2020 Yamaha EX Sport Review: The Watercraft Journal, EP. 84

[@sparke1999]

Great vid. I don’t get why seadoo doesn’t make a re-boarding step standard across all its models. I know the Ex’s step is small but at least it’s something

[@watercraftjournal]

Because they can charge $230 extra for it as an accessory!

[@CarpeDiem070]

I like Yamaha EX De Luxe ... very comfortable ride . Price and quality is excellent...!

[@watercraftjournal]

Good choice

[@seadoo4life127]

I have that same ski. It’s great all around. No lag out of the hole, plenty of power and the right size to toss around and jump waves. I installed a Riva ride plate and EXR intake and it’s way better. Seeing around 53 mph or so. Obviously not a racer but tons of fun. Take a look at my screen name. Took a breather from Sea-Doo and I’m quite happy I did at the moment. Sea-Doo does make a great ski but the one I had was a problem. One last thing to remember, Yamaha always under tunes their motors. A simple tune will bump the RPMs up another six or 700 RPMs. That would mean more acceleration and more top speed.

[@watercraftjournal]

RIVA has a Stage 1 reflash that really opens up the TR-1 engine (130hp we believe).

[@seadoo4life127]

@@watercraftjournal That’s right! I hear it makes a huge difference

[@marcwalden8054]

@@watercraftjournal is that the whole stage 1 “ package “ that Riva offers? I think it’s like $1800. Is there a cheaper way to get more power or is the package the only way to go to get more power. Thanks 🙏

[@daver5873]

Oh I love the Ski my problem is no product support coupled with POOR customer service.

[@seadoo4life127]

@@daver5873 I own a Spark as well and there’s lots of product support but most of the products do almost nothing performance wise. Lots of fluff. All you have to do is the mods I mentioned above in my post. Although I have not done the tune or impeller. But I know somebody that has. Waiting for my warranty to expire. But the intake grate and ride plate Improves things a lot.

[@bubba.watercraftj7269]

Reminds me of my first PWC. A 1990 waverunner III. 650 oil injection. Lower power than I am used to now. that I have had many PWC since.

[@bubba.watercraftj7269]

That waverunner 3 was a lot of fun to ride. One of my favorite. Very dependable as well.

[@watercraftjournal]

We got a very "throwback" feel aboard this one. Lot's of old school fun.

[@jamenbrooks95]

I bought a 2017 ex sport, 3 weeks ago and love it

[@watercraftjournal]

Awesome!

[@papadawda1]

How can I get the camera 📷 on this wave runner with the bar?

[@watercraftjournal]

It's a very cheap GoPro session mounted to a 10-foot pole purchased from Home Depot.

[@prestonginther5624]

I have the 2019 Ex Sport and love it kind of, the only thing I dislike is the handling it says a 3 person but don't let that fool you, you throw even a second person on forget it handles terrible as long as I'm by myself it does just fine. For around $300 I can Get new sponsons witch I might do.

[@watercraftjournal]

Oh yeah, no way that 3 people can ride ANY model EX. Two adults is sketchy.

[@henrybrooks321]

I've had three on mine and it was fine

[@jasongarett1560]

First time potential waverunner owner here. Do I have to stand up on this the whole time would prefer one I can sit down on while going fast

[@brrepublic8174]

You can only lay down on your back on this particular ski.

[@josephgrekoski2447]

Would you put it as ski of the year over GTI 170

[@watercraftjournal]

No.

[@josephgrekoski2447]

Cmon. You got to factor in reliability. The GTI 170 is hands down the most towed ski. Even my buddy Rob Gleason agrees.

[@jamesjosh]

Havn't had the slightest hint of an issue on my GTI 170 adding a 230 to the stable this year. I'm in Oregon so my 170 is just at 5o hours so far but that's more than a lot of people ride in a season from what I have seen.

[@josephgrekoski2447]

@@jamesjosh go with the FX SVHO. You won’t be disappointed. Kevin covered the GTR 230 in a vid last week. A lot slower because the hull.

[@jamesjosh]

@@josephgrekoski2447 I don't care too much about top end speed. Have you ridden the new GTI hull? It's a game changer the amount of stability it offers is amazing and its still a super fun ski. I am out there to have a good time not to win a drag race. I like taking my younger siblings and friends kids out with me and the new GTI/R hull couldn't be a better mixture of fun with family and fun when your alone. Taking the back half of the seat of makes a big difference in how you can stand when riding solo too. IMO you can't beat the combination of playfulness and stability. Plus if you want to stay dry you can and if you want some spray that's not hard either. My wife loves being able to pretty much stay dry on a cold day.

[@stephenwhite5444]

Is there a big difference in the hull design of the EX compared to VX and FX? How does the EX do with a lake full of significant waves from a bunch of large boats?

[@watercraftjournal]

Yes, it's a demonstrative difference.

[@whalegulch]

Yamaha ex sport or Sea-Doo spark trixx?

[@watercraftjournal]

EXR

[@whalegulch]

@@watercraftjournal thanks

[@unwept2k354]

Hey I got a question I’m a teenager looking to get my first personal pwc I used to always use my dads Waverunner FX from 2010 and wondering what I should get a Ex, ex sport or spark trixx but if there’s any better affordable available models by other companies be sure to let me know thanks

[@watercraftjournal]

There's a LOT of used Sparks out in the market. You should be able to pick one up cheap. The EX hasn't been out as long as the Spark, but you might be able to find a cheap one of those too. You'll just have to dig around on FB Marketplace or Craigslist.

[@unwept2k354]

@@watercraftjournal ok great thanks a lot

[@sasha-103]

How much fuel consumption in turing eco mode? ghp or lph

[@watercraftjournal]

There’s no ECO mode. That’s on Sea-Doo.

[@sasha-103]

@@watercraftjournal and how much gallons per hour in turing?

[@codyc5000]

Can it tow?

[@watercraftjournal]

Tow what? A child in a raft? Sure but there’s really not enough seating to legally do so.

[@chrispederson4157]

@@watercraftjournal So have you actually tried towing and doubling with it. Seen lots of vids of people doing both and looks ok. We are not talking wake boarding just fun towing a tube with two people on ex.

[@bapakbob3897]

Review much appreciated! But a bit confused about the statement : " Rather, Yamaha’s dreaded right-hand side manual reverse lever returns from the grave." Does that mean that I should save a grand and just buy the EX without the reverse? I will moor on a lift and it seems being able to reverse it off the cradle would be preferable, but with a "dreaded" reversing mechanism? Exactly how dreaded?

[@watercraftjournal]

Yamaha used a right hand manual reverse for years that Kevin hated. Well on the Sport, it comes back. It’s very awkward and clumsy, and frankly worth paying extra for the RIDE brake and reverse.

[@mladeng7016]

Not a word about fuel economy.?

[@watercraftjournal]

Because we didn't measure it. We just goofed off with the throttle pinned the whole time.

[@F150PullsBayliner]

Tell me why our 1998 Seadoo GTX RFI with 130hp looks better than this 2020 EX. Sheesh.

[@daver5873]

I recently purchased a 2022 VX, the short story, Yamaha DOES NOT stand behind their product, had a "check engine" light come on at 6.5 hrs, dealer charged me to turn it off, I called Yamaha Corp. and all I got was blowing smoke up my ^%$#, Yamaha, Take the money and run!

[@watercraftjournal]

Why should Yamaha cover it? What triggered the check engine light?

[@daver5873]

@@watercraftjournal After many phone calls to the local dealer and Yamaha it turned out the "code" was for a loose battery cable, at 6.5 hours !!! Yamaha confessed it was the fault of the dealer's failure to prep the ski correctly. I have been very gentle with the ski working toward the manufacturer recommend 10 hour break in period.

[@watercraftjournal]

Good that you got a response. Yamaha (corporate) is correct. The dealer installs the battery, so the onus is on them. Then again, terminals back out. It's not a big deal (bring a screwdriver in your PWC tool kit).

[@daver5873]

@@watercraftjournal 6.5 hours I shouldn't have needed any tools. Sadly after speaker with the dealer and all CONFESSED this was not a user problem the dealer said he'd refund my money IF I changed my Google review, I told them I would change it AFTER my 10 hr break-in service, so far they have not issued a refund. I will go back to Yamaha. Again. no confidence in the dealer or Yamaha at this point.

[@jonathanmarcyan5261]

Not even close to a throw back. Sorry.

[@watercraftjournal]

It all depends on what you're "throwing back to." Sorry, not sorry.