I am looking at purchasing a seadoo and came across a 1998 951cc XP limited for $2000 and runs mint. I researched and basically came up with this. The 1995 xp are slower than the 96, the 96 hand and accelerate like crazy. the 97 was the redesign but same motor 90lbs heavier but same motor as the 96. then the 98 model received a bigger and better engine bumping the speed up and from 98-02 the xp models are pretty much the same hull and engine. My questions are is this a good buy ? is it worth buying a 98 limited or go with a 96 model ?
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buying a 1998 951cc XP limited
- Thread starter kadidle
- Start date
I am very surprised no one has chimmed in here.
I have a 96....my 15 year old boy loves it! For me tho, it is a little unstable...hard to use that power when it feels like it will twist out from under me all the time
I just got a 97 (have yet to get it running, so I will hold off on those details later.
Only bad i have heard about the 951s is that working on them sucks...seems they are not as accessible as the 787 motor.
BUT, that xtra horsepower should make the 98 keep up with the 96....I would think
Mitch
I have a 96....my 15 year old boy loves it! For me tho, it is a little unstable...hard to use that power when it feels like it will twist out from under me all the time
I just got a 97 (have yet to get it running, so I will hold off on those details later.
Only bad i have heard about the 951s is that working on them sucks...seems they are not as accessible as the 787 motor.
BUT, that xtra horsepower should make the 98 keep up with the 96....I would think
Mitch
Gregor05
New Member
I currently own a 99 XP ltd.
They're great ski's as far as handleing and jumping wake. The look is nice and they do have a lot of horse power.
The down side is that they sit very low in the water, Use gas like a truck, and are annoyingly hard to work on.
The motor is in the front of the seadoo for the direct action suspension making the starter, oil pump, and carb's hard to access. If you don't mind taking the exhaust out nearly everytime it's time to work on something it wouldn't be so bad... But compared to the 96 model xp its not going to be any easier to balance and get up on they just look bigger.
They're great ski's as far as handleing and jumping wake. The look is nice and they do have a lot of horse power.
The down side is that they sit very low in the water, Use gas like a truck, and are annoyingly hard to work on.
The motor is in the front of the seadoo for the direct action suspension making the starter, oil pump, and carb's hard to access. If you don't mind taking the exhaust out nearly everytime it's time to work on something it wouldn't be so bad... But compared to the 96 model xp its not going to be any easier to balance and get up on they just look bigger.
"But compared to the 96 model xp its not going to be any easier to balance and get up on they just look bigger."
Hopefully I will get my 97 running soon...but, I already have people inquiring to buy it...
so, let me ask this:
do they "twist and jerk" when riding in rough waters?
Hopefully I will get my 97 running soon...but, I already have people inquiring to buy it...
so, let me ask this:
do they "twist and jerk" when riding in rough waters?
Gregor05
New Member
In rough waters you have to play with the trim basically. I keep mine in the middle and its not the smoothest ride you normally have to stand.
The best way I can put it is that the XP ltd is like riding a motorcross bike, they're built to perform not to cruise.
And to kadidle-
The motor on a 98 xp is hard. The pipe has to come out before you can do anything and then the motor is wedged tightly against the hull making it very difficult to get in tools, bolts, hoses, whatever.
The best way I can put it is that the XP ltd is like riding a motorcross bike, they're built to perform not to cruise.
And to kadidle-
The motor on a 98 xp is hard. The pipe has to come out before you can do anything and then the motor is wedged tightly against the hull making it very difficult to get in tools, bolts, hoses, whatever.
bigler
Active Member
your engine will need a rebuild pretty quick just to warn you! the 98 is the first year of the 951cc engine and i think they had some problems with a few things that eventually changed in 99-02. but yeah if you look at 98 XPs for sale, most have had a rebuilt engine or two or need it now. i love the body style though. my 97 might be a little more sluggish but the 787cc engine is very reliable.
WOW>...hard to believe the 96 and 97 are only one year apart! Finally got my 97 (the 110 horse motor) out today...and it is TOTALLY different than the 96! In several ways too!
The 96 has tremendous pull from the bottom...and will flat out FLY!...BUT, the water has to be completely smooth or you will porpose the entire time!...fits my 15 year old fine since he doesnt mind standing the whole time.
The 97 rides A LOT more stable in choppy waters....and it turns entirely different too...more like a street bike (Which i love!) Just lean her over till your knees skims the water!
BUT, the 97 did feel sluggish compared to the 96...especially on take off.
I would think the 135 Horse motor is very much needed!...seems that xtra 25 horse will get it out of the hole a little better.
What is the top speed on one of the 951 XPs ? anyone know exact?
Seems my 97 was hovering around 50 all day...maybe 53 every now and then.
Great Ride tho! :cheers:
The 96 has tremendous pull from the bottom...and will flat out FLY!...BUT, the water has to be completely smooth or you will porpose the entire time!...fits my 15 year old fine since he doesnt mind standing the whole time.
The 97 rides A LOT more stable in choppy waters....and it turns entirely different too...more like a street bike (Which i love!) Just lean her over till your knees skims the water!
BUT, the 97 did feel sluggish compared to the 96...especially on take off.
I would think the 135 Horse motor is very much needed!...seems that xtra 25 horse will get it out of the hole a little better.
What is the top speed on one of the 951 XPs ? anyone know exact?
Seems my 97 was hovering around 50 all day...maybe 53 every now and then.
Great Ride tho! :cheers:
SEADOOSICAL GAMES
New Member
just buy a 96 xp and get the xp limited and you will be happy ...best of both ....its not hard to pull either motor ( 96 xp 110hp or 951 130hp) ....either motor will take like an hr to remove ...
SEADOOSICAL GAMES
New Member
yeah in 99 they changed the ignition system from single coil to dual coil ...they updated the driveline ...
yeah the 97 xp blows nuts ...i bought one 2 months ago foir 600 with a single trailer and rode it 1 time and sold it ( 425.00 for the trailer and 2200 for the ski)....when i rode that ski i had the damn thing floored the whole day and it wasnt going nowhere...man i was pissed i took that to the lake that day ...wasted day ...
SEADOOSICAL GAMES
New Member
i just picked up a 2001 xp limited for 950.00 with a single shorelander trailer ...it has the original motor with 76 hrs of run time ...not all skis have rebuilt motors only some because of people either not knowing how to ride or roll them over ,run them out of oil ,lots of reason not the skis fault ...keep in mind the ski would last for ever if you never rode it :rant: ...well the crank seas would go bad lol
yeah the 97 xp blows nuts ...i bought one 2 months ago foir 600 with a single trailer and rode it 1 time and sold it ( 425.00 for the trailer and 2200 for the ski)....when i rode that ski i had the damn thing floored the whole day and it wasnt going nowhere...man i was pissed i took that to the lake that day ...wasted day ...
Well....by looking at your fleet I would say much anything will fall short of the 96 XP with a modded 951 in it ! Holly Crap, that thing should JUMP out of the water on take off!
Anyhoo....I am also taking it you sell parts? I am in need of a few! I will PM you as well.
AND, for the "normal jet-ski public" My wife just loves the ride of the 97...I do feel it needs more umph...so I am thinking a 951 may be a better ski...maybe...but considering I already know the 787 motor...and how to maintain it, I am very happy with the ski. :cheers:
Well....by looking at your fleet I would say much anything will fall short of the 96 XP with a modded 951 in it ! Holly Crap, that thing should JUMP out of the water on take off!
Anyhoo....I am also taking it you sell parts? I am in need of a few! I will PM you as well.
AND, for the "normal jet-ski public" My wife just loves the ride of the 97...I do feel it needs more umph...so I am thinking a 951 may be a better ski...maybe...but considering I already know the 787 motor...and how to maintain it, I am very happy with the ski. :cheers:
SEADOOSICAL GAMES
New Member
yeah i sell parts also ....i would have to say the 787 motor is built better then the 951 ....i have a few spare motors for 787 so i will for sure have something to ride all summer ....the cruising speed on the 951 boats vs a 96 xp is alot better or faster i should say ( as i found out at the river labor day weekend ) ...here are some vids ....
also on my 2001 xp limited got for 950 i just sold the trailer for 400 so im in it 550.00 ...great ski ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-7KPW8rMUg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKn9fq8IiAg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKn9fq8IiAg
also on my 2001 xp limited got for 950 i just sold the trailer for 400 so im in it 550.00 ...great ski ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-7KPW8rMUg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKn9fq8IiAg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKn9fq8IiAg
