Freestyle Which Ski Should I Buy? Freestyle Noob

pinball-1

pinball-1

Location
Wisconsin
I know, this has probably been asked a billion times...but

Trying to figure out which ski is right for me. I've been spending hours and hours researching everyday, but info just isn't as easy to find as factory skis due to millions of possible combinations.

Little about me;
6'4" (not a small guy).
Live on a large freshwater lake. Usually fairly flatwater but can have waves up to 3ft.
I ride 4-5 days a week (weather permitting)
I've been riding a highly modified 650sx
Want to get into the freestyle side of the sport.

Looking to buy a used freestyle ski that will do all the main tricks (backflips). As I don't want to buy something I will outgrow in a year.

Any suggestions on what I should get? Trying to stay sub $10k on a used ski. Reliability would be a plus as well.

If you know of any that are for sale that might fit, let me know!
 
Ducky

Ducky

Back in the game!
Location
Charlotte, NC
When you say sub 10k...does that mean you will spend right up to 10k, or are you really trying to get something for like 6k?

Do you want to buy a hull and build it, or do you want to buy something ready to ride?
 
pinball-1

pinball-1

Location
Wisconsin
Ducky said:
When you say sub 10k...does that mean you will spend right up to 10k, or are you really trying to get something for like 6k?

Do you want to buy a hull and build it, or do you want to buy something ready to ride?
Click to expand...

Up to $10k, if I spend less it's a bonus. Looking for something ready to ride, I don't have the free time to do a build.
 
Ducky

Ducky

Back in the game!
Location
Charlotte, NC
Here are some very good options....its crazy that some of these skis are under 10k these days. My recommendations are based on my experiences riding a ton of hulls. There are a bunch of other RTR skis for sale that are more of a strictly freestyle ski (Such as a BOB), but the skis below will handle a big guy like you, let you chase boats, handle the lake chop, and also able to bring them to the surf if you are ever on the coast. Also, coming from a 650sx, at least the 1st 3 skis in this list should be a fairly easy transition for you. Good luck with your search.

2013 Backie Chan. This is a stable, fun hull. Flatwater flippable with a lot of practice on a little motor.
http://x-h2o.com/index.php?threads/2013-backie-chan.167735/

2012 EME Q8 Sky. Another stable, fun hull. Bigger motor than the ski above, and again, can probably flatwater flip with a lot of practice.
http://x-h2o.com/index.php?threads/2012-eme-q8-sky.167724/

2015 Aquabot V2. Honestly, Aquabots are one of my favorite hulls. They are short, freestyle oriented, but super stable and can rail a corner. Also, they are awesome for the surf and super strong...Id probably go with this ski personally.
http://x-h2o.com/index.php?threads/tigercraft-aquabot-v2.163050/

XFT free X....the cheapest of the list. I know it says sold, but scroll to the last page and the current owner relisted it for sale for $6500. Also in wisconsin. However, it is running total loss, which can be a big pain if you dont have any experience with it. But at that price, you could easily swap the ignition back to a stock system.
http://x-h2o.com/index.php?threads/xft-free-x-full-carbon-back-flip-ski-sold.162542/
 
pinball-1

pinball-1

Location
Wisconsin
Ducky, thanks a ton for the info!

I think that XFT might be right down the street from me! I sent him a message to see if he still has it. Ever rode one of those? I have no idea what total loss MSD ignition is (research time). $6,500 would be light on my pocket book.

That EME is one sexy looking ski! If the above doesn't pan out, I might look into that one.
 
Ducky

Ducky

Back in the game!
Location
Charlotte, NC
pinball-1 said:
Ducky, thanks a ton for the info!

I think that XFT might be right down the street from me! I sent him a message to see if he still has it. Ever rode one of those? I have no idea what total loss MSD ignition is (research time). $6,500 would be light on my pocket book.

That EME is one sexy looking ski! If the above doesn't pan out, I might look into that one.
Click to expand...

You are very welcome.

MSD Total Loss is an ignition system that doesnt recharge the battery as you ride like a stock ignition system, but it does help your motor package make a good bit more power overall for a couple different reasons.

Dont hesitate to ask questions here, there is tons of info available.
 
airport joe

airport joe

Location
Thief River Falls, MN
I had the same criteria as you when searching for a do-all priced right ski, after some test rides I ended up buying a ROK-R with a 927. The ROK-R was the last ski I rode when trying out a bunch of freestyle skis, something about it put a smile on my face. After a summer of riding it I've been very happy, ski is easy to ride and much more trick capable than I am, it doesn't ride crazy nose high even with a 6'3"rider so I do chase boats but mainly play by beach. It has a kart tank and suck's the fuel so you don't go sight seeing on it, only other negative for me was tray area to small to ride surf stance. I also wanted a charging ign system knowing i would fall off alot and not want to worry about the battery condition, now i'd be ready for TL.
 
pinball-1

pinball-1

Location
Wisconsin
airport joe said:
I had the same criteria as you when searching for a do-all priced right ski, after some test rides I ended up buying a ROK-R with a 927. The ROK-R was the last ski I rode when trying out a bunch of freestyle skis, something about it put a smile on my face. After a summer of riding it I've been very happy, ski is easy to ride and much more trick capable than I am, it doesn't ride crazy nose high even with a 6'3"rider so I do chase boats but mainly play by beach. It has a kart tank and suck's the fuel so you don't go sight seeing on it, only other negative for me was tray area to small to ride surf stance. I also wanted a charging ign system knowing i would fall off alot and not want to worry about the battery condition, now i'd be ready for TL.
Click to expand...

If I run across one of those I'll consider it!
I only ski in front of my house (which happens to be right next to a very busy bar :p), so I'm never more than a half mile from shore...I learned my lesson once with running out of gas, won't make that mistake again.
 
Roseand

Roseand

The Weaponizer
Site Supporter
Location
Wisconsin
pinball-1 said:
If I run across one of those I'll consider it!
I only ski in front of my house (which happens to be right next to a very busy bar ), so I'm never more than a half mile from shore...I learned my lesson once with running out of gas, won't make that mistake again.
Click to expand...
You could also buy a WDK RIP and drop in a superjet drivetrain. It's basically a rokr with a bunch of improvements. I love mine so I'm a little biased, but they're reasonably priced new hulls.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
 
pinball-1

pinball-1

Location
Wisconsin
Roseand said:
You could also buy a WDK RIP and drop in a superjet drivetrain. It's basically a rokr with a bunch of improvements. I love mine so I'm a little biased, but they're reasonably priced new hulls.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Trying to avoid building one, I just don't have the time...to many other hobbies :/
 
pinball-1

pinball-1

Location
Wisconsin
Ducky said:
Did you find anything yet?
Click to expand...

Nothing yet. I did go check the one out that was in my area, very nice ski but after I found out the price of race fuel, my wallet clamped shut haha. I've been super busy with other hobbies the last couple weeks, so haven't had much time to search.
 
Ducky

Ducky

Back in the game!
Location
Charlotte, NC
pinball-1 said:
Nothing yet. I did go check the one out that was in my area, very nice ski but after I found out the price of race fuel, my wallet clamped shut haha. I've been super busy with other hobbies the last couple weeks, so haven't had much time to search.
Click to expand...

Yes, race gas is expensive, but you can change motors to run on pump gas with different domes in the head, so dont let that deter you from finding a good deal!
 
Ducky

Ducky

Back in the game!
Location
Charlotte, NC
Here is another ski I would definitely consider if I was in your position.

2010 WDK ROK full carbon. Driveline is Kawi based (SXR motor) so you will have some familiarity coming off a 650sx with the rest of the Kawi components on the ski. WDKs quality is very good, and this is a do-it-all ski. Its definitely not the best flatwater freestyle ski, but it can do freestyle, freeride, and surf very well.

And for the price, I dont think you can lose. Im shocked it is still for sale at $6900. You could probably ride this ski for a couple years and sell it for the same price.

http://x-h2o.com/index.php?threads/carbon-rok-super-cheap.167304/
 
air blair

air blair

you are the reason
Location
thumb, mich again
Stick to a 80-100 lb hull for rec/surf. Short hulls are a riot in the surf and also fun in the flats. I used to have a bob gen1 and don't recommend that one but I really enjoyed the shortness of it. Great hulls for 8 foot of less my glass xfs was way more fun. The weight is key imo if surf riding.


Air blair cell
 
Balduccimoto

Balduccimoto

Location
NYC/Long Island
Ducky said:
Here is another ski I would definitely consider if I was in your position.

2010 WDK ROK full carbon. Driveline is Kawi based (SXR motor) so you will have some familiarity coming off a 650sx with the rest of the Kawi components on the ski. WDKs quality is very good, and this is a do-it-all ski. Its definitely not the best flatwater freestyle ski, but it can do freestyle, freeride, and surf very well.

And for the price, I dont think you can lose. Im shocked it is still for sale at $6900. You could probably ride this ski for a couple years and sell it for the same price.

http://x-h2o.com/index.php?threads/carbon-rok-super-cheap.167304/
Click to expand...

As the owner, I am also completely shocked it hasn't sold yet lol. I've talked to alot of people that are selling skis right now: everyone agrees that nothing is really selling. The sad fact is that it is a buyer's market right now (and the OP couldn't have picked a better time to buy a ski). I have never seen prices this low.
 
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