[TiAg335i]

Originally Posted by Crisp

I'm about to put a deposit on a 2007 Kawasaki Ultra 250x with 40 hours on it.
Spoke to the guy and he really took care of it from winterizing it to regular maintenance.
It's still under factory warranty until Sept 2012.

It's currently in storage and 'winterized' so I'm going this weekend to take a look at it.
Pretty psyched!



Thanks for all the info guys, you've been very helpful.

Awesome. make sure to look for things like water/oil in the hull, how it starts, condition of impeller/intake grate on bottom of ski, battery, etc.....

Good ski. Should be fast. You're gonna have a ton of fun with an Ultra

[Bobble]

Big ski, you ride in the ocean mainly I take it? Good for open water, chop and such, you'll love the power but be careful on the launch if you are pulling any skiers or tubers you'll literally rip the tow rope right out of their hands.
Also good choice to go 4 stroke as 2 stroke motors are being banned in a lot of inland waters, original owners are grandfathered in though. Lots of environmental nonsense on inland waters anymore.

[Crisp]

Originally Posted by TiAg335i

Awesome. make sure to look for things like water/oil in the hull, how it starts, condition of impeller/intake grate on bottom of ski, battery, etc.....

Good ski. Should be fast. You're gonna have a ton of fun with an Ultra

Starting wise... what should I expect?
I own a quad and on a cold start, if I don't pull the choke all the way out, it wont start. With the choke out, it takes a few cranks depending out outside temperature. Is it the same with a jet ski?

He said he's taking it to the dealer this weekend to have it summarized anyway and it is under warranty, so my mind is a bit at peace.

Originally Posted by Bobble

Big ski, you ride in the ocean mainly I take it? Good for open water, chop and such, you'll love the power but be careful on the launch if you are pulling any skiers or tubers you'll literally rip the tow rope right out of their hands.
Also good choice to go 4 stroke as 2 stroke motors are being banned in a lot of inland waters, original owners are grandfathered in though. Lots of environmental nonsense on inland waters anymore.

Yea I'm riding the Hudson River or the East River. It's basically the atlantic ocean though (NYC area).

[MMXIII 650i GC]

I have both an RXP and an RXP-X. The RXP is 3.5 years and the RXP-X is 1.5 years old. I have done annual maintenance on both since new, and have not had a single problem with either. I charge the batteries when I take them out for out of storage and they fire right up.

I always thought the RXP was a beast. Until I rode the RXP-X. That thing can be straight up scary at times, but it is some of the best fun you'll ever have on the water. If you end up with one, trim the jet all the way down at a stop and hit full throttle, lean back and hang on. Instantly airborne. Absolutely amazing piece of machinery.

[Bobble]

Originally Posted by Crisp

Starting wise... what should I expect?
I own a quad and on a cold start, if I don't pull the choke all the way out, it wont start. With the choke out, it takes a few cranks depending out outside temperature. Is it the same with a jet ski?

He said he's taking it to the dealer this weekend to have it summarized anyway and it is under warranty, so my mind is a bit at peace.




Yea I'm riding the Hudson River or the East River. It's basically the atlantic ocean though (NYC area).

No choke, electronic engine management, should fire right up. Summerize, what the hell is that, basically I just change the oil and filter before our first trip, add some injector cleaner, charge the batteries and ride. Every couple of years I do plugs and valve adjustment( thats a PITA as you have to remove the cams as they are shim type adjusters). Also I would silicon lube the heim joints on the nozzle each trip and check the cable play of those as well for safety sake. Can't remember are you trailering it? If so lube the wheel bearings before your first trip as well. Bring an extra quart of oil with you and something to flush them with and you should be set.
I hope I'm not stating the obvious but if launching on a ramp, please test fire them before you get down the ramp to make sure it starts, first couple of minutes take it easy on the ski and make sure you have water coming out the return above the gunwale on the tray, do not want to overheat that on boost it goes boom.

[Mahmood07]

Originally Posted by Bobble

No choke, electronic engine management, should fire right up. Summerize, what the hell is that, basically I just change the oil and filter before our first trip, add some injector cleaner, charge the batteries and ride. Every couple of years I do plugs and valve adjustment( thats a PITA as you have to remove the cams as they are shim type adjusters). Also I would silicon lube the heim joints on the nozzle each trip and check the cable play of those as well for safety sake. Can't remember are you trailering it? If so lube the wheel bearings before your first trip as well. Bring an extra quart of oil with you and something to flush them with and you should be set.
I hope I'm not stating the obvious but if launching on a ramp, please test fire them before you get down the ramp to make sure it starts, first couple of minutes take it easy on the ski and make sure you have water coming out the return above the gunwale on the tray, do not want to overheat that on boost it goes boom.

Great tips! also, don't forget to flush the jetski after each use to wash away salt from the engine.

[Bobble]

Thing is with a little common sense and maintenence and they do run for a while and can be a ton of giggles. Far too many people hop on pull the trigger all the way back and launch themselves or the ski right into something. Two seasons ago on the Colorado right by the Avi Casino we saw 3 girls come flying out of the little marina/bay there right into a boat just sitting in the water. Luckily after ourselves and several others stopped and got them out of the water the girl that was in back, had a broken arm, told the Sheriffs I told her to hit the brake . A little preparedness goes a long way on the water.

[TiAg335i]

^+1

these things may look like toys but they can be very dangerous....they must be driven with respect...

[Bobble]

Absolutely and even crap happens with the pros. A few years ago while working an IJSBA race in Mission Bay in SD one of the pro slalom racers had a steering failure, cable broke, and he launched his race ski into the crowd killing someone. Injuries and sometimes fatalities occur and it's never fun to see.
That brings up another point I assume the OP has a quality vest that fits, if not please make sure you do so you stay upright and afloat in case of an accident. My kids hated it when I would bitch at them about that so I would just take them for a ride and pitch them off in clear open water to teach them the importance of it.

[Year's_End]

I drive them with my balls through the walls.

[Bobble]

Originally Posted by Nikkahtropolis

I drive them with my balls through the walls.

As long as you have the experience and skills hell yes. My trigger has two positions idle and full throttle. I screw up it's my own damn fault but I also have 20+ years on all kinds of boats from 440 stand ups to race boats. I've had my share of near misses too. I hope I did not jinx myself as we hit the river first time this year May 12 -15.

[Crisp]

Originally Posted by Bobble

No choke, electronic engine management, should fire right up. Summerize, what the hell is that, basically I just change the oil and filter before our first trip, add some injector cleaner, charge the batteries and ride. Every couple of years I do plugs and valve adjustment( thats a PITA as you have to remove the cams as they are shim type adjusters). Also I would silicon lube the heim joints on the nozzle each trip and check the cable play of those as well for safety sake. Can't remember are you trailering it? If so lube the wheel bearings before your first trip as well. Bring an extra quart of oil with you and something to flush them with and you should be set.
I hope I'm not stating the obvious but if launching on a ramp, please test fire them before you get down the ramp to make sure it starts, first couple of minutes take it easy on the ski and make sure you have water coming out the return above the gunwale on the tray, do not want to overheat that on boost it goes boom.

There are no 'obvious' things for a first timer!
Thanks for all the tips, I appreciate it.

I read a few of them from googeling the hell out of everything and watching videos about launching and returning.
The only thing I'm concerned about is the rinse.
Do launch areas offer fresh water to rinse? I'm going to be storing it at a garage near by that I am renting so I won't have water access.
I'll be towing it each time for at least a year till I move back home.
(currently live in an apartment by the water).


I ride/race quads a lot so as far as safety and handling goes, I know to take it slow and be extra cautious. I'm not one to go 'balls to the fence' with a new motor sport.

I just ordered myself a wetsuit and some other accessories. Looking into a good vest now. I plan on riding around the 20th of April in NYC (jet ski meet) so I ordered a 7/5mm thick wetsuit so I don't freeze my butt off.
Any tips for keeping warm or if you wear anything under your suit? lol


BTW. Any of you ride around NY/NJ? I'm right by the Statue of Liberty...


Another question... do you know the registration process when buying a jet ski used from someone? I'm guessing the owner just signs the back, but what do I have to do to register it? Do I just take the title/bill of sale/ registration to DMV or can it be done easier/quicker?

[Crisp]

Originally Posted by MMIX M3

I have both an RXP and an RXP-X. The RXP is 3.5 years and the RXP-X is 1.5 years old. I have done annual maintenance on both since new, and have not had a single problem with either. I charge the batteries when I take them out for out of storage and they fire right up.

I always thought the RXP was a beast. Until I rode the RXP-X. That thing can be straight up scary at times, but it is some of the best fun you'll ever have on the water. If you end up with one, trim the jet all the way down at a stop and hit full throttle, lean back and hang on. Instantly airborne. Absolutely amazing piece of machinery.

I was looking into an RXP but couldn't find one around the right price range with the right amount of hours. They were either too cheap with too many hours, or too expensive/new. I found this:

and read great reviews plus saw that it had 250hp so I couldn't pass up on it.
It only had 40 hours and warranty until 2012. How does this compare speed wise to the RXP?

[Year's_End]

You could always go insane and get an HSR Benelli PWC. 342bhp. 90mph.

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by Bobble

As long as you have the experience and skills hell yes. My trigger has two positions idle and full throttle. I screw up it's my own damn fault but I also have 20+ years on all kinds of boats from 440 stand ups to race boats. I've had my share of near misses too. I hope I did not jinx myself as we hit the river first time this year May 12 -15.

lol hell yeah. The only time I've ever spooked myself on our waverunners was when I dove underneath the crest of a massive wave (coming down from a jump and spearheaded the wave almost perpendicularly) that took my goggles clean off my face, and when I got some massive air and started tilting sideways to the point of no return lol.

Man, now I wish they were still functioning.

[Crisp]

Originally Posted by Nikkahtropolis

You could always go insane and get an HSR Benelli PWC. 342bhp. 90mph.

90mph on the Hudson River?

I choose life. That's insane man. It's not out yet right, or is it just a concept?

[TiAg335i]

dude if i were you i would pick that ultra up no questions asked...that thing is beautiful and i'm sure it RIPS....

i can almost guarantee you won't be disappointed in it, i don't know how it compares speedwise to the RXP but it sure as hell will compete with it...the RXP might be faster but i'll let someone else chime in

[Bobble]

Registration works same as a car, motorcycle or boat in Cali. Also here you need to carry a copy and if insured a copy of that on all Cali waterways, Sheriff can ask for it and if you do not have they can be dicks and tell you you can't ride it. Gotta register in person either AAA or DMV here. I assume NY is similar.
When it's cold I wear a touring coat over a rash guard or long john and wear trunks underneath so i can change on a beach or ramp. I wear water shoes as well.
Most public ramps have spigots here hence the comment of bring something to flush it with, you can get a 25' RV hose from Walmart for like $15. What I use is a brass quick connect and leave on end on the hose and then screw the other end into the intake under the trunk, way easier to get that in and then just pop the hose in and out from ski to ski when flushing, Flush it until the water coming out the exhaust jacket is clean smelling and does not taste like salt, shut it off, disconnect the hose and restart and blow out the water from the ski. You really don't want water left in the exhaust jacket. I remove the hull plugs when towing so the hull will drain and here in Cali the Agri stops always check for some stupid clams that choke the plant life so they will take the plugs out anyway. Always check your hull plugs sinking it ain't fun.
Trying to go thru my mental checklist when launching.
Do get a good vest and make sure it fits IE have someone pull up from the shoulders from behind you and if it can come over your head easily it's too big and won't keep your head out of the water in case you get pitched. I have an old Slippery armor one thats fairly thin but will float me. Don't leave it laying around as people steal them even at bars and restaurants on the water here, not mine as it's old and nasty my girl won't even touch it she kicks it down the beach and such. Oh get a couple of tow ropes with clips for the trunk, much easier to tie up to docks that way and ropes come in handy. I carry 2 in the trunk of each boat. And get good tie downs for the trailer, don't cheap out as they always fail and break. Also zip tip your extra key to the wiring harness inside the trunk under the dash module. That way if you lose it you're not stuck and it's out of sight in case someone is rummaging thru your stuff when it's unattended, Ultras have a sort of smart key if you will. That's about everything I can think of.

[Bobble]

Originally Posted by TiAg335i

dude if i were you i would pick that ultra up no questions asked...that thing is beautiful and i'm sure it RIPS....

i can almost guarantee you won't be disappointed in it, i don't know how it compares speedwise to the RXP but it sure as hell will compete with it...the RXP might be faster but i'll let someone else chime in

Faster is subjective, an Ultra is 250HP, RXP is like 265 about same wet weight so in a straight line over a decent distance one might be faster. Heck my 1200 Kawi has a Scat Trak impeller, pump and sponsoons I tore off a wrecked race boat and a custom ride plate and I surprise the hell out of people out of the hole. It hooks up instantly no cavatation at all. They catch me and pull on me but it takes everything they've got and at least a half mile of open flat water. I can carve circles around a lot of boats due to the ride plate and sponsoons, so if we're carving glassy water there's no way they can keep up just too big and bulky, Sea couches I call them. The only things that can out carve it are standups with 800's and bigger in them but they can't go for a 30 - 40 mile ride and I can. We go from Dana Point to Catalina island on nice days and make it on a tank of gas one direction if the ocean is flat.

[BimmerPod]

[BMWinNorthdakota]

Originally Posted by BimmerPod

/thread


You listening OP? Your search is ovaaaa

[Crisp]

Originally Posted by BimmerPod

Sick helmet!

Where can I pick one up?