Advice on buying New 2013 gti 130se or used gp1300r

[byko9]

So I'm 26 and two years ago i got on and rode my first jet ski ever. It was a 1997 sea doo spx, I have never had so much fun in my life considering i only got to ride it for 5 minutes before it took a s.h.i.t. I have always rode atvs and have had them but the jet ski was a different kind of riding. I knew after that i wanted one. But like buying a car or an atv people actually let you test drive them 95% of the time, If not well their just simply hiding something. So for the last year i have been shopping around looking at used/new jet ski's. I have a buddy that has a 2004 gp1300 that i actually really like, so i went out looking at a few used ones. But everyone i came across nobody would ever let me test ride them. They never wanted to put them in the water. I actually became a pain in the a.s.s trying to buy one more than it was something to look forward to. It also seems that everyone ask so much for something that has many hours on it and several years old. I might as well get new for a few grand more. I have always been against buying something you cant test drive. I have looked at way to many used ones to waste another year. Summer is right around the corner and I would like to ask some expects a few questions.

1. What does it mean when the machine is under load? I hear this often from people when looking at a used machine to put it under load.

2. 2 stroke or 4 stroke?

3. Would you recommend the 2013 gti 130se? This happens to be one i do like as well as the boss a.k.a WIFE.

4. Would the gti 130se be fast enough for me? I weigh 170 and im 6'5" My atv does about 55-60 and that is pretty damn fast enough for me.

5. If you were me buying your first ski would you buy new or used? money is not an issue.

I would appreciate any no rude responses towards this thread, I clearly understand that I'm sure the following questions can be answered through goggle but i would like to hear them clearly from experts.

Thanks

 

[CJ River Rider]

Re: Advice on buying New 2013 gti 130se or used gp1300r

1. Under load means engine is running in the water and not on the trailer on a hose. I had an old Yamaha which ran great on the trailer but as soon as you put in it the water, it bogged down. Carburetors (3 triple) adjustment cleared that up. Just because someone runs it for you on a trailer, don't assume it will run the same way 'under load' in the water.

2. 4 stroke, unless you are a tinkerer and love playing around with old technology plus they chew up gas more. My riding partner just sold his 07 GPR (after getting a new Kawi 300)and had trouble selling it for what it was worth.

3-4. No experience with Sea Doos, at 170 I assume you would be fine. A Kawi STX-15F you can do 62, a Kawi 300 - 68-70, a base Yamaha - high 50's, not sure on the bigger motor or supercharged Yami's. You can't go that fast in chop.

5. Absolutely, unless you know the person who had the ski, you never really know how well it was maintained. More important if it's a salt water ski and was not flushed after each use.

 

[keith2k455]

Re: Advice on buying New 2013 gti 130se or used gp1300r

My thoughts are slightly different:
1. same, but if you're comfortable enough around motors not sure how big this is. I wouldn't let someone test ride mine....like a motorcycle, no joyrides, just too risky for the seller. I just heard mine on the trailer before I bought them.
2. I like 2 stroke ... Way simpler motor but must maintain spark plugs. Carbs are easy enough to keep clean once they are good and clear
3. Not sure.
4. The size of ski you're looking at should be fast enough. If not, fighting for 2 mph won't be noticeable so you should get something that has aftermarket race parts available
5. I bought my skis used....

 

[LVNeptune]

Re: Advice on buying New 2013 gti 130se or used gp1300r

I bought my first set of skis new. 2012 Yammy VX Deluxe's. Never even rode one before, people looked like they were having fun and at that time money literally was no issue, can't say the same right now haha. They're great and hit 50mph and I'm 6'1" 380'ish.

You don't want 2 stroke as they are phasing out allowing them in most lakes. They dump so much gas it pollutes the waters excessively.

4 strokes are much more reliable and much easier to maintain IMO.

I unfortunately regret getting a non-SC model, 50mph after my first couple of rides is nothing to me. I can floor it and flip a b pretty easily these days

 

[byko9]

Re: Advice on buying New 2013 gti 130se or used gp1300r

I appreciate everyone's response, this has not been an easy process for me. I looked at two waverunners yesterday from two different private sellers. 1 being a 2002 gp1200r mint condition with 66 hours and a 2001 sea doo xp, again in mint condition. But of course they just want to start it up for a few seconds and turn it off. I just cant hand over 3-5K without test riding it.

LVNeptune, i noticed you mentioned you purchased your ski's new without riding one before your purchase. If you dont mind me asking if you could do it over again would you have bought used or a better model?

Thanks

 

[Nickypoo]

Re: Advice on buying New 2013 gti 130se or used gp1300r

If you have cash in hand and are serious then they should let you test drive it. You crash it you buy it, it's that simple.

I've never seen someone selling a motorcycle deny a test ride to a buyer with cash.

 

[WaterDR]

Re: Advice on buying New 2013 gti 130se or used gp1300r

Don't buy anything used w/o riding it, unless the price has been adjusted. Heck, around here, people buy in the winter, so you are always taking a chance. In the summer, you can ride....but you also pay more.

If price is not a big deal and you want a solid, reliable, fun model that won't brake the bank, consider a Kawasaki Ultra LX (non super-charged).

 

[keith2k455]

Re: Advice on buying New 2013 gti 130se or used gp1300r

All this information is opinion of course, so yours is what matters.

I will never let someone test anything that I can't be there with them...so whenI sold my Harley....no test ride. You want to watch me ride, sure, you ride, not until I have cash and you have title

I bought my skis w/o riding in winter. Sounded strong. I believe a good mechanical person can tell based on sound, exhaust and other factors.

I am a huge fan of 2 cycle, but they are going obsolete and a little dirty. If you mix fuel correctly and have good rings they aren't bad though. There is literally no maintenance other than plugs if you keep clean fuel in them

 

[LVNeptune]

Re: Advice on buying New 2013 gti 130se or used gp1300r

I appreciate everyone's response, this has not been an easy process for me. I looked at two waverunners yesterday from two different private sellers. 1 being a 2002 gp1200r mint condition with 66 hours and a 2001 sea doo xp, again in mint condition. But of course they just want to start it up for a few seconds and turn it off. I just cant hand over 3-5K without test riding it.

LVNeptune, i noticed you mentioned you purchased your ski's new without riding one before your purchase. If you dont mind me asking if you could do it over again would you have bought used or a better model?

Thanks

I wouldn't buy used. I've seen way too many horror stories. Mostly people buying "low hours" and finding out that since they were never broken in the engine blows after 5-10 hours. They need to be broken in and taken care of. Buying a jetski and using it very little is NOT the same as taking care of it.

If I did it again the jetski I ride I would have purchased a supercharged one instead and still got my girl the regular. I honestly didn't think I would adjust to it so quickly.

 

[LVNeptune]

Re: Advice on buying New 2013 gti 130se or used gp1300r

All this information is opinion of course, so yours is what matters.

I will never let someone test anything that I can't be there with them...so whenI sold my Harley....no test ride. You want to watch me ride, sure, you ride, not until I have cash and you have title

I bought my skis w/o riding in winter. Sounded strong. I believe a good mechanical person can tell based on sound, exhaust and other factors.

I am a huge fan of 2 cycle, but they are going obsolete and a little dirty. If you mix fuel correctly and have good rings they aren't bad though. There is literally no maintenance other than plugs if you keep clean fuel in them

I still recommend against 2 strokes since they are being outlawed in most lakes.

 

[keith2k455]

Re: Advice on buying New 2013 gti 130se or used gp1300r

I still recommend against 2 strokes since they are being outlawed in most lakes.

I totally see your point. It's not an issue by me, but OP should probably do some homework on those rules.

 

[WaterDR]

Re: Advice on buying New 2013 gti 130se or used gp1300r

The new four strokes are FAR superior to two strokes. There is really no comparision.

As to test riding, anyone that won't let you ride or drive something they are selling, pass on it! They either are hiding a problem or think you are not good enough.

I sold a very nice Mustang in the middle of winter a few years ago. It had no insurance coverage. And I still let the buyer test drive it. We simply drew up a bill of sale. We agreed on a price and he paid me cash. I sold him the car before he drove it, but the bill of sale stated that the deal was subject to a test drive. If he wrecked it, it was on his insurance, not mine. Most insurance companies will cover you on a new purchase for upto 30 days. Mine does.

That was an easy way around the issue. We obviously knew eachother was serious.

 

[Nickypoo]

Re: Advice on buying New 2013 gti 130se or used gp1300r

I'm strongly going with everyone else on the test ride issue. You can't put an engine under load by revving it up on the trailer. A faulty engine can sound and rev up just fine without a load on it. But once you take that same strong-sounding engine out to the lake it can knock, bog down, or sputter. It could have gasket issues, carb issues, or something more serious and you would never know until you rode it.

There are other things too that you would never notice just by looking at it as opposed to riding it. Perhaps the impeller is worn, or the speedometer doesn't function.

If you buy anything without testing it out completely first, that's just reckless.