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The X4 Thread

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What are you guys doing wearing wetsuits, this time of year, you're in the south, I saw this post and thought y'all were in Minnesota or Canada. :lol:
 
SeaDooLou said:
What are you guys doing wearing wetsuits, this time of year, you're in the south, I saw this post and thought y'all were in Minnesota or Canada. :lol:
Click to expand...

We were talking about next month.

Carried Newt (dog) this evening he had a blast bitting the waves.

 
I figured you were, just poking a little fun. Is that a Pit Poodle you have on that ski?

Lou
 
I'm not sure what it is. It wondered in the yard about 5-6 years ago with it's side cut open and part of his ear gnawed off. Mom named him Newt after the little girl from Aliens. We put up signs and asked around no one claimed him so we kept him. On wife's GTi he rides on the back seat and jumps on the foot rails and bites the water.
 
I had a brain fart and posted this on the wrong thread.

Guys, I'm thinking about trading down, I have a 96XP, a Buddy of mine has a 95XP (720). Thinking about trading even. Here are the reasons.

Since I have had the 96XP I've felt that it's just a little over powered for me, I'm 5'6", 160lbs, in fact sometimes I think it's trying to kill me.

The 95 has a 720 which I know is less HP, but I really like the 720 (no RAVE's) plus its on the third year of an SBT crate motor, my 96 is about 135psi per cylinder, still runs real strong, but I was planning on doing a top end rebuild this winter.

And last, while looks is not that important, the 95 is almost cosmetically perfect, all original, it was my friends wife's ski, and she has lost interest.

So what do you all think, I'm interested in hearing your input?

Lou
 
Hackete,

Thanks for the reply, yea that's a concern, I have ridden the 95 while the top end speed is about the same, it takes a little longer to get there.

And I do have a 96GTI, it's like a Buick, I use it for cruising.

Lou
 
I think it's personal preference. I would not do it. The 95 has no dess easyer to work on etc. After ridding a 95 then jumping on the 96 feels like a rocket. IMO you have a GTI to cruise around on and not have to worry about it killing you. If there is no "I think it's trying to kill me" then you are basicly back on the GTI toolin around. But I am an adrenaline junkie. But if a man eating pandacoon (Jake can tell you about them) gets after you, you will wish you had the extra hp. Poodles like the 96 better but they like speed too.

Make you a pro's and con's list. Have you ridden the other ski? You could ride it for 30 mins then hop on yours ride it for 30mins. The only reason I say this is because I was ridding mine then I hopped on son's yesterday evening so he could try mine. The whole time I was ridding his I was wishing I was back on mine.
 
It's up to you.

I know that we have seen a bunch of 800 engine issues with bad RAVE's and running lean... but a 720 can eat itself too. The real downfall to the 95 xp is that the MPEM is probably the only one that I know of as being weak. I have seen a few times, where the starter just starts spinning for no reason, and the MPEM is toast. (I've actually seen it 3 times with the 95 XP 720)

Now... since your engine is low on compression... that would be the only reason to give up the 800. If they guy is willing to do an even swap... then you won't have to do the rebuild. (probably next season) This is also assuming that the SBT engine has good compression. (+145 psi)

OK... top speed between a stock 800 and 720 XP isn't that much different. (about 5 mph) BUT... where you will start to miss the 800 is when you spin, and hit the throttle. The 720 won't have the instant punch that the 800 has. (assuming you aren't cavitating)

Regardless of what you do... all PWC can have issues.
 
Wetsuit?? PFFFFF....not till we ride Lake Superior in the middle of October. That ride the water is usually about 45, with the air temps about the same.

I agree all machines have their problems...its all preference. I think you maybe a bit disappointed stepping down after getting used to the 800, but you are a smaller guy and the machine is pretty much the same. The only other difference is the extended pump which keeps the nose from bouncing...also makes it jump crappy.
 
I appreciate the input. I honestly didn't know about the MPEM and the extended pump in the 96. I'm not under any pressure to do this I think I'll try the 95 again this weekend. The lake has been very quiet since Labor Day and not been a lot of wake to jump.

Tony was talking about a trouble free ski, my 96GTI has been the most trouble free ski I have ever owned, I really haven't found any problems since I have owned it, but I will admit it's not the most exciting ski I have owned either.

Lou
 
SeaDooLou said:
Tony was talking about a trouble free ski, my 96GTI has been the most trouble free ski I have ever owned, I really haven't found any problems since I have owned it, but I will admit it's not the most exciting ski I have owned either.

Lou
Click to expand...

Trouble free is all in how the owner treats the ski. Remember... we are playing with old skis, and troubles will arise. But generally speaking... if you work out all the bugs... and you keep an eye on them... they should run without problems.

Yes... engines die... but most "Melt-Down" kinds of issues can be traced back to lack of maintenance. Sure the busted RAVE's are a fluke problem... but they are old, and who knows how the last owner treated that ski.

Right now... my double trailer is holding my ideal toys. I have the 800 XP for the quick, wet, "Throw around" ski... and my big Polaris Genesis. It's stable, and can run 57 mph. Maybe you should sell the GTI, and get a 3/4 passenger ski with more power.
 
I'll probably never sell my GTI, I've kinda got the same combo you do. A cruiser and a sport ski. By lake standards our lake is small, about 35mi. long and not very wide. So the GTI is plenty fast, it will run right at 50mph, and very comfortable and if I want more excitement I've got the 96XP. So I'm very happy with the combo. that I currently have.

I had the opportunity to trade the 96XP, I'm leaning toward keeping it, I'm gonna ride the 95XP again this weekend and make my decision. To tell the truth I like the 95 almost as well, it just lacks a little acceleration.

Thanks for all your help.

Lou
 
Just an FYI....

a 95 xp 720 with a Skat-Trak swirl, and a "Factory Pipe"... will run right with the 800, and not have the RAVE valve that you are worried about.
 
Thanks for the info., I really wasn't concerned about the RAVE valves until the thread with thumper, I haven't had any trouble personally with RAVE valves so I'll probably just keep what I got.

Lou
 
Dr Honda said:
Just an FYI....

a 95 xp 720 with a Skat-Trak swirl, and a "Factory Pipe"... will run right with the 800, and not have the RAVE valve that you are worried about.
Click to expand...

Dr Honda, I'm wondering what you'd suggest...I'm still looking for the 'right' 800, but wouldn't hesitate to upgrade my 720, as I'd be keeping that too, regardless.
 
Dr Honda said:
Yep... sand the hull with 800 grit wet dry sand paper... then use 3m super duty compound, with a foam bonnet, and a rotary polisher. It will make the hull look new.
Click to expand...

Thanks it worked. Took about an hour of sanding to get all the old stuff off. Next time I will get pads that hook to a drill.:thumbsup:

 
Looks good, 96 was a good year, I've got a 96GTI, 96XP, and now a 96GSX. I'm trying to complete the collection.

Lou
 
Goin to the lake tomorrow, I'll let you know tomorrow evening. I rode it today for about 20mins., my initial response would be somewhere in between the XP and the GTI, at least as fast as the XP but more stable.

Lou
 
:mad: Whats wrong with my gtx ltd.It didn't even get a bloody mention here.It's not slow and photos prove is chuckable
 
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