650/X-2 Help a brotha out!

[jeepNski]

I am 16 and buying my first jet ski. found a kawi 650 on craigslist and the guy says its torn apart and dose not run. he says he has everything to put it back together nut he says the wiring is funky... i am very mechanicly inclined. what do you guys thing is it worth trying to fix? has anyone tried rewiring a ski? is it simple? can i get wiring schematics? do the electronics go bad on the 650s? its an 87 so its kinda old.. but the price is killer. I was directed to this forum for advice. heard you guys were pretty knowledgeable what do you guys think? :fingersx:

 

[FlightPlanDan]

I think ...........Don't waste your time. Even if it's free.

Sorry. Let me edit: The ski is very old. Chances are that there is a lot more wrong than an electrcal issue.
It's got no power, It handles like a pig (IMO).
What's your time worth? It's gonna take a lot to get it running. And you're not gonna be happy.

It might be worth some saving-up time, to get a square nose super jetfor your first ski.

 

[weston]

electronics go out no matter the ski. if your on a budget then give the seller $250 and start wrenching.
other wise buy a square nose 701 and learn on that.
wiring a ski is not that diffacult.
sometimes finding the problem is more difacult then fixing it.

 

[Crab]

I think ...........Don't waste your time. Even if it's free.

Good advice. (but nobody ever listens)

 

[burton148]

dont waste your time if your looking for a ski to ride. if you had another ski then im sure this would be a good project

 

[jeepNski]

I think ...........Don't waste your time. Even if it's free.

Sorry. Let me edit: The ski is very old. Chances are that there is a lot more wrong than an electrcal issue.
It's got no power, It handles like a pig (IMO).
What's your time worth? It's gonna take a lot to get it running. And you're not gonna be happy.

It might be worth some saving-up time, to get a square nose super jetfor your first ski.

whel i see where your coming from, i heard the 650s handled alright compared to the 550's i am on a high schooler budget. there really that bad huh?:frown:

electronics go out no matter the ski. if your on a budget then give the seller $250 and start wrenching.
other wise buy a square nose 701 and learn on that.
wiring a ski is not that diffacult.
sometimes finding the problem is more difacult then fixing it.

i offered him 250... and he said heed give it to me for 200...

dont waste your time if your looking for a ski to ride. if you had another ski then im sure this would be a good project

whel i have a few months before summer and im looking for a fixer. i dont know if this is too much of a fixer tho...

thank you so much for your advice guys!

 

[weston]

If you cant afford anything else, that is better then nothing !
just make sure all the parts are there and know your probably going to put another $200 in parts in to it.
If you could swing a clapped out square nose I would suggest you start there.

 

[burton148]

you gotta start somewhere bro. if you want to put the time into it and plan on spending extra in parts then go for it. i picked up my first ski for $200 and it needed work but that was my baby till i moved onto bigger and better ones

 

[FlightPlanDan]

Well, if you decide to get it....please! At least make sure the 30 year old aluminum impeller still spins in the wear ring (without a pipe wrench)

 

[bobob729]

its not a bad thing to start with....a superjet is a great ski but hell i started on a 550 and moved on to a 550 with 650 motor and then went to superjet...I say go for it its worth somiething if u can fix it and its all about having fun. Once u get used to it move on and buy something bigger and better...

 

[FlightPlanDan]

hell, look at my avatar. That was my starter ski. After some killer spray-bomb work! (20+ years ago)

Look dude, ...if it was running and you could hop on it for a test ride, I'd say grab it.
But that's not the case.
My guess is that in a year you will be fairly adept at wrenching and not so good at riding.

 

[dbredleader]

At least 650 parts are cheap! (& plentiful)

 

[jeepNski]

Well, if you decide to get it....please! At least make sure the 30 year old aluminum impeller still spins in the wear ring (without a pipe wrench)

ok. i didnt know to check that. thanks, im glad you told me!

its not a bad thing to start with....a superjet is a great ski but hell i started on a 550 and moved on to a 550 with 650 motor and then went to superjet...I say go for it its worth somiething if u can fix it and its all about having fun. Once u get used to it move on and buy something bigger and better...

thats kinda what i was planing on doing.. im not too worried about fixing it. i just want it to be semi reliable... i have never ridden a stand up and i dont want to spend a bunch of money on a ski and find out i dont like it. ( but im gonna like it, always up to a challenge )

hell, look at my avatar. That was my starter ski. After some killer spray-bomb work! (20+ years ago)

Look dude, ...if it was running and you could hop on it for a test ride, I'd say grab it.
But that's not the case.
My guess is that in a year you will be fairly adept at wrenching and not so good at riding.

ya i see where your coming form. based on ur guys input im kinda leaning towards passing on this one bc of the age... i dont have problem with wrenching... but i want something i can take out and just have fun with and not worry about fixing...

At least 650 parts are cheap! (& plentiful)

ya thats why i want one.

whel i cant really afford a super jet as great as they sound. i can afford a kawi 550 or a 650.... witch is better of the two? there both easy to find parts for from what i have seen. witch is a better starter ski?

 

[imabadfish]

whel i cant really afford a super jet as great as they sound. i can afford a kawi 550 or a 650.... witch is better of the two? there both easy to find parts for from what i have seen. witch is a better starter ski?

I would resist all temptation and wait for the square man. I have seen stock squares go for as little as $800 on craigslist...

 

[jeepNski]

I would resist all temptation and wait for the square man. I have seen stock squares go for as little as $800 on craigslist...

i could save that money... but i need that money for other things... i have a jeep thats gonna need tires witch is 1000 bucks... i just dont have the money to be throwing around honestly... i just want something cheap i can have fun with this summer, im not looking for a top of the line ski... if i waited until summer i could probably have enough but there cheaper now, in the off season... know what im sayin?

 

[jeepNski]

i guess what im trying to ask is this ski gonna be alright for just smashin around the delta and just having fun? it dosent have to handle really good or go really fast. just be fun. do you guys think this will work for my needs? im not to worried about fixing it. everything mechanical can be fixxed! thats what i was tought anyway... thanks again guys for all your awesome advice!

 

[Mdavies_02]

Everything mechanical can be fixed, your completely right...... For a price.

Your time + parts + the ski itself = $800 = Superjet

In the end, its your call. I own both a 650sx and 701 SN...

 

[DK-Freestyle]

See if he'll bring it to The Ski Clinic in Antioch to have it checked out and see what it'll take to fix it. We're only 20 minutes away from Brentwood!

 

[Algonquin]

I'd say buy it and have fun. Most guys here are older and forget what its like to be in school and on a tight budget. It bothers me how everyone says the older Kawi's are a waste of money, when virtually everyone starts on one. I would never have got into the sport if ten years ago I had not seen a 440 on the side of the road for $350.

My advice would be fix it up, after all stock parts are dirt cheap. Just don't go spending much, if any money trying to modify it.

If you decide you like the sport then save up for a superjet, and you can always sell the 650 for what you paid for it.

 

[jeepNski]

Everything mechanical can be fixed, your completely right...... For a price.

Your time + parts + the ski itself = $800 = Superjet

In the end, its your call. I own both a 650sx and 701 SN...

ya i supose you have a point.... then agian it could cost me nothing but time to fix...

See if he'll bring it to The Ski Clinic in Antioch to have it checked out and see what it'll take to fix it. We're only 20 minutes away from Brentwood!

i wish! but this guy is in sac... he said he wouldnt meet ne halfway...

I'd say buy it and have fun. Most guys here are older and forget what its like to be in school and on a tight budget. It bothers me how everyone says the older Kawi's are a waste of money, when virtually everyone starts on one. I would never have got into the sport if ten years ago I had not seen a 440 on the side of the road for $350.

yes! finally someone who thinks the same as me! hahah
My advice would be fix it up, after all stock parts are dirt cheap. Just don't go spending much, if any money trying to modify it.

If you decide you like the sport then save up for a superjet, and you can always sell the 650 for what you paid for it.