Choosing Your WaveRunner

After the last two summers of hot weather lasting long into the fall, you want to get out on the water and feel the spray of our local lakes as you speed across them. You may need to upgrade your current watercraft or get your very first and you’re not sure what the best choice is. The Yamaha WaveRunner line up just turned the big 3-0 last year and it’s still as strong as ever. Whether you just want to cruise or take the family tubing, there’s a machine for every activity and every budget.

The EX Series is brand new for Yamaha this year. It’s tailored for the more budget conscious purchaser, as well as the first time buyer. These crafts still pack a fun and playful watercraft experience into their lightweight SMC hull. You can have up to three people on the craft and there’s even a tow hook on the back. The EX, EX Sport, and EX Deluxe all retail for less than $9,000.

Taking a step up, the VX Series is consistently our best sellers, year in and year out. The high-end style and technology at a reasonable price makes them hard to resist. The VX and VX Deluxe are great machines for those who are still price conscious but want a little more luxury. The VX Cruiser offers a stadium style seat that gives everyone their own space. The VX Limited is the best bang for your buck – literally. It includes all the accessories you need to have for a fun summer with the family and friends. Need a little more power? The VX Cruiser HO puts you there faster.

The FX Series offers impressive performance and luxury features while also being the longest and most stable personal watercraft in the industry. The FX HO and Cruiser HO offer the same size engine while the Cruiser gives you that stadium style seating. Looking for even more power? Step on up to the FX SVHO and Cruiser SVHO! These PWCs offer a supercharged experience for those who like to push the speed limit. New this season, is the FX Limited SVHO. It has the same power as the FX SVHO with the same outrageous number of accessories as the VX Limited to give you a complete WaveRunner experience.

Back this year for the first time in over a decade is the GP series. Last seen in 2003, the GP was a powerhouse on the race circuit but was left behind as manufacturers moved from a two-stroke to a four-stroke engine. The GP1800 has been winning races around the world since it was released this model year. Sharp turning, a supercharged SVHO engine, and an extra light NanoXcel2 hull put this craft head and shoulders above the rest.

Rounding out the performance race crafts are the VXR and SuperJet. The VXR combines fun and race styling for a day on the water that’ll leave you with a smile. The SuperJet is the only stand up watercraft in the Yamaha line up and for closed course competition only.

No matter what WaveRunner you choose, your summer is certain to be full of laughs and good times. The spectacular Western New York waterways are waiting for you to join us out in the waves!

Summerizing Your Watercraft

With just one week until Memorial Day, it’s getting to be the time of year that most of the country considers summer. Even though it’s been a chilly and wet May so far, we were blessed to have a long, hot, and dry riding season last year and we’re hoping for the same this season! While we provide summerization at our service shop, we understand some people like to take the wrench to their own machines too.

When you’re getting ready to ride your machine for the first time in over six months, the first thing you want to do is check your battery. If you remember from our winterize blog, we recommend having your battery on a battery tender over the winter. Check out the voltage, the charge, the state of health of the battery, and the battery fluid level. If your battery doesn’t check out well in these categories, it’s probably for the best to purchase a new one. The start of the season is also a good time to check out the condition of your spark plugs and replace any that are black or oil fouled. These are a couple easy things to do to ensure a fun and uninterrupted start to the riding season.

Check your water separator if one is installed. Then put your battery back in the craft and hook the craft up to a water hose. Run it for about 5-10 minutes. Give the machine a good look over for any loose clamps or hardware. Inspect the steering nozzle and prop for any damage. Wash your machine to get the dust off and put your cover on to keep it clean for your next ride!

We also perform a trailer inspection when we do our summerizations here at our service shop. If you’re doing this yourself, make sure to check all lights are working. You may need an assistant to help out on this one for brake and signal lights especially. Check the tire condition and pressure. If they’ve lost a little air, inflate to the correct PSI and keep an eye on any leaks in the tires. Finally, make sure the lug nuts are properly torqued and grease the wheel hubs. Be sure to check the wheel bearings for smooth operation.

You’re ready to rock and roll for the season out on our beautiful waterways! If you need to do an in-season oil change, we can help you out in our service department or parts department with our full stock of oil and filters. Remember to follow all local laws, marine warnings, and make sure you and your passengers always wear a proper fitting life vest. Have fun on the water and make sure to see us if you need anything this summer.

Calling All New York State ORV Enthusiasts

If you own a Ranger, RZR, or other side by side in New York, you know that with 1 or 2 exceptions, these vehicles cannot be registered in New York State. There is a bill in Albany right now that would increase the weight limit to 1500 lbs. making registration of all side by sides legal.

The original ATV statute was put into law in 1987 and limited the weight to 800 lbs. It was then amended in 1997 and increased the weight limit to 1000 lbs. where it has remained for 20 years. When it was increased to 1000 lbs. many of the models we now carry weren’t even on the market. Technology and design has advanced since 1997 and vehicles now include roll cages, seat belts, and doors which not only make them significantly safer but also increase the weight of the machines.

At this point you might be wondering what good it is to the riders and the owners of these machines if they have to spend more money to register them each year. The bill also includes language to use the registration fees from registration fees to help fund state-wide trail development, maintenance, and safety. If you are also a snowmobiler, you know how awesome a state-wide trail system is for those who want to ride, as well as for the economies that get a bump from tourism by riders.

This week, the Assembly Transportation Committee is meeting where Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi will poll the board members to see if they have had any feedback from their local constituents. Polaris has been working on their end to support the bill this far, but this bill needs the support of all riders – no matter your brand loyalty. If you would like to reach out to your local Assemblyman, please go to http://nyassembly.gov/mem/search today to look them up. Tell them you support A.4412.