So no one wants to lake test ski's now...

[powerslave]

Would like to pull the trigger on a couple I've seen but no one wants to put them on water...I would if I was selling mine if they showed me they had cash. What you all do in this situation. I just told them I wasn't interested if they would lake test it for me. Some say it's too cold or they do have insurance or they don't want to mess with it.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

Why can't you ride the ski? I wouldn't buy a ski if I didn't lake test it unless it was priced for a new motor (generally speaking), a compression test and trailer running is the other alternative but riskier.

Aside: Water testing is the main reason I don't work on skis, there's another guy here that works on them so I bought him a bucket of whitewash paint and praised him. I don't like working on stuff I can't water test but I'm not gonna get wet doing it, lol, I need to know it's running right when it leaves through the gates.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

I'll ask for a water test when practical, with cost being a factor of course, and dam, its pretty cold in KC.

If its priced super low I couldn't care less, if its close to retail, then i'm pretty stubborn.

As a seller I"ve been asked if it was ok for a water test at least 5 times and i've said yes, I've only actually had one buyer actually take a water test with all the ski's i've sold (15ish), none have completed a compression test.

 

[Tony dee]

The ski can run and start right up on the trailer. However, I have had complicated issues with skis that started right up sounded correct and wouldn't run in water. Very common, so without a compression test and even with it you are gambling. Less of a gamble with the compression test. So the dice are in your hand and I agree with Leary it depends on the price. If you have the same ski at home and u gamble with a starting ski and lose you will still have plenty of spare parts. Little stuff like fuel selectors, Rave valves, fuel separators all add up when fixing the new purchase. But that's only one free ticket for one purchase what will you do the next time. The free ticket is only good if you have the same ski or motor at home. Water test it as per Sportster.

 

[AdamXP800]

If I'm paying top dollar, no water test no deal. If your buying a $200 turd ski that they say "runs" I wouldn't expect a water test

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

Lower your offer by enough to justify repairs. engine: $1k jet pump: $500, etc.

 

[mikidymac]

I know here in California water tests are never offered or asked for. Our lakes are typically too far away from where most people live.
Here we just look them over very good, test compression and make sure everything works and sounds good when running. If anything is off just negotiate down from there.

If it starts easy on the trailer, looks good and compression is good. It should be fine. Remember they all will need fuel lines and carbs rebuilt so factor that into your offer.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

I know here in California water tests are never offered or asked for. Our lakes are typically too far away from where most people live.
Here we just look them over very good, test compression and make sure everything works and sounds good when running. If anything is off just negotiate down from there.

If it starts easy on the trailer, looks good and compression is good. It should be fine. Remember they all will need fuel lines and carbs rebuilt so factor that into your offer.

Only those that have actually researched the decision actually push for a ride, most of my 2 stroke sales have been 1300-1800, first time buyers, either didn't know anything or were reluctant to be embarrassed on a test ride I guess. As a seller I'm not going to push it on them cuz it add's 45 minutes to the transaction, minimum.

When I sold my gp1300r he offered full price ($4500) without even starting it, I wouldn't take the money until I pushed the button. Jeez, I was kind of insulted, $600 in exhaust mods and you don't want to braaaap?

 

[powerslave]

Thanks for the replys. I guess if it's something I really want, I'll throw the dice. I'm talking late 90's 2 strokes here. I know some about the 717 and 787, nothing about the 951's. On another note, is there a way to home test your compression guage to make sure it's as accurate as possible?

 

[WhiskeyD]

Asking to water test is pretty normal around here. If someone says no, I generally think they are trying to hide something. Like everyone already mentioned, if you're only paying a couple hundred bucks just check the compression and you'll be good.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Up North, as in Ohio, almost no one does a test ride. Skis can only be used 4 months a year. If they looked to be in good condition they almost always were good to go. And sadly, people seem to be more honest or legit up North.

So maybe the test ride is a Geographical thing.

Now that I live in Florida, I just buy new and then sell mine,,,,

 

[RodInEscondido]

Thanks for the replys. I guess if it's something I really want, I'll throw the dice. I'm talking late 90's 2 strokes here. I know some about the 717 and 787, nothing about the 951's. On another note, is there a way to home test your compression guage to make sure it's as accurate as possible?

The question here is "how accurate is your test equipment?". Compression testers are not horribly expensive, have 2 at hand; 2 testers, 2 tests each. Personally I way back almost made a terrible decision based on using only one tester. Older and occasionally a little wiser.

 

[powerslave]

Yes, i will probably buy another one.

The question here is "how accurate is your test equipment?". Compression testers are not horribly expensive, have 2 at hand; 2 testers, 2 tests each. Personally I way back almost made a terrible decision based on using only one tester. Older and occasionally a little wiser.

 

[howie099]

If you ask and they won't even offer to take to the water they are hiding stuff. You can tell how they answer the question when you ask. i would drop the offer for sure if they wont even think about a water test. When I sell and its cold out I tell them I will drive them there but I am not going on the water they can. I did by my boat with out a water test and no compression test. I could tell by the condition of it even if an engine was bad I still had a great deal.

 

[powerslave]

Theirs really not too much out there really, I mean there kinda is but these people think thier ski's are worth their weight in gold. Old 90's ski's for $2500+... They want more than top dollar and it just needs carbs cleaned and gone thru...yeah

 

[glsmohio]

i have sold 12 skis and never been asked to water test lol. heck non of them have even did a compression test. every person that has called me and comes to look at the ski leaves with the ski at my asking price.

This is how it goes tho:

They show up, I start the ski for about 10sec. they take the seat off and look and then they say how about $500 lower and i say we came all this way so you much of thought I had a good price to start with lol

 

[howie099]

Most people want more than what they think it's worth. Just because they bought 6 years ago at the same price they are asking and you don't use it it's not worth more all the sudden unless you have and new engine in it.

If the ski is not perfect how can I ask top dollar and you need to clean the whole fuel system because it sat for years.

 

[glsmohio]

Most people want more than what they think it's worth. Just because they bought 6 years ago at the same price they are asking and you don't use it it's not worth more all the sudden unless you have and new engine in it.

If the ski is not perfect how can I ask top dollar and you need to clean the whole fuel system because it sat for years.

I understand what you're saying fully but you also have to keep in mind people will pay for something they want if they can't get it anywhere else or if they're impatient. It's a cycle of money lol

 

[Mickirig1]

Your going to think I am BS-ing you. My Wife tells me a friend of a friend has 2 Jet Ski's for sale. Never been on one, know nothing about them. We drive 70 miles to look at them. Get there, walking up I see they are big ones. Two 2000 GTI's on a double Shorlander trailer with covers. I looked at them, made the "write the check" motion to my Wife. She pulled out the check already written. No water test, not even started them. Towed them home with no working lights or plate on trailer.Had to air up the tires. Owners son followed close all the way to home in Akron Ohio. Your going to not believe what we paid for them and double trailer! $800. I wondered why my Wife asked me what size ball my hitch had on my F-250 had. Now I know. Been played again!

 

[Dr Honda]

Just to throw out my 2 cents......


It all depends on the situation.

1) If it's early in the season, and the air/water is warm... then I'm more likely to let someone take a ride. (because I want to go too) Right now... I wouldn't take the skis out. There's too much crap in the water, and it's COLD !!

2) Depends on the person asking. If some "Tweaker" shows up, wanting to take it out... then it's a no-go. If it's an older person, or family person... then yes... I will take it out.

3) Depends on where the price is going to hit. As others have said... if they are going cheap, then it's not worth my time. If I'm getting my asking price... then ok.


In all the toys I've sold over the years... I've only been asked to take a water test twice. One was after the sale though. (lol) Basically... the guy who bought the ski just wanted a hand with the normal operational stuff. The other time was an honest "Water Test". He was a younger guy, and seemed ok. He came out to look at the ski first, and we nailed down the price. At that point... I met him at the local lake a couple days later, and he took the ski home with him.


Oh... one more thing... if you want to possibly get out of the test ride... if your state requires a PWC certification... then ask if the buyer has it. If not... you legally can't let them ride it.

 

[dgoodwin10]

My biggest hesitation to water test skis isn't the fact the lake is 1.5 hr away... it's the fear of some stranger taking out a ski I've spent a lot of time and money to restore and damaging it in some way, only to leave me hanging with the repair bill. Maybe I'm just too paranoid or not trusting enough..but we all know some of the folks lurking on Craigslist. :facepalm:

 

[Spimothy Leary]

i have sold 12 skis and never been asked to water test lol. heck non of them have even did a compression test. every person that has called me and comes to look at the ski leaves with the ski at my asking price.

This is how it goes tho:

They show up, I start the ski for about 10sec. they take the seat off and look and then they say how about $500 lower and i say we came all this way so you much of thought I had a good price to start with lol

IMO as a seller (and a buyer) the crux is the presentation. Many times as a buyer, and i've heard from others, looked at 2-4 ski's already, found some disgusting ski's or didn't quite find the comfort level / price and walked away. Many bilges are filthy, full of caked on dirt and grime and smell nasty inside, gel coat fading & yellow water lines in the footwells, not starting on the first try.


Its actually somewhat rare come across one that's been actually cleaned, has an engine that you can wipe your finger on, starts on the first try, etc. I always had a very high closing ratio when they make it by but every time i've been very prepared, after my last test ride the ski was washed, cleaned, good coat crc and fluid film, and parked in the garage to wait.

 

[jkur10a]

My biggest hesitation to water test skis isn't the fact the lake is 1.5 hr away... it's the fear of some stranger taking out a ski I've spent a lot of time and money to restore and damaging it in some way, only to leave me hanging with the repair bill. Maybe I'm just too paranoid or not trusting enough..but we all know some of the folks lurking on Craigslist. :facepalm:

I worry about this too. When I sold my last motorcycle (2010 Buell XB12R), it was tough to see someone else sitting on it, much less riding it. Before I let someone ride my machines, I get the full payment of cash money in my hand. If they wreck it, at least I have the money. Because of this, I generally wouldn't have a problem with water testing, however - I would not put the skis in the water right now here in Ohio. It's way too cold still. The last thing I want to be doing is standing in knee deep water that is about 40 degrees to unload/load the skis.

I have compression tested all the machines I have bought, and lake tested most of them. A few exceptions were skis that were essentially parts only, my challenger 1800 (Knew it had bad crank seals and full of oil) and my mint condition 1996 XP (Didn't want to start it before going through the carbs and such).

If the OP is dead set on getting these skis, just make an offer that will well protect you just in case something is wrong, because I certainly don't blame a seller for not wanting to put a ski in the water this time of year. My skis are all still winterized, we are still in the 20's or lower at night.

 

[howie099]

Right now being cold in Illinois also I would run them on the trailer for them for a few mins oo they see the smoking would sto, they would start under load in the water and see the water flow through the cooling system but take them off the trailer have to be talking thousands here... Over $3000 for me to touch the water to sell them. Just wait till late April or May here when the water is warmer. I let 1 kid ride an 95' SPX I was selling since I know a $1000 for 20 year old is big money. He gave me the money in hand and he drove it around for 10 minutes and the deal was done. It is much easier selling them when you water test them people get all happy on them.

 

[donkey]

when i sell a ski, i offer a water test,but it will cost a hundred dollars,and they must have the asking,or agreed price in my hand when they get in the water with it.
on the other hand,when i get a ski,its usually not running,or needs a ton of work,so i dont want a water test.