rode a SJ for the 1st time-was disappointedq

concentrack

concentrack

Location
norcal, bay area
So yesterday I rode a superjet for the first time yesterday and i was really disappointed. i have a 550 and i have ridden a 650, 750 and 800. the SJ was a roundnose '01. bone stock. it was so squirly and it kept wanting to veer to the right so i'd try end end up over correcting and then -SPLASH- im in the water again.

don't get me wrong, i still had fun (although kinda cold) but i felt like it was less stable then my 550 . . . or maybe i'm just used to my 550. maybe i have to get used to it or something. or maybe it was because it's bone stock and there are handling mods that may have made it not so squirly. or maybe its squirlyness is the reason it's such a great freestyle ski.

Either way, i was planning on buy a used squarenose this spring, but after yesterday i'm unsure if i'll like it. it seems like i'd like it since most standup riders swear by them unless you're into racing.

so here's my question: was it just me because i'm not used to riding superjets and it will fill better with practice or are there handling mods that would make for a less squirly ride?

thoughts and suggestions please?

thanks in advance for your feedback.
 
showmepro1200

showmepro1200

ISJWTA Member #007
Location
Jefferson City, Missouri
Isn't everything a bit different ("squirrelly") the first time you try it? One ride doesn't seem to be a good comparison.

The wanting to veer to the right may be due to the steering being out of adjustment.

If you don't buy the square, it's just one more for the others to acquire. May just not be your type of machine.
 
SJBrit

SJBrit

Extraordinary Alien
Location
Bradenton, FL
Riding an SJ for the first time is like trying to stand on an ice cube. It takes some getting used to - a Yamaha hull is NOTHING like a Kawasaki hull. Yes, the reason everyone likes it for freestyle is exactly because it's loose and squirrelly - most of us mod ours to make it even more so :biggthumpup: The veering to the side thing is common - one of the hardest freestyle tricks on a Superjet is "going really fast in a straight line"! Not kidding - the hull wants to tip you to the side, especially in flat water. Don't worry - when did you ever see anyone riding in straight line doing freestyle?

Give it a few more tries. Once you start to get a feel for it, you'll quickly realize why people like them so much. So, it's not you: it's the ski, and that's the way we like it :cat37:
 
Crab

Crab

thanks darin...noswad!
Location
Seattle
You need to un-learn how to ride the Kawi's, I have sworn off my 650sx for a year now, and getting on the SJ last weekend was great. Same thing went for Gasgas when he bought a new SJ last summer, it took him 2-3 weeks before he felt comfortable, switching from a 550.
 
Matt_E

Matt_E

steals hub caps from cars
Site Supporter
Location
at peace
I've ridden Superjets for 2 years now. I have also ridden the 440 and 550 hull. I found the Kawis to be far more squirrely.
If that SJ was bonestock, it was lacking in power and "traction" (cavitation due to ********ty stock impeller). The grate sucks, too.

Anyways.....I learned Standup riding on Superjets, so I find them great. It does exactly what I want and when I want.
 
SJBrit

SJBrit

Extraordinary Alien
Location
Bradenton, FL
Matt_E said:
I've ridden Superjets for 2 years now. I have also ridden the 440 and 550 hull. I found the Kawis to be far more squirrely.
If that SJ was bonestock, it was lacking in power and "traction" (cavitation due to ********ty stock impeller). The grate sucks, too.

Anyways.....I learned Standup riding on Superjets, so I find them great. It does exactly what I want and when I want.
Click to expand...

Matt makes a good point: a Worx 201 intake grate makes the world of difference to a stock SJ.
 
SuperJETT

SuperJETT

So long and thanks for all the fish
Location
none
Kawi's respond to body position way more than a SJ does. SJ's require you to **steer** more than lean, it just takes a while to get used to one.
 
subseawellhead

subseawellhead

Cherry Bomb Jackazz
Location
Louisiana
I've been riding a 650sx for years and very stable straight line. My SN is squirrely in a straight line but throw it in a turn and nail it, it's like "on rails"
 
Shonuff

Shonuff

I've got the glow
Site Supporter
Location
Memphis
SuperJETT said:
Kawi's respond to body position way more than a SJ does. SJ's require you to **steer** more than lean, it just takes a while to get used to one.
Click to expand...

And this is doubly true for squares that try to dump you if you think about leaning.
 
onesojourner

onesojourner

I use a thumb throttle.
Location
springfield, mo
Superjet is right. it took me a long time to figure out the difference between riding the 550 and the sj. the 550 I could turn and keep going straight if I didn't lean(exaggeration). the SJ does not care what way you lean it goes where you point the bars.
 
Matt_E

Matt_E

steals hub caps from cars
Site Supporter
Location
at peace
Shonuff said:
And this is doubly true for squares that try to dump you if you think about leaning.
Click to expand...

Which can be easily rectified with Tubbies. The ski is still squirrely and responsive, but you can lean it over till the bars drag.
But I will admit: Once I started riding my ski with Tubbies and got very confident in that riding style, I was able to hop on other Superjets without Tubbies and ride a whole lot better than before.
 
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