I am in the market for a new watercraft since my GPR is running on race fuel and will be for CC racing only.
My plan was to buy a Honda Turbo, because I wanted to go 4 stroke, but I just found out from my dealer that Honda wont be selling them in Canada until 2004 Thats too bad! So now im looking at other options but cant bring myself to buy a sea doo, and the fx140 is just too slow even though it handles better than the doo. Im sooo confused!! What to get, what to get?
If I decide to get a 2 stroke, I found a STXR (new) for $6999 (Im not saying where) but its a winter price and since I will be endurance racing next season as well this might work out well also for stock class......im still not convinced.....

[ 12-16-2002: Message edited by: GP1200R-acer ]

You could wait to test ride the MSX 140, could be a good alternative to another race inspired ski like the STXR along with the GPR.
Off course I understand your interest for the R12X, couldn't you buy one in PA for example and bring it back to Canada?
BTW that sounds strange because French dealers seem to be expecting Honda skis for 2003, if it's true I don't see why France and not Canada...
Another option would be to get yourself a stand up, no more dilemma here
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Dave,
I hear you. It's like all the manufacturers are "on purpose" holding these ski's potential in check for the stock market. Probably too many warranty cost.

IMHO...
The STXR's are gonna rule stock class in endurance IF you can figure out how to gas it up in a hurry. There are inherent crankshaft issues (not many folks can rebuild inner journals), and hull cracking issues (Kawi sez it don't happen) with the STXR. If you races are shorter than an hour, you are good to go. I think it requires premium. The 2003 colors are rather...green. You either love it or hate it. You must also be a midget. Just kidding, you can be up to 5'5"...

The Honda(s) turbo will kick some booty if it's not too rough. Even after a year, it's virtually an unknown. The new 2 seater is virtually the same weight as the 3 seater, and comes with a landing strip for helicopters.

The XPL's still do great in stock class. Good hull, with the ol' grenade motor this ski is a great endurance stock ski. Nice seat, and ergos. Takes a while to master it with stock sponsons.

The MSX 150 should be an interesting ski, and is four stroke. Big unknown. If it works right, it should be right there with the other skis. If not a hot stock performer out of the box, Polaris might have image problems. I'll be surprised if this ski hits the shelves before June.

The 2002 Virage TXi is an excellent craft. Top speeds around 59, loves rough water, great gas milage for a 2stroke, 18 gallon tank, fairly cheap, and been around a few years. It chine walks during the turns in rough water, and tends to get squirley with cross-chop. Otherwise rock solid. One of my fav, all time skis. It is also a ski made for riders of shorter stature.

The XLT1200 would be a great choice for ocean endurance stock class, over one hour long. Nice hull, large 18 gallon tank. Too bad it's so heavy and still have PV issues, Blow'd up Cat-Cons, Cranky-crankshafts... This would be a contenda!

The MSX 140 will be underpowered for stock class. Nice ski. Big unknown.

The GP13R won't be legal, and IMHO will suffer from the same handling woes as past years. Bad choice Yami, bad choice. Tuck your tail and hide from the sanctioned racers.

I think the new SeaDoo SC models will be overweight and under 60. Getting out of the hole could be interesting. I have no idea about this ski, but have always loved superchargers.

The FX140 is just too slow for stock class. Too bad, what a nice hull. Come on Yami, drop the "Mr Turbo" down in this bad boy.

Just bought me a new ski....Well, it's new to me.
http://www.hydrotoys.com/xp/xpgpr121102.jpg

STX-R's don't have any crank issues, Kawi cranks are 10x the design quality of yami's.

Mark, I'm ashamed of you maligning the trusty STXR, don't you know that boat is the perfect example of reliability?

Mark
don't forget the RXX for "stock" class events!!

Mike,
I think he was looking for 4stroke, and reliability and did not think it would be nice to kick SeaDoo while they were down.

SunFunZoom,
Yes I agree, that the Kawi cranks are a much healthier design. I guess somebody at Kawi was looking past 100 hours on a warranty. Havent heard of any snouts snapping off either! However, start calling around and asking who can rebuild the ENTIRE crankshaft for our beloved STXR/Ultra. Specifically the inner areas of the crank, not just the outer journals. Only a handful. How well will this crankshaft hold up to triple pipes? Not just a few pogo-ultra owners, but a proportianal number of Kawi 1200 riders to Yami 1200 riders. How about the mysterious Kawi 3rd cylinder melt down? These and many questions have yet to be answered. The STXR is a new combo of some good ideas. Give it a couple of years to work out the bugs, and you will see a great watercraft that doesn't porpoise. But that still won't solve the problem of a 14 gallon gas tank, and ergonomics that will not lend itself to taller riders. Unfortunately by then, no more 2 strokes, and no more updates to this combo...just like the Yami GPR1x00.

Mario,
It better be reliable! We have one of our best riders running it in Stock class Endurance this year!

mc

I can get the 2002 or 2003 stx for around the same price.....I think I like the 2002 colours better....how much does the Honda's go for in the USA?
The problem is that it will cost me about 50% more to buy from the usa.

Dave don't forget about that thing called warranty... Will they honor it if you bring it over the border?

The F12X is 10000$, the R12 has the same engine, maybe a little less platic, but it has a reverse (so no money saved) and has the drop nozzle, so my guess is that prices will be similar.
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Thats about $16200!!! Canadian Plus duty and taxes the stxr would be just over $11000 Canadian....neither one would have warranty in Canada, but its only about a 2-3 hour drive from where I live IF something goes wrong.

You think the stx will out performe the R12 turbo?

Whatever some F12X owners say, the STXR is quicker and faster, now since the R's weight hasn't been disclosed it's hard to tell.
Anyway if you're planning on spending that much payola in a R12X, get the STXR and spend the difference in mods, at equal cost I'm pretty sure the STXR is unbeatable.
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Well....I might just make the drive, towing my emty trailer to the dealer Next weekend (after Christmas) to pick up the ----, but something is telling me to wait......its killing me....but I think im just gonna do it

Whatever you do, don't buy a STXR. As soon as the hull touches the water it melts, literally fails apart. But not before that, the crank goes and all the cylinders implode. IF you can get it started, its not quick out of the hole and slow on the top end especially in choppy water. For example, a FX140 with 3up pulling a oil barge can outrun it in any water condition. This is mainly because it turns poorly and porpoises terribly. I think I covered everything.

See I knew there was a reason not to buy the STX-R.. Thanks Jarrett for the clarification on that.. I guess my 2nd boat will be either an 02 GPR or possibly a SeaPoo 951 time bomb with twin pipes..

Ohhh man.....Jarett, you just talked me out of it! Only a few more days to go, then I will have some time off to go for a little drive hmmmmm, what will it be.....I think I made up my mind.

Since the Honda and the 1300R aren't available, my money (well, yours more than mine) is on the STXR.
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[ 12-18-2002: Message edited by: 11 ]