Big guy on a small ski (need an upgrade)

jayd241

jayd241

Location
Lake Mills, WI
I picked up my first ski last year, a '92 650SX, and learned to ride. I really like riding, but I think my ski is under-powered. I am 6'2" 235 lbs, so I'm not small I don't want to mess around with modding the crap out of the 650 only to find that I want to upgrade later.

I mostly ride on the lake and jump off boat wakes and stuff, so I guess that is kind of free style? What should I upgrade to? I found an FX-1 nearby me for $2500, would that be suitable for a guy my size and the kind of riding I do? Any other suggestions? I'm trying to keep the purchase price at $3000 or less.
 
crazy4sand

crazy4sand

Location
Vegas
I'm 5'10 260 lbs I've ridden a lot of skis even super short aftermarket hulls theirs a technique to everything just gotta spend a little time, like my blaster only way I can mount it is with the idle way up...


There's a guy who rides a fx1 in Vegas he's near 300lbs and rides it fine. Just doesn't do any freestyle except his awesome wave jumping


Alls I can say is get what you want and don't let the thought of being heavy slow you down.....
 
stagesrt4

stagesrt4

see ya out there
Site Supporter
Location
St Charles IL
thats Djcondo Fx1 listed... should be a sold ski

you could always make upgrades to your current ski

Or look into a either kawasaki 750/800s or yamaha superjet

also polaris made an awesome standup but they go for roughly $4-5k
 
xixp

xixp

Location
miami
You should try an SXR 800, its better suited for larger riders. Im 6 2 as well and the SXR was more stable .
Once your skills improve you could consider a SJ. (thats what I did after a couple of years with the SXR).
I believe teh FX1 is too narrow (freestyle oriented) and it will be too small for you.
 
Ron McKee

Ron McKee

Oside surf
Location
Lake Forest, CA
As a fellow big guy I should chime in.(6'3" 240Lbs.) I struggled for years on a 650sx, then a 750sxi Pro. Only after getting an SXR did I get comfortable riding. It's much easier for a big rider to learn on with a 2in. wider tray and hull. Now I ride a SJ but it's taken two years to get used to it. And I've opened up the tray for a wider stance. This helps a lot with balance. The SJ is much more agile and quick to maneuver but requires constant corrections.(in the surf anyway) If your balance is good, go for the SJ. But if you struggle like I did, start with the SXR.
 
JetJunky

JetJunky

Location
Ontario CA
I would try to ride a SXR or SJ before you buy one. I am 6'1" 195lb and love riding the 650sx because it is predictable to ride. I dumped a lot of money into it to get it to what I like. What mods do you have done on yours? Some simple mods will really make a difference on the 650sx depending on what you are running.
 
Vumad

Vumad

Super Hero, with a cape!
Location
St. Pete, FL
Reasons to get rid of the 650sx

It's broken or worn out
You want a more modern look
You want a different style bottom deck for a different riding style
You want a larger choice of aftermarket parts

Reasons to NOT get rid of the 650sx

You think you're fat
Someone told you it's too small
You want to be one of the cool kids, because everyone else is riding something else.

Facts

Every boat is a great boat set up right.
Any boat comes setup right is more expensive
Anyone almost any size can ride anything.

If you plan to buy something else, then buy that something else. If the 650sx just isn't enough, put a pipe and carb on it, keep the stock parts, and put it back to stock when it's time to do something different. If you are smart about your upgrades, you can get a chunk of your money back.
 
StandupNation

StandupNation

Location
Bakersfield, CA
Hey man, I'll chime in too. I'm 6'4" 225lbs. I started on a 550 and was able to ride that just fine. Moved up to the 750 SXi and loved it. But honestly, the best thing I've ever done was get a shorter pole and widen the hell outta the tray. It's soooo much more stable with a nice wide side by side stance in the tray. I did it via Blowsion Klowner footholds.
 
jayd241

jayd241

Location
Lake Mills, WI
JetJunky said:
I would try to ride a SXR or SJ before you buy one. I am 6'1" 195lb and love riding the 650sx because it is predictable to ride. I dumped a lot of money into it to get it to what I like. What mods do you have done on yours? Some simple mods will really make a difference on the 650sx depending on what you are running.
Click to expand...

44 sbn carb w/ ported manifold
Supertrapp exhaust
Water box mod
Solas prop (not sure angle)
Intake grate mod
Changed to premix, 93 octane

Nothing crazy. I just feel like I should pour my money into something better...
 
Quinc

Quinc

Buy a Superjet
Location
California
6' 240. Get a Superjet with a low pitched prop, pipe, head and shorten the pole a few inches. Like everything else it takes time and practice. Don't let the jockeys you see riding them in the videos deter you. =)
 
Vumad

Vumad

Super Hero, with a cape!
Location
St. Pete, FL
jayd241 said:
Will it be able to throw my heavy ass through a backflip? I'd like to try some rolls, backflips or 180's..
Click to expand...

I just rode a fx1 for the 1st one the other day, but I don't believe it is an aerial ski. More of a surfboard. If you're looking to free ride, then it's probably best you get a Superjet.
 
JetJunky

JetJunky

Location
Ontario CA
I don't have a lot of experience on freestyle yet but to really do flips and rolls easily you'll want an A/M hull with a big bore motor. Take time an learn, with the mods you have you should be able to learn 180 nose stabs with practice, subs and some hood tricks. Like Quinc said, shorten the pole to really get better control of a ski. I chopped my 650sx 4" and it helped a lot.
 
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