Switching to the pre 2008 cable makes the steering WAYYYY better. The 2008+ has almost no steering throw and makes the ski turn lazy at low speed. Swapping the steering cable (and pole or modifying the pole mount) should be the first mod to any 08+.
PRE 08 vs. 08+ SUPPERJET
- Thread starter Gski251
- Start date
- Location
- Los Gatos, CA
I think others covered it well. I have a 1999 and 2017, all stock.
The 1999 is more playful, can be slid sideways, 180 turns, nose stabs. I think a lot of this is the steering throw so I should get the 2008+ steering fixed. When trying to turn hard it will either slide and break loose, or the pump comes out of the water and then you lose power and fall over.
The 2008+ handles a LOT better at high speed and when turning. I also notice it cuts small chop well and has zero porpoising. Standing all the way forward on my 1999 doesn't get it to stop porpoising. It carves hard, lean it over and WOT and it just grips. The steering is slower and it is much harder to slide. It is also much easier to ride for new riders, it is very stable. I've taught people that have never been on a ski on these and see the 2008+ is much more forgiving for them. It has a 'chine walk' at low to moderate speed on glass. It has never escalated or thrown me off. Add even the smallest ripple to the water, or just ride aggressive and it's gone. Does not bother me.
I like both skis for different reasons. I probably need to swap the steering cable on my 2017 and I think it would pick up some of the good traits from the 1999 but haven't read a good writeup yet.
I also have a 550sx and 650sx and it's fun that all four skis all handle entirely different. I like both SJ more though, they just feel "dialed" in comparison.
The 1999 is more playful, can be slid sideways, 180 turns, nose stabs. I think a lot of this is the steering throw so I should get the 2008+ steering fixed. When trying to turn hard it will either slide and break loose, or the pump comes out of the water and then you lose power and fall over.
The 2008+ handles a LOT better at high speed and when turning. I also notice it cuts small chop well and has zero porpoising. Standing all the way forward on my 1999 doesn't get it to stop porpoising. It carves hard, lean it over and WOT and it just grips. The steering is slower and it is much harder to slide. It is also much easier to ride for new riders, it is very stable. I've taught people that have never been on a ski on these and see the 2008+ is much more forgiving for them. It has a 'chine walk' at low to moderate speed on glass. It has never escalated or thrown me off. Add even the smallest ripple to the water, or just ride aggressive and it's gone. Does not bother me.
I like both skis for different reasons. I probably need to swap the steering cable on my 2017 and I think it would pick up some of the good traits from the 1999 but haven't read a good writeup yet.
I also have a 550sx and 650sx and it's fun that all four skis all handle entirely different. I like both SJ more though, they just feel "dialed" in comparison.
- Location
- Thousand Oaks
Thanks for sharing your experience. Ideally I wish I could keep my 99 and get a new sj, but I can't. I got my eye open for a 08+.
Yeah, sorry for the slow response. I bought my 08 without having ridden a pre-08 since it was a deal I couldn't turn down. Rode it 100% stock for a summer, noticed that every time I was turning I was at full lock. Decided to ride my friends 2005 sj, the difference is crazy. The pre-08 is a lot more responsive/aggressive than the 08 is. I personally got used to the 08 and didn't mind it until I knew how it could feel. Went and bought a pre-08 setup from Jet Maniac, seems to be working amazingly so far this season. If you're not getting super aggressive with it the 2008 is fine, but there is a huge improvement with the pre-08 cable setup.
- Location
- Los Gatos, CA
I added a Worx WR205 intake grate to my 1999 and rode it last weekend. It significantly improved stability in mild and heavy chop, and also greatly reduced the porpoising and rough ride over chop. It also seems faster than it was before, maybe the pump always needed just a little more water? I'm running an 08+ prop. All around improvement with no disadvantages IMO. It does a lot to fix the minor stability and ride differences I noted when comparing the two skis and made a bigger difference than I expected. It still doesn't turn on rails like the 08+ but it rides a lot better and I prefer it for playing around.
For my 2017 I need to decide on a WR205 or WR228 intake grate given the amount of improvement it made on my 1999. And get around to the Pre-08 steering cable swap.
For my 2017 I need to decide on a WR205 or WR228 intake grate given the amount of improvement it made on my 1999. And get around to the Pre-08 steering cable swap.
- Location
- Connecticut
I prefer the pre-08. I have destroyers on it, and after a full season of learning the best way to carve with the destroyers, I can corner ALMOST as well as a stock 2008. Sometimes I wish I could rip buoys like my 2008 buddies can, but when I leave the buoy course and start throwing the ski around, sliding, nose stabs, 180 turns etc., and I watch my 2008 buddies try to do the same, I realize how much I love the pre 08 