Other Looking to buy my first Stand up!

R

rapiddarby

Location
Asheville, NC
I am in the market in Asheville, NC to buy a stand up ski. Looking to fulfill my childhood dreams! I rode a few times back a LONG time ago and have always wanted one --- Been doing some research and think I know a little about what I want but budget plays a HUGE role. Also I am a VERY athletic 185lbs 41 years old and I will only ride this ski occasionally... I will tend to TRY some freestyle, but i also just love to go fast. Reliability is a big issue as I don't really want to wrench on it... Also I have a 10 year old and 7 year old girls that might want to try.. storage of ski and transport is an issue ( Light and easily moved and stored would be good - don't want another trailer at my house LOL) I am looking at a 1989? JS550 for $575.00 supposed to be stock with rebuild last summer -- Or maybe a 1990 Superjet 650 with some aftermarket stuff (not sure what, but its supposed to still be reliable) or maybe a 1992/5? Kawasaki 750 sx/sxipro? with trailer for $1500.. just wondering what else I should be considering? opinions?,etc... any feedback is appreciated... top of the budget is $1500 and since I'm in the mountains of NC and the lake is an hour in any direction skis are hard to come by here and I'll have to drive at least 2 hours to buy one. Whats the best deal for the $? Should i look at any other skiis? what about the kawasaki 650? seems like i could get a 650 for about $1000 --- whats the best for the $1500 budget?

...just realized I didn't say the cost of the superjet is $1200.00 -- still go with the sj?
 
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Shonuff

Shonuff

I've got the glow
Site Supporter
Location
Memphis
I like the SXi. Everything you're looking at is, minimum, 20 years old so expect some degree of wrenching.

Welcome back.
 
98gti

98gti

C@R H@ul3R
Location
NW FL
You cant beat an old superjet squarenose for the money. 2 summers ago I bought a 93 SJ all stock and havent had to turn one bolt on it. Luckily you are in an area where there will be more freshwater skis than saltwater skis. Just be patient and have the cash ready to jump on a good deal.
 
98gti

98gti

C@R H@ul3R
Location
NW FL
$1200 isnt bad for a SJ 650 if its in good shape. As far as the 750 goes I belive theres a big difference between a sxipro and a 750sx, so you need to check into that. I dont know what those differences are, but I know the sxi pros are more desireable. I paid $1100 for my 93 sj and its been a great ski. If you have 1500 to spend id maybe hold out if you can, every now and then a SJ with a 701 will pop up for that price, also fx1s sometimes sell in the 1500 ballpark. Trust me, you will be much happier with a 701.
 
Shonuff

Shonuff

I've got the glow
Site Supporter
Location
Memphis
If you don't like to wrench, then opt for kawi reliability. SuperJets are slow, underpowered, poor-handling turds.

Then if you drop four thousand dollars into them, they'll be significantly better . . . in the surf not on flat water.

A jon boat handles better than a superjet.
 
Balduccimoto

Balduccimoto

Location
NYC/Long Island
In that budget range, i'd look for a **clean unabused** 750sx, they can be found in that price range. Reason I emphasize that is because I see many people buy junk just to get on the water and then bitch about it later on. The best things come with patience, just like anything else you're looking to buy used. Good clean superjet 701's are going to be hard to come by in your price range because right now there's a good demand for them.

Yes, you can find a superjet 650, they're fairly cheap because a 650 just isnt as good as a powerplant as a 701 or 750; expect sluggish top speed and minimal power. For a starting ski, a 750sx is good bang for the buck. The later the year, the better. Just don't go dumping all sorts of money into the thing because their resale value is non existant.
 
Iland Trader

Iland Trader

Location
Boynton Beach, FL
I set a first time rider long time friend of mine up with a Squarenose for $1,000 3 years ago. Hes put a battery in it and rebuilt the start stop switch since. He rides it a few days a month- you cant ask for a better entertainment payback.
The SN is the answer in my book and if you don't mind a drive to georgia or florida there seems to be a higher concentration of square noses with the more desirable and much more powerful 701cc in them for not a lot more. I have no experience with the old Kawis but a good superjet is really hard to top. Good luck
 
98gti

98gti

C@R H@ul3R
Location
NW FL
Shonuff said:
If you don't like to wrench, then opt for kawi reliability. SuperJets are slow, underpowered, poor-handling turds.

Then if you drop four thousand dollars into them, they'll be significantly better . . . in the surf not on flat water.

A jon boat handles better than a superjet.
Click to expand...

I challenge you to a duel!
 
Tmart

Tmart

formerly superjet444
Location
Middle Georgia
I second that duel!

I know "Superjet" is the common and correct answer in 99% of the threads of this type, but it really is the truth, Like mentioned above, as a newbie to the sport, the most fun thing to have is first a reliable and trustworthy ski, and secondly something that will allow you to learn on but also not get bored with after even a year of riding. A superjet will keep your hands full for years of riding, and the aftermarket parts, which you will want soon I promise, are a lot more popular than kawi parts. If you bought a Kawi, unless you wanted a SXR for racing, then you would be trying to sell it a year later. Get a Superjet with a 701
 
R

rapiddarby

Location
Asheville, NC
I have gathered from my research that I would like a sj with a 701 BUT - A superjet with a 701 in the mountains of western North Carolina is hard to come by... especially with a $1500.00 budget. Question is ... is an old sj with a 650 still worth buying compared to other options in the price range? ...or do I save the $ buy a real cheap old 550 to start and keep looking till I can find a sj with 701 ---Then I hold on to the old 550 for a eventual "friend ski"?
 
R

rapiddarby

Location
Asheville, NC
OK whay should I NOT buy the 550?

OK...Just found out the 750 I'm looking at (online ad) is a 750 sxi PRO hasn't run in a couple years and the guy selling it doesn't know what model year it is...(anyone know what years they made the 750 sxi PRO?) NO paperwork - Bill of sale only ...it needs new battery (anyone tell me do all these skis use the same battery?) I feel like I should just buy a battery to use in order to even go look at these used skiis... they all seem to need new batteries in every ad I see ...whats the deal? and ? carbs cleaned? ...I'm not a mechanic and don't want to play one --what else will it need after sitting a couple years? what would I check out on it to make sure it is OK? I know I should check compression but I don't know how I do that? is it possible that it will run even after sitting if I just replace the battery? -- no title for trailer , three hour drive away --- I'm in NC where they require titles for registration on trailers and boats ... Can I still register this ski? how? Is $1500 still sounding OK for this ski? ...I'm leaning toward the 650 sn sj
 
tor*p*do

tor*p*do

Squarenose FTW
Site Supporter
Location
NW NC
550 = weak and good for a 75 pound kid
also the age will require more wrenching, less availability of parts.
get the Superjet!
 
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