VXR/VXS Speeds and Mods Database

[Jambo]

Or is it Riva Power Filter Item #: RY13062 ?

[Lawrence (RI)]

I owned both VXR models ( 14+16) at the same time up until last month. They were EXACTLY the same speed side by side in fresh water and salt water and different conditions doing 2 mile runs. Same rider weight, same amount of gas and both 100% stock. The only difference were the hours. I will admit that the newer hull "felt" a tad slower and may be due to how well it cuts through chop and handles, along with it being an inch or so longer in length and a tad bit wider.

I used the motoman break in for both skis. http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

[Luke Kamp]

I had a best of 65 mph end of last year on 15 VXS in cooler air ~7700 rpm around 50 hours on machine. Installed air intake, ribbon delete, and Jim cut plate and candoo gps over offseason. All purchased here in the store. Was hoping to get out this weekend but life happens. Hopefully next weekend I can hit ~67-68 mph. Will report back my findings. Good luck.

Best of 67.1 mph, so a 2+ gain. Like the sound of the air intake and ribbon delete and Jim's cut plate rides great. Was fun riding through chop at 60+.

[Elchenland]

@ Jambo,
Hi, it is Jim's cut ride plate, not Riva plate.

I have Riva power filter and Riva ribbon delete. The engine sounds more and has a more "racing" sound to it afetr the install. I also rode my friends FX HO 2017 today and mine defintely has a different tone. My ski is also faster. His is ski is completely stock.

[Luke Kamp]

Yes, I purchased a new one in the store here.

https://www.4-tecperformance.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=78_79&products_id=5201&zenid=ii29oc4v3fa67ls69eao6t9ln0

Or you can send yours in for modding.

https://www.4-tecperformance.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=78_80&products_id=4595&zenid=ii29oc4v3fa67ls69eao6t9ln0

When ordering you can put in the comments that you want a speed cut. I believe he takes more material off for more angle thus way. I didnt as I have passengers often and pull with my vxs. I have a general cut and it came with instructions to place one supplied washer under each front bolt of ride plate for speed or none for rough water. I did put a washer on each front ride plate bolt.

I haven't seen any third party data on the riva. It is longer than stock so sure it handles the rough well. Good luck.

[zama89]

I installed the Riva plate last week. It does well in the rough...like it has a little more "bite". May change the intake grate at a later date. Seems the Worx is the intake most people like.

[Luke Kamp]

Did you see any top speed increase with the Riva plate? It looks like R&D and Riva both have intakes coming out soon. I think I am going to hold off to see how they perform.

[zama89]

top speed is about the same. It feels quicker in the rough

[Elchenland]

Yes, I purchased a new one in the store here.

https://www.4-tecperformance.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=78_79&products_id=5201&zenid=ii29oc4v3fa67ls69eao6t9ln0

Or you can send yours in for modding.

https://www.4-tecperformance.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=78_80&products_id=4595&zenid=ii29oc4v3fa67ls69eao6t9ln0

When ordering you can put in the comments that you want a speed cut. I believe he takes more material off for more angle thus way. I didnt as I have passengers often and pull with my vxs. I have a general cut and it came with instructions to place one supplied washer under each front bolt of ride plate for speed or none for rough water. I did put a washer on each front ride plate bolt.

I haven't seen any third party data on the riva. It is longer than stock so sure it handles the rough well. Good luck.

I didn' t get any washers or instructions with my Jim's cut ride plate...
I installed the worx intake grate this weekend and rode it today, no difference in speed (as expected) still at 66. The grate has good hook-up and it felt like I could ride faster through the chop. Difficult to tell for sure as I didn't ride the stock grate and Worx grate back-to-back.

Has anyone put in the Solas impeller 13/19, any improvement?

[Luke Kamp]

I didn' t get any washers or instructions with my Jim's cut ride plate...
I installed the worx intake grate this weekend and rode it today, no difference in speed (as expected) still at 66. The grate has good hook-up and it felt like I could ride faster through the chop. Difficult to tell for sure as I didn't ride the stock grate and Worx grate back-to-back.

Has anyone put in the Solas impeller 13/19, any improvement?

I wasn't expecting them either. I already bought some from Home Depot and also had several that I got from mcmaster-carr stainless steel slotted shims with tab.

https://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-shims/=181eqn7

Here is a qoute from Jim from another thread.
"Bill is correct you do not want to shim the front of the plate below the pump shoe because it will create drag. You can shim the plates on two different ski's the same but one will handle different then the other, Depending on how the rest of the ski is set up and the weight of the person. The best way i can tell you to set the plate is shims in back of plate equals (better handling and takes speed away) Shims in front of plate equals (better speed but creates porpoise and takes away handling) Now the key is to find the sweet spot to have handling and speed for your water conditions. You will need to take a pack of shims with you and do some testing. Thank you, Jim"

http://www.greenhulk.net/showthread.php?t=45539

I just did the one as a baseline. I may adjust some at a later date. I am pretty happy with speed and handling as is and noticed some porpoising with a large passenger so may leave it shimmed currently. I do plan on redoing it as fisrt time on I realized the next day it was not on perfectly straight. There is some play side to side on installing ride plate. So i broke my seals made with permatex right stuff and got it perfectly aligned using a small screw driver aligning the sides. Now I am getting a bit of water in through a ride plate bolt. No big deal I am going to leave it for now. Trick with washer I used was a bit of right stuff on washer and stuck it onto hull around ride plate bolt hole. Made it easy to get ride plate on and bolts aligned through washer.

His message with sheet.
You will see 2 washers come with plate for speed. Install 1 washer on each front bolt between hull and plate. For rough do not install washers, tighten rear bolts first then front. After bolts are tight make sure the plate does not hang lower than hull or pump shoe. If any questions call me at 727-365-5132
Thank you, Jim

I think at this point you should give him a call and tell him your goals. He has a lot of experience and can guide you in the right direction.

On the prop I just don't know, I think the stock is pretty good for top speed. I am interested to know if you do change props what performance gains you find. My stock prop has a couple dings from last year and i get a bit of cavitation now on full pull from stop and can hit limiter. I will probably pull prop and have repaired or replace this coming offseason. For now I just want to ride more and rack up the hours. 60 hours now and plan on over 100 by September.

Good luck and keep us posted on any updates.

[inchadeboca]

All this talk about hull drag and differences between the newer hulls and the earlier hulls.... has anyone tried the Worx 2 Degree Trim wedge ??

on my old '08 kawi 15F, the pump wedge made a difference. even though the stx-f hull rides alot flatter than my 2015 VXR.
i have 12 hours on my VXR and my initial GPS was close to my 15's, but i guarantee my 15f was faster with its 1.5 motor and rpm kit from riva. Not knocking the VXR, i like alot of the features that my 15f didnt have, but i thought it was going to be faster and i can tell you from riding for the past 25 years, that it is not faster.
i am going to drop in the riva filter and ribbon delete and post my speeds before and after.

[dannyual777]

All this talk about hull drag and differences between the newer hulls and the earlier hulls.... has anyone tried the Worx 2 Degree Trim wedge ??

on my old '08 kawi 15F, the pump wedge made a difference. even though the stx-f hull rides alot flatter than my 2015 VXR.
i have 12 hours on my VXR and my initial GPS was close to my 15's, but i guarantee my 15f was faster with its 1.5 motor and rpm kit from riva. Not knocking the VXR, i like alot of the features that my 15f didnt have, but i thought it was going to be faster and i can tell you from riding for the past 25 years, that it is not faster.
i am going to drop in the riva filter and ribbon delete and post my speeds before and after.

So what were/are the GPS speeds of both of those skis? I know the stock Kawasaki 15Fs are supposed to GPS right around 61mph. I'm curious as to how much additional speed the pump wedge added.

[RLACEMAN]

Pump wedge on my 15f gave me 3/4 of a mph with a low tank of fuel & about 1 1/4 mph with a full tank of fuel.

[dannyual777]

Pump wedge on my 15f gave me 3/4 of a mph with a low tank of fuel & about 1 1/4 mph with a full tank of fuel.

Thank you for that info, RLACEMAN!

[inchadeboca]

what is the TB size on the vxr ...71mm ? looking to slap DIY kn arrestor or filter, seeing my options.