FXHO Year differences Help!

mattquist · 01-24-2009, 10:59 PM

Hello to all,

Well, I bought a '98 XL about 4 months ago, and the wife has absolutely fallen in love with it. Now she wants a new ski to ride on the back of..lucky me!! Needs to be 4-stroke and for cruising; She doesn't like the smoke and noise. I'm leaning towards the FXHO series.

I need some info and guidance...scary things to ask for around here!

What are the differences between the 04-08 FXHO's? I see that the new model has a considerably larger engine that previous versions. Anything else?
Reliability and range are a higher consideration that outright performance, so the SHO's are out.
Lastly, unless I'm not understanding it, the only difference between the cruiser and standard HO model is the seat. Is it that much nicer/comfortable?

Thanks for all the help!

aweebitofjt69 · 01-24-2009, 11:26 PM

The most I know is HO means High Output and the SHO is Super High Output, Meaning that the SHO probrably has a turbo or just a bigger engine.

Surfrunner · 01-25-2009, 02:26 AM

2004 was the first year for the high output version of the FX. In 2002 and 2003 it had just been the FX 140, and the 160hp 1056cc HO was added in '04. In '06 the FX line was completely remodeled cosmetically with the engine and hull remaining the same. In '08 the FXHO hull and deck started to be made out of the nano material, (which apparently makes a noticable performance difference), but the engine remained the same. This year ('09) the engine is a normally-aspirated (non-supercharged) version of the 1.8L SHO motor and the deck has been redesigned to look like the SHO. Between the cruiser and the normal models, there are a few differences, but you're right that the main one is the seat. It is a matter of preference for most people. I'm tall and find the cruiser seat a little cramped, but others swear by it. Aside from the seat, the cruiser has more instrumentation (water temp, air temp, fuel flow, distance, maybe a few others), higher-raised handle bars, and pop-up cleats on the later models. There may be a few other slight differences but it's late and they just aren't coming to mind right now. The FXHO seems to be a great choice for you. Untouchable reliability and the best range you can find.

volltrex · 01-25-2009, 04:50 PM

Surfrunner has summed it up pretty well.
I am also tall & love the cruiser seat......it is so soft, you can sit on the hump & it just squashes down underneath you! It also gives your passenger a much more secure feeling, the grab rail wraps around the rear seat on the cruiser but does not on std FXHO....again more for your passenger to hold onto.
THe 09 model gets all the SHO features like variable trim, cruise control, no wake mode etc. Although they have given it the FXHO name, it should really be thought of as a non supercharged SHO.
The 09 will have superior performance , also, reports of fuel consumption are quite good but will not get near the 120 mile range of previous models.

mattquist · 01-25-2009, 05:39 PM

Thanks again for all of your input. I like to know exactly what I want in features before I start showing up at people's houses. Sometimes it seems like the more variables, the harder the choices! I do like the no wake mode/cruise option on the newer models...it seems that my XL tended to be tweaky with the throttle when it came to cruising. Hard to keep a constant speed. That might just be normal for a 2-stroke though. Then again that's a LOT more money for just being lazy...
One of the complaints my wife has is that her inner thigh muscles always hurt after about 3 hours on the XL (I told her that I have some "special" exercises that might build up those muscles, but she didn't take me up on it). Would the cruiser-style seat help that? The other side of the coin is that she is concerned that the cruiser seat will force her to sit further back, and away from me. There's just no making 'em happy, is there?

Next, have any of you tried pulling a waterskier with an FXHO? Is it do-able, or do I really need to just focus on the tube/wakeboard? Gotta keep the kids happy, too

Lastly, I live in S. Florida, It gets hot..Real hot. Alot of the PWC's that I am seeing are in blue and black, which aren't good colors for a car in the sun. Have any of you noticed that you bake on the ski? Also, what about scratches? Is the new Nano-thingy technology a solid color, or is it a gel-coat finish that will show scratches?

Thanks again,
Matt

Surfrunner · 01-26-2009, 01:04 AM

Quote:

One of the complaints my wife has is that her inner thigh muscles always hurt after about 3 hours on the XL (I told her that I have some "special" exercises that might build up those muscles, but she didn't take me up on it). Would the cruiser-style seat help that?

The XL has a much harder seat than either of the FX models (I have one), but that's just her muscles getting used to it. It will pass with more seat-time. I doubt seat style would make too much of a difference in that category.

Quote:

Next, have any of you tried pulling a waterskier with an FXHO? Is it do-able, or do I really need to just focus on the tube/wakeboard?

It will pop you right up and easily pull whatever's back there, be it a tube, wakeboard, or skis. Pops almost as well as the Supra ski boat we used to have. Only problem can be if you have a boarder or slalom skier cutting really hard it can tend to drag the back end around a little. Easily solved with a big observer.

Quote:

Lastly, I live in S. Florida, It gets hot..Real hot. Alot of the PWC's that I am seeing are in blue and black, which aren't good colors for a car in the sun. Have any of you noticed that you bake on the ski?

My '06 HO is blue and black - one of Yamaha's best-looking skis IMO. Splash a little water on it before you hop on and you're good to go. When you're riding, the wind and water keep it plenty cool. Not a problem at all.

Quote:

Also, what about scratches? Is the new Nano-thingy technology a solid color, or is it a gel-coat finish that will show scratches?

Take care of it, don't scratch it, and you won't have to worry! I don't honestly know the answer to that question, but I'm thinking probably gelcoat. Regardless, you've got to scratch it pretty good to make it noticable.

mattquist · 01-28-2009, 08:41 PM

Thanks for all of your help! I think I've found one to jump on....'06 FXHO Cruiser w/13hrs & trailer for 6K....Good deal?

Surfrunner · 01-28-2009, 11:09 PM

Sounds like a good deal to me. Ride it if you can. Check it out to make sure there is no corrosion and no signs of being beat around. A ski with only 13 hours on it should look pretty much showroom worthy if it's been taken care of. Heck, mine has 300 hours and it's almost showroom-worthy!

mattquist · 03-16-2009, 09:58 AM

Follow up....

I ended up purchasing an '05 FXHO cruiser with 18 hours. So far, it's been great! Absolutely love it, and the wife has been very happy on the back! The keys for the XL have been handed over the the brother in-law, and that half of the family joins us on most outings. Makes for a nice family get-together. I really appreciate all of the input and guidance everyone has given. Hope to see you on the water!

mattquist · 03-16-2009, 10:01 AM

One more thing....We've been out at least 10 times since we've had it, the last time being Saturday. 85 degrees, water's still a chilly 76, and I'm feeling a little sunburnt. Just thought I'd rub that in for all of you northerner's!!!