Why are Sparks slow?

[x81048]

Maybe I don't understand 4 stroke vs 2 stroke. I realize many variables affect the top end but here's my question.

1999 GSX Limited
951
About 530LBS
130HP
Stock 58-62MPH

2018 Spark HO
900
About 422LBS
90HP
Stock 46-49MPH

Am I missing something here?
I mean I would jump on a Spark in a minute and still might buy one but I mean it's 2018 and we're pushing top speeds of a Waveraider 760?

I enjoy skis that are playful and do more than go fast but having a max speed of 49MPH seems a little disappointing. I don't understand why this watercraft wasn't offered with better performance.

The tunes don't seem to do much of anything. I saw one tune offered by some company claiming 90HP -> 180HP with a Stage 3. Who knows if that's true but the Riva tunes offered don't seem to make much of na impression from what I have read.

 

[mikidymac]

4 stroke typically makes more torque at lower rpm and two strokes make more power at higher rpm so to some point the faster you spin the impeller the faster you can go with all things equal without getting into the whole impeller pitch thing.

Also keep in mind that is a big difference in horsepower. In even 2-strokes the 720 85 HP went 45-50mph the 787 110 HP went 50-55 and the 951 130HP went 55-60 mph.

And finally the Spark is an entry level budget ski, is wasn’t ever supposed to be high performance it was only meant to get people into the sport and stop the sales slump caused by all skis getting ridiculously expensive.

 

[x81048]

Thanks for the clarification. I wonder if it would be a poor business strategy to manufacturer a high output Spark that actually produces high output even if that increase in performance comes with a premium.

 

[mikidymac]

I wouldn’t think so since they already have the RXP-X.

That’s why for less than $1,500 I have a spark killer X4.

 

[greenhornet2]

my sparks can hit 51 tops. power to weight ratio is right on par your gsx example 130hp to get 62mph 2.1mph per hp spark 51mph 90hp 1.76hp per mph taking less power to move it the same speed which makes perfect sense since the spark is a little lighter. what mik said it was meant to get people into the sport, which it has been pretty successful with and some people prefer the riding style. My uncle had a gp1200 I think back in 2000 era I was young so I don't remember exactly but I do remember getting it to 55mph when I was 14 with my sister and dad on the back. so a few miles faster than the 900 spark and using a whole hell of a lot more fuel than the spark uses. The spark is damn efficient for fuel which is one of my top reasons for sticking with it, WOT 2.4gph vs what 22gph or more? Cruising around 30-35mph on a spark 1.5gph, 87 octane fuel btw not premium. I have also ridden an rxp 300 or whatever they are called, once. it was cool, but not for me, I am ALLLL set going over 60 on the water, no thanks.

 

[greenhornet2]

I would do your best to find one to take a ride on and see how you feel about it then. If you're around CT you can try one of mine. It certainly doesn't feel slow it gets out of the hole pretty quick and I don't ride at 50 because waves hurt at that speed on that machine. I cruise around 40 but mostly I am 0-30mph doing spins and slides or tail stands. I watch the guy on the rxp300 rocket around the lake at 65 and come back, can't spin or slide. going fast gets boring to me quick, plus he can go through a full tank of fuel in an hour.. no thanks. it's all about your ride style and what you enjoy. I only got them due to the low cost, low fuel consumption and low maintenance. I ride with a guy on a 96 waveblaster 2, that's a cool machine but it's loud, smoky, nose heavy you get super wet doing spins, can't jump waves very easily and it uses about two or 3 times the gas. Spark is faster than the waveblaster on acceleration and top speed

 

[TomShadow]

Interesting question you asked as I have a 98 GSX limited but have recently seen the Spark trix and want one! But I have only owned my ski for 3 months. Out on it every week learning to do more things with it but love the fact the spark Trix was made to wheelie (I'm just a big kid). The gsx is noisy and can be quite thirsty but it is fun and big enough to feel stable.

Not a big fan of these giant boat like skis probably why I like the idea of a Spark. Better fuel efficient, smaller than modern skis and probably less maintenance but then I meet a guy the other day who had one and had a few problems from new which surprised me. Should of offered to buy it hehe! So I'm still on the fence but may end up with one a Spark Trix that is

 

[greenhornet2]

There are always some issues with certain machines, can't be avoided. I haven't seen of anyone that regrets buying a spark if it is their ride style, other than the ones who had major issues but thats more of a fluke thing. 2017 and newer you can ad the extended VTS and they have the updated crank where you can replace the PTO. Wear rings are plastic so you have to be careful about running in too shallow, running in salt water eats away at the shaft after a couple years but people are fixing it with jb weld and it is working. I have 2 and got one for my aunt all less than 50 hours all no issues other than a plastic bottle cap got stuck in the impeller one day, I added VTS to all of them.
Every time I go out on the water this year I see at least one TRIXX and usually 2 along with a regular spark or two. For how many of them are out there and how dead the 2 spark forums are, they seem pretty damn reliable. Obviously they aren't too old yet given they came out in 2014 but it still seems good. And I think they are the best selling PWC.