Other Considering stand-up

[bige2743]

So i've been riding a 92 seadoo sp literally my whole life. Now I've pretty much mastered it and after it finally broke down two summers ago I started looking into stand-ups. After it once again broke down last summer I've got a feeling she wont she coming back. Now I've been heavily looking into stand-ups which brought me to this great website.

Getting to the point I'm wondering if you guys could help me out with some stuff, like a good starter ski first off, and how hard is it to ride stand-up/ is it worth investing my time and money in it? I'm sure thats a dumb question to ask here but it seems necessary as I have no way of really "trying out a stand-up". Also how much maintenance/upgrading and "tinkering" comes with a stand-up, especially to do tricks and go inverted?

thanks in advanced for any feedback

 

[Shadow7874]

Welcome to the X!

By mastered it you mean got on and hit the gas?? The learning curve for a sit down is pretty much non existent compared to a stand up.

For freestyle stick with a yamaha. Either a superjet or fx1. Fx1s are hard to come by as they were produced for a short period of time but they are similar to a SJ only lighter and smaller (and a cheap small pump that needs to be replaced if possible)

Most people into freestyle either ride superjets or aftermarket skis. The only thing that limits you is the amount of money you want to spend. You can get a stand up for under a few hundred or up to around $30k
A well equipped squarenose (older superjet) can be had for <$1500-$2000

If youre really unsure if you want a stand up or not you could always buy a kawasaki 550 or 650 for pretty cheap to test it out, but in my opinion thats a waste.

Like most of us here, just buy a nice ski and dont look back. Chances are you will be addicted instantly.

Maintenance isnt really that different from a sit down and upgrades are always nice but never needed. Some people are able to go inverted in stock skis but it will get easier with more money typically.

 

[Mdavies_02]

I am fairly new to the stand up community, but I think I can answer some of your questions.

Good starter ski - Firstly, price will be the biggest determinate of this. As well as style of riding. You mention tricks, so I assume freestyle. Yamaha's are lighter and more geared towards freestyle. You can get a Yamaha 650Square Nose for cheap (700-1100), 701 SN Superjet (1200-1800) or an Round Nose SJ for $2500 and up.

I have seen people stand up on a ski their first time, others take some more time getting used to the feeling. You might be better off asking for a test ride from local riders before investing into the sport.

As far as maintenance goes, I have experienced very little, but when it comes upgrading, that is all about your preference. This past winter I have spent roughly $1000 installing aftermarket parts to my SN701, but it wasn't necessary.

Going inverted is going to cost you, and I honestly think you are little ahead of yourself. Gotta see if you can ride a ski before considers flipping one.

Anyways, Welcome to the X, and I hope you join the sport. Its a little late but I am sure some experts will chime in soon with some better answers to your questions.

 

[bige2743]

1st off thanks for a quick response and for your input
2nd if we were talking about later year sit downs then i would definetly agree that it doesn't take much to "master" a sit down, but when you get talking about the older models I will definelty have to disagree as they're nothing like the big fat things they make make today, but thats besides the point and I'm not here to argue haha


Haha oh don't worry I know I'm very ahead of myself when i talk about going inverted, but if I do end up getting into the sport then it will only be a matter of time before I'm inverted

 

[Buckwild12]

We have all been there, drawn by the allure of a huge backflip or barrel roll. The reality is that I ride every weekend for the last 4 1/2 years an have yet to do either of those things. Sure, I make plenty of attempts to perform them, but they are anything but easy. I have a blast riding, I can't think of anything else all winter. I think you seem to have the mindset of alot of the people here so I am sure you will love it also. It seems like you like to be challenged and being rewarded by the ski when you meet it. Oh have the right mindset for standup skis. Either way welcome to the x! And realize they this sport is very, very addictive. It is also very rewarding and you meet some awesome people especially here on this site, everyone here will help you with their experience or wrenching knowledge if needed.

 

[GSXRchris85]

welcome,

everyone talks about getting a superjet, deff get one if you got the money, but theres nothing wrong with grabbing a bunch of old kawi 550s, 550sx's, 650sx. their cheap, abundant, and a a dime a dozen. dont be suprised seeing them given away for free sometimes, (usually is piss poor condition). but full of parts!! ive managed to score mad cheap deals and get a crap load of awesome aftermarket parts and good engines, pumps, electronics etc.....in skis that usually someone neglected and just got dirty carbs, or some electrical probs.

keep your eyes peeled on craigslist

 

[mxd253]

Mastered it!! Sick bro!!

 

[baxt3r]

Try before you ride. Try Yamahas, Kawis, whatever you can find. Then make the decision to buy or not, and what to get. A guy I've ridden with has an old Kawi and loves it (hates my SuperJet). Says my RN rides like crap and its huge.

If you ask around, someone will let you get a ride in on their ski. I let people try mine out just for the pure entertainment involved in watching a new rider. Its funny sometimes.

 

[Mdavies_02]

If you ask around, someone will let you get a ride in on their ski. I let people try mine out just for the pure entertainment involved in watching a new rider. Its funny sometimes.

X2, I always love letting people 'attempt' to go for a spin. I give them the basic run down, but after the first few times, I realized quite afew people didn't realize you could steer, and attempted to lean it around the lake.... Never worked lol.

 

[sxi steve]

Welcome..., let's not forget to mention the Kawasaki SX, Sxi and Sxi Pro. Great skiis for anyone, beginner - experienced. I've been riding Kawis since 1988. Mine is modded, although the stocker is plenty fast for a newbie. Once you grow with any ski you'll know which mods are needed if any at all. With the 750s that I had the handling was the first to be improved; ride plate, grate, impellor, tubbies, handlebar, etc. Power came over the years as needed. Either a good used, mid 1990s, SJ or 750 would be a great and respectible choice, which won't break the bank. Just have fun, the tricks will come naturally in it's own time, focus on good, clean riding at first, you'll see what I mean!

 

[JamesG]

Welcome! Buy a clean ski, don't go for the cheap stuff because you will regret it. Do it right the first time. IMO start with a stock ski.
Maintenance is pretty minimal, unless you're in the big surf. (surf = more fun = more damage = $).
To flip you either need big waves or big mods.
But once you ride you will be hooked. All your gonna wanna do is modify it and get better!

 

[shanes]

As above spend your money on a good secondhand set up ski , i brought a Band new SJ last year and have spent as much or more money on parts as i did buying the ski in the first place , your much better off buying something that someone as spent all there money on .
i had never ridden a ski when i brought my first SJ , they are not hard to ride at all but they are very hard to master .
my wifes first go she stood up and rode away it was a good 15 min before she fell off , i had just brought her and my daughter a new seadoo and now she wants a stand up as its so much more fun .

save your cash and buy the best SJ as you can find with footholds , pole , pipe etc etc it will save you a lot of money in the long run believe me