Getting back into skis. Need help.

K

Kingpin

Location
Minnetonka
Being a newbie on here, lots of things have changed since I was racing my 88 550 way back when. Im thinking of getting into some vintage type racing but Im mainly just going out to have fun on the lake. Im between the 550sx and the Yamaha square nose. Ive ridden both with the yamaha being a bit more stable at the point of being a little less nimble. My 2 cents. What Im looking at is where can I get more performance? Doing the normal bore and port work, head work, pipe, carb, etc. Which ski would you go with? What size motors can be comfortably jammed into each? Finally is tjhere a clear favorite or is this like asking what color is faster, red or white? j/k Thank you all for time and any info your willing to share. G
 
Big Kahuna

Big Kahuna

Administrator
Location
Tuscaloosa, AL
If you are 150 l/bs or less the 550 is still a blast............. The SN will have more options and room to grown. Upgrade motor to 701 or 760........ Sky is the limit.
 
S

spinyard

X
you'll be riding the yamaha more instead of working on the 550. If you do end up with a 550 get a reeded motor, 1992 was the first year of that.
 
Jr.

Jr.

Standing Tall
Staff member
Site Supporter
Location
Hot-Lanta
Here is an Idea, TCSortie Freeride is in Lake City Mn Aug 21-24. There will be just about everything imaginable there.
Sat will be the Big day. Look at all the setups your considering? Talk to people? If your Nice, many offer rides.
ill be there Fri & Sat, would be nice to meet you. Happy to offer advise.

ski ya,
Paul
 
mrfist9

mrfist9

Location
ATL
Save up the pennies.
Find a nice stock round nose, get a bpipe on order

Don't look back.... Or forward.

That will be your best bang for your buck, best available support with the most tried and true setups written on a Rosetta stone.

The further you deviate from that the more you will become a mechanic
 
S

Storbeck

Location
Minnesota
For sure go to the sortie.

If my junk is all running I have a superjet, an x2 and a chicken you can try out if you want. Lots of other skis there and lots of people willing to let you take a ride.
 
kevbo

kevbo

Location
dfw
Your timing isn’t great. Almost all the old production twostroke skis need major overhauls now. Plus they are expensive to buy. Assume every old ski has been sunk and sat full of water at some point so budget for another engine. Never buy a painted ski. Junk Superjets are being pulled out of the weeds and cheaply repaired/painted. You don’t want one of these bondo beasts.
 
bird

bird

Location
Wisconsin
Go to the Sortie! I'll be there.

There's an entire new world of mods for 550s. They drop in a 750 engine and pump, widen the tray, add fish sticks, and hull extensions. I'm 200 pounds and still enjoy ripping 550s.

Every super jet has wet foam! Yamaha used open cell foam in the tray and stickers to keep the water out. You're actually better buying one from a real rider who knew how to fix those issues.
 
WFO Speedracer

WFO Speedracer

A lifetime ban is like a lifetime warranty !
Location
Alabama
It's a ways from you but it looks clean , is well priced and FX1's are a blast to ride.

1995 Yamaha FX1 all stock super clean w trailer $3500

1995 Yamaha FX1 701cc all original with custom 2 place stand up trailer. 2nd owner of ski. Near perfect condition. Fires right up every time. Runs clean. No beach rash. Still has original mat even. Only flaw is some light fading on the chin pad top vinyl. Rare ski. Trailer is a custom 2...
www.x-h2o.com
 
E350

E350

Location
Sacramento Delta
Like @WFO Speedracer says, it is very well priced. (In fact, suspiciously well priced.) And it is very clean. Cleaner than the 1995 FX-1 which I bought. Which is very rare indeed for a ski that only 1,500 were made. And were only made in 1994 and 1995.

I bought my 1995 FX-1 from Minnesota and had it shipped to California just by talking with the seller and looking at photos.
I bought it in 2019 for $3900 without a trailer.

So, at $3,500 the price is so good for the ski that you are considering that, if I were you, I would drive to Grafton, Wisconsin to look at it, look at the trailer, compare the titles with the driver's license of the seller and BUY IT if it is legitimate.

Then spend two years falling into the water trying to ride it.
And the rest of your life falling in love with it.

I friggin' love my FX-1 . . .

This thread and especially the first video is for you:

550 vs Fx1 vs Super Jet

There are some brilliant riders here whom I would hope would take time to post their experience for all those who come later. https://www.x-h2o.com/threads/mini-monster.194696/page-5 @Aquaholic @Flash-FX @special fx @wavewarrior @orangefinger @waxhead @Quinc, et al. I am...
www.x-h2o.com
 
S

Storbeck

Location
Minnesota
I think I'm at about year seven or eight myself. The sortie will have people just getting started all the way to decades of experience and literal pros. If you see an obnoxious pinkish purple X2 that's me I'll have four skis there and you're welcome to try any or all of them. If you ask around on the beach for "storbeck" somebody can probably point you the right way.
 
E350

E350

Location
Sacramento Delta
^^^ At some point when I am not up to my eyeballs in engine problems and pump rebuilding, I would like to have your input on doing this to my 550sx (I have a spare Yamaha 650 I could put in it).

But I am pretty sure that that is a 2008 - 2020 Yamaha round nose Super Jet you are riding there Buddy . . .

1755661785836.png
 
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mrfist9

mrfist9

Location
ATL
SexPanther said:
140mm pump in a 550 with a 701 750 or 800 motor is the way to go.
Click to expand...
Honestly this would be my only alteration from a single round nose solution.

Is a RN + a modernized JS

I ride my 440/650 anytime we go somewhere mostly flatwater, I have an absolute blast doing old school tricks and have more fun than I would be on a Superjet with no wake to play with.
 
D

Dylan21

Location
High point NC
If you were not so far away I have a 02 SJ that needs to be put together. I just posted in whole skis for sale. Brand new Bpipe in the box a fresh 760 top end still wrapped up from HSI and a good crank. Spare 701 that needs rebuilt and another complete 760. Was on my list to get together but have other priorities.
 
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