Please no flames. But I will wear a Nomex suit for protection. I have owned four Yamahas and never had any problems. Two were purchased new and two were used. My present 94 Blaster is not very practical for 2-up use. Plus it has no storage. I have an opportunity to purchase a clean 99 1100 zxi at a reasonable price. I always thought that the Kawas were pretty reliable. I have gone to other boards and have heard good and bad about this engine. Please let me know what you have heard and what your opinions are.

The Kawis are reliable but the ZXI is not the greatest 2 seater hull. Actually the 96 1100ZXI is the desirable year to have if you really want an 1100ZXI. It was the fastest and had a better carb set up then the 97 and newer.

ZXi's not very practical for riding double or storage is it?

Except for the trim motors the ZXI1100's are bullet proof. They are good family ski's. Pretty fast, poor handeling. If you are looking for somthing to modify look for a 98-99 gp12 its a much better ski for about the same money.
PS I have a 2001 ZXI in great condition I would sell for 4200

My dad has a zxi 1100. I think its a 96. He has had no problems with it other than the recall issue for the hull mod. It was changed to keep the ski from dropping the nose when letting off the throttle at high speed. Even now, if you ride full throttle though heavy chop it is a handfull. It is a fun ski to ride, but it's not very good for 2-up. It porposes BAD on any thing but glass (like not even a ripple) water. He GPS'd it a while back. I think it was somewhere around 56-57 mph.

98 was the first year for the cv carbs.Other than the mentioned trim motor problem they are very reliable but not that great to ride two people on.good back up ski or a friend loaner.Scott
96 58-59 mph with stock small sponsons
97 56-57
98-02 54-55