Need Help in Purchase 2000 Kawi ZX1-1100

[samm835]

I am posting this in here so I can find any feed back on the above bike. I have had boats since I was 18, but I never owned a PWC. I have riden, but never owned. I am looking at adding the above to what my family currently has(pontoon). This will give us some speed that we are missing on our pontoon while we are out. When I go look this over what are things I need to look at first. I have talked with the owner and he is giving me permission to talk with the marina who has done all maintenance work it. So I feel comfort there, but I will do a compression check on it, but what else can I do? It looks in great shape from pictures, but those don't always tell the whole truth. Can you hook a JetSki to a water hose like you can a boat motor? IF I buy, what are some maintenance issues that can/will arise from owning? Also whats an average hour meter for this year? Thanks for the help.

 

[Jeff Walkowiak]

Re: Need Help in Purchase 2000 Kawi ZX1-1100

hull damage or repaired damage,, pump condition , cables working freely like steering and reverse , trim etc.. the ski is 10 years old so it may be fine or it may be ragged out if you plan on running it on a hose you better know how to do it correctly or you will damage the engine,, but running it on a hose won't tell you anything other than it runs out of the water,,even a bad engine will run out of the water. Inspect the trailer if it comes with one. and look on nada for the value of the ski and hit it about 1000 less.
this ski is a 2 seater and a bit narrow so if you plan on taking passengers // also plan on tipping over at slow speed .. the nada retail is about $2200 so 12 to 14 hundred is what I would suggest you pay for it including a trailer.

 

[samm835]

Re: Need Help in Purchase 2000 Kawi ZX1-1100

Jeff, thanks for the help, it looks spotless, it has a great trailer and nice cover. It is currently winterized, so my thinking is he needs to de-winterize if he wants to sell it, cause like i was thinking it HAS to be lake tested. The hull looks great, no repairs, the owner states it was given to him by an uncle that used it rarely, and he has had it one year and doesn't use it either. So two owners both over 50 yrs old. He has it listed for 3000.00, according to your calculations it is WAY over priced. If you don't mind i would PM you the link and you can let me know your opinion. Thanks

 

[Jeff Walkowiak]

Re: Need Help in Purchase 2000 Kawi ZX1-1100

ok it looks good but he wants twice the price that it is worth,, and he is trying to sell it in the winter.. he will have that ski for a long time it sold for 6k new

 

[samm835]

Re: Need Help in Purchase 2000 Kawi ZX1-1100

Yah I am not sold on the price, but to be honest around where I live it seems most ski are going for this price for the year. I am also looking into a 2001 Polaris Genesis 1200I for aound 3500.00. I have read some reviews and opinions that they are decent, but since they are no longer being made the parts are getting harder and harder to locate. I still own a pontoon with a 115hp, I know all boats can be an endless money pit, but I am just looking something that is the most reliable. If you think that Kawi is over priced maybe I will pass on it then. I found out it hadn't been started in close to a year and has been sitting winterized. So at the very least the carbs will need to be rebuilt. Thanks for the heads up! The search continues.......maybe I will be lucky and find a 4-stroke at the price I am looking for.

 

[Jeff Walkowiak]

Re: Need Help in Purchase 2000 Kawi ZX1-1100

well in the 3k range you can probably find a 4 stroke, I sold a 2002 4 stroke sea doo gtx ltd with a trailer for less than that , just remember 4 strokes will go thousands of hours where 2 strokes go hundreds of hours.
I would forger the polaris though!! stick with a doo or a yamaha maybe a kawasaki,, I have had tons of real serious issues with my kawasaki and will never buy another one.. also service and parts will be an important consideration when buying a ski.

 

[samm835]

Re: Need Help in Purchase 2000 Kawi ZX1-1100

Well I made the decision and bought one this afternoon shortly after writing my prior post. I read your other posts Jeff on your other site about your Kawi....and it scared the hell out of me. LOL, so I looked more and I found what I really wanted, I ended up buying a 03 FX140 Yamaha with only 50hrs. Its a four stroke so I loved that, then the incredible low hours, plus I had it looked over by a mechanic for a minimal charge so it was a done deal, and to top it off I got it for 3400.00. So I feel it was worth all the research I did, and Jeff thanks for the help.....with out chatting with you I could have made a big mistake by taking the original PWC that I was asking about. Thanks again!

 

[ziggy]

Re: Need Help in Purchase 2000 Kawi ZX1-1100

I ended up buying a 03 FX140 Yamaha

you should be good. had me an '02 fx140. sold it @ 238hrs. i got mine new and the only major repairs were replaceing the wear ring at around 200 hrs due to cavitation burns and the oem impeller also developed cavitation burns @ around 90 hrs. other than that, it was a great ski. albeit not too playful as pwc go. great cruiser though.. do your pm and read up on checking the oil level. it's a drag to do. if ya want a little faster. i did the pump plug kit, volicity stacks, free flow air filter and a impeller. best bang for the buck was the free flow air filter and stacks.. impeller second..
congrats on your new pwc..

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: Need Help in Purchase 2000 Kawi ZX1-1100

yami is the better choice

stay away from polaris