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Is the 2-stroke dead? I don't think so.

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LouDoo

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Like most others I picked up on the hype and excitement when BRP introduced the Spark. And also like most others on this forum I thought this is the end of the 2-stroke ski. Well after a few days to mull things over, I'm now thinking it maybe the beginning of the end, but it ain't over for two strokes.

We went for a fairly long ride today, about 75 miles round trip, I rode my 96GSX, and a lot of the time I rode I was thinking about the Spark. A few things came to mind, SeaDoo's advertising that the Spark is expected to bring back the fun and excitement of the ski's of the 90's. I thought to myself I already have the fun and excitement of the ski's of the 90's hell I'm riding one. Yea, I know the advantages of a new ski, better gas mileage, warranty, but $6000 buys a lot of gas and repairs.

The other things that I have been thinking about is the styling, I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I'm sure the spark will grow on me, but right now in my honest opinion, I think it's butt ugly. While my 96GSX is a thing of beauty. I know that I'm going to get a lot of flak, but that's my honest opinion. It's like comparing a stealth fighter, to a P38 Lightning.

I think John Blutarsky said it best, "was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7vtWB4owdE

So, I'm not saying that I won't buy one, all I'm saying is I have decided to take a wait and see approach. I didn't rush out and buy a Yugo either.

Lou
 
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I'm way too deep in two strokes to turn around now. I just wet tested a 95XP tonight for the first time since I've been tinkering with it. I put some AM parts on it(pipe and carbs) and it pulls like a freight train and hit 55 mph! I've got less than a grand in it.....bring it on Spark.
 
I would have to agree with you LouDoo, I'm not much on the "cut" styling. With all the corners and angles on it, I think I would rather 'accidentally' fall on my RFI with more smooth, rounded lines. That and I like the smoother lines anyway.
 
I agree, I love my spx. I just checked the compression before starting to winterize it and it was 155 on both cylinders; I'm happy with those numbers on a 15 year old motor. And, like matt said it pulls hard up to 7000 rpm. It's neck and neck with my rx, but the motor on the rx is getting a little tired at 115 psi.
 
In the big picture and years in the future it is the desire of the Fed Gov to kill 2-strokes for the most part.

They look at it as a self correcting problem. If they don't make them, eventually they will phase out.

There will always be die hards and the hold outs just like there are historical cars in todays world.

The 2-stroke was and still is a very important part of the world we live in. Maybe it won't be in the water world, but it will be in the lawn mower, edger, weed eater ect ect...
 
I don't like the looks either it looks like a transformer I don't what is going to transform into it I don't like the looks
 
A lot of small engines have been turning four stroke also Coastie. They all run like you accidentally put the piston in backwards!
 
Matt Braley said:
A lot of small engines have been turning four stroke also Coastie. They all run like you accidentally put the piston in backwards!
Click to expand...

I agree,,,, and just like the skis more and more will be the way of the future.

But I think in landscape application the 2-stroke will be around for a while...
 
We will still be buying, selling and most importantly riding 2 strokes. We bought into the hype and went out fast to get the spark but I still look at craigslist non stop trying to find the next deal.
 
I personally am happy to see the spark! With that said I will not be buying a new one. Last winter I decided I needed something to keep me busy so I bought 2 2001 gs models and 1 1998 gsx. Initial cost and parts I only have 4k in them. What I am saying is i only got into this because of price. The two strokes life will be dependent on the quantity sold and the used market price on the sparks. So if seadoo is a success and the market gets flooded with sparks then the end could be in 2 to 3 years for people looking to flip them.Many newbs like myself got into this due to price. So which would you buy a 16 year old ski for two thousand or a 3 year old ski for 3k. Either way we get to buy inexpensive skis. The good news for me is I will be riding cheap 2 strokes or sparks for the foreseeable future. This is great for the buyers like me. Use them fix them and move onto the next cheap one when it craps out.
 
I'm with you! Seadoo announced the spark, but top speed of 50 MPH.. with 90 HP? What's wrong with that pic.. Oh yeah, it's not a 2 stroke.. If an XP weighed 400 lbs with the 85 HP 720, it would be comfortable over 50 MPH top speed.. and it'd get there more quickly thanks to the powerband of a 2 stroke (nothing to all, in no time flat)... I'd be curious to test drive this, for sure.. I went through 14 gallons in 5 hours at the lake on Saturday.. I had a blast and I like how my skis look, feel and sound..
 
The news about the Spark has been great!
Picked up three 96 GSX's, one 97 GSI, two 96 SPX's, two dual place & one signal place trailers this week alone.
 
Getemkustom said:
The news about the Spark has been great!
Picked up three 96 GSX's, one 97 GSI, two 96 SPX's, two dual place & one signal place trailers this week alone.
Click to expand...

WOW, may I ask what kinda price? i haven't seen prices really affected, at least not that i've noticed
 
I just want to make one point here. I didn't start this thread to bash the new Spark, I'm sure I'll wind up owning one. I think the Spark is exactly what this sport, obsession, or whatever it's called needs. I think it will make a resurgence in the sport, and if I were new to the sport my choice would be clear a new Spark.

However all that I'm trying to say is the 2-stroke is not dead, and I'll continue to own and ride a 2-stroke now and for a long time to come. I'll reserve judgement of the Spark after I have ridden one, I wouldn't buy a used ski without riding it, why should I buy a Spark sight unseen, without riding one first.

Lou
 
Getemkustom said:
The news about the Spark has been great!
Picked up three 96 GSX's, one 97 GSI, two 96 SPX's, two dual place & one signal place trailers this week alone.
Click to expand...


I do not think that has anything to do with the spark. This time of the year is when all the deals come around. In july you would not have got them as easily and cheap as you did now. We looked at a bunch of seadoos under $500 in the last few weeks. The spark wont affect anything until next year. Right now only the guys on forums like this even know anything about them.
 
The two stroke isn't dead, but it is slowly dying, and has been for years. Whether we like it or not, four strokes are taking over. While these old two strokes are good for guys who can pull wrenches, those who can't would be better off buying a new Spark. As for myself, I will wait a year or two before I jump in. I really like the reliability of a new ski, especially after my gsx stalled on me a few times in the middle of the river.
 
Jetskigoodies said:
I do not think that has anything to do with the spark. This time of the year is when all the deals come around. In july you would not have got them as easily and cheap as you did now. We looked at a bunch of seadoos under $500 in the last few weeks. The spark wont affect anything until next year. Right now only the guys on forums like this even know anything about them.
Click to expand...

I disagree, the skis I picked up this week the P/O's all stated they were selling them for down payment on the Spark. Either way keeps me busy thru the long winter months.
 
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I have not noticed any significant change in the price of two strokes here, except for the usual end of season pricing, even though the Spark is a hot topic here on the forum I don't think it's had a significant impact on the public, yet. I Emailed my local dealer last week, he said I was the first contact he had about the Spark.

Lou
 
The two stroke is not dead yet!! Love my 2 smoker!
4.png
 
Used Seadoo prices are still crazy high here, both in Vancouver and Seattle. Hopefully they will drop soon, I need another gsx.
 
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