Sea-Doo Spark Review - X4 Enthusiasts Rejoice! The Spark is here!

[LouDoo]

I don't know sales figures, but I'm guessing that the 96XP was at or near the top, and judging from the numbers still around, if not the most popular it's near the top there also. I'm predicting the Spark will surpass the 96XP. Gentlemen this is the future of recreational ski's.

Lou

 

[Matt Braley]

Yes and we will see little start up companies that make performance parts for them. Think of all the kits that will be available when these really start selling.

 

[bell99man]

How does the IBR work? I know this is a little off subject but when watching the video it looks a lot like what happens when the reverse gate is pulled at high speed. I'm sure that there is more to it than that so I was wondering if anyone could explain in detail.

 

[Coastiejoe]

How does the IBR work? I know this is a little off subject but when watching the video it looks a lot like what happens when the reverse gate is pulled at high speed. I'm sure that there is more to it than that so I was wondering if anyone could explain in detail.

You are pretty much correct...

It does not drop down all the way at first, once it grabbs the water it continues to lower the gate until it reaches its full travel.

The brake is pretty impressive. As high speeds on my GTX you can submarine the ski if you don't let the brake go.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

Officially, Doc is right that he would not get what it is worth selling as a whole unit.

However, here at the site we know Doc and his knowledge. Thus,,, making his ski worth more than the normal amount...

its true ! I recently sold my 95xp800 (built by Matt B) for less than the parts were worth, for two reasons,,,

1) much easier !
2) didn't want to strip down a 95x800 hull because there is no way i'd be able to throw it away, and it might take months to find a buyer.

however, in the end, I think the sale cost me about $4-500, but the good news is that it was accomplished with 1 phone call to a guy who knew a guy, and he came over 3 days later and paid full asking price. I saved about 3 months time, and 10 hours labor minimum. Worth it for me.

 

[Dr Honda]

......... As high speeds on my GTX you can submarine the ski if you don't let the brake go.

I do that with my Genesis. It doesn't have a "Brake"... but it has a power reverse, and it limits the top RPM's, to act as a brake. But... with my weigh forward.... throw it in reverse at 35 mph... and you are looking at a wall of water. (LOL)

Even my 7 year old likes when I do that.

So... Costiejoe.... how fast does the system react for docking?? I know the vids make it look instant... but I'm sure it's a couple seconds to shift back and forth. Right??


I guess I'll consider the iBR over the manual reverse once the prices get posted.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

How does the IBR work? I know this is a little off subject but when watching the video it looks a lot like what happens when the reverse gate is pulled at high speed. I'm sure that there is more to it than that so I was wondering if anyone could explain in detail.

your pretty much right, use it for many purposes, not just navigating around a dock, but its like having the full reverse lever available with 2 finger operation on the left handlebar, so you can lower it in increments. Trust me, once you get an opportunity to try it, you'll be saying "holy crap, this is awesome !"

 

[Dr Honda]

your pretty much right, use it for many purposes, not just navigating around a dock, but its like having the full reverse lever available with 2 finger operation on the left handlebar, so you can lower it in increments. Trust me, once you get an opportunity to try it, you'll be saying "holy crap, this is awesome !"

So... It's proportional? (like squeezing a break lever on a motorcycle??)

If that's the case... is there a "Neutral" setting?

 

[Minnetonka4me]

It is awesome, but from what I know the electronics are expensive and not well made...kind of like the VTS boxes. My dealer buddy tells me they almost alway need replacing once they get wet.

Im surprised they havent updated it yet. It could be used in a finesse mode where it doesnt cut all RPM. It could be used to slow it down and bring the nose down allowing it to turn better around say a bouy and be able to accelerate out of the turn. It currently cuts it to idle then a second later the reverse hits to really slow it down fast. You cant just let go and the rpms come back up immediately currently. I was told its a program which could be modified quite easily if someone would get their head out of the ass and realize it could have more use than just safety.

 

[Jetskigoodies]

Just called my dealer and they are taking deposits now. $500 down gets you one. They are guaranteed 59 of them. His guys are at a show learning about these now. The pamphlets and all the info on them will be available next week. I am going to the dealer Friday.

 

[CReynoldsMIZ]

Just called my dealer, he said they are taking deposits on them of $1k down. Its hard to do that without even seeing them, he said with a down payment they can custom order them and they should start showing up the end of January or February. They look badass tho, im thinking of getting rid of the 96xp or seeing how much they would give me for a trade in on it... Eeeeek

 

[summer]

OK Have to chime in here like everyone else. Yes I do believe this is a great idea and would love to be one of the first in line to get one. My only complaint thus far is actually my same complaint with every doo made in recent years. When did boats become all angular and geometric shaped? Why all the angles, sharp corners, and straight lines. I thought boats were supposed to be curvy and smooth flowing. They went old school with a lot of ideas on this thing but I wish they would have put a little old school cosmetics on it as well. I think the flowing lines of the late 90's and early 2000's still aesthetically "look" better.

 

[Jetskigoodies]

OK Have to chime in here like everyone else. Yes I do believe this is a great idea and would love to be one of the first in line to get one. My only complaint thus far is actually my same complaint with every doo made in recent years. When did boats become all angular and geometric shaped? Why all the angles, sharp corners, and straight lines. I thought boats were supposed to be curvy and smooth flowing. They went old school with a lot of ideas on this thing but I wish they would have put a little old school cosmetics on it as well. I think the flowing lines of the late 90's and early 2000's still aesthetically "look" better.

The same time cars started to get all the angles so did the boats. It will most likely come back but back in the 90s the cars were more sleek and they pretty much mimic what the other industries do. Remember the 90s seadoos had the awful color schemes that every car was using too. whatever the is the popular theme at the times is what they will do. I remember ford having the splash. It was purple with teal graphics and the cavaliers and saturns were sleek. How about the neons with confetti interior. I like the new lines. Yes it took some getting use to but I now like them. I love my x4 hulls too but if they made it look like the older ones why would you buy a new one.

 

[summer]

I'm not saying make them look like the older ones I just don't get the angles and square corners. But your right. When Chevy made that major change with the pickup in 88 I thought it was the ugliest thing ever put on 4 wheels. By 93 I was driving one. :cheers:

 

[chucked]

Dr.honda. Yes a neutral setting. And you can spin on a dime in neutral. At least on my gti. I love it, and cant add more then a few lbs. I could stand to loose 50 lbs so I cant complain about weight lol

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

I'm not saying make them look like the older ones I just don't get the angles and square corners. But your right. When Chevy made that major change with the pickup in 88 I thought it was the ugliest thing ever put on 4 wheels. By 93 I was driving one. :cheers:

That was near the same time I also realized pickups were supposed to be ugly, the uglier the better!

 

[manolocross]

What about VTS??? Nobody has mentioned that it does not have vts!!! Why not? Besides it bringing up the price...Why not offer it as an option?

 

[speedbuggy67]

Seadoo your going to make a lot of people happy..... No chance i'd ever buy a new ski until now.... love my 96xp but i'd part with it for a spark with a little more spark then 48mph... my xp isn't about the speed agreed but it would be nice for it to get near that 60 mark or room for aftermarket to get past that. Kudos... I have a current parts fund for the xp, now it'll be saving for a spark performance version....

Scott

 

[Coastiejoe]

So... It's proportional? (like squeezing a break lever on a motorcycle??)

If that's the case... is there a "Neutral" setting?

It is NOT proportional and yes there is a neutral position.

When you squeeze it and hold it, it applies the the reverse bucket slowly for lack of better words. It drops a bit then drops more ect ect. This is to prevent throwing you over the handle bars. There was an update to these as they were tossing people off due to fully engaging. As the speed decreases it digs deeper and deeper until it reaches its max.

The neutral works by doing a quick squeeze and letting go of the lever. It applies half bucket and acts as a neutral as it basically directs the water flow straight down.

The instant you hit the throttle it raises the bucket quickly. Unless you are holding the lever in, in that case the bucket is buried deep and it goes in reveres no matter what you do with the throttle.

 

[Seadoobuddy]

Just called my dealer and they are taking deposits now. $500 down gets you one. They are guaranteed 59 of them. His guys are at a show learning about these now. The pamphlets and all the info on them will be available next week. I am going to the dealer Friday.

What dealer you do patronize? Motor City???

 

[Jetskigoodies]

K&W cycle. It is on Auburn just east of Ryan.

 

[Ruskeyjdm]

I will try both Seadoo dealers in my area tomorrow and see what kind of info they have on the new models.


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[DeejaysGTI]

When I see the letter and number "X4" I think of two things 1) Incredible machine 2) really easy to tip over.


My girlfriend and I are accustomed to insanely stable 3 seater skis (96 GTI 96 GTX) as we sold the 96XP because it was too unstable for us.

Do you guys think this ski will be easily tipped?

 

[JoeZ]

Do you guys think this ski will be easily tipped?

It's not easily tipped. I did see someone trying to reboard from the side after falling off and they were able to get it to roll almost completely upside down, but it self righted (rather impressively, I might add). He boarded from the rear and was fine. It is light, so you can roll it if you choose, but you have to be very very deliberate. The additional 5" width from the X4 takes care of that....the width is all above the water line but if you start to roll it catches.

 

[Coastiejoe]

I

So... Costiejoe.... how fast does the system react for docking?? I know the vids make it look instant... but I'm sure it's a couple seconds to shift back and forth. Right??


I guess I'll consider the iBR over the manual reverse once the prices get posted.

It responds very fast actually. I assume the Spark will respond like my GTX for example.

I would say nearly instantly though in reality it is probably a second or so.

It works so well that I have never even thought about it. Meaning that if it were to slow I am sure I'd be wishing it were quicker.

I normally ride my RXT but have ridden the GTX enough to know that I would spend the money to get the IBR.