Good starter ski

[Anthony19861]

hi I'm new to stand ups and I really want one before the season ends. I found this 1991 550sx for 700$ in perfect condition bone stock new battery and plugs. This is very cheap for my area and I feel I can resell it this winter and get a better one for next year if I like it. What do you think about the price ? And the ski? I just want it for racing around and hitting waves maybe tricks.

 

[codyadams209]

That ski is perfect I have a 1993 550sx, the best mods is to buy a prop, pipe, and water box and you are set, the reed 550's are a blast

 

[Anthony19861]

That ski is perfect I have a 1993 550sx, the best mods is to buy a prop, pipe, and water box and you are set, the reed 550's are a blast

Is this one a reed??

 

[codyadams209]

Yes it is

 

[Anthony19861]

Yes it is

How do you tell if it is?

 

[codyadams209]

Reed motors are silver and piston port are black

 

[mike b]

Reed motors are silver and piston port are black

That's not a good way to judge. Ask my friend who bought a piston port with a silver cylinder. A reed motor will have the intake manifold is at an angle where as the piston port is flat along the cylinder. I'm sure there are other ways but this one is easy to check and yes you have a reed 550 there

 

[Anthony19861]

That's not a good way to judge. Ask my friend who bought a piston port with a silver cylinder. A reed motor will have the intake manifold is at an angle where as the piston port is flat along the cylinder. I'm sure there are other ways but this one is easy to check and yes you have a reed 550 there

Are the reeds better?why? And Is It a good price

 

[mike b]

Are the reeds better?why? And Is It a good price

In CA that's a damn good price if ski is ready to ride which it looks. And reed motor is more powerful and 10x more reliable than a 550piston port. You will cut wrench time down a lot with this ski compared to older 550s

 

[Mdavies_02]

What year were piston port and which years were Reed? Sister/Friends are looking for a ski to ride and I have a 89 around here that I may buy.... If its reed.

 

[catfish4767]

I want to say reeds started in late 90 and then all made in 91 and up had reeds. Anyone want to confirm? The 89 should be piston port unless they swapped it

 

[jetx]

Also anything with the model 550sx should be reed as long as motor hadn't been swapped out

 

[catfish4767]

Also anything with the model 550sx should be reed as long as motor hadn't been swapped out

Be careful with this though. I can eBay a "550sx" decal and provide a bill of sale on a 550. Best indicator is what mike b said - look at the intake manifold. It'll be angled.

 

[mike b]

1990 550sx was piston port. That's a factory decal but the difference was rear exhaust and tray was shaped different. Maybe even larger pump not sure. But in 1991 it was reed motors for sure. Unless swapped. Sometimes you can find a 90 with a reed but that was swapped into the sx hull

 

[alberta guy]

Take a compression tester and make sure it has 150psi per hole. It also might just be the pic, but the exit nozzle should not have that line or thing down the center. Just keep in mind that the that hull (The Kawasaki JS hull) Is by far the most tippy hardest to ride and learn on hull. With that said, It's also tough to tell If he upgraded to a tether with a kill switch. The ski will not die and I will stay running and just drive in circles until you swim to it. With the possibility for it to go a long long ways before it starts doing circles. But They sell the upgraded kill switch with a tether for cheap on ebay. If its listed for fair market value in your area and things check out if you really want a ski, I would jump on it and sell it next year.

 

[mike b]

^that's an upgraded nozzle. Ocean pro I believe and have heard some swear by them. No lanyard on the ski but agree it's worth the upgrade to a tether

 

[SkiPro]

Also has a ocean pro ride plate looks like.
91-95 are reeds correct. Mikey Chan is on point with the intake being at an angle though, always check that.
Buy it and then turn the choke to down to where is dies. Spend that lanyard money on a bottom piece of turf and then sell it for $1000 after the season ends.

 

[mike b]

Also has a ocean pro ride plate looks like.
91-95 are reeds correct. Mikey Chan is on point with the intake being at an angle though, always check that.
Buy it and then turn the choke to down to where is dies. Spend that lanyard money on a bottom piece of turf and then sell it for $1000 after the season ends.

Heyyy! Thanks for using the nickname. Only one other person has. Good idea for the choke. If he is lucky he can find one of those lanyard pieces used online. I believe he can use the lanyard piece from 550/650/750/800 Kawasakis

 

[catfish4767]

Pretty sure the OP nozzle brings in a pretty penny if you decide to sell it. At least that's what I seem to remember.

 

[123hi]

If it has an OP reduction nozzle along with that steering nozzle, it's a $250 piece.

SX driveline and pump are better than the JS version. Simpler, lighter and less maintenance.

Other giveaways that it's a reed engine (besides what's already been mentioned) are the keihin carb & f/a, little loop that sticks up on the exhaust to head bracket and the blue spark plug boots means that is likely a reed ebox with the electronic rev limiter as well. All good signs it hasn't been messed with.

Great deal at $700 if it runs well. Jump on it before it's gone!