that much on a ski unless you know you're going to get use out of all those extras. If you plan to do plenty of fishing though, that's a fair reason.
Another good tactic is to check for something used, found my Sea-Doo GTR 230 with only 30 engine hours and $10k CAD less than I would've paid for new.
2) As far as "classics" go, it tends to be older (mid-90s) single-person runabouts, like the Yamaha WaveBlaster or Sea-Doo XP, and it's more about the ride than the colors. The Sea-Doo LRV has a weird, almost cult-ish following of people that like to engine-swap them and whatnot, and Honda usually gets high praise despite not being in the market for very long.
The GTR 215 in that color was the first ski I ever rode, absolute blast!
Awesome!
Such a good list! The Kawi in burnt orange wow, the FZR was amazing as was the Seadoo GTR215. Def has some kind of black magic in it. Speaking of black.. the Darth Vader FX SVHO is such a beast 👏
All personal favorites
That’s my ski!!! Burnt orange kawi! 🔥
Rad!
Is a 06 supercharger sea doo xrp a good ski
That red on the Honda was a great color. What I’m waiting for is a Kawasaki ultra to look like the first year 02 stxr, the all white with checkers n Kawi green.
Pretty sure if they do, it'll be the STX with a 310 engine. Kspeed's "proof of concept" really got them excited.
FWIW, burnt orange is the 2023 model years exclusive color for Toyota's TRD Pro models, if you happen to be in the market for a new vehicle.
Nice choices, PS 2018 Kawasaki put out the burn orange 310SE as well!
Billy D
Good to know.
Do you think Honda would come back out in the PWC market?
Hopefully they bring back the Vader color scheme for 2023 FX SVHO. So was this video prior to 2022 Kawasaki Ultra rides? How do they stack up to current FX?
They're pretty great. Some of the newfangled digital features need some more refining.
Man I wish Honda would jump back into the ski market. But that’s wishful thinking
Sadly yes
They would probably make the best jet skis in my opinion if they hoped back in the market.
Honda’s too boring to take the risk nowadays.
What about the 2016 FZS SVHO? Does that have the updated engine? Wanting to buy this winter ready for next summer
Kevin gave his reasons
@@watercraftjournal What? I'm asking if the FZS 2016 has the newer engine he was talking about? He was speaking of the 2014 FZS.
Not the newer cast cylinder head, but the improved timing chain.
The color is everything!
Yea... and I don't get why most are black these days.
Many times yes
Hey Kevin do you have any links to get some more performance out of my 09 f15x, I got whatever I could from John Mcalpine, a crankcase breather but I put a catch can instead, pump wedge and velocity stack intake but to be honest only difference i feel is maybe a bit quicker throttle response. Any ideas or links you can throw my way? Thanks
Macsboost remains the sole outlet for Honda performance- he’s it
@@watercraftjournal If possible in the near future can you dedicate another show of yours to honda i was just like what more you have to say about the aquatrax.
Maybe. Just for kicks. -K
I got the 2020 svho vader! 😎
Awesome!
Some GREAT skis there from an Expert who knows. Thanks because I am buying a 2023 FX SVHO tomorrow and I can't F' in Wait ! If you could get me some contact info for any "Tuners" near California? That would help, thanks again. Ditto what A McKellar said below
Appreciated!
And I would love to see Suzuki come out with a PWC
How is the 2018 FX cruiser SVHO in your opinion? Worth the buy with 18 hours?
Yes! See our review
Why do you prefer a none Cruiser FX over the Cruiser?
We've done a few videos on this exact topic. Kevin hates the seat - and before 2023, preferred the option of no radio.
@@watercraftjournal Thanks, I wanted to know if it was something other.
Can you link one of those videos?
Look up the "YAMAHA" category for videos. There's plenty.
Could the pre 2022 ultra 310 seat be reshaped (narrowed) by an upholstery shop?
Not dramatically, but maybe an inch or so.
Would enjoy a best bang for your buck ski's or budget ski's video
Good idea
And what about Polaris coming out on PWC two?
Surprised 2022 Ultra 310 didn't make the list because it has a slimmed down seat and beloved reverse
Never ever buy the first year of anything.
It's somewhat of a risk but almost all the mechanicals are carry over so it should be fine.
Don't believe me? The new Ultras are throwing knock sensor codes because the hardware and software have never been on a PWC - only SxS before.
Surprised there weren't more yamaha's
We’re not
Good luck finding a f15x
I miss my honda f12x
We loved the F-15X
Top 5 N/A skies ??????
I had a deposit on a Darth Vader then took it back when I crashed my audi b7 RS4 sooooo wish I didn't!
Oh man, that sucks!
@@watercraftjournal its all good Kevin I was able to fix the car and I still already had a fx svho just not the black on matte. Actually from what I remember of your Watercraft test (you remember that test of yours? the fastest to date the acid green yami fx svho the "Darth Vader" was goin be paired with that one on a double trailer. lol.
Yup I remember it
@@watercraftjournal did they make a limited run of those that year? I been tryin to get a production count like in cars but can't find it. Also have you tested a ski yet then has run faster stock I'm curious.
We never get the true numbers
Bro the 2020 fx sucks handles like shit even with a riva plate.. compared to a st3 rxtx it’s like a Chinese knockoff lol
The ST3 is singularly the WORST HULL in the last 16 years. On all accounts besides sitting still or idling.
Yamaha and SeaDoo hulls don’t hold a candle (like the one on Kevin’s desk) to the Kawasaki hulls.
Not true. Yamaha's hull design is far faster, better cornering and equally competitive in rough/offshore/closed course scenarios. Longevity is a different matter.
@Solar Warden I’ve owned all three and put my money where my mouth is…one thing to review these, another to actually own them. Maybe the new Yamaha FX SMC hulls will be decent..we shall see