2005 vs 2006 or 2007 Which has issues?

[lamajama]

I have a friend who wants to move up to a Supercharged model in the 2005,2006 or 2007 model years.

Throwing this out there to those who have these years, is there any particular models/years or issues that are common
to these machines that I can advise him to either consider before buying or to just stay away from?

I am aware of the SC ceramic washer issue in these years as I have a 2004 SC myself, as well as potential value issues
up to 2006 (I think).

He would like to stay with a 3 seater and probably the 215 HP models.

He's primarily moving up to beat me on my 185 HP GTX.... and that's fine for a year...then I'll move up to a 255...:rofl:

Thanks for your input!

 

[Coastiejoe]

2004 to mid 2006 have the sodium filled exhaust vales. 2007 and down have ceramic washers. Officially 08 up is good, but we have seen early build with the ceramic washers.

I have an 09 RXT-X 255 and LOVE the machine.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[3ftDeep]

Coastiejoe is right. I wouldn't buy anything below 2008 for most of the reasons he listed below (except I think he meant to say "2007" and earlier models have the ceramic washers). If you want to keep him down to 215 HP so you can whoop him next year (which I completely understand), then he should consider the 2008 RXT model. I then suggest you get the 300HP 2016 RXP-X with T3 hull, and leave him in tears. Actually, scratch that last suggestion -if you did that you'd leave most of us in tears.

 

[lamajama]

The supercharger issue is over once the ceramic washers are replaced no?

 

[3ftDeep]

Issue is over, "yes"

 

[Coastiejoe]

The supercharger issue is over once the ceramic washers are replaced no?

No. Bearings and squirrel cages fail due to age and fatigue. Still have to follow the 100/200 hr rule and or 2 yrs. whichever comes first.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Spimothy Leary]

I agree with the above remarks regarding the 08+ models. (and that also give access to the x models)

lets assume he's factoring in the older models to keep under a reasonable budget, say 5-7K. Also assuming he rides double often enough to require a 3 seater.

2 Seaters: My favorite would be be the 05 rxp 215 green & black, I think the 215 is enough power for a smaller model and still has mod capabilities, excellent top end stock, good carving ability and for its size its relatively nimble and I liked the colors that year.

3 seater, My Favorite would be the 06 and 07 RXT red/black / red/white respectable power/speed, carves quite well at speed, no ballerina under low power. I'm not a big gtx fan except that maybe it offers a little dryer ride than the RXT but I'm going off a short sample size.

if the budget allows then the 08 rxpx or rxtx would be my choices for sure. (I chose the rxtx but I dislike the handling under 20mph, I should have bought a rxpx but never saw one for sale that wasn't overpriced)

In my area your looking at a minimum budget of 3600 for any SC model, climbing up to about 6K-7K for 255 models.

general info i've gathered from reading, so might have slight errors.

the 185's can be essentially upgraded to 215 with some reasonable mods. 215's can be pushed higher as well. The 185 and 215 will be better on the fuel economy, although I think maybe add 8-10 miles to the range over the 255's.
the 08+ x models are better in chop than their predecessors, difference in tunnel.

255/260 will be a good 15% more thirsty, but offer improved performance on every level. I wish when they bounced up to this HP that they would have bumped the 16 gallon tank up to 18...they could use an extra 2 gallons.

Performance wise I think there is a barely noticeable difference from 185 to 215, I noticed it more in the mid range pull, but it was on a gtx, I really didn't try to pull a hole shot, was maybe 2 or 3mph faster on top end but nothing to get excited about. Bumping from 185 to 255 is pretty gonzo, you will defiantly notice the difference. Quite impressive IMO.

given your location, the season is pretty much over, i'd rather see him shop all winter for a nice 255 than settle for a 185/215.

I assume its pricey to import from the states ? And with a bad exchange rate for you right now your probably limited there too.

 

[lamajama]

Thanks Spim for the excellent detailed thoughts. Believe it or not it's still not a deal breaker buying in the US despite the 35% exchange!

Personally I'd like to see him stick with the 215......so I can jump to the 255....:thumbsup:

Regarding the SC ceramic issue, I did realize the 2 year/100 hour rebuild is still required. Mine is out and awaiting shipment to the USA sometime this winter.

 

[Michael211_2000]

My 2006 RXT came with solid exhaust valves, I checked and I know the 1st owner did not have the valves replaced or anything (I bought this machine used in Fall of 2009 after original owner partially sunk it hydro-locking the engine bending connecting rod #1).

To be certain though just take the valve cover top off and snap a high-res pic of the exhaust valve stems then look for the numbers stamped in the top of the stems. 72 is sodium filled, ok for the intake valves but possible death on the exhaust valves! 75 is a solid valve and desirable on the exhaust. Mine came with #75 exhaust valves already installed... a red/black 2006 RXT.

I love my '06 RXT, with 215 hp it kicks butt and looks great.... and I can always upgrade the SC to an X-Charger with 42# injectors for about $1200 which ups the horsepower to somewhere around 255-260 I've read.

However with stock 215 hp, you can still do a lot of smaller upgrades that improve performance and handling, such as a performance intake grate (RIVA or Aquavein, take your pick both handle much better than the stock grate) a Solas SS Impeller 13/17 pitch for 215 hp (you'd need a different one if upgrading to the X-Charger with more powerful injectors don't forget!) a pump wedge about 1 1/2 to 2 degrees makes a heck of a difference and please fill those darned ride plate bolt hole recesses in they are just an awful design what a drag!

- Michael

 

[lamajama]

Thanks Michael. Great info!

Do remember that I don't want my friend to hit the 255 HP....as I want him to stick at the 215 and then I'll leapfrog him to the 255.... :thumbsup:

 

[Spimothy Leary]

whats the scoop on the need for a 3 seater... is he riding double often or in heavy chop ?

 

[Michael211_2000]

Do remember that I don't want my friend to hit the 255 HP....as I want him to stick at the 215 and then I'll leapfrog him to the 255.... :thumbsup:

Wow you are such an awesome friend... give yourself a big pat on the back! LOL! ;-)

Keep an eye out for Karma though... she never forgets! :-O

- Michael

 

[lamajama]

Karma...yes I'm very familiar with her....:facepalm:

As far as the 3 seater goes Spim, he was talking about a 2 seater but as the plan is to start ocean riding and we do get chop in some lakes we go out on (although nothing like
what you guys would go out in or what 3feet deep goes out in - we just stay home...) so comfort is important and back issues will rear their ugly head with a lot of chop.

I know the diff between a 2 seat and a 3 seat is only about a foot so I throw it out there....does the 12" make any real difference. Hopefully the female members of the forum
leave this question alone....

 

[Tytan]

The ride is quite different between an RXP and a GTX / RXT hull, I'm talking about the older hulls 04 to 08 era as I have no experience with the newer hulls. I had an 04 RXP and an 05 GTX one machine sat on the trailer most of the time so I decided to sell one since we do a lot of ocean riding it was an easy decision to keep the GTX and sell the RXP.

The RXP was slightly modified and would run 73 to 74 on GPS with a mid range pull that always put a smile on my face if the water was calm it was an absolute blast to ride when the water got choppy or had a swell the RXP was hard to keep planted and was a very wet ride. On a long ride in less than ideal conditions it would wear you down as it would ride up the wave and launch instead of cutting through the waves.

The GTX although slower top speed and doesn't handle as good is a much more comfortable ride in the rough stuff it's stable and cuts through the waves vs trying to launch all the time. If you do much two up riding the GTX is obviously a lot more stable than the RXP.

 

[lamajama]

Chris, I was wondering why you kept the GTX over the RXP and I guess now correctly assumed you liked the ride better in the rougher conditions. That's what I told my friend when he was trying to make a decision.

As we get longer in the tooth, comfort moves up the desirability scale...!

 

[rcguy]

Some 2008's have 2007 engines in them....be careful.