Should I bother with a 300SX for my kids?

[Prairidawg]

My kids are a likely a year or two from being able to start riding a stand up. I'm just looking for advice on whether I should bother trying to find a 300SX for them to learn on, or just let them start on my stock 650 superjet and tape up the handlebars to limit the throttle or something?

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[800750]

300sx imo

 

[Quinc]

My 4 year old does pretty well on my built and chopped SJ. Get an adjustable throttle wheel to limit the throttle. Or turn up the idle and disconnect it completely.

 

[mikidymac]

Check your state laws too. Here in lovely California you can’t operate a watercraft over 15 horse power unless you are at least 16.

 

[wmazz]

I started my son on a JS300.

It was originally planed to be the "KX80" of the JetSki product line,
but after the Consumer Safety Commission ban on Honda 3 wheeled
atv, as I recall, an abundance of caution was felt at Kawasaki dealers,
waiting for the next shoe to drop on top of JetSki's.

The JS300 failed as an adult ski.

The JS 650 was the new entry level replacement for the JS 550.

 

[Yami-Rider]

In Oklahoma they have to take a boaters safety course if age 12-15.

I think a 300sx is a good little kid ski, no power, stable and can be found for dirt cheap.

 

[Prairidawg]

Yes, I'm thinking that a 300sx may be the way to go.

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[bored&stroked]

Stock 650sx is not super fast to begin with, don't waste the money on a 300.

 

[circafwsk8r]

If ur a cool dad and have the budget any form of superjet is the best way to go imo. My dad was not cool and I got a wet bike for my first kind of stand up.

 

[Storbeck]

For what it's worth, watching a 200+ pound guy try to get up on plane and ride around on a 300sx is good for a bit of entertainment.

 

[Prairidawg]

Yeah, the 650 superjet gets me around ok, I'm 225lbs, but think it may be a bit much for a kid. One neighbor has a 550 that he rebuilt and his kid puts around on it. The entertainment watching adults ride it may be worth it, lol.

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[RippinRob]

I started on a 650sx when I was 12, In Michigan you have to be 16 with a boaters safety to operate a pwc by yourself or 14 within 500 ft of an adult. IMO 650sx or any super jet is great to learn on with lots of room for growth as well, depends on how old your kid is though

 

[gsxral1000]

Daughts been riding a 300sx all summer and she loves it. Shes 8

 

[Prairidawg]

Kids are 8 and 11, 11 yr old girl isn't into it, 8 yr old boy is likely ready. Not sure what our laws are here, likely have to be 16 or something silly....

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[Prairidawg]

Looks like in canada, age 12 and under, no supervision required up to 10 hp. Age 12 to 16, can operate up to 40 hp, with direct supervision. Age 16, wide open.

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[iQRTurbo]

If your kids have spent time on dirt bikes, quads or snowmobiles and have a basic understanding of throttle control you don’t have anything to worry about with a 650-700 twin. My kids all learned on a sx 650 with ease. IMO, don’t waste your money on a 300. My kids (12,10 and 7 yards old now) all started at 6 years old on a 650 and they did just fine. Within a couple days they are using all the 650 had to offer and graduated to bigger skis in no time. Give the kids an opportunity to ride and they will surprise you. Their center of gravity and sense of balance when young is almost like cheating. At 12 years old, Gabe’s first season on a Freestyle ski he was laying down combos that make all but the top level competitors look silly.
Get them started young!!

 

[X2Kid]

Be aware that there are many mechanical parts unique to the 300 and these can be harder to source than 650 parts. It's already getting hard to find some 440/550 stuff and they made heaps of those...

 

[tor*p*do]

650 SN would be much better

 

[mthomps]

If you have a 300sx that runs right waiting for you go pick it up! Your boy will love it. If you are still looking around for one what you find will probably be a project to get running so it depends on whats available and the time you are willing to spend getting it running well.

Might be easier to find a throttle stop for your 650 supertjet. I wouldnt trust an 8 year old to operate a wide open 650 sj

 

[Jetfiend]

If your kids have spent time on dirt bikes, quads or snowmobiles and have a basic understanding of throttle control you don’t have anything to worry about with a 650-700 twin. My kids all learned on a sx 650 with ease. IMO, don’t waste your money on a 300. My kids (12,10 and 7 yards old now) all started at 6 years old on a 650 and they did just fine. Within a couple days they are using all the 650 had to offer and graduated to bigger skis in no time. Give the kids an opportunity to ride and they will surprise you. Their center of gravity and sense of balance when young is almost like cheating. At 12 years old, Gabe’s first season on a Freestyle ski he was laying down combos that make all but the top level competitors look silly.
Get them started young!!

@623pwr