Opinions and experience

I didn’t even know FX1s existed until earlier today and I’ve been riding skis my whole life, I must have missed that year of production? Anyhow, are these things as nimble and fun as I’m thinking? I’m sure it’s been covered somewhere but can someone tell me the pearls with this ski? I found one locally and it’s not too expensive so I figured maybe give it a go?
 

E350

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Sacramento Delta
This is the popular saying "Everybody wants one, until they get one."

I believe that was @JSNate's experience on pwctoday.com

So I bought one because I preferred riding the 550sx narrow hull and the X2 wider hull, but really didn't get a kick out of the SN SJ which has a hull width in the middle of the two.

I now know that I like narrow skis and wide skis and not really skis in between. But that is probably just me at my particular level of relative inexperience.

It is not a stable ski. The 550sx is a more stable ski if you can believe that. It is also not as nimble as a 550sx. It would not be a good surf ski for me. I would want a wider hull for that. It is just different. It was an attempt to make a powerful 550sx, but when it was introduced the buoy/slalom racing world had already passed it by with the 750 series. So only 1500 were made and they were only made in years 1994 and 1995.

[If you get one, you will need to immediately replace the stock hood latch (near the pole) or you will sink the ski. Talk to JetManiac about a Cold Fusion latch.]

However, for river and lake riding, it is pretty dang fun. It is the ski that I am currently riding. It has the power to pull you out of a leaned turn. In contrast, you had better have good balance with the 550sx because it doesn't have the power to roll you back up if you blew the turn by leaning too far inside. So, you will have to learn to ride it. I am still learning. I can slide it a little. I haven't done a 180 on it yet, but I think is coming this Summer if they open the river for riding. There is a reason the designer (who I believe was the designer of the 550 - Scott Watson?) made the raised pivot pole bracket. My guess is that it is to provide more leverage on the nose, but I don't know and I have never seen an interview with him about his design intentions. I would love to read an interview if anyone has one.

If it is a good ski and if it is a good price buy it. They generally go from $3k to $4k in good shape. So, if you treat it well you will get your money out of it if you sell it. The good ones are rarely sold though.

Would it be better than a 400/440/550 hull with a Yamaha 701 in it? I don't know. Hopefully I will get close to finding out when I put a Yamaha 650 in a 400 hull. The FX1 is a larger ski than the 550 to float the weight of the larger engine.

http://www.pwctoday.com/showthread.php?t=72880

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_FX-1

https://www.facebook.com/YamahaFx1JetSkiClub
 
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Sounds to me like it’s a great add-on type ski if you the luxury of having other skis in your stable (i’ve got four skis) ...Thanks for the advice on the latch I will look into that! How about with regard to getting this ski in the air, how does it do in general flat water and off wakes? Anybody have opinions on changing the single carb to dual carb, worth it?
 

SXIPro

JM781 Big Bore
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No need to swap to dual carbs. And you can improve the stock hood latch by using a SS roll pin instead of the stock one. I have some kicking around somewhere and could mail you a couple. Fx-1s are challenging to ride but that’s what makes them so fun. Most fun stock ski ever.
 
Sounds to me like it’s a great add-on type ski if you the luxury of having other skis in your stable (i’ve got four skis) ...Thanks for the advice on the latch I will look into that! How about with regard to getting this ski in the air, how does it do in general flat water and off wakes? Anybody have opinions on changing the single carb to dual carb, worth it?
I'm 6'2" 235 lbs and I have no problem getting mine airborne on flat waterFB_IMG_1531081265995.jpg
20170701_183902.jpg

Or behind boat wakes
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20170701_184243.jpg


Only mods the ski in the pictures has is a b pipe and a msd cdi.
 

Jr.

Standing Tall
Staff member
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Location
Hot-Lanta
Its best described as a 550 on steroids! Fun boat! Very capable!
I had one years ago. With a pipe, head and ignition, shortened pole, and footholds
Easily preform most all the flatwater tricks of the time! Flatwater barrel rolls were no problem !
And a total blast in the surf! If your a 550 guy, and looking to stay within that ride style?
With the benefit of added power?? Certainly give the FX-1 a try!
 
jetmaniac has none left ... any other ideas?
hood strap

I like the fx1. I think you can get more air for the same amount of wave and power when compared to a sj hull. They can turn pretty good if you make them. I feel like I have to be over the front corner to turn an fx1 (like a 550) where I have to be more over the back corner to turn a sj. More like you dive into it rather than lean into it. Feels less stable at high speed than a sj. The one I've ridden has similar tubbies to the ones you pictured. Definitely a good ski to have to mix it up
 
I have one for a decade now...

Mine is very far from stock.

Mandatory mod are the hood latch and the pump.

You can swap for the SJ tank if you want more ride time.

the 650sx pump mod is easy and cheap, a stock lightened and setback SXR prop and a trim from an X2 and you will have a good setup.

It's very fun and nimble .

jump out of the water with nothing. can carve well with sponsons , but hell you need to hang on it ....

If you have other ski it's a nice add. There's here a lot of great build on FX1 you will just have to dig ;)
 

E350

Site Supporter
Location
Sacramento Delta
Epsorenson have you ridden your FX1 yet? We would like a ride report. Including your comparison between the 550.

When riding yesterday, it occurred to me that the FX1 is like a high powered pencil or a log compared to the SN SJ which has a flatter hull.

The SN SJ pump and hull shape work together to create both a downward inside of the turn lean and an upward roll back to a level hull at the end of the turn. Skier's body AIDS the turn, but does not make the turn on the SN SJ hull.

In comparison to me, the FX1 is totally dependent on rider's body position/input. You need to lean it down and your body must lean it back up to level at the completion of the turn or you are going to continue to roll downward into the water in the turn.

But I still suck at riding, so YRMV. We would like to hear your unvarnished ride report...
 
Epsorenson have you ridden your FX1 yet? We would like a ride report. Including your comparison between the 550.

When riding yesterday, it occurred to me that the FX1 is like a high powered pencil or a log compared to the SN SJ which has a flatter hull.

The SN SJ pump and hull shape work together to create both a downward inside of the turn lean and an upward roll back to a level hull at the end of the turn. Skier's body AIDS the turn, but does not make the turn on the SN SJ hull.

In comparison to me, the FX1 is totally dependent on rider's body position/input. You need to lean it down and your body must lean it back up to level at the completion of the turn or you are going to continue to roll downward into the water in the turn.

But I still suck at riding, so YRMV. We would like to hear your unvarnished ride report...
Yes in fact I’ve Ridden it every other weekend since I got it. Absolutely love it. It’s a sketchy squirrel for sure but I feel it is the type of ski that makes you an overall better rider. The b pipe and aftermarkets help with the low-end and make it snappy. Good luck trying to hold that throttle wide open on flat water for prolonged time lol. Would Still love to get some more performance out of the 701 without sacrificing reliability. Anyhow, it is one of my favorite skis. It has a niche for sure. My SXR and superjet also have their niche but the FX1 holds a special spot In the line up.
 

E350

Site Supporter
Location
Sacramento Delta
Epsorenson (and others):

1. I forgot to mention that you should replace the handle pole spring with the heavier duty one from JetManiac. I did it on both our 1994 SN SJ and on the 1995 FX-1 and it makes riding much more pleasant.

2. What do you find that the tubbies do when riding, turning, etc.?

3. I have noticed that the FX-1 is very sensitive to ski lean and to body weight placement. Turning with inside-turn-front-foot parallel to tray up front and outside-foot perpendicular to the tray at the end of the tray, I can push down on the ball of my rearward foot to adjust the amount of slide and to roll the ski up out of the turn. What say you? (Don't get me wrong. I still suck at riding. But I am working with this technique which I actually got from a chixwithtrix 180 video.)

4. And I don't know exactly where yet, but at wide open throttle my body weight definitely affects whether or not the pump hooks up completely. I am still trying to find that secret spot. But experimenting can be brutal. Yesterday, I fell and body rolled across the water at WOT. All systems go, but not fun at the time.
 
I was very lucky to find an original unmodified FX1 in almost perfect condition on craigslist a few years ago. It is hands down the most fun ski that I have ever ridden. I started on a 550 and also have a square nose superjet and the FX1 is unquestionably better than both of them. As others have said, they can be very challenging to ride but once you get some experience with it it doesn't feel squirly or unstable anymore. It's a very honest ski in the sense that it will do exactly what you tell it to do exactly when you tell it to do it. It has tons of power and it is very agile. I'm 6ft and 210lbs and my stock FX1 throws me around like a rag doll.

Yeah the 122mm pump definitely doesn't hook up as well as the 144 in my SJ, especially in rough water. However once you get the hang of it you learn to appreciate the mid range/top end that it gives. I think Yamaha claimed 55mph stock. I've never actually measured mine but I can tell you that if you pin the throttle wide open on flat water you had better be hanging on because it will go into warp speed in no time.

Be careful when jumping waves with it. It weighs practically nothing and it will come way higher out of the water than you might expect. I highly recommend a lightweight motocross helmet. Mine has definitely saved me from knocking myself out when it has gotten away from me in midair and I've come down hard on top of it.

If you ever come across an FX1 for sale don't hesitate to pick it up. Mine is one of the most fun toys that I have ever owned and I will never sell it!
 
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