GTX Limited IS 260. First time jet ski owner. Some questions

[Soldierx]

Hi. I am first time jet ski owner and decided to go for a new 2015 GTX Limited IS 260. I have only been out on it once so far for around an hour. It seems like a nice jet ski but I cannot really compare as I haven't been on another one. I have some questions regarding the jet ski.

This model comes with a time/distance until fuel is empty. Why is this only on the limited model? To me that seems like a standard feature that should be on all Jet Skis. Is it very expensive or complicated to implant or is it simply just a software update? Also, how accurate is it?

The service book says I need the initial service after 50 hours for models 2014 and above. For models below 2014 a service is needed after 25 hours. Why is this? Has the engine changed dramatically for the 2014 and 2015 model? My Sea Doo Dealer says I should come after 25 hours but according to the book it isnt necessary.

My experience is limited and my total time on a jet ski is 1 hour so this is probably a dumb question but how easy is it to capsize? At one point I was still in the water and a small wave approached the jet ski and a lot of water came into the side and I felt the whole thing moving to the side. This was only from a small wave too. It makes me worry about bigger waves or turning corners at speed.

I know the basics on using the VTS. In waves I should have it slightly up and on flat I should have it in the middle position. Is it as simple as that? On what situation would I want to use it in the down position or in the fully up position? It also says there are some "VTS PRE-SETS". What are these?

These are all the questions I have for now but I am sure I will think of more as I use my jet ski. Thanks.

 

[Coastiejoe]

This model comes with a time/distance until fuel is empty. Why is this only on the limited model? Also, how accurate is it?
Newer technology. Really as simple as that. Plus, the GTX is the "Caddy" and as such, it will get the goodies pretty much standard where other skis it is an "option" which helps to keep the base prices down a bit.

The service book says I need the initial service after 50 hours for models 2014 and above. For models below 2014 a service is needed after 25 hours. Why is this?
50 hours is the norm for most all skis. Some were 10, some were 25, most do the first service at 50. That said,,, you will not likely reach 50 hours your first season, so, change the oil and winterize at the end of each season. This will remove contaminants from sitting in your oil all winter season long.

How easy is it to capsize? At one point I was still in the water and a small wave approached the jet ski and a lot of water came into the side and I felt the whole thing moving to the side.
All iS ski's are more top-heavy than a non-iS ski. The early models had a design flaw that actually aided in the ski sinking. 2011 and up this issue has been corrected. If you get the chance to ride a non-iS ski you should as this will show you the substantial difference from the same ski without the iS option. Personally, I don't like the iS skis, others love them.

I know the basics on using the VTS. In waves I should have it slightly up and on flat I should have it in the middle position. Is it as simple as that? On what situation would I want to use it in the down position or in the fully up position? It also says there are some "VTS PRE-SETS". What are these?
Out of the hole, VTS all the way down, as speed increases begin to raise the VTS. Somewhere in the middle will give you a decent ride and decent speed and still have good steering control of the ski if you slow down. If you are only going to run slow, keep the VTS down as you will have the most steering control. If it is "gabbing" a bit to well, raise the VTS up a bit as this will allow the ski to "slide" a bit. For the fastest runs, VTS all the way u as this will get the most hull out of the water.

 

[silverrules]

Congrats. I picked up my 2015 GTS IS 260 last Saturday and launched it on Sun with my wife and daughter and it felt like it was about to tip over at slow to mid speeds but not at high speed. I was extremely nervous. The RXPX-260 does not have this issue. Hope I get a handle on this otherwise this will be a big problem for me. I have 1hr on the clock as well.

 

[Soldierx]

Where I ride is in the sea and its usually quite choppy so VTS is recommended to stay up all the time in these occasions?


silverrules, I felt like I was going to tip over too. I thought maybe I was just using the jet ski wrong but I guess its due to the design.

 

[Brandon982]

I have a 2015 155 & 2015 215 Wake's, I got the oil changed at 8 Hours due to warranty work. Manual says to have a 10hr inspection done so I just had the oil changed during that time. I don't see the benefit of waiting till 50hrs lol.

 

[silverrules]

Hoping I just need more hours to get used to this ski. I will try again this Sun.

 

[Revo]

Ok, no offense, but some of these questions indicate to me that you didn't read the manual. You bought a top of the line watercraft with a significant amount of features but didn't bother reading the manual to figure out exactly how they work and how to use them? C'mon man. Do yourself a favor and sit down for about 30 minutes and just read through the manual - you don't have to do the WHOLE thing but at least the features and maintenance section. Part of my research when buying things is finding a copy of the manual and reading it to understand how the model works so I can use this to make an educated decision.

Suspension models are more top heavy and as such, are going to be less stable, but this is where you really need to take advantage of the iS part of the suspension. I have a 2013 GTX Limited iS 260 which is functionally the same as yours (the only difference is the key system). I just got mine in Feb but have 27 hours on the ski no and just got it back from its first service. As far as service is concerned just follow what your manual says. I ride a lot so I hit my 27 hours in about 4 months (I haven't ridden my ski since 4th of July), but if you don't ride much you might hit the winter before you get enough hours. Pay attention to this - the service intervals state both hours on the ski AND a time frame. After initial service, this is just once a year for MOST people, as they won't exceed 100 hours per year.

The iS system is great as it adjusts the level based on conditions - but also offers dock mode which drops the riders deck until it bottoms out and basically makes the ski as stable as a non-suspension ski (possibly even more stable, since the ski is heavier). Make sure you enter the settings area and set dock mode to auto and leave the iS system on auto. After much trial and error I have found that full auto for the iS system is the way to go. It'll keep the deck down until you are moving and then raise it, and once you slow back down/stop it'll drop it back down to keep you stable.

Your VTS pre-sets are adjustable. You get two. Once you play with VTS and find out what you prefer, you can set the pre-sets to settings you often use. VTS changes the pitch of the watercraft while on power. Basically, more hull in the water results in better handling but less top speed (and fuel mileage), and less hull in the water results in less turning response but more top speed (and better fuel mileage) due to less drag. Also, depending on the conditions of the water (smooth or rough), you may have to play with VTS. On one hand, you can angle it down to make your hull slice through the chop, but it also makes it easier to bury the nose into an oncoming wave. Raising the nose keeps you going over the waves instead of through (or under) them, but typically makes you pogo and launch a bit off every little peak.

Another thing to watch for is to always use the start/stop button to turn the ski off before pulling your key. Pulling your key when the engine is running is basically telling the ski you fell off, and so it just cuts everything. Thus, it won't put the deck into dock mode automatically when this happens.

You have a fantastic ski. Get familiar with it and take care of it and it'll take care of you. I absolutely love mine.

 

[silverrules]

Thanks Revo.

You are absolutely correct about not reading the entire manual but sometimes a post like yours help us point to the most important part of the manual and the reason we join forums. I was getting worried about how high this ski rides. I played around with the IS setting on Auto mode in garage yesterday and I am pretty darn sure this tipping concern will be gone when the ski is at its lowest setting. I still haven't figured out the Dock Auto mode. I cant get Dock Auto per Manual step by step. Only see Dock mode and Dock off. I press set per manual but still don't see Dock Auto.

 

[Revo]

silverrules

If I remember right, once you see "dock mode" in front of you, press set once. THEN, press up/down until you see dock auto, then press set to confirm. I just did this as the service department disabled it when working on the ski and I had to reactivate it.

Let me know if you still can't get it - I'll go down and video myself doing it to make sure the exact procedure is communicated.

 

[Revo]

Based on the photo you've posted, you definitely are NOT in dock mode. In dock mode the front of riders deck "nose" (the edge just in front of the BRP logo) sits BELOW the front splash guard. You can see it in the photo of mine below.

 

[Shacho]

You guys have some awesome machines, hopefully, next year I will have the opportunity to purchase this year left-overs.

 

[silverrules]

silverrules

If I remember right, once you see "dock mode" in front of you, press set once. THEN, press up/down until you see dock auto, then press set to confirm. I just did this as the service department disabled it when working on the ski and I had to reactivate it.

Let me know if you still can't get it - I'll go down and video myself doing it to make sure the exact procedure is communicated.

Thanks but I did that and do not see the Auto mode when I press the up or down arrow.

 

[Revo]

ok I just walked down to my ski. Took a video of me doing it but don't have time to post it right now so I'll just post the specific steps.

Press Start/Stop button to wake up ski
Insert Key
Press Mode button repeatedly until you reach "settings" menu
Press Set Button
"Dock Mode" should be scrolling across the screen
Press set Button again.
Your current dock mode setting should be displayed (dock mode off in your case)
Press up
Display should now scroll "dock mode auto"
Press Mode to exit

Start up the ski, shut it off by holding start/stop button. Ski should drop deck to dock mode.

Let me know if it works

 

[silverrules]

Thanks again Evo. I follow the same procedure and after pressing the set on setting I see Dock mode (not Dock mode Off), I then press set followed by arrow up. As soon as I press the up arrow I see IBR OVR but not Auto. Not sure what does IBR OVR means?

 

[Revo]

If you're getting IBR OVR (ibr override - for servicing the ibr), then it means you're not in the dock settings properly.

Basically you have to go to settings, find dock mode, enter to dock mode menu, then use the up arrow to select dock mode auto.

 

[silverrules]

Got the Auto. Thanks Revo!!!!. Now I got to figure out the IBR Over

 

[Revo]

Glad I could help.

IBR Override is really just for keeping the IBR buckets up (basically in the position they would be in if you were giving the ski any sort of significant forward throttle) even when the ski is off so that you may service them. The IBR buckets always default to going down when the ski is shut off. Your RXP-X should also have this same IBR override function if it has IBR equipped (or any IBR equipped ski for that matter).

 

[red2blue]

...I was getting worried about how high this ski rides. I played around with the IS setting on Auto mode in garage yesterday and I am pretty darn sure this tipping concern will be gone when the ski is at its lowest setting....

When the IS ski's came out I gave one a test ride. Loved the power...but the center of gravity...the ride...is much higher than my '05. Riding on choppy water...a lot...I figured it'd be somethin to think on for the future. But the ride was so different and...not uncomfortable....but....worrisome...than I never gave it another thought.

With the advent of better hulls...S3 ect...I personally wouldn't look at an IS type ski...not just the ride factor...but the complexity of working on the damn thing.

Some folks swear by them and find them indispensable in rough water. I'm not one of them.

Good luck with your new ride.

 

[Soldierx]

Hi.

I have had chance to use my Jet Ski a little more now. I mentioned the balancing problem in my first post and it seems I was right. I was travelling at very slow speeds over some waves, me and the 2 passengers fell on the Ski fell off. This happened twice. I thought the Ski was also going to capsize. I am not sure why it didn't to be honest. Is there something there preventing it from capsizing easily? Does having more people on the Ski make it more unstable? Also will more passengers effect the speed?

Is there a recommended anchor to buy? I looked at the Seadoo Catalogue and noticed two different ones. "Sandbag Anchor" and "Anchor package". What are the differences between these and will these fit in the storage on the back of the ski? I don't have any room on the front as its being used.

I was looking in the manual and it says I need to contact my authorised dealer to do certain things such as change the readings from C to F or change from MPH to KMH. Is there not a setting in which I can easily do it myself? Why does the manual recommend seeing an authorised dealer to do this? Are some settings locked from me?

 

[silverrules]

I had all the settings wrong. The IS was not on Auto and Dock was off. Maybe you had the had setting wrong just like me. There is no water in CA so I will let you know about this ski around next April IF we get some rain. I winterized it with only one hr on the clock yesterday.

 

[Revo]

It's only August and you winterized it? Wow.

It's over 100 degrees down where I am...I'm likely going to go ride tomorrow.

 

[Coastiejoe]

We don't us the "W" word here until September.


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[silverrules]

All ramps to our lake closed as of last Sunday. I drove almost half the width of the Folsom lake with my SUV last Sunday.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Clearly you need to move then...


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[jammin777]

We don't us the "W" word here until September.


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really?? you don't have to worry about the W word:lol: