Help me pick a ski - x4 vs xpl

All Seas · Jul 10, 2015

Hey guys,

New here but not a stranger to PWC's or watersports in general. I grew up with a 97 gtx and recently just sold our yamaha fx140. I used to ride the surf/bay primarily and always liked something stable for my niece and sister to ride.

Fast forward to now, I am looking for my 1st dedicated performance ski. I have always wanted a yellow xp growing up and we have since moved to a lake upstate ny that does get a little rough at times, but it will be a ski for just me.

I am sure this has been debated before, but what do you guys think is the better move? a 96 xp or a 99 xpl?

Faster top speed is always a plus but also like that fun factor to be there. I have never ridden either of the two and am curious how the xpl "lean in" hull compares to the x4.

Any advice?

MPower · Jul 10, 2015

This is really going to be a personal preference thing, some like the XPL and others prefer the X4 XPs.

The XPLs look cool but I personally could never get use to the handling of that hull. To me it's skittish as hell and very top heavy, you ride on top of it. Top speed will be higher because it has a bigger motor, assuming you are looking at the 951 model and not the one year they had the 787. I remember racing a XPL limited back in the day on my GP1200R. That sucker was quick, they run around 62 mph give or take.

The 96 XP (or any X4 hull with the 787) is by far the better ride IMO. It's lighter, more flickable, and handles like a shifter kart on the water. The motor is more reliable.

There is definitely a bigger following among X4 riders too. I say go with the X4 787 of whatever vintage you like.

LouDoo · Jul 10, 2015

I agree with the above post, the X4 is definitely a more fun ride, but if you're after speed the XPL.

Dr Honda · Jul 10, 2015

Yep... make that 3.

I've ridden a few "Hot" XPL's... and they are fun. But in my personal stable... I have a 96 XP 800. It's a good time as a single rider ski.

1983 · Jul 10, 2015

X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4
X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4
X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4
X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4
X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4
:agree::coolgleam:

AdamXP800 · Jul 10, 2015

X4 no doubt

96 XP800!
Keep the 2 strokes alive!

Ankeneyou · Jul 10, 2015

I really like my '00 XPL but have not yet ridden the 787 x4. I am in the beginning stages of restoring 2 '96 XPs so hope to ride and be able to give actual thoughts soon. If you were closer I'd let you try each.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

jhjesse · Jul 10, 2015

1983 said:
X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4
X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4
X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4
X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4
X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4X4
:agree::coolgleam:

So I am a little confused, but I think your vote is an X4...right???? :lol:

All Seas · Jul 10, 2015

so x4 it is lol

i have two local ones for sale.

1st is all stock with a fresh top end rebuild with 5 hours on it but needs a fuel sending unit....1k with a trailer

2nd has a spec pipe, aftermarket head and carbs (no model/brand) aftermarket bars and about 20 hours on rebuild...1800

what do you think?

1983 · Jul 10, 2015

Yes! Haha

Rob

jhjesse said:
So I am a little confused, but I think your vote is an X4...right???? :lol:

racerxxx · Jul 10, 2015

I'll give my vote for the X4 too. That one for $1800 has some rad goodies on it if it's the one in Jersey. Bars, vintage adjustable tabs, reduction nozzle and crazy sponsons...................just be careful on that one it's not a stock ski so there could be wrench time involved.

Spimothy Leary · Jul 10, 2015

I had a 2002 xpl for 6 months. Sold it so I could buy a 96 xp. So glad I did.

All Seas · Jul 10, 2015

racerxxx....that is the one I am looking at.

What do you think?

racerxxx · Jul 11, 2015

Like I said, chock full of aftermarket goodies, but you might need to wrench on it. I see a bunch listed "around" us in the $1500 range which is well out of my range. Knock the 1 off in front of the 5 and that is my range. It's got my worst pet peeve, no engine pics. I mean the outside is nice, what are you hiding under the seat? Is it crusty or mint? It looks clean, guess he ran out of money when it came time for the seat cover. It's not a bad cover, but a ski with all those goodies is more deserving of a jet trim seat cover IMO. All I can say is go test it out, I would NOT buy it without a water test. Like a 20-30 minute water test. Check it on hot restarts to make sure if fires right back up.

Where do you ride or plan to ride? NY is a big state, LOL.

All Seas · Jul 11, 2015

im upstate ny on oneida lake

you think the other one is a fair deal at 1k?

pic of the side:

racerxxx · Jul 11, 2015

You gotta check them out. I can't look at pics and say which one is better. I would like to believe the guy who has all the aftermarket goodies cared a little more for his ski than the other dude because he had good money into the parts.

donkey · Jul 11, 2015

i have 4 x4 skis and a 98xpl,they all shine in one way or another,,but,if you will be riding in kinda rough waters,the parabolic hull will cut rough water way better.you could just get both,and have a blast both ways!!

68ragtop · Jul 11, 2015

The X4's are a fun, "easier" to work on machine. Anybody can jump on them, ride & have a blast. I had one of the later XP's as well & they are very different. Top speed is a tiny bit better & they are less "bouncy" on the water, but very unstable, front heavy & just about everyone that rode mine tipped it over. Both are nice, but very very different.

XP 787 · Jul 11, 2015

I love my ski, but when I first started riding it I noticed that it was very tippy. My brother actually flipped it doing a U-turn at idle. Just takes some getting used to. It does very well in chop especially if the VTS is working :thumbsup:

speedbuggy67 · Jul 11, 2015

96 xp or 97-99 spx.... my best friend has a 99 xpl and he can keep it... its not much quicker unless your in choppy water.... if your a bigger guy or ride in chop then a 96-97 GSX is on the money. its basically a slightly larger 96xp with a larger tank and handles the chop better with slightly less tossability but the reliable 787. I have ridden them all and have both a 96xp and gsx. I am a smaller guy and its worth the trade off for GSX with the 15 gal fuel tank and rough water hookup. Sponsons on the GSX make it incredible. I'd never own a 951 powered ski, horrible in comparison to work on and less reliable then a 787 or 717. If I wanted more speed go supercharged seadoo......

Scott

IDoSeaDoo · Jul 11, 2015

Agreed, the 951 is less reliable and worse on fuel. While the XPL looks better (IMO) it needs a supercharged 215 motor for me to own one

speedbuggy67 · Jul 11, 2015

IDoSeaDoo said:
Agreed, the 951 is less reliable and worse on fuel. While the XPL looks better (IMO) it needs a supercharged 215 motor for me to own one

EXACTLY!!!! ( no room to work in a XPL though) My 2008 supercharged 215hp doo does better on fuel then my 96xp or 96 gsx 4 strokes esp 2007 and newer seadoos take one heck of a beating and seemingly last forever if SC service is performed every 100 hours.

SabrToothSqrl · Jul 12, 2015

Buy a double trailer. BOOM. Problem. Solved.

All Seas · Jul 12, 2015

So I spoke the the guy with the modded xp and he doesn't know what brand and of the parts are. He bought it from a friend who was a seadoo tech and "worked" it. He rode it two times but wants to sell it for an rxp

I am leaning towards the stock one but not sure where you guys buy parts from these days??? Specifically looking the the filters and pipe kit.

Matt Braley · Jul 13, 2015

Filters and pipe kit? If your looking to mod the stock one then let's take a closer look at the modded one. There could be real good news under that seat. Aftermarket pipes are not cheap and with any mod you must then compensate in other areas. I'm just saying that if the builder was a Seadoo tech then he likely took all those things in account.

I can't imagine the guy riding it twice and wanting to off it if there was not a little issue somewhere. Now the "issue" could have just been an RXP next to him that could go faster haha. However if the thing has a bummer somewhere that shows up in the wet test then that price is gonna fall.

Help me pick a ski - x4 vs xpl

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