GTI Limited 155 or GTX Limited iS 260?

[Sebast007]

Hi, I'm going to buy a PWC in the coming weeks (before summer) and I have two favorites right now but just can't make my choice, yet.
Aether a GTI Limited 155 or a GTX Limited iS 260.

The GTI Ltd 155 seems like a good deal for the price. A lot of technologies and low mpg. And it is a new model, too! While the bigger GTX Ltd iS 260 has it ALL... plus that superb white and bronze colour scheme looks awesome!

But I'm wondering if it is going to be a little to powerful for me, since the only PWC I ever used had 75 HP (an old GTI). Also, I'm not sure if this thing's a heavy drinker. Will I be able to play with it for a complete afternoon or just be able to drive it for like 1 or 2 hours before it needs to drink some more benzin? Also, there's a big difference in price between those two babies.

Which one should I buy? The GTI 155, right?

Thanks for your help!

-Sébastien-

 

[Dr Honda]

if you have the $$$$ and you like the bigger ski... buy it. But be aware, that the 260 will cost more at every step of ownership. (more to buy, more fuel, and more maintenance)

as far as.... "Is it to powerful"... that's up to you to decide. If you can respect the power of a big ski, then you will be fine.

Good luck with your choice. :cheers:

 

[RFoster130]

Yeah there will be a lot more costs involved long term. It will drink a lot more gas. The GTI 155 will do low to mid 50's. The 260 sure would be fun though....If money isnt an issue, then I prefer to go fast. But if you wanna save money in every aspect and still have a good time the GTI would be fine.

 

[Sebast007]

Does anybody have actual numbers about how much time it takes to empty a tank of fuel in a GTI 155 and in a GTX 260?

Money is not a problem, but I guess the more ''mature'' option (for me at least) would be to buy a GTI 155 since I'm not an expert with PWCs...
The best thing would be to try them both... which can't be done, sadly

I guess time will tell if I am mature or not...

Any expert would point me in the right direction? :willy_nilly:

(By the way, sorry for my bad english*)

-Sébastien-

 

[Sebast007]

...be aware, that the 260 will cost more at every step of ownership. (more to buy, more fuel, and more maintenance)...

Good point

Yeah there will be a lot more costs involved long term. It will drink a lot more gas. The GTI 155 will do low to mid 50's. The 260 sure would be fun though....If money isnt an issue, then I prefer to go fast. But if you wanna save money in every aspect and still have a good time the GTI would be fine.

I'm afraid I will get the hang of the 155 (sooner than later) and regret not having bought the 260. Damn... I'd really need to try them both to make a choice.

-Sébastien-

 

[seadooya]

Good point



I'm afraid I will get the hang of the 155 (sooner than later) and regret not having bought the 260.
-Sébastien-

Think, you just answered your own question........would you rather wanna cruise the lake in a pontoon, or, skim the waves inna, jetboat!!! Dig, Great Outdoors.

 

[JoeZ]

Well, the GTX does come with a learning key. This will help you get use to the power of the 260, and you'll get the hang of it in no time. I was lucky enough to ride these two back to back last year and really compare them.

The new GTI is really pretty cool. They revised it completely for 2011, and it is a blast to ride. Despite only a fracton of the power, it's still a lot of fun to ride, and rather inexpensive vs the GTX. It's light weight, nimble, and still pulls very well.

The GTX-iS is a completely different beast. If you are in rough waters often, there is zero comparison. The suspension is a godsend when you have to contend with waves over a long ride. The power is simply amazing, yet very controlable. I could go on and on as the feature list is a mile long.

Honestly, if funds aren't the issue, then I couldn't see any regrets going with the GTX-iS. I personally feel it is the best overall PWC ever made.

 

[jimraab]

If money is not an issue I would go with the 260. No one ever complains about having too much power. If you need the power it will be there. I have a GTX 155HP and I like it a lot. Low 50's is fast enough for me. Would like a 260, but it doesn't fit into my current financial picture with not having a job.

 

[Sebast007]

Well, the GTX does come with a learning key. This will help you get use to the power of the 260, and you'll get the hang of it in no time.

Oh, I forgot that new PWCs have different keys. Good point!

You guys are selling me to the GTX iS and I think I'm gonna bite!

(newb question :seeya
Though there's still one thing I'm not sure about before I make a choice. I'm still wondering how much time it takes to empty a fuel tank. The reason I insist about this question being answered is that a friend of mine said I wouldn't be able to play more than one or two hours with the big GTX. Is this possible? I can't find information about fuel consumption of PWCs on the net. With the old GTI I had last summer, I only needed to refill my tank once a day, for example.

Thanks for your time answering my questions! It is appreciated!

-Sébastien-

 

[strake]

I wouldn't worry about being inexperienced, as you will pick up the feeling of the more powerful machine in a matter of minutes.

We bought a new GTXiS which is 215 hp and thought it was the most bang for the buck. The only thing I wish it had was the "Speed Ties" for a clean dock line solution. As it turns out, I can add them to our ski for a reasonable amount.

We hadn't owned a ski before, only rented a handful of times, and although I too considered the 155, I quickly decided that the most important feature the GTXiS offered (besides MORE power) was the floating suspension. It TRULY works great. The entire inside floats up and down, and we DON'T get pounded. My wife and I aren't 20 somethings anymore. She handles this ski, even under full power like a pro. It only took a few rides to get very comfortable with it's capability, handling, and power. It's there when you want it, and it's instant !!!

We were given the opportunity to test ride both of them, and after I rode the GTXiS, I didn't even want to try the 155. Besides, we had rented one just 3 weeks earlier. The difference is HUGE !!!!

Try them both, then decide. We haven't looked back once !!!! Can't wait for the warmer weather at the lake in another few weeks.

If anyone on the forum will let me know how useful, or not useful the Speed Ties are in real life, I will decide to add them to our ski.

thanks,
Richard :cheers:

 

[strake]

About the fuel...... I usually get 2 outings for several hours each on the ski before I refuel. We pull up to a fuel dock as we don't have a trailer and the ski lives on an electric lift at the lake. Then, it is usually only down a half a tank anyways. If I run at a cruise speed ( 28 to 30 mph) with 2 of us on the ski, I can go for HOURS ..... 4 or 5 and be down a half a tank. Big deal! You gotta PAY to PLAY. It's better than our big block, 375HP Sea Ray 250SLX which can burn 30 gallons an hour wide open at 56 mph.

If you were to run this WIDE OPEN...... about 64 or 65 MPH you could potentially go through a full tank in 2 hours. Guess what???? you can't run this wide open continously, as you wouldn't be able to hang on. There are boat wakes, shore lines, other things that prevent you from running wide open all the time. We still run our's wide open several times, and especially from a start, it will jump up instantly ( in SPORT mode). You can also use the default CRUISE mode, which brings the ski up to speed at a more gradual pace. My wife usually leaves it in Cruise mode, and I ALWAYS switch it to SPORT mode. It is instant ON in sport mode.

Richard

 

[Sebast007]

Thanks for your comments Richard. I guess I won't be emptying the 70 liters gas tank that quick like you said. I intend on doing a lot of snorkeling between sessions of driving and exploring with the ski.

I guess I'm gonna go for aether the GTX Limited iS 260 or the RXT iS 260 (which I just added to my consideration list). Both PWCs share nearly all options except for the seat and other small stuff. I guess it's now down to the price between those two. Guess it's time to contact a BRP seller.

Thanks for your help, guys!

 

[MonkeySea MonkeyDoo]

Choices

I'll throw my 2 cents in on the 155 engine. Strake mentioned that they had rented the 155 and it didn't compare to the 215. This is NOT a proper comparison. Rental PWC use a rental lanyard that restricts the top speed (for safety and insurance purposes). It might even lock out the "sport mode" which allows full engine power to be applied when the throttle is pressed rather than the gradual application of power experienced in "tour mode" I would guess the top speed using these lanyards is about 35-40mph. I have the GTX155 and it tops out at 60mph. It's performance is very similar to the supercharged engines but does not have the higher top end speeds that the supercharged models do. But it also uses less gas and doesn't require 91 octane or higher fuel and my maintenance costs will be exponentially lower over the life of the machine.

The GTX260 has ALL the bells and whistles. It is also a more refined ride (seat, suspension, S3 hull). The more challenging ride would probably be the GTI but that depends on the individual. Both the 260 and 155 are gonna kick you in the pants power wise.

Like everything in life there is trade offs. Don't let others spend your money for you. Educate yourself and make a properly informed decision. Opinions are like an ass, everybody has one and they all stink.

Just wanted to say the 155 engine is no slouch and shouldn't be dismissed outright.

Good luck in your search, you'll love whatever you get.

 

[Sebast007]

Yeah, thanks for your (stinky) opinion MonkeySeaDoo.

I have read a couple of reviews on the internet to help me in my choice too. Right now it's aether the RXT-iS 260 or the GTX ltd-iS 260. My last debate will be with the seller. I might end up buying something else, who knows...

-Sébastien-

 

[Sebast007]

I bought a 2010 RXT-X 260 last week. It is a brand new 2010 model and I had a great price on it and they're the same as the 2011 models.

Now, I just hope the 2012 models that will be unveiled in April, in Montréal, won't make me regret my PWC...