TANGIBLE REASONS, SJ over a 750sxi/pro

sxi steve

sxi steve

Life's short, have fun.
Location
Clinton Twp, MI
Okay, most everyone says SJ is the better ski. But I hear no tangible reasons. Can someone tell me what the difference is, in a detailed answer. I see guys doin the same tricks, with the same smile on their faces and satisfaction on both skis (750 and SJ).

I ride a mint '99 750sxi/pro. Was planning to sink $1200 into it for mods over the winter, pipe and a few others. At that price I can pick up an okay SJ, and join the crowd. But why, what is the huge advantage everyone seems to be talking about with the SJ???

Seriously want to know. Can I be that much happier on a SJ, why?

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Vumad

Vumad

Super Hero, with a cape!
Location
St. Pete, FL
I've been asking the same question... I haven't got the answers I was looking for.

Outside of a few "It's just better"... The following is what I have heard that is most relivant.

-Yamaha is a better make (quality, which is debateable)
-There are far mor options availible for Yamahas in the world of aftermarket, as well as more used parts avail, which means it's more likely to find the custom part, new or used, that you want for a yamaha.
-Yamaha's engine is better for having grunt power, where as the kawi's tend to have more top end power but have problems on the bottom end. (Also, debateable based on application, but most people here are into freeride which low end is better, the racing crowd would probably tell you to buy a kawi)

Other than that, the rest is not a quality response. I usually here "It just feels better" but I would rather hear "yamaha builds their engines so they come powerful at the low end from the factory. That makes them a better platform to modify for massive low end power" or something like that...

I've been looked at the hulls (at least the 650SX vs the SJ) and I can't find any major difference in the bottom that would make them handle differently. That leads me to the conclusion the the powerplant and the drive line do a better job of delivering the power the way these guys like it.
 
Fro Diesel

Fro Diesel

creative control
Location
Kzoo
I sold my kaw for a superjet. After riding both i feel that the sj was more stable and i felt i could throw it around easier.

Do what feels right for you. If oyu end up spending all that cash on the kaw and then get superjet envy...well just be happy with whatever you do. I'd ditch the kaw and get superjet.
 
land_shark3

land_shark3

Location
LKN
Mouthfulloflake said:
YOu guys are right, the RUSE is up.

Superjets really suck, everyone swap back to kaw 650sx, and 750 sx boats.

dang, we almost had them all convinced too.
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:thinkerg:Yeah, what he said.




Now maybe the SJ prices will come down from their artificially inflated values and I can afford one. :headbang:
 
IceRocket1286

IceRocket1286

Site Supporter
Location
Metro Detroit
Ick...I dont know about the pump. Im not sure I cared for it much over the kawi setup.

It really is preference. An sj will cost less to modifiy as opposed to an sxi pro, if your are shooting for equal results. Notice, I sau equal results, not mods. The sxi pro will take a bit more parts and money to bring it to the sj level. However, any motor can be made to have great low end power. Messing with gaskets alone can make a world of a difference.

An sj is cheaper, has more available new and used aftermarket parts. The sxi pro will take a bit more money, but you already have it, so why sell it and buy another ski? Plus if you do like the better handling aspect of it, youll kinda have the best of both worlds if done right.

Sinking money into your sxi pro isnt a bad thing at all. You see dirtybird and his brother riding all the time and they are having an awesome time and doing the same stuff.
 
SuperJETT

SuperJETT

So long and thanks for all the fish
Location
none
When I switched from my SXi with porting/carbs/head/pipe/etc/etc to a limited race SJ, immediately my tricks were easier/bigger.

The SJ is lighter, likes to ride 'flatter' meaning the ski kind of wants to stay upright so it is more forgiving to your body position coming out of tricks, and the driveline is more geared for acceleration than top speed, and the hull seems quite a bit stronger--my sxi had a ton of hull problems, holes, etc after 6 years and my SJ after about the same amount of time and probably more riding has no issues other than me ripping the nose off a couple of times from lawn-darting.
 
SJBrit

SJBrit

Extraordinary Alien
Location
Bradenton, FL
Vumad said:
I've been looked at the hulls (at least the 650SX vs the SJ) and I can't find any major difference in the bottom that would make them handle differently.
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That is not a good guide: The Superjet roundnose and squarenose have the exact same hull, but anyone on here will tell you they ride completely differently. Part of that is down to the handlepole bracket, part down to the different weight distribution of the stock hoods, and part is a complete mystery.

IMO, the Superjet is a superior choice based on weight and the ease of making aftermarket mods. If you only need one tangible reason, then weight is the clincher - there isn't a freestyler on here who doesn't spend money to make their ski lighter. That should be reason enough.

If you need a second reason, go to the "for sale" section and look at the very active market in superjet parts. They are extremely well supported by many industry pros, and there's a constant marketplace for used parts. That's hugely important both for making mods and repairs.

If you need a third reason after two irrefutable ones, then go watch some freestyle competitions, or freeride videos. Count the SJs, and then count the SXI Pros. SJs completely dominate freestyle and freeride for a good reason: they just work better for that application. It's hard to explain the subtleties of why that is, but trust in the X-H2O hive-mind: there are hundreds of years of rider experience on here, and we say "Superjet!" That's why you asked us, right?
 
Ollie Rastabean

Ollie Rastabean

TWIST GRAPHIX
Location
St. Pete, FL/Freeport Bahamas
I have both. Mildly modded SJ + Mild modded SXI Pro.

My #1 gripe with the SXI is the lack of hookup in the surf. The pump just seems to always cavitate. Expecially when there is foam in the water.

2. More Yamaha parts are out there than Kawi. But, SJ parts dont seem to be alot cheaper.

3. Weight.

4. Yamaha motor has more snap. But, I bought my kawi from a racer and it was set up for top end. So, who knows for sure.

5. Nothing carves like a Kawi.

That whole "Yamaha has better quality" argument is a bunch of crap. They are both on par with quality. I hate that SMC crap. The way Yamaha chose to seal up their electrical boxes is a Joke. Kawi elec box is far superior in design.

In the end you can have alot of fun on both.
 
sxi steve

sxi steve

Life's short, have fun.
Location
Clinton Twp, MI
Hey guys, thanks for all the great info! :biggthumpup: I really appreciate it. I do believe you SJ guys. Although the Kaw is an awesome and fun ski, a SJ is most likely a better ski for freestyle which is what I am interest in.

I will keep, and mildly modify the current sxi/pro, it's a sweet, super clean ski and I enjoy the heck out of it! My son has a big interest in jetskiing and rides very well on mine, he's 11 yrs old. When he's 13, two seasons from now, I will purchase a RN SJ! I'll pick which one I like the best, and give the other to him. :naughty: :laughing:

Steve

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Vumad

Vumad

Super Hero, with a cape!
Location
St. Pete, FL
The handle pole on the 650SX mounts a little higher and a little farther back. Means you have more leverage on a SJ. I'm not sure how much this changed on the 750SX and SXR.
 
K

Kennay

Squarenose for the _____
Location
Myrtle Beach, SC
Vumad said:
The handle pole on the 650SX mounts a little higher and a little farther back. Means you have more leverage on a SJ. I'm not sure how much this changed on the 750SX and SXR.
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I understood what you meant about the hull differences not being so great. However, I can't really explain it, but it doesn't take much change to make a hull handle completely different than how it did before.

They might not look the same, but try a med speed carve on your 650sx, and then do the same on the superjet. On the 650sx, your ass is about to go slippy slide. On the superjet your arms might not be able to hang on to the bars, because that sum bitch grips!
 
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