2001 Kawasaki 1100 STX D.I. vs. 2001 900 STS

[Tim Hendrickson]

I've been looking to buy a jet ski over the last couple weeks.

I have narrowed my selections down to the following:

2001 Kawasaki 1100 STX D.I. (About $9,000 Out the Door - includes
Shorelander PWC 1000 Trailer, Setup, Doc, License, tax and etc Add 2 Year
Warranty Free.) 3 Year Total Warranty

2001 Kawasaki 900 STS (About $7800 Out the Door - includes Shorelander PWC
1000 Trailer, Setup, Doc, License, tax, Add 3 Year Warranty and etc. ) 4
Year Total Warranty

I don't care about Top speed but I do care about fuel efficiency and
environmental impacts. Is the 1100 worth the extra $1200?

I like the Yamaha's also but my fiancee insists on Kawasaki since that is
what her family had for years.

I'm also having a hard time trying to justify spending this much money for a
jet ski but if it lasts 10 years it will be worth it. Are the FICHT Direct
Injection models reliable?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Scottspjs]

1200 dollars difference is a deal.The d.i comes with way more power ,less
smoking and a much better riding hull.also very easy to resell.It also starts
right away where the 900 can be a pain in the butt to get going.Scott
scott's performance jet ski

[Tom Howlin]

For the $1200.00, go with the DI. The two skis aren't even in the same
category - the 900STS is a holdover model that should have died a quick
death two years ago. The DI will be much more fuel efficient (30-35%),
not use as much oil and give you years of reliable service (don't know
about ten, depends upon hours used. 500 hours seems to be about the
time two strokes need a top end freshening, less if improperly cared for
or using cheap oil. Make sure the selling dealer has the knowledge and
equipment to work on the fuel injection - it's a whole lot different
that taking carbs apart and requires specialized diagnostic equipment.
Good luck and enjoy.

Tom

[Keith T]

I agree with the others here...go with the DI. But the price seems
high to me. My brother in-law and also my best friend both bought 2001
DI's back in Feb. They paid $8450 and $8525 out the door with Triton
Elite trailers. I have 54 trouble free hours on my 2000 DI.

Keith T

[tarza...@yahoo.com]

I have ridden both skis.. Honestly... The 900 runs damn well.. But I
think you will get more fuel economy out of the bigger 1100 DI. DI is
hard to beat! Nothing jumps outa the hole like the DI.. I cant think
of a ski thats faster out of the hole..
Our Carb 97 STX 1100 is a pain to get started cold.. Cold natured as
hell.. When it does finally fire up its fine. So it would not surprise
me the 900 is the same. The 900 has 100hp and runs almost 50 mph.
I swear I thought it was the same hull as the STX.. Might be wrong..
DI should start alot easier..

Forget about Yamaha if you want fuel economy. They are all pigs
especially the 1200XLT.. 17+ gph at WOT. No fuel injection available
in any yamaha unless you want to go with the new 4 stroke.

On Sun, 28 Apr 2002 17:50:14 GMT, "Tim Hendrickson" <tmhe...@gte.net>
wrote:

[Tim Hendrickson]

Thanks for the responses. Please keep them coming. I could use all the
information I can get.

My next question is whether not I'm getting a good deal.
Here is what is included in the Out the Door price. $9065

New 2001 1100 STX DI

Shorelander Trailer PWC1000

Vehicle Tax (6.25%)

Documentation Fees (~30)

License Fees (99)

Sevice Contract (1 Year + 2 Year Free from Kawasaki + $90 for a
additional Year) for 4 Year Warranty

Setup

Freight and Handling

I'm not sure of the exact break down. I have two dealers within 50 miles
who have the same ski so I'm hoping to get the best deal possible. I've
heard people got this ski for $500 less but I'm not sure if that is normal
or just an exceptional deal.

Thanks

"Tim Hendrickson" <tmhe...@gte.net> wrote in message
news:qDWy8.13125$mF4....@nwrddc01.gnilink.net...

[tarza...@yahoo.com]

Well you can buy a used STX 1100 97 model with 100-140 hrs for around
4000.00.. Again thats 5 years old.. Carbed.. And of course your at the
risk of the previous owners maintenence....

I would THINK you could get it for under 9k out the door. But then
again this is 2002. I think if you go to a small town shop with less
overhead you might save ya a 1-200 bux..Unless there is a huge price
diffrence between shops I would work with the shop that the most
people recommend and you like. Because bad service after the sale will
eat whatever money you saved shopping around!

BTW.. You have any interest in any other skis? Polaris makes a darn
good 3 seater that competes with the Kawa Di... Take a look at the
Virage TXi.. Honestly this is a nice handling ski and everyone I
talked with one loves it and no real major problems..You can probably
get a better price on the Polaris.. If you can ride both.. Thats what
tells all!

On Tue, 30 Apr 2002 01:51:39 GMT, "Tim Hendrickson" <tmhe...@gte.net>
wrote:

>Thanks for the responses. Please keep them coming. I could use all the

[Keith T]

On Tue, 30 Apr 2002 01:20:38 GMT, tarza...@yahoo.com wrote:

>I swear I thought it was the same hull as the STX.. Might be wrong..

900 STX has same hull as 1100STX DI with 100hp engine from the 900
STS.

Keith T

[tarza...@yahoo.com]

Ahhh it is the same hull.. Thanks...
And I remember right...The 900 runs strong. In fact be interesting to
blindfold people (hahah if they could drive like that) and have them
see if they can tell the 1100 from the 900.. Im pretty certain you
could tell the DI from the 900 on acceleration.. But like i said the
900 still ran well off the line and top end was over 50 I know that.

On Wed, 01 May 2002 10:27:25 GMT, ktri...@mindspring.com (Keith T)
wrote:

[Scottspjs]

sorry i didn't realize they changed the 900 into the new hull.Still it uses the
old cv carbs which can be a real pain to get going where as the d.i will fire
up with one touch of the button.I would imagine the d.i will go farther on a
tank of fuel too.Scott

[Keith T]

There are two 900's, the STX (with DI hull) and the STS. Both have the
100hp engine.

Keith T