Completed break in after 5 hours

Stage I Kit minus the ride plate and Intake grate.

95 degree weather 3/4 tank fuel

MAX rpm - 6620
Max MPH - 62 MPH GPS

Very Dissappointed.

Any Ideas what has gone wrong?

your rpms are very low, kawasaki says rpms should be around 7750, what were the water conditions like? riva measures their kits w/ 1/3 tank of gas, not 3/4, to get an accurate idea of how far off you are, i think it might help to measure your gps speed under the same conditions as they do.

water was calm and 3/4 tank full but even if it was 1/3 a tank that alone would not give me 7 mph speed.

I understanding trying to match Riva's condition if I am trying to match every MPH but a 6 to 7 mph difference is a MAJOR PROBLEM.

Did you baseline your craft before you modified it? If not you should go back to stock and do so. Otherwise you won't know how much you've actually gained.

Also, our ride plate provides the most speed improvement. Without it you won't see the numbers we claim with out kit.

I purchase the item and had the riva kit installed so it was never stock and now just have 6 hours on it.

Great !!!!! let me spend a TON of money in labor or converting it back over to stock.

Its 62 mph. I didnt pay $13000 (With Riva upgrades, taxes & labor to get a PWC to top out at 62 mph)

I payed $13000 for a PWC Jet Ski to go 69 mph and I doubt a ride plate and intake grate is going to get me another 7 mph.

what is RIVA return policy on the kits?

i'd still try and figure out why your rpm's are so low. it's running 1000 rpm's below where it should be

Wait. Are you saying you bought an Ultra 250X with a RIVA Stage I Kit directly from RIVA or from another shop?

I understand you're frustrated, but we can figure this out with a little communication and patience.

Actually I has a TYPO in the RPMs it 7600 RPM

I did another test run, little less then 1/2 tank and the weather was 91 degree's

The result
65.1 GPS MAX and RPM was around 7600 -7800 RPM's

The water conditions were the same but it wasn’t nearly as hot outside. I think the Riva ride plate and Intake Grate will give it a couple MPH's and when the fuel tank hits 1/3 with these items I can see how the Ultra 250 with RIVA Stage I kit can possible hit 69 mph

I purchase the ULTRA from a local Kawasaki Dealer and they added on the Riva Stage I kit as a package price.

The only think I can figure is the WEIGHT of the Fuel can make a BIG Difference (20 Gal Fuel Tank) or the RIVA AIR FILTER is VERY sensitive to HOT AIR almost 100 Degrees Sunday.

All in ALL the RXP with a Stage I kit is ALOT NICER of a package and cheaper.

The Ultra 250 with the RIVA Stage I is a too LOUD !! and the Top Speed isnt nearly as impressive as the RXP considering it has less horse power. The Bottom Line the RXP STAGE I is the way to GO. I would even go as far as to say RXT with a stage I rather then the ULTRA 250 with a Stage I.

Riva DID a good job with the kit but for the ULTRA 250. For the Ultra 250 to be 250 Horsepower is more hype. I really dont see the ULTRA 250 being that MUCH of a better handling watercraft then the RXP in rough water like everyone has talked about.

I cant figure out way the Ultra 250 RPM’s Max out around 7700 rpms stock while the Sea-Doo 8100 rpms. WHY CANT THEY BUMP UP THE RPMS up in the 8000 range? MAYBE the Ultra 250 would hit another 2 to 3 mph faster.

Probably best if you trade in your Ultra for a RXP.

It seems you made a huge mistake. You thought the Ultra was a 2 seater as is the RXP.

Your also right in line on a stock boat for 65mph is common with a new Ultra that is not even broke in yet. Your dealer is a dumb ass for allow modifications to be done a boat that was never broke in properly.

So at this piont your best to go to SeaDoo and do a trade in. Your never going to be happy if your goal is to be as fast as an RXP. Especially the new RXP-X.

Maybe in the future you can do better research on your purchases and find that a fare comparison would have been to expect results closer to an RXT. Three seater at over a 1000lbs wet.

Try doing your testing in moderate weather and less fuel. It takes a large amount of wieght off the nose and good for another mph. Still your going to be beat by the RXP is smooth water, so when racing them wait till a boat wake comes along then race em.

I know what I purchased and DID extensive research.

I personally do not like 3 seaters but needed to purchase one for my business - glide-n-ride for markeing purposes and product testing.

ULTRA 250 is by FAR the most overrated PWC on the market.

The PWC is Broken in has 6 hours on it. Even Kawasaki says break in is 5 hours. If "dealer is a dumb ass for allow modifications to be done a boat that was never broke in properly". Why does Riva sell the the Limited edition PWC? I doubt those are broken in when the customer receieves it.

The bottom line a 11 foot PWC with 250 hp should go faster then 65 mph.

The handleing of the ULTRA 250 isnt much better then the RXP in rough water.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: RIVA CREW,

Man even my girlfriend knows what handles and doesnt in rough water....

As far as RIVA making performance packages on new boats.... Ya got me there, we should ask RC why they would put performance modifications on boats not even broke in.

I don't know that LakeMurray's dealer deserved to be called a "-------". It is not absolutely necessary to break in a new pwc prior to modifying it. However, it should be understood that when a new craft is modified prior to break in it will not achieve what we claim for performance gains until it reaches or passes the alloted break in period. And even then if any of the parts that make up our kit are omitted you can't expect to achieve what we claim for performance gains.

We've found that all 4-stroke pwc are more sensitive to air temperature than 2-strokes. The Ultra is a fairly large pwc. It "pushes" a lot of water in its stock configuration. Running a lot of fuel and/or cargo in the front storage area only compounds this. Our ride plate helps reduce this significantly by lifting the nose of the craft.

As for the 65mph top speed, this is the agreed upon top speed limit for all production personal watercraft. Even the new RXP-X at 255hp tops out at 65mph (+/-). It gets there unbelievably fast! Don't misunderstand my point. Some craft go a little faster than 65 and some slower. It all has to do with production. Not every craft is produced exactly the same. They're close, but not identical. That's where we come in. We build our kits to offer different levels of increased performance for as reasonable a price as possible while maintaining or increasing reliability.

The RXP and Ultra can't be compared. They're two different craft completely. As far as stock craft go the Ultra is a great rough water pwc. Very comfortable and predictable with ample power to motor through anything.

Ok we have our answer, I think.

If the modification to speak of are handling then cool but to do engine modification to a new never ran boat is opening a can of worms. For instance, how would rings seat properly if one pushes more boost from day one. Shoot Im having issue seating my 250 rings. Something that Riva unknowing got themselfs trapped in with a class action suit and legal notification to Coast Guard over a 250 motor. That guy is parading around trying to salicite people for his crusade using Riva as the expert determining factor in his case that Kawi sells a defective product. Good luck with that Riva. Can we say hot potatoe.

So I stand behind my statement. If you put engine modification on your motor before break in and testing then that is a "Dumb Ass" move. {not that they are, its just they are acting as one in this one instance} Shoot at least test the machine for defects before throwing expensive modifications into it.
You have to admit that some dealers out there have no clue or care to get a clue. If the dealer was a reputable one then they would have informed him that his expectations of this boat being faster then a RXP is unrealistic. So instead they sold him a 3 seater and tried to hop it up to meet his expectations and had no clue what they were doing or selling, resulting in an unhappy customer that blames the Kawi unit when he should be blamming the dealer.

I for one know that Riva "Bruce" does a complete lake test of stock units before bolting new modifications onto new boats. He did it with my 15F before a SC kit was installed. I even did the break in for him but he still insisted that they do more.

So let me clear myelf because this post sound real pissy.
I never meant to upset the guy. I was trying to get the piont across that one has to do personal research on the unit. Dont always follow what the dealer tells you or something you read in an advertising bulletin.

Use the internet and find real customer who have the product. Ask the service depart while the salesman is not looking. Shoot even ask the dealer if they have sold any and may you speak with that customer about their purchase.

I do understand his fustration. Too bad Kawi put 250 on the unit. It instantly targeted it for a comparison to the muscle of the RXP when it should have been compared to the RXT. I too get fustrated with the hipe. Its a rotten sellers tacktick that has been around for centuries. With that said it should be well known how and where to find the true scoop on what your fixing to buy.

Sorry for the crappy spelling and no offense to LakeMurrayGPR.

Let me clarify one thing. We are not being sued and we are not participating in a law suit. The customer brought his craft to us after not being able to resolve a problem with his original dealer. We ran into similar road blocks. The customer does not have a problem with his original dealer or with RIVA.

I still don't think it was necessary to call LM's dealer names. But that's my opinion. And LM stated he did his own research. "I personally do not like 3 seaters but needed to purchase one for my business - glide-n-ride for markeing purposes and product testing." That leads me to believe he knew what he was buying.

The point I want to make is that the ULTRA 250 is OVERRATED!!!!

Lets compare the RXT to the Ultra 250 ok !!!
Ultra 250 top spped stock is 65. About the SAME SPEEDS as the RXT (64-65 mph)
Stage I Kit RXT - ($805)
Stage I Kit ULTRA 250 - ($1200 plus) More labor to install and the PWC IS LOUD !!!!
I ADMIT the sticker price is about the same.

What good is the extra 45 horsepower other then drinking more fuel if you cant get more top speed. (I guess you can you can get to top speed faster)

I purchased my PWC MAINLY for product testing and Marketing photos for my product line. I did expect this great handling watercraft in the rough water and more consistant speed in the chop. Its a little bit better in rough water then my Stage I RXP but NOT MUCH difference.

As for my Dealer he didnt sell me ANYTHING I told him what I wanted. MOST PWC Delears are CLUELESS when it comes to PWC's. they are usually too busy Selling ATV & Motorcycles. I would have purchased my Unit from RIVA if they werent 9 hours away.

One Quick Question on 4 STROKES ???

Why is the MAX RPM's on the ULTRA 250 soo low 7700 stock??

Yamha High Out put is - 10,100 RPM Stock

Sea-Doo RXT around 8000RPM?

WHAT's THE RULE - more Horsepower the lower your RPM's??

RPM is determined by the size of the engine and pump. Yamaha FX & FX-HO's utilize a reduction gear. Then engine is revving over 10,000rpm, but the impeller is only spinning about 7,400~7,600rpm. That is the typical range for most stock watercraft. RXP's & RXT's spin a little higher, but they have larger diameter pumps and more horsepower. Kawi opted to keep the rpm level down with the Ultra 250X more than likely for reliability reasons.

Typically, the more horsepower the higher the rpm you can run. But only to a certain extent.

You think anyone will make a chip or CDI to increase the RPM's over 8000?. Would it be a good idea?

quote:

Originally posted by LakeMurrayGPR:
The point I want to make is that the ULTRA 250 is OVERRATED!!!!

Lets compare the RXT to the Ultra 250 ok !!!
Ultra 250 top spped stock is 65. About the SAME SPEEDS as the RXT (64-65 mph)
Stage I Kit RXT - ($805)
Stage I Kit ULTRA 250 - ($1200 plus) More labor to install and the PWC IS LOUD !!!!
I ADMIT the sticker price is about the same.

What good is the extra 45 horsepower other then drinking more fuel if you cant get more top speed. (I guess you can you can get to top speed faster)

I purchased my PWC MAINLY for product testing and Marketing photos for my product line. I did expect this great handling watercraft in the rough water and more consistant speed in the chop. Its a little bit better in rough water then my Stage I RXP but NOT MUCH difference.

As for my Dealer he didnt sell me ANYTHING I told him what I wanted. MOST PWC Delears are CLUELESS when it comes to PWC's. they are usually too busy Selling ATV & Motorcycles. I would have purchased my Unit from RIVA if they werent 9 hours away.

Valid points.

Marketing is a pain at times.
What is Riva gonna do about what Kawi wont do?

Im eagerly watching this one. Could be interesting as to the out come. Im sure just about all the boats are having the same issues. Wonder if Kawi will be following SD's lead on the charger washer issue. Looks to be the same tactics.