makejetskiinggreatagain
Brandon
I tried to use google but couldn't find much on the topic. Why did Yamaha stop making the FX-1? Was it an unpopular ski when it was introduced?
Why did yamaha ditch the FX-1?
- Thread starter makejetskiinggreatagain
- Start date
DAG
Yes, my balls tickled from that landing
- Location
- Charlotte, NC
Company executives may decide to discontinue their products for several reasons, but the primary reason is it that continuing to produce the item is no longer profitable.
Other reasons may include, but are not limited to, the following:
1) There is no longer a demand for the item. Another competitor may have developed a substitute that is cheaper and/or better quality.
2) A new product has been developed to replace the existing product. For instance, automotive manufacturers do not make Model Year 2001 vehicles in 2005.
The primary reason for any major managerial decision is because it either does or does not make financial sense to continue or discontinue making a product. Simple as that
Other reasons may include, but are not limited to, the following:
1) There is no longer a demand for the item. Another competitor may have developed a substitute that is cheaper and/or better quality.
2) A new product has been developed to replace the existing product. For instance, automotive manufacturers do not make Model Year 2001 vehicles in 2005.
The primary reason for any major managerial decision is because it either does or does not make financial sense to continue or discontinue making a product. Simple as that
- Location
- St.Pete, Fl. - Daytona, Fl.
Yes - apparently not too many could ride them very well from all I heard at the time. Then the round nose SJ came out in 96 and took some from the old SN SJ and the FX-1 hull styling. The FX-1 I bought sat on the showroom floor for over a year when I bought it new in 96 after hearing there were no more going to be produced. The FX-1's just didn't seem to sell at that time, and racing was the dominate use back then. But I do recall watching Chris the kid dominating in slalom when the hot water tour featured the slalom timed races.
But they have always been awesome for freeriding.
But they have always been awesome for freeriding.
makejetskiinggreatagain
Brandon
- Location
- Pueblo, CO
agreed with all above...
OK you young whippersnapper @Wet Dreams listen up... Here's what was happening back then:
1994 - Yamaha releases the Fx-1 and finally updates the SuperJet to a 701 powerplant. Why? Because they still were trying to find a place in the stand-up market which had been dominated from the beginning by Kawasaki. Get ready for an absolute SHOCKER!!! It seems unbelievable now, but nobody liked superjets back then!!!!. We all still rode 550s and later on the 750sx's. and of course some people liked the 650sx's (weirdos)
So, at the time, Kawi was on it's 3rd year of production of the flagship 750sx which was now dominating racing (93 season). The 550 was being discontinued but was still the ski of choice for freestyle and for many old school enthusiasts. So I'm sure that's where Yamaha saw a market they wanted to get in to. Make a ski that is more agile like a 550 but with the power of a 701 (great idea honestly). But... too bad they put an anemic pump behind it... WTF were they thinking there?
So, umm, yeah I'd say they just never "took off". The FX became a niche enthusiasts ski for the guys who "got it". The Superjet with a 701 became the go-to race ski by 1995 after several of us got spanked by the few enlightened ones riding them in 1994 (Troy Armstrong here in CO tore us up!). The Fx1 had some success with some freestyle guys like Berlew and @Aquaholic and even Malone was on one for a season I believe. And Slalom was good as mentioned, but only the pros had a dedicated slalom ski.
So basically it was a flop IMO... By 96, the RN came out and the rest is history...
*** disclaimer - this is my opinion and recollection from a guy who has been doing this way too long... take it for what it's worth ***
OK you young whippersnapper @Wet Dreams listen up... Here's what was happening back then:
1994 - Yamaha releases the Fx-1 and finally updates the SuperJet to a 701 powerplant. Why? Because they still were trying to find a place in the stand-up market which had been dominated from the beginning by Kawasaki. Get ready for an absolute SHOCKER!!! It seems unbelievable now, but nobody liked superjets back then!!!!. We all still rode 550s and later on the 750sx's. and of course some people liked the 650sx's (weirdos)
So, at the time, Kawi was on it's 3rd year of production of the flagship 750sx which was now dominating racing (93 season). The 550 was being discontinued but was still the ski of choice for freestyle and for many old school enthusiasts. So I'm sure that's where Yamaha saw a market they wanted to get in to. Make a ski that is more agile like a 550 but with the power of a 701 (great idea honestly). But... too bad they put an anemic pump behind it... WTF were they thinking there?
So, umm, yeah I'd say they just never "took off". The FX became a niche enthusiasts ski for the guys who "got it". The Superjet with a 701 became the go-to race ski by 1995 after several of us got spanked by the few enlightened ones riding them in 1994 (Troy Armstrong here in CO tore us up!). The Fx1 had some success with some freestyle guys like Berlew and @Aquaholic and even Malone was on one for a season I believe. And Slalom was good as mentioned, but only the pros had a dedicated slalom ski.
So basically it was a flop IMO... By 96, the RN came out and the rest is history...
*** disclaimer - this is my opinion and recollection from a guy who has been doing this way too long... take it for what it's worth ***
makejetskiinggreatagain
Brandon
Awesome, thanks for the enlightenment
Big Kahuna
Administrator
- Location
- Tuscaloosa, AL
Trivia Thursday.........
1. Who was behind the design of the FX1
2. Who on this site has one of the very first FX1's
1. Who was behind the design of the FX1
2. Who on this site has one of the very first FX1's
Big Kahuna
Administrator
- Location
- Tuscaloosa, AL
1 Correct Answer.
Aquaholic
World's Oldest Teenager
- Location
- San Diego, CA.
The FX1 would have dominated the jet ski scene. Totally pulled the rug out from Kawasaki... had they released the FX1 a few years earlier. Prior to 1994, if you were at all seriously into freestyle... the weapon of choice, unquestionably, would be a Kawi 550.
We were tweaking and modding 550's to the point of them being less reliable than one of Charlie Sheen's girlfriends. I wanted a 550 to not only be faster than anyone elses 550, but also be able to throw down some cool tricks when the urge hit.
My boats were plenty fast but, I was grenading motors at an alarming [and expensive] rate.
Around early 1996, I purchased 2 FX1's. One was to be built for the 1997 National tour, and the second would be the boat that I competed on regionally. My good friend and #1 competitor Bobby Biggs, also purchased an FX1 that year, to compete on the National tour as a pro.
But, in hindsight, we both made a tactical mistake. The writing was already on the wall. Most of the top pros by 1996/1997 had moved on to the wider and more stable bodied Superjet. Bobby and I both felt that because we grew up on 550's, that the learning curve would be inconsequential, as opposed to relearning a Superjet.
As long as the water was glassy, we did just fine. I won the 1997 National tour on that FX1. Out of 11 rounds, I only was beaten twice, by some Brazilian by the name of Lenzi... riding a [guess what] SuperJet.
So, basically the FX1 was a 550 on steroids that was damn near bullet proof. Those hulls felt so similar to my trusty 550's. But, the great thing was, that they required virtually no maintenance!
Unfortunetly, by 1998, no one serious about competing was still on an FX1, much less a 550. The wide body boats had taken over the sport of freestyle. I too had succumbed and was competing on a barge-like Superjet.
We were tweaking and modding 550's to the point of them being less reliable than one of Charlie Sheen's girlfriends. I wanted a 550 to not only be faster than anyone elses 550, but also be able to throw down some cool tricks when the urge hit.
My boats were plenty fast but, I was grenading motors at an alarming [and expensive] rate.
Around early 1996, I purchased 2 FX1's. One was to be built for the 1997 National tour, and the second would be the boat that I competed on regionally. My good friend and #1 competitor Bobby Biggs, also purchased an FX1 that year, to compete on the National tour as a pro.
But, in hindsight, we both made a tactical mistake. The writing was already on the wall. Most of the top pros by 1996/1997 had moved on to the wider and more stable bodied Superjet. Bobby and I both felt that because we grew up on 550's, that the learning curve would be inconsequential, as opposed to relearning a Superjet.
As long as the water was glassy, we did just fine. I won the 1997 National tour on that FX1. Out of 11 rounds, I only was beaten twice, by some Brazilian by the name of Lenzi... riding a [guess what] SuperJet.
So, basically the FX1 was a 550 on steroids that was damn near bullet proof. Those hulls felt so similar to my trusty 550's. But, the great thing was, that they required virtually no maintenance!
Unfortunetly, by 1998, no one serious about competing was still on an FX1, much less a 550. The wide body boats had taken over the sport of freestyle. I too had succumbed and was competing on a barge-like Superjet.
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Big Kahuna
Administrator
- Location
- Tuscaloosa, AL
Pssssst, you missed the part of the timeline where the "BLUNDERJET" came into play............
makejetskiinggreatagain
Brandon
I was just about to mention that too lol
Aquaholic
World's Oldest Teenager
- Location
- San Diego, CA.
Once there was a Blunderjet. I bought one. It was a piece of SH*T.
There...now leave my ass alone.
Big Kahuna
Administrator
- Location
- Tuscaloosa, AL
Bwaaaahaahahaahahahaha
- Location
- Sunny Diego
waxhead
wannabe backflipper
- Location
- gold coast
Because alot of fagots couldnt ride them. The people that can ride still own them
Knew the answer to #1,Scott Watkins,Smoothest Old School Freestyler.....PERIOD
Bought mine new in May 1994 for NZ$12000,putting it back in the water as we speak,spent NZ$5000 so far this year,BTW I'm 52 and I don't like the big boats ,had a superjet but sold it,boring.
Now there are some aftermarket hulls coming out that may be,just maybe a good alternative to the FX1.Don't shoot me,but the Rickter edge has captured my attention
Any thoughts?
Bought mine new in May 1994 for NZ$12000,putting it back in the water as we speak,spent NZ$5000 so far this year,BTW I'm 52 and I don't like the big boats ,had a superjet but sold it,boring.
Now there are some aftermarket hulls coming out that may be,just maybe a good alternative to the FX1.Don't shoot me,but the Rickter edge has captured my attention
Any thoughts?
- Location
- Lake Havasu City, AZ USA
I have 2 friends here in Havasu that bought theirs new in 94 also. They both still have them and wont give them up...lol
- Location
- Tempe, AZ
My uncle bought mine from a yamaha showroom in 96 somewhere in Oregon, that was a week after he purchased a brand new RN. Hopefully one day I can get that round nose from him. Been sitting since 2003 just like the fx1, I love my Fx1 and how it rides.
