Man, that was AWESOME! I've always wanted one of these and to see it come up in my TH-cam feed was pretty cool. They look great and like lots of fun. Just got my first Jetski 2023 Superjet at age 60 and have been out one time so far. One of the most fun things I've ever tried!
@@TimC-ly5rn I don’t know if that’s the prescribed method, that’s just what I do to get it out of my way. You gotta remember to put a half twist in the strap in the opposite direction - I put mine to the right, so half twist to the left. It’s automatic now. There’s a guy somewhere on TH-cam who puts the strap thing in the underside of the pole bracket and it catches both hooks. I’ll find it and link it, he says that’s the “correct way”.
@@Leo3247-x1f VERY reliable! That engine, with few changes, was the last twin two-stroke engine Kawasaki developed, and it ultimately became the 750 and 800. The 650 is also a great ski, I would argue that it’s an evolutionary step better than the 440/550 hulls, but ridden back to back, it feels less sporty or nimble, making it a more stable and comfortable ski, especially for those less familiar with standup skis, or perhaps anyone over 175lbs. Pro racers could use the 650 in competition but opted for the 550 hulls with 650 engines until the 750s came out, if that says anything about their true ability.
Yeah, anywhere between 1200-2400 is reasonable I think. Things most people aren’t thinking about are things like batteries, that can be $100, and registration. In AZ without a signed registration from the current owner, you’ll have to do an investigation which adds $100 and up to 9 months to the process. Or you can wait for 5 years so you can do an inspection. Other things sellers might miss are dry fuel lines, worn bearings, leaky seals, poor spark, gummy carb from sitting, or crankcase leaks. You won’t be able to determine most of this without tools but definitely get the owner to fire it up in front of you before committing to something
I’ve been all over marketplace, and I just picked up FIVE js440s for under $1k for all of them. Nope, they don’t run but that’s my specialty. It seems the going rate for a running 550 is about 1000-1200, don’t spend any more than that. Guys are asking 3500 for nice skis but they don’t really want to sell them at that price
@@That_Stanced_Toyota If it’s complete and a price you’re willing to pay, absolutely. They’re getting harder to find in running condition. The only disappointment about a 440 is the lack of power. I’m only 155lbs this year and accelerating off corners could use more pizazz. Otherwise, 440s are a ton of fun and super easy to work on
@@RyanMcIntyre I weight about 165-170lbs, and I’m 6,0-6,1. The guys says he went over it and it runs and is ready to ride, if you got social media I could send you photos of it and the listing description, just don’t wanna be bored out of my mind constantly rapping it out
@@RyanMcIntyre I just found somebody selling a 650 and he has 550 parts. He says the 650 has a new motor in it because the last one was locked up and that the ski has been gone over and it doesn’t leak or anything of the sort. You know anything about the 650’s?
I've worked on 650's, I forget more than I know hahaha. Jet Ski Jim on youtube is more experienced on those than I am, but they're basically the same thing. Regarding the speed of the ski, if this is your first ski a 440 won't bore you, if you're my size and pretty good, it'll feel like you want a lot more power. You're about my size so balance will be a bigger concern anyway, which is actually always the schtick on a 440/550 - they're the most nimble standup you can buy, and the most challenging. Most people that ride standup skis always keep a 440/550 around. As you get better, you can always make them faster. Mine can keep up with the other amateurs at body beach on whatever they ride. But other skis are just as good for beginners and will likely have enough power to more than thrill you for many years. I really like every generation of Kawasaki for that reason. You'll need to modify it less than you would a 440/550 as well.
Hahaha same. I can explain more about the 550 but it’s full bolt on, 100% stock motor with original seals from 1984. Fastest it’s ever been is 43 so I wasn’t very disappointed in its performance at all. In fact, it’s always been a turnkey boat, I can trust it. The 440 is a certified ripper! But it’s also been faster in the past when I was 40lbs lighter. I want more from the 440 which is why I’m doing all the work to it that I am, but I honestly can’t complain about the last 15 years it’s given me in this configuration.
@@RyanMcIntyre well…seeing as how the original js440 topped out around 32mph, I’m pretty impressed with 40mph. I have a 1977 that was given to me as a basket case an am massaging it back to life. Stock comp was 119psi but this one has a copper head gasket and is right at 160psi. I’m hoping I’m anywhere near what you’re getting but do wonder about your prop pitch. Care to expand on it?
@@rebel10-43They’re both pretty modified. I can do walk around videos this winter on them. Basically, the 440 is a superstock-legal 440 and the 550 is limited-class legal. I’m not very impressed with these top speeds on this day but this wasn’t my best run either.
He went 58mph and it was only on their private test pond, never went that fast in competition. Back in 2004 I also went 58mph with a 551cc PJS pumped terror ride of a 550, and it cost a lot of money and time and money to do it. Any 550 over 50mph has had serious attention paid to that sole purpose. But 64kph is 39mph which is right there with what both my skis can do and isn't anything to sneeze at, can believably smoke most stock skis with average riders. My 440 is ported and full bolt on, the 550 is full bolt on, so that tells you what it costs just to go 40. But 64mph? No 550 has yet. motoractionmedia.com/features/spotlight-jeff-jacobs/
Man, that was AWESOME! I've always wanted one of these and to see it come up in my TH-cam feed was pretty cool. They look great and like lots of fun. Just got my first Jetski 2023 Superjet at age 60 and have been out one time so far. One of the most fun things I've ever tried!
@peaceprayer595 it’s the most fun you can have falling off something!
Wow, after all these years, i didn't realize the hood strap went around the front! Thank You for that. Awesome ski's for sure!
@@TimC-ly5rn I don’t know if that’s the prescribed method, that’s just what I do to get it out of my way. You gotta remember to put a half twist in the strap in the opposite direction - I put mine to the right, so half twist to the left. It’s automatic now.
There’s a guy somewhere on TH-cam who puts the strap thing in the underside of the pole bracket and it catches both hooks. I’ll find it and link it, he says that’s the “correct way”.
Hell yeah that’s the local spot see you out there!
I’ll make a few trips this year, I love this spot
@@RyanMcIntyre hell yeah if you ever see skis under the bridge stop by and say hello 🤙🏻
On marketplace there is a 1989 kawisaki 650sx. Are those good skis? Also are they rather reliable? Should I buy that?
@@Leo3247-x1f VERY reliable! That engine, with few changes, was the last twin two-stroke engine Kawasaki developed, and it ultimately became the 750 and 800. The 650 is also a great ski, I would argue that it’s an evolutionary step better than the 440/550 hulls, but ridden back to back, it feels less sporty or nimble, making it a more stable and comfortable ski, especially for those less familiar with standup skis, or perhaps anyone over 175lbs. Pro racers could use the 650 in competition but opted for the 550 hulls with 650 engines until the 750s came out, if that says anything about their true ability.
@@RyanMcIntyre It is $1,800. Do you think that is a fair price? The guy claims it is mint and there is nothing wrong with it.
Yeah, anywhere between 1200-2400 is reasonable I think. Things most people aren’t thinking about are things like batteries, that can be $100, and registration. In AZ without a signed registration from the current owner, you’ll have to do an investigation which adds $100 and up to 9 months to the process. Or you can wait for 5 years so you can do an inspection. Other things sellers might miss are dry fuel lines, worn bearings, leaky seals, poor spark, gummy carb from sitting, or crankcase leaks. You won’t be able to determine most of this without tools but definitely get the owner to fire it up in front of you before committing to something
@@RyanMcIntyre Alr thanks bro!
Should I get a 92 750sxi?
@@sammietatze8242 Yes! Those are great skis 👍
@@RyanMcIntyre Its so hard to find any ski that is working for under 2k which is my budget
I’ve been all over marketplace, and I just picked up FIVE js440s for under $1k for all of them. Nope, they don’t run but that’s my specialty. It seems the going rate for a running 550 is about 1000-1200, don’t spend any more than that. Guys are asking 3500 for nice skis but they don’t really want to sell them at that price
@@RyanMcIntyre Hey it's me on another account. On marketplace there is a 1989 kawisaki 650sx. Are those good skis? Also are they rather reliable?
I’m currently about to get a 89 kawi js440, think it’s worth it?
@@That_Stanced_Toyota If it’s complete and a price you’re willing to pay, absolutely. They’re getting harder to find in running condition. The only disappointment about a 440 is the lack of power. I’m only 155lbs this year and accelerating off corners could use more pizazz. Otherwise, 440s are a ton of fun and super easy to work on
@@RyanMcIntyre I weight about 165-170lbs, and I’m 6,0-6,1. The guys says he went over it and it runs and is ready to ride, if you got social media I could send you photos of it and the listing description, just don’t wanna be bored out of my mind constantly rapping it out
@@RyanMcIntyre I just found somebody selling a 650 and he has 550 parts. He says the 650 has a new motor in it because the last one was locked up and that the ski has been gone over and it doesn’t leak or anything of the sort. You know anything about the 650’s?
I've worked on 650's, I forget more than I know hahaha. Jet Ski Jim on youtube is more experienced on those than I am, but they're basically the same thing.
Regarding the speed of the ski, if this is your first ski a 440 won't bore you, if you're my size and pretty good, it'll feel like you want a lot more power. You're about my size so balance will be a bigger concern anyway, which is actually always the schtick on a 440/550 - they're the most nimble standup you can buy, and the most challenging. Most people that ride standup skis always keep a 440/550 around. As you get better, you can always make them faster. Mine can keep up with the other amateurs at body beach on whatever they ride.
But other skis are just as good for beginners and will likely have enough power to more than thrill you for many years. I really like every generation of Kawasaki for that reason. You'll need to modify it less than you would a 440/550 as well.
I can’t tell whether I’m more impressed with the 440, or disappointed with the 550.
Hahaha same. I can explain more about the 550 but it’s full bolt on, 100% stock motor with original seals from 1984. Fastest it’s ever been is 43 so I wasn’t very disappointed in its performance at all. In fact, it’s always been a turnkey boat, I can trust it.
The 440 is a certified ripper! But it’s also been faster in the past when I was 40lbs lighter. I want more from the 440 which is why I’m doing all the work to it that I am, but I honestly can’t complain about the last 15 years it’s given me in this configuration.
@@RyanMcIntyre well…seeing as how the original js440 topped out around 32mph, I’m pretty impressed with 40mph.
I have a 1977 that was given to me as a basket case an am massaging it back to life. Stock comp was 119psi but this one has a copper head gasket and is right at 160psi.
I’m hoping I’m anywhere near what you’re getting but do wonder about your prop pitch.
Care to expand on it?
Whats all done to the ski??
I can’t tell you everything 😉
🥲
@@rebel10-43They’re both pretty modified. I can do walk around videos this winter on them. Basically, the 440 is a superstock-legal 440 and the 550 is limited-class legal. I’m not very impressed with these top speeds on this day but this wasn’t my best run either.
Would definitely love a walk around 👍👌
What app are you using
The free version of Speedometer 55 GPS Speed & HUD by Stanislav Dvoychenko
Its model use pablo escobar's
Im pushing 64on my 550 with mods west cost parts im leaving wave runners 650 behind 🙋
You must mean kmh cause jeff jacobs 92 pjs mod only went 52mph that was the fastest 550 ever your smoking bathsalts bud
He went 58mph and it was only on their private test pond, never went that fast in competition. Back in 2004 I also went 58mph with a 551cc PJS pumped terror ride of a 550, and it cost a lot of money and time and money to do it. Any 550 over 50mph has had serious attention paid to that sole purpose.
But 64kph is 39mph which is right there with what both my skis can do and isn't anything to sneeze at, can believably smoke most stock skis with average riders. My 440 is ported and full bolt on, the 550 is full bolt on, so that tells you what it costs just to go 40. But 64mph? No 550 has yet.
motoractionmedia.com/features/spotlight-jeff-jacobs/