You will be happy with any 787 x4. This year I rode a 95xp 800, 96xp, 97spx, 98spx and the 99spx. So I rode them all and they were all about the same, not much difference. So the thing you have to choose is the color scheme you want. You will probably find the 96xp will be the cheapest just because of the volume they produced.
A couple things that are different in the models.
95 xp800 has a yellow single gauge hood, a hump seat, a pump extension, a longer steering cable longer pump studs, a longer vts rod,and a long drive shaft the pink on the bottom of the hull is gelcoat not a decal. It is yellow on top and bottom with pink graphics. The crank and counter balancer gears are a different pitch then the rest of the 800s.
96xp, yellow gelcoat on the top and bottom, with pink decals. 3 gauge hood.
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97spx, yellow bottom white top, with yellow/purple/teal graphics. This hull is rumored to be the lightest. This year has the best waterbox. The rear grab bar this year is now a hard plastic that replaces the previous rubber one. 3 gauge hood. The mpem and cdi are now all incorporated into a larger panel mpem. The nose badge has been changed with a new logo and a larger but flatter surface.
98spx, black bottom white top yellow/purple/grey graphics. The motor is now painted grey and has a counterbalncer plug. This year the carbs get an accelerator pump. This year the exhaust faces the pump and gives room for 2 drain plugs mounted on the rear of the hull.
My baby the 99 spx. In my opinion the best color scheme. Black on bottom, yellow on top, grey/yellow/purple decals. black 3 gauge hood, grey hump seat, black handlebar pad The handle bars are slightly different they have slots for the newer style mounts for the grips.
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