97 XP and 98 XPL first impressions

[Mekanix]

I impulse bought a 97 XP for 800$ running. Friend then bought a pair on trailer for who knows what.

Mine is still in the works but run's

Just finished repairs on his and tested the two machines on the water.
Honestly I don't know what to think. I'm not impressed by the 800. Maybe I just don't know the quirks of it or how to appreciate it but it feels sluggish. It likes to plow the nose unless its full trim up. Can't seem to get it to jump out of the water with any effort.

The XPL was better in terms of power but even then it was hard to get it out of the water without full trim up and standing on the back.


XP lovers please try and justify what's good about this hull.

Should I keep mine or just fix it enough to sell it and go for an x4?

My experience is with the GS and GSX hulls of which I can throw around quite well. I had more expectations for the xp.

 

[Matt Braley]

Those hulls are faster in chop. The "V" allows it to cut through waves and the spring seat keeps the rider from fielding every bump. With that said I'm an X4 guy through and through.

I have a 97 with a ported motor, Factory pipe, and other mods that makes it a fun machine. I agree they are kind of a dud in stock form.

 

[Mekanix]

Had a choice of an ugly 96 with unknown "issues" or a 97 running with parts hull in decent condition. Each for 800. So picked the 97 instead.

What did it cost overall to make it fun Matt ?
Should I fix, flip it and go for the x4 anyways ?

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

the 97 XP doesn't have the stock HP. you need the 951 to make it work.

the 20 HP will help. Also a Solas Concord 15/20

I like how it jumps in the rough stuff. and how it cuts turns, you can trim down and turn so tight and fast you throw up! then trim up for some great jumps. it also handles chop much better than my GTX. it launches and lands better.

 

[Matt Braley]

Had a choice of an ugly 96 with unknown "issues" or a 97 running with parts hull in decent condition. Each for 800. So picked the 97 instead.

What did it cost overall to make it fun Matt ?
Should I fix, flip it and go for the x4 anyways ?

Yes a properly tuned X4 is the answer to all the world's problems.

On my 97 I lucked out and bought the personal ski of 20 years of one of the best tuners ever and then I fixed it up from there. Even though stock versions are not that exciting they do hold their value a little better than X4's and always seem to sell quickly.

Here is my thread if you have a minute https://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?87517-My-New-quot-96-quot-XP-Neptune-Parabolic

 

[Spimothy Leary]

The 800 engine in stock form inside that larger hull struggles a bit IMO>

I owned one for about 3 months and honestly sold it because I found it a bit boring. Also owned the 951 model and held onto that a bit longer, like 8 months because I really enjoyed running the rivers at 60mph, but at the end of the day that particular hull design wasn't a good fit for me personally.

The deeper V in the hull makes it a good cruiser, and it handles chop better than expected but it sure as hell wasn't jumper like my x4. (the x4 actually jumped more than I liked but at the end of the day I preferred a "hoppy" ski like the X4 vs the parabolic hull.

I've seen some riders, especially when they get their weight all the way back, do some interesting stuff on the wishbones that I never really got the hang of but I never really saw anyone whip the 800 wishbones around like I could whip around my X4. (duly noted i'm a casual rec rider not some crazy guy that's hard on the throttle so maybe it was me that was the problem)

At the end of the day It comes down to personal preference, if you want a solid distance river/bay cruiser that carves into turns well and can handle chop without beating you up then the Wishbone is an excellent ski. If you want a nimble quick 180's, wake jumper, then the x4 is a better choice. If my local ride groups hadn't migrated into 4 strokes I would have kept my x4 but my range even with the T-tank limited my distance, and I was never "fast" so it hindered the group and I had to sell it up upgrade to a faster ski because they got tired of waiting for me and got really tired of turning back early because I couldn't go more than about 50ish miles w/o running out of gas.

last comment, when cleaned up they are a good looking ski so they usually sell for a better price than the X4 so unless you have a really ugly one or damage the engine, you usually can get your money back or make a small profit.

edit: since matt posted a pic... I will too

my 787

my 951

 

[Mekanix]

This what i got.
First one is the runner, second one is just a bare hull with no guts. First thing im robbing is the seat or might just redo it with something nicer.

I generally like to either cruise at 30-40 mph and go long distance or play in one spot and do tricks. So maneuverablility and control are key things for me. But now that you mention it, that shock and v hull might be better for the longer runs.
Im not a throttle masher either, id prefer to be able to have fun at half throttle and have that extra bit when i get into trouble lol

 

[Gaige23]

I haven't ridden that hull but I've always wanted to. I'm not a fan of the GSX hull it's kind of boring to me although it's way less rough on you in chop which is about all I get in the Colorado around Laughlin lol. I just adore my x4 even though it beats the hell out of me in chop haha. I imagine I'll get an XPL eventually just because they look cool.

 

[mikidymac]

We just rode Laughlin last July and I took my 2001 XP. It handles the chop great and my 7 yo son loves it.
I personally like the hull and have had a 97' and 01'. It is not like an X4 or GSX at all it cuts the chop great and will stick a turn harder than you can hold on once you figure out how to preload the seat and get it to hold. The 951 is more fun as the 787 is a little underpowered in that hull. My understanding is that it was always supposed to have the 951 but in 97' the hull was ready before the951 so they stuck the 787 in it for the one year.