Howdy from potential Spark buyer

7822 Views 21 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Tash Neame, May 4, 2015

Tash Neame

Discussion Starter · Apr 7, 2015

hey everyone,

I'm from Australia & am looking at getting a Spark a bit later this year. My boyfriend and I are heading over to the USA for a holiday in a few months so this will be a 'when we get back & get our tax returns' purchase lol!

Have ridden a JetSki before, a mate has a SeaDoo RXp RS 255 which is just insane. I'm looking at the Spark cause price wise it seems worth it.

I'm a little hesitant cause my mate's supercharged Sea-Doo was just nuts and I'm worried the spark won't be as much fun to do sharp turns with but will try to take one out for a demo day & see what I think.

i'm rather keen on the mods you can do to take it from 60hp to 110. I heard a few shops here in Aus will do it for you for $500 but am also looking at buying a vtech maptuner...the only downside being the fact that the licence to tune your sea-doo costs more than the actual maptuner!

anyway just saying howdy & would love to hear how others find the Spark compares to bigger jetski's

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Akspark

· #2 · Apr 7, 2015

I've ridden the Rxps and own a spark. It's a completely different type of fun, you can't throw the rxp around like you can the spark. The spark is a lot smaller and weighs a lot less, doesn't have near the power or top speed but a 90 hp spark has plenty of get up n go! Get the spark!

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Tash Neame

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 7, 2015

Cheers for the reply!

Akspark said:
you can't throw the rxp around like you can the spark.

Wow that's pretty impressive - i though my mate's supercharged twin rotax rxp was pretty nimble, so very cool to hear the spark is MORE nimble.

serpent710

· #4 · Apr 7, 2015

If you are going on lakes or rivers, the spark will not be able to keep up with the bigger skis with more hp BUT, in the ocean I have a blast cause all you need is the 90hp and you can shoot off a wave like anyone else. I just added the VTS and it increased the fun. I am 180lbs and love the 90hp version. Get the 90hp with IBR and you will love it.

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Tash Neame

Discussion Starter · #5 · Apr 7, 2015

90% of my riding will be in rivers - i'm not interested in racing other jetskis, but in tight turns, 180's, etc.

I'm about 40 lbs lighter than that so hopefully that will help.

newb here - what is VTS?

Akspark

· #6 · Apr 8, 2015

Rivers, lakes, Ocean whatever, the spark will never be able to keep up with those bigger machines. if your into 180s and Broncos and water wheelies the spark is where its at! So much more nimble.

serpent710

· #7 · Apr 8, 2015

Tash Neame said:
90% of my riding will be in rivers - i'm not interested in racing other jetskis, but in tight turns, 180's, etc.

I'm about 40 lbs lighter than that so hopefully that will help.

newb here - what is VTS?

Variable Trim System-VTS also known as "Trim" it's a must for fun

You should be fine with the Spark then since the bigger machines are not that nimble. Again though 90hp is a must.

Tash Neame

Discussion Starter · #8 · Apr 8, 2015

ah cool yes I know what trim is - surprised it's not standard! Will definitely ask for it though.

Yeah was definitely looking for the more HP engine - going to price a few things up today and try to work out the total cost for me for all I need/want

it's just a bit more expensive here in Australia lol

serpent710

· #9 · Apr 9, 2015

I have seen the price diffrence and it's crazy. Good luck and keep us informed

spark-orion

· #10 · Apr 10, 2015

serpent710 said:
Again though 90hp is a must.

Not necessarily. He could get the 60 hp and the V-tech tune and be at 109 hp, or 120 hp with the E-85 tune. I forgot though, can you get iBR with the 60?

serpent710

· #11 · Apr 10, 2015

60HP Is not available with IBR. I agree about the tuner spark but for me it restricted everything else I wanted on the ski. Not to mention the price after tuner and credit, you mind as well get the 90hp. .02

loki429

· #12 · Apr 11, 2015

Love the Spark!

Hi Tash

The Spark is so much fun to throw around, jump, 180's, bronco's etc.
To compare to one of the bigger, heavier and more power jetskis would be similar to comparing riding a BMX bike vs a heavy street cruiser or racing bike. Do you want something nimble and fun or something to sit back on and cruise?

If you go on the river and running for speed you'll match the other skis for the first 50m then they'll leave you behind. (Spark top speed is 80km/h vs >100km/h for the bigger skis.) For acceleration though and punch from a standing start the Spark is the best

Be warned though - a couple of hours riding a Spark and throwing it around aggressively will leave your arms and legs worn out, aching for a rest, but secretly waiting for tomorrow to do it all again!

You'll definitely want 90hp - either stock or from a 60hp plus tune.
IBR is really nice to have, especially at the boat ramp or sitting in the middle of the lake chatting to mates. Don't know that I've ever needed the shorter stopping distance from speed but it is fun to try it out

(make sure you hang on.....)

2 seater or 3 seater - buggerall difference. If riding 2-up definitely get the 3 seater though.

Go on - buy a Spark!!!!

where is Australia are you guys from? I'm Sydney northern beaches.

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serpent710

· #13 · Apr 11, 2015

Well put Loki

Tash Neame

Discussion Starter · #14 · Apr 13, 2015

He?

lol

Anyway, the shop I went to in the town where i live told me that:
1) the 60hp can't be tuned to 109hp, that mod is only available for the 90hp
2) they don't do v-tech tuning but buy a chip from SeaDoo which costs $1500
3) it voids my warranty
4) they don't have access to any other tuning - i asked about E85 and they said 'i don't know what you're talking about, we only use petrol'

Also, VTS isn't available in Australia.

I suspect that there is a lot of stuff available overseas that isn't available here.

I also plan on calling a bigger dealer insterstate to see if they can help me out with a better price.
So far I'm looking at $12,000 for a 2up 90hp with IBR.

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spark-orion

· #15 · Apr 13, 2015

Tash Neame said:
He?

lol

Anyway, the shop I went to in the town where i live told me that:
1) the 60hp can't be tuned to 109hp, that mod is only available for the 90hp
2) they don't do v-tech tuning but buy a chip from SeaDoo which costs $1500
3) it voids my warranty
4) they don't have access to any other tuning - i asked about E85 and they said 'i don't know what you're talking about, we only use petrol'

Also, VTS isn't available in Australia.

I suspect that there is a lot of stuff available overseas that isn't available here.

I also plan on calling a bigger dealer insterstate to see if they can help me out with a better price.
So far I'm looking at $12,000 for a 2up 90hp with IBR.

Tash, I think you need to do your own research. This shop sounds like they don't know crap, or their trying to get you to spend a lot of money that you don't need to.

Reactions: 1

serpent710

· #16 · Apr 13, 2015

Tash Neame said:
He?

lol

Anyway, the shop I went to in the town where i live told me that:
1) the 60hp can't be tuned to 109hp, that mod is only available for the 90hp
2) they don't do v-tech tuning but buy a chip from SeaDoo which costs $1500
3) it voids my warranty
4) they don't have access to any other tuning - i asked about E85 and they said 'i don't know what you're talking about, we only use petrol'

Also, VTS isn't available in Australia.

I suspect that there is a lot of stuff available overseas that isn't available here.

I also plan on calling a bigger dealer insterstate to see if they can help me out with a better price.
So far I'm looking at $12,000 for a 2up 90hp with IBR.

The tune was made for the 60hp for people that didnt want to spend the money on 90hp ski
If im correct SEADOO does not offer a tunning, it is strictly aftermarket..Lie #2
as for the VTS, you can buy that directly from Seadoo for 200.00 here in US. Easy to install, took me about 40min.

SeaDood

· #17 · Apr 13, 2015

Tash Neame said:
He?

lol

Anyway, the shop I went to in the town where i live told me that:
1) the 60hp can't be tuned to 109hp, that mod is only available for the 90hp
2) they don't do v-tech tuning but buy a chip from SeaDoo which costs $1500
3) it voids my warranty
4) they don't have access to any other tuning - i asked about E85 and they said 'i don't know what you're talking about, we only use petrol'

Also, VTS isn't available in Australia.

I suspect that there is a lot of stuff available overseas that isn't available here.

I also plan on calling a bigger dealer insterstate to see if they can help me out with a better price.
So far I'm looking at $12,000 for a 2up 90hp with IBR.

What's the MSRP in Australia? Seems a little high to me. Unless they're hard to get in Australia, so they're marking them up.

I just bought mine a few weeks ago. It easy enough for anyone to ride and to operate.

I ride in the Ocean, and I think it fairs very well. Choppy waters is pretty rough though for longer trips. But playing in the waves and just whipping the ski around in the water is a lot of fun

Reactions: 1

Tash Neame

Discussion Starter · #18 · Apr 14, 2015

spark-orion said:
Tash, I think you need to do your own research. This shop sounds like they don't know crap, or their trying to get you to spend a lot of money that you don't need to.

I'm trying to do my own research mate, that's why I'm posting here.

the difficulty I'm having is I'm being told a lot of stuff 'isn't available in Australia' and there is really only one store in the town I live in that sells these things.

I did contact a store interstate & ask the same questions.
their answers were slightly different and were:

1) yes you can get the 110hp tune for the 60hp Spark. it's the cheapest option. The store told me 'we're the ones that do the tune for everyone in Australia anyway so the place where you live will be buying the chip from us'

2) the IBR isn't availabel on the 60hp at all, not even as aftermarket. According to the store I called, if I want a 60HP upgraded to 110 I have to go without the IBR. Otherwise if I want IBR, i need to get the 90.

3) total price however was pretty much the same as the store in the town I live in......

Is there a website I should be looking on for aftermarket parts like the VTS? Someone posted here it's $200 from the USA but where would I import it from?

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Tash Neame

Discussion Starter · #19 · Apr 14, 2015

SeaDood said:
What's the MSRP in Australia?

they're advertising $7800 for the 60hp 2up, but that doesn't include trailer etc.

Tash Neame

Discussion Starter · #20 · May 3, 2015

back again - been off the forum for a bit as I've been preparing for our US trip in a few months.

I'm starting to see 2nd hand Sparks appearing for sale here in Australia a fair bit now. my boyfriend is a little concerned that there is a 'reason' but I suspect a lot of them are people who bought them cause they're cheap, but had no time to ride them.

a new spark with trailer & IBR is going to likely set me back $12,000 (based on a quote from the only dealer here in Adelaide)

i can get a 2nd hand one for $9000.

just not sure whether to get new or 2nd hand now!

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