Would you buy an S4 for recreational racing?

jura · 07-19-2009, 04:15 AM

Any input is welcome.
Do the S4 need some mods or do you ride it completely stock?
How does it run compared to an SX-R?
How economy is fuel consumption vs. Superjet and vs. SX-R?
Does it need a lot of maintenance?
Is there a better year to buy second hand?
Should I sell my SX-R for it?
Thanks.

riverratdad · 07-19-2009, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jura

Any input is welcome.
Do the S4 need some mods or do you ride it completely stock?
How does it run compared to an SX-R?
How economy is fuel consumption vs. Superjet and vs. SX-R?
Does it need a lot of maintenance?
Is there a better year to buy second hand?
Should I sell my SX-R for it?
Thanks.

S4 is made for Racing....which means you will have the motor out of the ski every 10 hours....there are many threads here that will go into complete details of the hundreds of reasons why you should not sell a SXR for a S4, unless you are racing it or there are laws why you can no longer ride a 2 stroke in your country. Good luck in your venture. Dad

SteveTec · 07-19-2009, 03:21 PM

Don't Bother, keep your sxr and put a few dollars into it and you will be much much happier.
If you wan't to compete as RiverRatDad says then yes do it but prepare for expensive repairs and no avail technitions to assist your needs.
Been there done that, TRUST ME !

nvdafreek · 07-19-2009, 10:57 PM

I own a 06 S4 and an 03 SXR. I would have to say the S4 is the best ski Ive ever owned. Yes its built for racing and yes it tears up the track. Im a primary rec rider and ride it hard. I get alot of comments about having a Hydro and not racing it. I think its jealousy. My girlfriend love the hydro and we both run bouys for fun on it. As for repairs. The only thing Ive repaired on it is the front hood pins. Theyre cheap but I repaired them myself. Maintainance has only been oil changes every 30 hours. I think as with all well developed machines, people who know how to tweak them will make them faster at a cost of shorter engine life instead of leaving them alone. The 650sx, 750sxi pro, superjet, 800SXr all can be made faster, wont last as long and still cant compete with the hydro. If I had to sell any and all my skiis Id sell everyone and the trailer and store the hydro on a cart. I wouldnt trade my Hydro for anything. If you want a Hydro get it. You wont regret it. Plus you'll have the pride of owning the best stand up jet ski on the market and noone can argue that fact. Just my 2 sense.

momarski · 07-19-2009, 11:03 PM

1.the stock s4 is good enough to win stock and limited with its normal 7 pounds
2.the s4 gets 4 times the mileage of the sxr and 3 times the mileage of a superjet
the most efficient two stroke standup is the polaris octane, the sxr is the worst
enviro offender ever putting more straight gas out the exhaust port then any other
having said that we had two sxrs doing a lot of offending for many years
4. when the sxr came out it was the boat to have for riding buoys or racing and
when the s4 came out it was an upgrade and the boat to have for racing and still
is
5.theres no law against a retard buying a s4 so there fore there will be problems
we have had none, nothing but pleasure, following a few guidelines will insure
endless joy on the water, we had put our s4’ test last year, riding them every
night of the week locally and riding mass laps on the weekends in the mornings
at havasu, we would take turns riding because we have a infant and push each
other to do mass laps sessions at govt and crazy beach, a 60 to 80 lap per boat
at crazy was normal in the morning , around 4 motos each with no problems
whatsoever, in all the years I owned my stock s4 I blew two sensors and one
fuel pump relay which cost me nothing for the sensors, hs warrantied them
and 11 dollars for the relay and pep boys, nothing has gone wrong with my
wifes limited at all and she hammers the sucker
5. my stocker was the first year, it has a very thin hull and the older wire
harness, my limited was a 07 and weighed around 15 pounds more due to
a thicker hull, any 07 that was owned and maintained by someone well
\would be ok, they are basically the same from 07 forward
6. one of my rules or guidelines for owning a hydro is donot let anyone
ride it so keep the sxr for the nerds, other guidelines is keep an eye on the
oil, this is your lifeblood, always remove your hood after every ride without
exception, this will save you from buying sensors, never rev your boat to high
out of the water to clean it out or too long, and a real good idea is to not let
\too many cooks in the kitchen, work on your own boat, theres too many
people that are gonna send you down money drain if you let all kinds of
people monkey with your boat

billman100 · 07-20-2009, 01:03 AM

Momar is back?!!!

norrie800sxr · 07-20-2009, 10:40 PM

I agree with Momar, join the pumpkin patch..

cbrittain · 07-20-2009, 11:23 PM

i agree also. i bought a used hydro that i believe had been torn apart too many times by too many people. i blew the motor. now with a new motor, and me and my race mechanic doing the work, it is perfect. change the oil often and pay attention to your oil and you will be fine. it out rides any stand up. it will make you a better rider. dont get a used one, call randy at www.watcon.com he can get you a new one at a good price. about the price of a used one.

Jetboy32 · 07-22-2009, 06:40 PM

Id say buy one too. It is an awsome ski. I have had a bit of hassell, but it is all sensors and wires, not cranks and pistons like on a two stoke.

Here is my opinion on your questions

Any input is welcome.
Do the S4 need some mods or do you ride it completely stock? - You can ride totally stock, but i like it with tubbies better and i ripped the tray out before my second ride.
How does it run compared to an SX-R? - blows it away and handels way better
How economy is fuel consumption vs. Superjet and vs. SX-R? - drinks a bit more, but who cares
Does it need a lot of maintenance? - needs looking after, but it's worth it
Is there a better year to buy second hand? - later the better
Should I sell my SX-R for it? - yes, but if you can keep both thats good
Thanks.

Last year it cost me more to maintain an IJSBA stock SXR than my mates 140 S4. With this in mind, i went and bought a hydro. It's so good, i cant see myself wanting the kawi anymore.

JonnyX2 · 07-23-2009, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nvdafreek

I own a 06 S4 and an 03 SXR. I would have to say the S4 is the best ski Ive ever owned. Yes its built for racing and yes it tears up the track. Im a primary rec rider and ride it hard. I get alot of comments about having a Hydro and not racing it. I think its jealousy. My girlfriend love the hydro and we both run bouys for fun on it. As for repairs. The only thing Ive repaired on it is the front hood pins. Theyre cheap but I repaired them myself. Maintainance has only been oil changes every 30 hours. I think as with all well developed machines, people who know how to tweak them will make them faster at a cost of shorter engine life instead of leaving them alone. The 650sx, 750sxi pro, superjet, 800SXr all can be made faster, wont last as long and still cant compete with the hydro. If I had to sell any and all my skiis Id sell everyone and the trailer and store the hydro on a cart. I wouldnt trade my Hydro for anything. If you want a Hydro get it. You wont regret it. Plus you'll have the pride of owning the best stand up jet ski on the market and noone can argue that fact. Just my 2 sense.

And how do you feel about it TODAY?!