Other Looking for honest feedback...Who/What do you use and want and why?

[shanes]

i picked all my bits from

http://www.rickroyproducts.com found them very very helpful Rick got back to me straight away regarding my questions and had all the parts sorted and delivered within a week

http://www.blowsion.com/ where also great and got the bits i needed out asap

 

[GIL]

I'm giving Thrust a chance with my DASA rebuild. He really took care of me when my pipe failed.

Art at Jetworks is always happy to give away free nformation. It amazes me. I feel bad taking up his time.

DASA offers a heck of a motor. It took me a while to dial it in, but the results were better than the other guys 1000cc motor, plus I really took pride in the amount of work I put into it.

Aaron

I can totally relate. I had Paul build me a Lamey a few years ago and I got to learn sooo much while trying to squeeze everything I could get out of it. Some people think I should be disgusted that it took a while, but I must say I learned alot that will stay with me for life and for that I am thankful!

 

[Kalwren]

I know this is kind of a nebulous question, but I am really interested to know who you guys buy from and why. And what you guys are looking for.

Does everyone want an aftermarket hull? Why? Which one?

Motor wise, are you guys only building 1000cc PV motors?

Who don't you buy from and why?

What have I missed that you are looking for?

My thoughts and plans are changing a little, but I would really like to know what you guys think.

I know this thread has the potential to go negative really quickly, and I would really appreciate if it doesn't. So please don't anyone take anything personally that may be said...

I'm still new to the Jet Ski scene over-all. When I need to buy something that is important or expensive - I ask for opinions on here and/or other sites. I love the experience of others.

I just purchased a new carb for my ski last week. There are several places to buy from, but I didn't know who the "best" was. People on this board pointed me to Art at JetWorks, so I purchased from him.

 

[Kalwren]

BuMotor:

Jetworks was recommended to me by a good friend. I used Art & Robert's services to get a cylinder bored and was extremely impressed by their customer service, prices, and that they didn't steer me towards buying stuff I didn't need.

Wow, yeah! X2!!

About buying my carb, I thought I was going to buy a Blackjack. After speaking with Art in great detail about my ski, he said that a Blackjack wouldn't be what I would need for my ski. He sold me a straight up 44SBN.

He absolutely didn't steer me to buying stuff I don't need, and I really appreciate that. Being I'm still learning about the sport - he could have totally taken me for a ride and sold me a Blackjack (and I would have bought it!) but in his expertise my ski isn't ready for one.

Honesty goes such a long, long way.

---------------

I'll add my list:

RCJS - Rock county Jet Ski - John has been great. A lot of the equipment on my ski has come from him.

Jet Works - Bought a carb from Art. It was tuned and ready to go. Fired up on the first hit.

Jet-World - I've bought a few things from them and the experience was positive. Shipped in a timely manner.

Jetski Solutions - These guys were great. I needed my CDI rebuilt. Fox went to California and shipped it to them from where he was staying. I contacted them via Email and said I would be the one paying for the item as it's for my ski. They took my payment and shipped it to me. That kind of flexibility is really cool. They had *great* communication through email.

Fuellines.biz - I've ordered from them twice. Excellent prices and timely shipping.

Blowsion - Bought my bilge switch from them. Super nice quality. Took them a while to ship it though.

JetManiac - I bought a carb rebuild kit from him. It was the first JetSki carb that I'd ever rebuilt and I skewered one of the damn diaphragm grommets. He immediately shipped me out another one, no charge. How cool is that?
Thread is here: http://www.x-h2o.com/threads/75922-Jetmaniac-A&highlight=

Last but not least - PLD. He's a lurker on here. He usually doesn't post much. He's been a great resource for knowledge and has spent some time on my ski. I can't seem to bribe him with Gas or Food though. I guess I'll have to try women next.

 

[Ross_C]

Hey guys, I really appreciate candid responses. It is interesting for me to see who is doing what these days, you all have mentioned a few companies that I did not know existed.

 

[Matt_E]

A big shout out to Paul Lehr. Back when I was porting my own cylinders and cases, he was always willing to spend time on the phone with me and help me out.
He also pm'd me his personal cell number after Zach's accident so we could talk. Greatly appreciated and speaks well even on a personal level.
I think the bottom line is this: there are a number of different shops around that cater to all of us. Everyone has their favorite place for one reason or another, but overall they're all pretty good to us.
Each one of them has an interest in furthering this sport.
And most of them are always willing to help out even as sponsors.
The guys at XScream sent me some shwag prizes for a local event on very short notice, as did Jetworks and Blowsion.

 

[ATS_Aaron]

I haven't looked into what the Ski Clinic sells (other than BOBS), but they sure were cool at World Finals. Offered us lots of help with WDK pipes and were just generally great people.

WDK - I put about $10,000 his way last summer to get the dry pipes finally made. He pretty much screwed me. But I expected it. After i gave him plenty of time to fill my order I did a credit card charge back to get some leverage and had my stuff in a few days. He's got good stuff just buy it from someone else.

Ross C. - great guy too. On Saturday at World Finals I took a pic of Ross from a distance just to show friends how close I got. Haha. The next day I ended up talking to Ross for like 15 minutes after the "expression session". Totally cool approachable guy willing to share knowledge and enthusiasm. I just bought two impellers from him eBay.

Aaron

 

[oxnard111]

Jetworks for my cylinder porting. Art is a wealth of knowledge and loves to help you out.

JSS for my electrical needs. Going on 3.5 years on some re-wiring and it is still holding up perfectly for 100% surf riding.

But the most help, knowledgeable, willingness to help me out, great to wrench with, and makes one hell of a Margarita is Carl Gramburg of Cold Fusion. I'm very glad to call him a personal friend.

------

What I'd like to do is buy an FR-2. I love riding those things. They are so fun in the surf, but I doubt it will happen, atleast for a while anyways.

-----

I order some small parts from Jet-World, but I always make sure to have the exact part number from the current years hot-products catalog, because between myself and good friend of mine, we've had some trouble with receiving the wrong parts in the past.

I'd personally trust Jetmaniac with any of my orders. That guy is awesome with his shipping and packaging.

 

[Billybo455]

randy from watcon has been great, jetmaniac has been great, and tem from superfreak is another great one. i've got to ride a few aftermarket hulls now and the new superfreak is sweet!!! and will be arriving before matt e's both chris and randy are one man shows and they both have great customer service. don't know how they get some much done and still answer a phone!

 

[Tyler Zane]

jetworks for all my motor needs.

i have dealt with many sellers here on the x and have had nothing but good come out from it. if i can i spend my money right here with the little guys.

sjetrider and jetmaniac are both great sellers.

 

[djkorn1]

My brother did all my motor work until moving out west and I have been doing it myself since then (with less than spectacular results!)
My ski is mostly oem with a few bolt ons...

The only major purchase I have made with aftermarket companies is my pole from X Metal...(after my UMI's kept busting)

...and my hull with Trinity. (Can't say enough good things about the quality of the hull so far)

Paul Lehr has always been a great source of information...and has never steered any of my friends wrong.

 

[Wes K]

Hulls: I am always interested in aftermarket hulls because of rocker and the fact most are more nimble. And that more maneuvers can be accomplished with these nimble hulls. Especially in the surf. I am not so into the price of these hulls which will continue to deter me from ever buying one... especially since it WILL crack and break in the surf.

Motors: man they are expensive

 

[kraqus]

I am a cheap bastard. I buy everything used :biggrin:
I love the way my pig handles (99 RN).
No aftermarket hull for me, but I like the Rickters (look)
I am going riding tomorrow and may finally be able to ride one.
I hope it handles as good as it looks...

I tend to see and look for feedback when dealing with Vendors.
A few good men:
-Jetmaniac
-Tom21
-Jetworks
-Jet ski Solutions
-The ski Clinic
-#Zero

Sorry if I missed anyone else....

Once my engine blows I am calling Xmetal for a complete overhaul.
This is based solely on feedback from this forum, what they have done to people's rides and how satisfied they are. (power/reliability)


Benny

 

[Billybo455]

Hulls: I am always interested in aftermarket hulls because of rocker and the fact most are more nimble. And that more maneuvers can be accomplished with these nimble hulls. Especially in the surf. I am not so into the price of these hulls which will continue to deter me from ever buying one... especially since it WILL crack and break in the surf.

Motors: man they are expensive

ask jetmaniac about his superfreak. it's pulled the old lawn dart routine a few times now. it took it way better then his 04 did.

 

[SXIPro]

For motor work I'll stick with Paul Lehr at LPW. He is a great guy with great communication and does nice work. He went above and beyond for me this summer after I blew up my motor and I needed a nearly impossible turnaround time for some top end work and top end parts in order to save a long weekend of riding that my family and I had been looking forward to for a long time. He never once mentioned "maybe, I can squeeze it in, or I'll try to hit the deadline". It was simply "Russ, I'll get you your stuff in time, trust me". Sure enough, I got my stuff in time. Plus when I was throwing my motor back together and got 'stuck' he was answering my emails at 10:00 PM on a Friday night so I could finish in time for Saturday.

It's all about customer service and communication, which LPW rules at.

Other folks that have impressed me:

John at JSS
Dave at Impros
Jetmaniac
Laurel at HT(too bad she doesnt' work there anymore)
John Zigler
#ZERO

For used stuff, I've never had a bad experience with anyone on the 'X' that I scrounge parts from.

As far as AM hulls, I've never ridden one or even seen one in person. Nor at my advancing age but plateued crappy skill level will I ever really deserve or require one, so I have no worthy input. If a bunch of money fell in my lap or if I didn't have 2 kids I'm trying to put through college, would I buy one? Hell yes. I'd probably go with a Trinity, based on nothing more than I think they look cool.

 

[PancakePete]

Ross,

To me the times now are like Surf boards in the 70's going from long board to short boards.
Creating a ride more flickable and manuverable. I really like some of the small hulls out there.
Have only riden a couple but I think thats the way to go.

Lighter smaller ski = less motor to do more.

Ex. My last trinity carbon matrix with an 865 I was getting flatwater backflips.
That hull was like 7' and lighter but some of the skis now, you can put a 701
in and backflip.

I hope to go back to an SJ just to get out in the water... I sure miss it.
I got a beautiful baby girl and gave up alot to afford her.
Hopefully see you in daytona if i can swing it. Im unemployed at the moment.

anyway, you ever want to pick my brain, you got my number, be great to hear from you !

good luck in the new setup. !

pancake.

 

[Proformance1]

Matt and others have pretty much summed it up for me. If you read between the lines and put in any vendors name to replace the specific ones they have chosen, you'll see a pattern from all of us. IMO Here is what I feel does it:

Customer Service
ie. approachability, locality, knowledge, personality, stocking all parts, delivery, shipping costs, etc.

The specific parts do not really matter, let the bashings begin. What matters is if when it hits the pond, lake or ocean, it works, and feels better to that person. If it doesn't, the person who sold it is ready to help or do something about it.

I have had multiple people walk me through tuning, fitment issues with their products, and always go back to them if they help. If they don't I never go back and tell everyone else I ride with. There are always differing opinions, from different people, but after you hear enough pos or neg feedback, I feel I can give them a call to see what I think of them first before I buy. I personally have bought items from almost every supplier that sells jet ski parts. If you want the list of places I have bought from let me know.

 

[D-Roc]

For me, it all about how i like to buy my parts online, Blowsion, AJS, MaccRacing, Riva, etc. I use any of the websites that let me use my visa, not paypal!!!, and allow me to choose shipping options. i buy all my OEM yamaha parts from my local dealer in town to help keep him in business. Any bearings, starters,cables, seals etc, the stuff that i don't want to sacrafice yamaha quality for price. I always have built my own motors and assembled them myself and do all work on my ski myself. recently i purchased a used DASA motor built by a known builder. i don't run a 1000cc i don't ride an aftermarket hull. I am just your typical weekend rider that does his research and deals with the people that have been around a while and have pulled thru for me in the last 9 seasons of riding. most of my ride pals feel the same way.

 

[Scorn800]

I've dealt with plenty of jetski businesses over the years. I really like Steve Webster & crew at Kommander. I used him when he was JSU too. They know Kawasaki's. I use to use Tim Z at Z force. He is a great guy just a little hard to get a hold of since he has a daytime job. I would still use him if he was local.
I also really like Johnny & crew at Blowsion, Jim at AJS, Tim at Novi, Glenn at Skat-trak, and Sally at Jet Trim. Businesses who I've had problems with have been lpw and jss. I would never use them again or recommend them to anyone.

 

[KR]

Motor/Driveline: JetManiac/#Zero/Cold-Fusion
Hull/Handling: Blowsion/Cold-Fusion
Electrical: Jet Ski Solutions
Tuning: Jet Works
Random odds/ends: Forums/Hardcore/Oxnard111

As far as Jon Hall goes...He takes everything from me.