2-Stroke Sea-Doo PWC — Who’s Still Riding Them?

[jetskimotor]

Hey everyone,

Just curious how many here still own or ride the classic 2-stroke Sea-Doo PWCs. Because even with all the new four-strokes taking over, it seems like these old-school skis still have a loyal fan base.


Models like the XP, SPX, GTX, and HX had a totally different feel — lighter hulls, snappy throttle response, and that raw sound (and yes, the smoke). Sure, they’re not as fuel efficient and need more hands-on maintenance, but people say they’re way more “fun per dollar” than modern machines.

Some questions for anyone keeping one alive:
How hard is it finding parts these days?
Any favorite mods to keep them running stronger?
Tips on dealing with carbs, fuel lines, or typical weak spots?
Would you buy another 2-stroke if you found a clean one?


Because they’re getting older, I imagine hull rot and electrical gremlins can become bigger problems. Yet I keep seeing videos of folks restoring them and loving the throwback ride.

Also wondering: for those who switched from a 2-stroke to a modern four-stroke, do you miss anything besides the weight and instant throttle hit?


Post pics of your old skis if you have them — love seeing restored XPs, especially the yellow-and-purple ones!


Looking forward to hearing who’s still riding these classics and what keeps you hooked.

 

[WhiskeyD]

Hey everyone,

Just curious how many here still own or ride the classic 2-stroke Sea-Doo PWCs. Because even with all the new four-strokes taking over, it seems like these old-school

How hard is it finding parts these days? - OEM parts seem to harder to come by but there is a ton of aftermarket
Any favorite mods to keep them running stronger? Too many to list, depends on your setup
Tips on dealing with carbs, fuel lines, or typical weak spots?
Would you buy another 2-stroke if you found a clean one? Of course, still ride 2 stroke jet skis and dirt bikes
Because they’re getting older, I imagine hull rot and electrical gremlins can become bigger problems. Yet I keep seeing videos of folks restoring them and loving the throwback ride. - Fiberglass wont rot like a wood boat, these hulls are very durable. Most of my skis are fully restored with all new components.

Also wondering: for those who switched from a 2-stroke to a modern four-stroke, do you miss anything besides the weight and instant throttle hit? Modded 4 strokes are way faster than 787s and 951s. They are all fun though.

 

[etemplet]

2-strokes much more simple and cheaper to repair and operate. You just have to be mechanically inclined. I'm not a boater so I don't like big jet skis. My favorite all around hull is the 1996-2002 GTX with the 787 engine. Carburetors are probably a preference for many but fuel injection is hard to beat if everything is working. My favorite "man hull" is the RX with the 951. Handle fantastic and plenty of umph.

I don't like and wouldn't on a GTI or GTS but they are good skis. I restored a GTI RFI that went 50mph. I was surprised and I checked the speed with the GPS. GTIs still don't match handling with the other skis. Any ski with OPAS is a show stopper for me. Even worse handling.

Nuthing wrong with a XP, SPX, or GSX. I wouldn't go older than 1996. I restore the 2-stroke skis and I don't mess with those because people want 3-seaters. Since is costs me the same money to restore a ski, I restore the ones that people want.

4-strokes are too heavy, big, expensive and complicated compared to a 2-stroke. I can't imagine them handling as well as the smaller light 2-strokes.

Define the type of riding you want to do and buy accordingly.

 

[chevy2]

I have a 2000 xp 951 carb.2 97 spx,s 787.98 gsx limited.98 gas 720.94 GTX 657.

 

[lagojaguarasp]

2-strokes much more simple and cheaper to repair and operate. You just have to be mechanically inclined. I'm not a boater so I don't like big jet skis. My favorite all around hull is the 1996-2002 GTX with the 787 engine. Carburetors are probably a preference for many but fuel injection is hard to beat if everything is working. My favorite "man hull" is the RX with the 951. Handle fantastic and plenty of umph.

I don't like and wouldn't on a GTI or GTS but they are good skis. I restored a GTI RFI that went 50mph. I was surprised and I checked the speed with the GPS. GTIs still don't match handling with the other skis. Any ski with OPAS is a show stopper for me. Even worse handling.

Nuthing wrong with a XP, SPX, or GSX. I wouldn't go older than 1996. I restore the 2-stroke skis and I don't mess with those because people want 3-seaters. Since is costs me the same money to restore a ski, I restore the ones that people want.

4-strokes are too heavy, big, expensive and complicated compared to a 2-stroke. I can't imagine them handling as well as the smaller light 2-strokes.

Define the type of riding you want are

Already have a 01 GS and I'm looking for a companion ski. Do 1997+ XPs and their exotic drivetrain give out too many issues? I LOVE their looks!!

 

[mikidymac]

Already have a 01 GS and I'm looking for a companion ski. Do 1997+ XPs and their exotic drivetrain give out too many issues? I LOVE their looks!!

No issues with the drivetrain of the 97+ XP

But I will tell you that hull has a lot of water drag. It’s a lot more fun with a 951. I bought a 97 brand new and now own a 01’ XP. The 951 is much better but more maintenance.

 

[murphn8r]

1990 seadoo sp. 587 yellow engine with the pipe off a 92xp. Its partially restored. Has new fuel/oil lines, carb and fuel pump rebuilt, new water lines. Put the hood with the mirrors off a 92xp on it. Put a twist throttle and motocross bars and hand guards. The blue is a gm blue from a 24 Silverado just rattle canned at the moment. The bottom was just painted with 25 c8 corvette black. The pick of it hanging is after spraying the bottom(dont zoom in on it lol). Finding oem parts haven't really been an issue for me. I have had good luck with aftermarket parts. These skis are literally everywhere around me. I will definitely buy another 2 smoker looking to get a 97 or newer. I do want a brand new one tho but just bought a new motorcycle so I have to wait a bit on that.

 

[Maxpax]

I am getting my 93 SPX (100% stock 587 white engine) ready to play on the water again. I did a complete fuel system repair/restore and am about to check the pump and cooling system out. Hope to be on the water again soon. I also have a 93 GTI (and an almost new 587 white SPX engine) I would like to get water ready but it needs a good pump housing. I have also had issues with registration as I was given the hull but have no BOS and the giver has passed. I really like the 93 hull as it is small and is fun to spin.

 

[MoDawg73]

I am riding a 99 GTX Ltd. 951 engine. Still running great. Thanks to Mike and all the other great people on here!

 

[bajaman123]

I personally love the old two stroke machines...not to say the modern 4 stroke models aren't nice. My wife's '97 GTI (I added a factory tachometer and a Blackfin seat skin) is still running strong as is my 2000 RX (custom JetTrim seat). No one who sees them believes their age...and all who ride them love them!

 

[SummaryGiraffe]

My wife and I just bought a ‘98 SPX and ‘97 XP! Just working on some maintenance stuff so we can ride them for the rest of the season. But we’re super excited about them and guys on here have told me we did well with the condition they’re in! I’m excited that they are old two strokes, and I haven’t been too discouraged finding parts yet!

 

[bajaman123]

THIS forum is keeping many, many of the older machines going! There are a lot of very knowledgeable people here who have shared their experience with us.

 

[JJinSC]

I bought my 97 XP brand new. Rode the heck out of it the 1st 10 years. 1 rebuild around ~420 hours. Since then, I have been doing the maintenance and repairs myself with help from this community!! So glad we have some veteran and eager younger mechanics for these machines on this forum! Still ride it at least once a week during the season!! I am a boat person too, so when I ride a PWC, I want something small, lite and simple. Therefore, the newer, bigger, heavier 4-strokes are not for me. Not knocking them for those whose needs they meet, though. I’m sure they are great fun for the ones whose needs they meet.

 

[lagojaguarasp]

I bought my 97 XP brand new. Rode the heck out of it the 1st 10 years. 1 rebuild around ~420 hours. Since then, I have been doing the maintenance and repairs myself with help from this community!! So glad we have some veteran and eager younger mechanics for these machines on this forum! Still ride it at least once a week during the season!! I am a boat person too, so when I ride a PWC, I want something small, lite and simple. Therefore, the newer, bigger, heavier 4-strokes are not for me. Not knocking them for those whose needs they meet, though. I’m sure they are great fun for the ones whose needs they meet.

Nice to know it lasted that long! Did you decide on the rebuild because it was down on power or something else?

 

[Skott]

I just picked up a 97 XP I’m trying to get going. J used to love those hulls and look forward to getting it on the water.

 

[Venturian1]

Hey everyone,

Just curious how many here still own or ride the classic 2-stroke Sea-Doo PWCs. Because even with all the new four-strokes taking over, it seems like these old-school skis still have a loyal fan base.
View attachment 67794

Models like the XP, SPX, GTX, and HX had a totally different feel — lighter hulls, snappy throttle response, and that raw sound (and yes, the smoke). Sure, they’re not as fuel efficient and need more hands-on maintenance, but people say they’re way more “fun per dollar” than modern machines.

Some questions for anyone keeping one alive:
How hard is it finding parts these days?
Any favorite mods to keep them running stronger?
Tips on dealing with carbs, fuel lines, or typical weak spots?
Would you buy another 2-stroke if you found a clean one?


Because they’re getting older, I imagine hull rot and electrical gremlins can become bigger problems. Yet I keep seeing videos of folks restoring them and loving the throwback ride.

Also wondering: for those who switched from a 2-stroke to a modern four-stroke, do you miss anything besides the weight and instant throttle hit?


Post pics of your old skis if you have them — love seeing restored XPs, especially the yellow-and-purple ones!


Looking forward to hearing who’s still riding these classics and what keeps you hooked.

All 7 of my skis are 2-stroke. 97-2000, 6 of the 7 run great. Haven't had time to get #7 going yet. Had a 4-stroke, wasn't much faster, not worth the extra weight, sold it. Parts are available. Plan to get rid of all but 4, just not sure which 3 to get rid of, like them all!

 

[James96xp]

the old 2 strokes are king. I love my 96xp and would spend good money to keep it going. Even now I’m having a bad luck streak this year, lots of work for not much riding but I’d rather get my old 96 running again than jump on a soulless new 4 stroke.

Ps: if anyone knows where I can get an mpem with matching key please let me know.

 

[James96xp]

Plus, i for thé Price of a newer 4 stroke, I can buy multiple 96xp seadoos. Sounds like a good deal to me.

 

[burtshaver2021]

the old 2 strokes are king. I love my 96xp and would spend good money to keep it going. Even now I’m having a bad luck streak this year, lots of work for not much riding but I’d rather get my old 96 running again than jump on a soulless new 4 stroke.

Ps: if anyone knows where I can get an mpem with matching key please let me know.

I can have a look and see if I have an mpem for that

 

[Papa5633]

Hey everyone,

Just curious how many here still own or ride the classic 2-stroke Sea-Doo PWCs. Because even with all the new four-strokes taking over, it seems like these old-school skis still have a loyal fan base.
View attachment 67794

Models like the XP, SPX, GTX, and HX had a totally different feel — lighter hulls, snappy throttle response, and that raw sound (and yes, the smoke). Sure, they’re not as fuel efficient and need more hands-on maintenance, but people say they’re way more “fun per dollar” than modern machines.

Some questions for anyone keeping one alive:
How hard is it finding parts these days?
Any favorite mods to keep them running stronger?
Tips on dealing with carbs, fuel lines, or typical weak spots?
Would you buy another 2-stroke if you found a clean one?


Because they’re getting older, I imagine hull rot and electrical gremlins can become bigger problems. Yet I keep seeing videos of folks restoring them and loving the throwback ride.

Also wondering: for those who switched from a 2-stroke to a modern four-stroke, do you miss anything besides the weight and instant throttle hit?


Post pics of your old skis if you have them — love seeing restored XPs, especially the yellow-and-purple ones!


Looking forward to hearing who’s still riding these classics and what keeps you hooked.

Still running four 95/96 Sea Doos. XP720, XP800, GTI720 and SPX720. Love them all, but you definitely have maintenance issues. Stay with OEM parts and never cut corners. All have had fuel lines replaced and carbs rebuilt regularly. I’m a 2-stroker and have no desire to go 4-stroke. Will keep them running as long as they stay legal in California.

 

[James96xp]

I can have a look and see if I have an mpem for that

That would be mint if you’ve got one for me with a key. Been looking but they are really hard to find these days.

 

[burtshaver2021]

That would be mint if you’ve got one for me with a key. Been looking but they are really hard to find these days.

I will have a look tomorrow

 

[James96xp]

 

[burtshaver2021]

View attachment 67998

She’s a Beut Clarke

 

[burtshaver2021]