GTS 130 opinions??

[shiftmx348]

Hey guys,

Just looking to see if anyone out there is riding a GTS 130?? Looking to get some opinions on them as i may be picking a 2016 within the next few weeks here. i know they dont have ibr or reverse which is totally fine with me. Its time to upgrade from my old gsx 787. Thanks in advance for your replys.

 

[Coastiejoe]

If it were me, I would buy a late model used ski. Something that has more power than the GTS 130. You can not mod the 130 without spending thousands of dollars to any noticeable improvement. That is also true for the 155, but the 155 is a bit more aggressive than the 130.

You could buy an RXT-X 255 (or larger) for less than the new GTS will cost you. And there is a HUGE difference between the skis. I own a GTX 155 and a RXT-X 255. Both are fantastic skis. But worlds apart as well..

 

[Nike12000]

I have the 155 and I can speak to that little bit more power is deff helpful esp if you will be pulling tubes or skis ect. If you go brand new I can deff recommend 155 limited as you get all the bells and whistles and it doesn't break the bank. However like coastiejoe said if you go even 2-3 years back you can get something top end for close to same price and get much more power.. just my 2 cents

 

[ski-d00]

In this day and age, reverse is a necessity, imo. Every time you start the GTS it takes off like a bat outta hell which is a royal pain turning it around, pointing in the right direction, etc. Not to mention don't ever let someone borrow it because they will run into something, guaranteed. Spend a little more and get the IbR on GTI, you won't regret it. Always starts in Neutral, a great braking system, a fabulous reverse where you can squeeze into any dock. Well worth it!

 

[Coastiejoe]

I have two skis. One manual reverse and on IBR system. I will never own a ski without them.

 

[jammin777]

another vote on the IBR / reverse system. a must have and well worth it

 

[shiftmx348]

Thanks guys, i appreciate the feedback. I have been torn between the gts and the gti for sure. I will be considering both and have ridden a newer gti. Coming off the gsx i know i could get used to the ibr and neutral/reverse set up but im still trying to decide if its worth the extra money since ive lived without it up until this point.

 

[Nike12000]

Thanks guys, i appreciate the feedback. I have been torn between the gts and the gti for sure. I will be considering both and have ridden a newer gti. Coming off the gsx i know i could get used to the ibr and neutral/reverse set up but im still trying to decide if its worth the extra money since ive lived without it up until this point.

Just because to have lived with out up till now doesn't mean you shouldn't have going forward! you only live once spend now and enjoy as much as you can... you can't take it with you!

 

[Jumper]

I've owned a GTS130 for 100 hours over 2 1/2 years. I very much regret the lack of iBR. The power is fine, you can do a hell of a lot with 130hp, trust me. That ski has pulled my 90kg ass out of the water on one ski so, it's plenty capable. (Don't worry, I'm planning on upgrading to an RXPX300 soon). The single biggest downer on not having iBR is the lack of NEUTRAL. Reverse is nice but just actually being able to run the ski without forward motion around the boat ramp is a massive benefit.

My 2c.... Spend a little extra and get the GTI.

 

[ski-d00]

Docking should be a very important part of your decision and docking your old gsx and docking a new GTS both w/o reverse are not even close to being the same. Firstly, the gsx has a nice slow idle speed where the GTS has a very fast idle speed which is just how all the 4tecs are. Secondly, the gsx is much smaller and lighter and more maneuverable ski. So, these two combined make docking very challenging on a GTS even for very experienced riders. Like I said before, if you let someone else ride it, they will run it into something. If there is any wind or waves at all near the dock, even you will run it something. If you had iBR, it would be a little more challenging but still doable.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

Having ridden for many years with no reverse on my ski's I became fairly adept at maneuvering in any situation without the assistance of that function. I can't recall one incident where I really felt like it was a hindrance although the point brought up above is well taken, ALL of my ski's were very very maneuverable at any speed including idle, the craft was very responsive to minor corrections to steering.

Now I have a RXTX, big azz ski, without reverse i'd probably really struggle around the docks, also when loading and unloading. I couldn't imagine NOT having reverse at this point, although as stated above, I wouldn't let lack of reverse dissuade me from purchasing another XP/GSX or a GP1300r, but I might use it as a bargaining chip but past that it wouldn't be a huge factor.

IMO if you are buying new, its a slam dunk no brainer decision, reverse or IBR is a critical feature and there is no logical reason to buy down to a model that doesn't offer it unless the price difference is significant. ($1200-1500?) Knowing my buying habits, i'd probably just buy an older ski with more power/options than buy a new ski that has been stripped down to the basics.

What exactly is the price difference we're talking about here?

 

[shiftmx348]

Again thanks for all the great feedback, im leaning more into the gti route now after reading some opinions. The gts im looking at is a 2016 at $7600 and the gti's are around 9000. Its roughly $1400 which is a good amount but i plan on keeping the ski so its probably worth it to spend the extra cash.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Generally speaking,, it is always relative to what YOU know.. If you have never had reverse, then it really is no big deal in most cases to go without. That said,, reverse is a FANTASTIC feature. And the larger the ski, the more important. Small and agile skis react well to turn in close quarters while going slow. Larger items require more. Both in planning as well as what the ski, engine, reverse, idle control ect ect have to offer.

 

[seadoo gti 4tec]

I have a 2006 gti 4tec 130 its awsome and has reverse but reverse is only ment to help assist in docking

 

[Spimothy Leary]

agree with the fact that the 4tec's seem to idle faster than the 2 strokes (at least 787's for sure)

I most definitely use "half" reverse to slow the ski down when i'm loading onto the trailer, I could load without slowing it down I guess but pulling up the lever half way it slows me down from 4-5 mph to 2-3 mph which for me is important, its only 1-2 mph but it makes a difference.

 

[seadoo gti 4tec]

The jet machinic told me not to use even half reverse to load onto the trailer cause that's how my my reverse cable lock nut broke .so i just put the trailer into the water more to go half way up the skids on the trailer

 

[jammin777]

as said above the ibr/reverse is a must have when docking which makes for much much easier docking, especially when docking around crowded docks! i also came from owning a gsx which was much easier to maneuver than the gti hull idling around docks. the ibr makes it a cinch. i would not want to live without it. well worth the the $$.