Other advice on my first ski

RSKI

RSKI

Location
Oregon
Hi all. First off, I’m new. I’m looking for advice on what to buy. From what I have read so far I think an SJ will fit me best, so I am leaning in that direction. I am 5’7” 140 lbs, and I’d be using the ski for weekend recreational use only. Basically I love the lake, and I love going fast. I have ridden a bunch of different sit down skis, and my favorites are always the older 2 seaters that you’d be lucky to fit 2 people on. I like the lightweight feel, a lot of acceleration, and cornering that makes you feel like you might tear your arms off. Just this weekend I spent some time on the big fancy supercharged things and quite frankly I hated it. I want something quick, small, reliable, and maneuverable with plenty of aftermarket performance parts available in case I need more go. Do you guys think the SJ is the best for me? Next challenge is I can’t find a used one anywhere even remotely close to my location. Actually I called every Yamaha dealer in Nebraska and none of them have seen a new or used Superjet for years? Now I see the 2012’s are “for race use only”? Will I be able to license this thing if I do buy a new one? Thanks in advance for the advice!

Riley
 
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slamb33

slamb33

s
Location
NorCal
Definitely get a 96+ superjet. Or if you like small sit downs, a blaster or HX. I am 5'8" 140, have 2 SJs (98 and 99) and 1 HX (96).

Try to get a chance to ride a SJ to confirm you like it, but I expect you will.

Yes a new 2012 sj can be registered, etc. Just hard to come by.
 
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RSKI

RSKI

Location
Oregon
Thanks for the info slamb, I'll keep looking. I hope to find a nice used one in the '00-'09 range, but not much luck so far. Any tips on the best places to find one? I've been checking craigslist from coast to coast, and found a few for sale on this forum. Is there any other places I should look? I'm willing to drive a long distance to get it, but 26 hours to Orlando is a bit much... Is a WTB ad on this site or other sites worth doing? It seems like there are WTB SJ ads everywhere.

Thanks!
 
swapmeet

swapmeet

Brotastic
Location
Arlington TX
Post WTB on CL. And keep looking on CL as well! People post ads everyday so you never know when you might get lucky... You should enjoy a SJ I think. It's definitely a great all around standup and there are tons of parts and info available. Be patient, you'll find something.

Also, some apps have notifications for CL, so the scond someone posts an ad you get a msg on you phone. Just a idea.

GL!
 
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RedTurboMr2

RedTurboMr2

09 SuperJet
Location
Ontario, Canada
Have you ever been on a standup? they're lots of fun, but they're definitely not quick like the new sitdowns, i ended up going for a lil cruise with my buddy, i was on the standup and he was on a brand new supercharged sit down, he kept getting mad cause he had to go so slow to stay with me. They're not super slow, but they're definitely no very fast. I personally don't like going on long far trips with my standup, kinda boring imo just going in a straight line, i prefer staying near by the launch and having fun doing setup wakes and doing tricks. What exactly are you looking for in a standup? Are you interested in doing freestyle? Or do you just want to go fast and have fun carving? The sxr might be the better option for you, or maybe even a blaster. Starting a WTB thread won't hurt and a ski might find you, or check the for sale thread, also check out craiglist. There's always ski's coming up for sale every now and then, but you need to jump on them quick since they don't last long. Good luck on your find and welcome to the X.
 
RSKI

RSKI

Location
Oregon
I have never had the opportunity to ride one. Around my area you just never see any. The dealerships here can't even get new ones to sell, or don't want to. I want a ski that I can entertain myself on for a long time. Something that keeps my attention and something that is a challenge. I do like the feeling of the older sit downs skis that I have ridden that are nice and small, pretty light, and carve corners like crazy. I love the feeling of taking corners aggressively and wondering if my arms might detach. Maybe a SJ doesn't do those things, I just thought it would be entertaining and a challenge. The last thing I want to do it sit down on a giant machine and see how fast I can get the fancy digital speedometer to read. That much I do know. I have spent quite a bit of time on a '94 SeaDoo XP that was modded a bit. I really enjoyed that, it pulled so hard in the corners it would throw me off if I didn't lift. I liked that. Just exploring different options.
 
JamesG

JamesG

Site Supporter
Location
Here
SXR > heavier, better carving, better for long distance riding or cruising, limited tricks due to weight and hull design (freeride/race ski)
SJ > lighter, more potential to do tricks, aftermarket parts are easier to come by (freeride/freestyle ski)

It's that simple imo. Go with what fits you.
 
snirunner24

snirunner24

Location
Lake St. Clair (MI)
If you want to do flat water freestyle then sj. Anything else, sxr hands down , I'm 5'7 145 and can jump a boat wave just as good as a superjet. The ride is %100 better and faster. The sj sucks for rec riding they jump all over the place. I got suckered into the hype and got a sj, rode it twice and sold it (waist or time and money) also the sxr holds up much better, they are so much stronger. You will never have to worry about blowing the side out if it. The only thing you can do on a sj (with pipe and head) that a sxr can't do is a roll. I would say ride both if you can before you wast your money on a sj. Imo
 
slamb33

slamb33

s
Location
NorCal
It is probably worth taking it to a shop for an inspection before purchase if you can.

If not, ride it (better to have somebody with experience ride it) and make sure there are not a lot of vibrations, grinding noises and that the steering works well and that nothing feels loose.

On the trailer you can check compression and for any cracks in the hull inside or out or signs of repair.

Best to at least get somebody that knows superjets to help out, or find a shop that will do an inspection for you.

that one on CL is a decent price. Not a steal, but fair.
 
RSKI

RSKI

Location
Oregon
The SXR's look fun too. I think the only thing leaning me towards the SJ is what I am reading (like you said), and that the SJ is lighter. I wish I could more easily ride both, but I just don't know how to get that done around here. Thanks for the info for sure.

snirunner24 said:
If you want to do flat water freestyle then sj. Anything else, sxr hands down , I'm 5'7 145 and can jump a boat wave just as good as a superjet. The ride is %100 better and faster. The sj sucks for rec riding they jump all over the place. I got suckered into the hype and got a sj, rode it twice and sold it (waist or time and money) also the sxr holds up much better, they are so much stronger. You will never have to worry about blowing the side out if it. The only thing you can do on a sj (with pipe and head) that a sxr can't do is a roll. I would say ride both if you can before you wast your money on a sj. Imo
Click to expand...
 
snirunner24

snirunner24

Location
Lake St. Clair (MI)
You have to look at it this way, you posted this on a site geared toward freestyle so thats what your going to get. If you posted on a race site it would be the other way around. The one thing good is if you only ride a sj you wont know that u might like the sxr better. For me I've riden a sxr for 8 years and couldnt stand the way the sj ride. They beat the zhit out of you on long rides.
 
RSKI

RSKI

Location
Oregon
well i don't intend to race it. I just want to have fun. Is $3500 a decent price for a one owner 2000 SJ with a ride plate and otherwise stock? It looks good in the pics. No trailer.
 
gc4

gc4

I'd be lost without the x
Location
Kingston, Ontario
I have an SJ and have only taken out an SXR a few times. The SXR felt huge to me coming from an SJ, it rides much different but it does seem to handle chop better. I would never want to have an SXR as my only ski, however. It was just more work to flip around. The SJ I felt could move around much easier and was just overall more nimble. The aftermarket parts selection for the SJ trumps the SXR as well.

I ride with a guy who only rides an SXR and he can do any trick I can so it really comes down to what you are used to. Either way you should be happy.

IMO though, go SJ.
 
TimotaLT

TimotaLT

Lake Rat
Location
Lake Travis, TX
A sj and an sxr are both to me great skis, but I ride an sxr and love it and not limited on freestyle tricks at all, i can hang with some of the best on it. Its personal preference for sure. That's why I'm one of the "freestyle kings" in Texas on an sxr =)
 
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