[Outlaw]

:appl: The Sea Doo RXT-IS lived up to all the hype in an open water run in the top of the Chesapeake Bay with my friends. There were nine skis in all, they were all high performance skis of various brands some were modified. But none had the S-3 hull and the IS suspension. We ran through various conditions. Mostly we rode through heavy chop and big cross wakes from the boat traffic. It didn't take long to see who had the best ski for the conditions. I was a little amazed how well the RXT-IS performed. On glass it kept up well but not the fastest. When we hit the rough stuff that hull and suspension took no prisoners one by one I picked off every ski in the pack. I was able to run full throttle through 2 ft chop and wakes like butter, reminded me of snowmobiling on rough terrian. The hull cut through the chop better then my 06 RXT. The suspension worked very well to the point my friends just shook their heads when I passed them. I noticed that the RXT-IS did not porpise at all and didn't cavitate much. I am 52 years old, 6' and weigh 225 lbs. Guys half my age were stunned. After a nice ten mile run I was sitting at the bar waitng for my friends. My friends tried my ski to see why it was so superior and all agreed that this ski is bad to the bone. So until another manufactuer builds an S-3 hull, and a traveling suspension there is no competion in open water. Try going full throttle on your ski in two foot chop and big wakes. Once again Sea Doo reigns supreme.

 

[grover432]

:appl: The Sea Doo RXT-IS lived up to all the hype in an open water run in the top of the Chesapeake Bay with my friends. There were nine skis in all, they were all high performance skis of various brands some were modified. But none had the S-3 hull and the IS suspension. We ran through various conditions. Mostly we rode through heavy chop and big cross wakes from the boat traffic. It didn't take long to see who had the best ski for the conditions. I was a little amazed how well the RXT-IS performed. On glass it kept up well but not the fastest. When we hit the rough stuff that hull and suspension took no prisoners one by one I picked off every ski in the pack. I was able to run full throttle through 2 ft chop and wakes like butter, reminded me of snowmobiling on rough terrian. The hull cut through the chop better then my 06 RXT. The suspension worked very well to the point my friends just shook their heads when I passed them. I noticed that the RXT-IS did not porpise at all and didn't cavitate much. I am 52 years old, 6' and weigh 225 lbs. Guys half my age were stunned. After a nice ten mile run I was sitting at the bar waitng for my friends. My friends tried my ski to see why it was so superior and all agreed that this ski is bad to the bone. So until another manufactuer builds an S-3 hull, and a traveling suspension there is no competion in open water. Try going full throttle on your ski in two foot chop and big wakes. Once again Sea Doo reigns supreme.

Hey Outlaw, thanks for the report. In a perfect world I'd have test ridden both models before deciding on my new RXT X. I was out in 1' chop on Saturday and found it a bit tiring after an hour of saddle time. If I stood up, I wasn't fatigued from the ride. I agree that the suspension system is a major step forward, but I was concerned about weight, complexity and the relatively new system so I decided to get the RXT X. Riding on Saturday made me think twice about that decision (I'm similar age but lighter and shorter).

I'm enjoying the X though. I tend to ride on flat water or when the waves are large enough to jump so hopefully my choice won't affect me too much. If it does, there is always an opportunity to trade next year!

 

[Outlaw]

Hey Outlaw, thanks for the report. In a perfect world I'd have test ridden both models before deciding on my new RXT X. I was out in 1' chop on Saturday and found it a bit tiring after an hour of saddle time. If I stood up, I wasn't fatigued from the ride. I agree that the suspension system is a major step forward, but I was concerned about weight, complexity and the relatively new system so I decided to get the RXT X. Riding on Saturday made me think twice about that decision (I'm similar age but lighter and shorter).

I'm enjoying the X though. I tend to ride on flat water or when the waves are large enough to jump so hopefully my choice won't affect me too much. If it does, there is always an opportunity to trade next year!

Hey Grover you are correct, the is suspension soaks up most of the energy from the lower hull, which in turn minimizes any jarring or banging. It is like the hull moves but not the seat. You can even rotate the handle bars all the way up if you prefer standing. Also the suspension has two modes, auto mode baciscally the ski controls itself, or select manual mode and control it your self. If you jump on it you can see the suspension compressing.:thumbsup:

 

[grover432]

Hey Grover you are correct, the is suspension soaks up most of the energy from the lower hull, which in turn minimizes any jarring or banging. It is like the hull moves but not the seat. You can even rotate the handle bars all the way up if you prefer standing. Also the suspension has two modes, auto mode baciscally the ski controls itself, or select manual mode and control it your self. If you jump on it you can see the suspension compressing.:thumbsup:

I guess the extra weight, complexity and cost kept me away. I was also concerned about the higher center of gravity. But, of course without riding the 260 iS, all I had to go on was the reviews I read and my dealer's recommendation (who knows if he had an iS in stock when he recommended the X??).

In any event, for most of my riding I think I'll be OK without the suspension. Most of the time I'm pulling a tube at low speeds or waiting for big waves to do some jumping. I also like cruising on quiet evenings when the lake is flat.

At my lake, there isn't really anywhere to travel to (i.e. I'm not on Lake of the Woods, MN where allot of people island hop and even camp out). I'm on a huge inland lake and we usually head out of he marina and stay within a few miles - riding back and forth. At times a bit boring, so I end up staying in unless it is a big wave day or it is flat so I can have some top speed fun.

I'm sure now that I have a new X, I'll get a chance (coincidentally) to try someone's iS (there is a Limited iS in the marina - which I understand has a softer suspension and seat than the iS 260). After that test ride, if I feel I'm really missing out, I'll trade.

 

[Outlaw]

I guess the extra weight, complexity and cost kept me away. I was also concerned about the higher center of gravity. But, of course without riding the 260 iS, all I had to go on was the reviews I read and my dealer's recommendation (who knows if he had an iS in stock when he recommended the X??).

In any event, for most of my riding I think I'll be OK without the suspension. Most of the time I'm pulling a tube at low speeds or waiting for big waves to do some jumping. I also like cruising on quiet evenings when the lake is flat.

At my lake, there isn't really anywhere to travel to (i.e. I'm not on Lake of the Woods, MN where allot of people island hop and even camp out). I'm on a huge inland lake and we usually head out of he marina and stay within a few miles - riding back and forth. At times a bit boring, so I end up staying in unless it is a big wave day or it is flat so I can have some top speed fun.

I'm sure now that I have a new X, I'll get a chance (coincidentally) to try someone's iS (there is a Limited iS in the marina - which I understand has a softer suspension and seat than the iS 260). After that test ride, if I feel I'm really missing out, I'll trade.

Hey Grover, you should make out my way sometime, when you Jet Ski the Chesapeake there are so many rivers and places to go you never get bored just next week there is a big run planned up the Potomac to D.C. for Veterans. You can tour Annapolis or head to the inner Harbor in Baltimore Rock Hall. Farley Creek and many other destination points.:welcome::2thumbsup:

 

[grover432]

Hey Grover, you should make out my way sometime, when you Jet Ski the Chesapeake there are so many rivers and places to go you never get bored just next week there is a big run planned up the Potomac to D.C. for Veterans. You can tour Annapolis or head to the inner Harbor in Baltimore Rock Hall. Farley Creek and many other destination points.:welcome::2thumbsup:

I wish I could. But living in the prairies of western Canada, it would be quite the drive with the Sea Doo, wife and 2 kids all in tow.