suke
Well-Known Member
YUP! I think total......I have AT MOST $3k into my ski. About half what it would cost to get an "equivalent" spark.
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Why bother rebuilding your X4 when you can just get a Spark?
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YUP! I think total......I have AT MOST $3k into my ski. About half what it would cost to get an "equivalent" spark.
jimmaki
Active Member
'Course you probably didn't absorb the depreciation on your ski vs a new Spark. Are there any old Sparks yet??
1. I love the look
2. I don't mind the plastic
3. It's lighter than an X4
4. With a tune its got to be neck and neck with a stock X4
5. I've actually ridden one, it's a hell of a lot of fun.
If you haven't ridden one is hard to comment on the performance. You can bar stool talk all you want, take one for a spin. I'll bet it puts a grin on your face.
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2. I don't mind the plastic
3. It's lighter than an X4
4. With a tune its got to be neck and neck with a stock X4
5. I've actually ridden one, it's a hell of a lot of fun.
If you haven't ridden one is hard to comment on the performance. You can bar stool talk all you want, take one for a spin. I'll bet it puts a grin on your face.
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jhjesse
Well-Known Member
Just rode a Spark 2up with the 60hp package. I was a little impressed with how responsive it was, but it will not set any speed records. With that said there is no way it can do what my xp could do.
I would probably purchase one if I were younger, but at my age I am looking for a bigger more "comfortable" ski. When I rode my x4 the way it should be ridden, I could barely move all week. Getting old is not for sissy's.
I would probably purchase one if I were younger, but at my age I am looking for a bigger more "comfortable" ski. When I rode my x4 the way it should be ridden, I could barely move all week. Getting old is not for sissy's.
MPower
Active Member
Don't think anyone doubts they are fun to ride. The question is, is it worth owning over an X4? Even with a tune it's not neck and neck with a 787. The majority of guys on the forums with a tune and the basic mods are seeing 51ish. There is a rumor that Seadoo is bringing a 120 hp version for 16, with real engine changes, not just a tune.
I've been trying to get a ride on one at my lake but its always 13 year old girls riding them and they think I'm a creeper trying to wave them down to ask for a ride. Haha
Would you give up your X4s for Sparks?
IDoSeaDoo
Well-Known Member
Purely for financial reasons, yes. But I'd either sell it right away or tear it apart to make a 900Ace X4
jimmaki
Active Member
Oh yeah I almost forgot. The seat is not comfortable at all on my 56yr old azz.
The Spark seat looks narrower. I would think the lighter hull would also follow the surface of the water closer and give a bumpier ride rather than cutting through it and smoothing out the ride due to weight/inertia.
Dr Honda
Well-Known Member
Wellllllll...............
if power is your ultimate goal... you have made your own argument invalid. The X4's are NOT the highest HP PWC out there. OR are they the lightest... OR are they the fastest.
A turbo kit is just silly on these little things. Totally defeats what it is. But, I'm sure a 112 hp spark (tune running E85) will out run an X4 flat out. And, since the Snow guys have been running these engines up for a while now... I'm sure we won't hurt them by adding a few more RPM.
OK... the plastic thing could questionable... but there's lots of things made from plastic these days, that are TOUGH !!! besides... it's not like a fiberglass hull is indestructible. I've see LOTS of holes in the bottom of skis, by beaching, and hitting a rock. So to me... it's a push.
OK... I'm right in the middle of this argument myself. I have a CLEAN X4. And needless to say... I don't owe any $$$ on it. But, I want something more modern. If I buy a spark, I will have a payment. (Why use my money when using someone else's is better)
I guess the real issue I have right now with my older 2-stroke skis is... I feel like I'm on borrowed time. They run great... but for how much longer?? AND, I'll tell you right now... if I have my '96 XP out, and I loose an engine... it's simply not worth the price for a rebuild. Nice XP's are only $1300 to $1800 these days. SO... if she pop's... the only logical way out, is to part it out. (and I don't have time for that anymore) It's $$$ foolish to rebuild it as a recreational ski.
If I buy a spark... I have a nice warranty to cover things. And while my skis don't smoke too bad... the 2-stroke stank has never been a good thing... especially when you are just tooling around the shore line.
So... to answer your question directly.....
YES... I would give up my X4 for a spark. The only reason I haven't yet is I'm on the fence about making the payment. (This summer has sucked in PA. Monday was my first time out, so it's hard to put $$ for a toy that sits)
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Yes I probably would, for a 3 up for the wife and kids. I have enough X4's that it wouldn't hurt. But..........I'm not making a payment.
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MPower
Active Member
I don't disagree to an extent. If Seadoo offered a Spark with more power that would run close to 60 stock I would buy one. I can deal with the plastic part, but I want power. I've modified every jetski I have owned to perform better, I like power.
And I totally get that the Spark isn't targeted at people like me, but I still hope they build an "X" version with more power because the concept of them is awesome.
If either of my X4s shit the bed tomorrow, I would rebuild them because I enjoy them that much.
Really don't want you to think I am knocking the Spark. I think they are awesome skis for their intended purpose. I would still like to have one. The OP asked about having a Spark over an X4 and I was just giving my opinion, like an asshole :rofl:.
MPower
Active Member
I think the easy solution is that those of us with X4's don't owe anything on them, don't have more than $1,500-$2,000 into them and could only get $1,500-$2,000 out of them so just go buy a new spark and have both with a small payment. Captain Obvious.:thumbsup:
Can't beat the 2 stroke seadoo IMO. I'm sure the Spark has it's merits, especially for those who aren't mechanically inclined and just want to gas up and go. But for me, I'll take the X4 any day of the week. I love everything about the 2 strokes, the sounds, the smells, and everything else that goes with them. I don't mind doing a little work on them here and there, in fact I enjoy it. Nothing beats riding a machine that you've practically built with your own hands, and the feeling that you've got it running the way it did when it left the showroom floor almost 20 years ago is great. Of course, the main thing is that the X4 is an absolute beast on the water, and more fun than anything else you can buy IMO. I ride a lot and never get sick of it. I will be an X4 rider for life.
jimmaki
Active Member
Someone on the lake recently bought two 2 ups ... saw them one weekend riding with an adult and a kid on each. The kids weren't smiling to put it nicely. Ever since then all I've seen is one person on each ski, either an adult or one of the kids. Maybe two 3-ups if you plan to ride double?
jimmaki
Active Member
You're welcome. :lol:
Wait for it ... (~50 sec)
[video=youtube;xhQd7Q5wA5U]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhQd7Q5wA5U[/video]
What's also a blast is to put the VTS full down, lean forward and put it in a hard turn. When you come around and hit your wake the nose will go under and submarine the ski. He did it once in the video but it's hard to tell what it looks like because the camera mounted on the nose went underwater.
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jimmaki
Active Member
Poor dear. ... I meant your son.
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