Unlocking the SVHO w/ RIVA Stock 8000 Reflash: The Watercraft Journal EP. 85

Wanna go 75mph without voiding your warranty? RIVA Racing's Stock 8000 Reflash for the Yamaha GP1800R unlocks the SVHO engine to produce 290HP @ 7,800rpm and push our '20 GP1800R SVHO to 75mph. Read the whole article HERE: watercraftjournal.com/gallery...
Here's our shootout between the 2021 Yamaha GP1800R SVHO and the 2020 GP1800R SVHO: watercraftjournal.com/video-2...
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[@titanmx61]

Thanks for the great content Kevin. Exactly answered all my questions about my new 2021 GP1800R SVHO.

[@watercraftjournal]

Awesome! We're happy we could help!

[@martinreagan5083]

Love the new 2021 GP1800R I got mine added a riva tune riva intake and ride plate my digital gauge shows 81MPH it’s probably going 78-79MPH

[@NMBSUMMER]

Going out with ice in the footwells, love it!

[@watercraftjournal]

We walk the walk.

[@pete7129]

Awsome video always loved before and afters

[@watercraftjournal]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@cyrusamini5543]

Great vid... I'm planning on installing this tune. It would nice to see vids comparing other tunes available to the svho lump. 👍

[@watercraftjournal]

Noted!

[@walterbauer4841]

Dude you ROCK love your content Keep up the great work Brrrrrrrrrrr Just got the 2021 1800 r SVHO Now need to get the tuner so I can Pass My Brother yeah thanks Walter Brrrrrrrrrrr

[@watercraftjournal]

Right on! And thanks for the support.

[@stwings98]

Seeing those skis covered in snow broke my heart. And I ride a Seadoo!

[@watercraftjournal]

Sadly, we do it to prove a point. (Well, several actually.)

[@StevenSynfulmindedVickery]

@@watercraftjournal What point is that

[@purpskurp8737]

about to buy this for mine did the scom for the rxt 300 last year and i was surprisingly impressed.

[@watercraftjournal]

The MaptunerX tune is the exact equivalent of a SCOM for a Sea-Doo.

[@fnatomagan]

@@watercraftjournal just way more expensive.

[@ParrotHead1980]

By the way thanks for this killer video. Love your 2020 GP1800R nice color. :)

[@watercraftjournal]

You're welcome!

[@DZOElPortavoz]

Awesome 👏

[@watercraftjournal]

Thanks!

[@dre3809]

Stupid question. What’s the difference between that affordable filter you put in the beginning vs a blow off valve? Can you even use these little filters you installed here on a older model like the 2018 gp1800? I just did a stage 3 and I also was looking to do the blow off valve which is like 400 bucks but then I saw this and I’m so confused lol Do I wanna do both? Thanks!

[@tracyenlow8344]

Given the long and ongoing history of cracked heads with the SVHO, running it hard in cold water is maybe asking for trouble. Yamaha doesn't have an answer for the cracked heads, but suspects cold shocking is playing a role aided by its open cooling system.

[@watercraftjournal]

Thankfully the crack is located in a specific spot, and Yamaha has addressed it with the 2021 models.

[@oswaldocastillo6305]

@@watercraftjournal nice to hear this. But cracking happened from cooling engine to fast? Some ppl idle to cool it before turning it off, idk if thats true or not

[@NoPrxssure]

The yam yam gp was a gift from the gods

[@watercraftjournal]

It's a winner.

[@user-bf2wx3xv5f]

Any idea if one can purchase a supercharger upgrade kit for the Yamaha HO engine to get SVHO performance?

[@scottbonham70]

Just curious would the engine breather and reflash work on an 2021 AR 195 boat?

[@watercraftjournal]

Literally no clue.

[@ParrotHead1980]

Hey Kevin, Is it worth putting that K&N oil filter on my 2016 Yamaha VXR with 205 hours on it? Does it really make that big a difference on the Non-supercharged Yamaha's? If it does i'm going to purchase it. I always go by your advice on the yamis. :)

[@watercraftjournal]

Meh, you'll hear it more than you'll feel it. -K

[@ParrotHead1980]

@@watercraftjournal So it's not worth it on a NA ski

[@brandonjamesperez]

I have never reflahsed an ECU before. If I have all stock parts what is your suggestion as far as how to reflash the ECU to get the fastest results without putting the ski in too much danger?

[@billybobjones4317]

You got bigger balls than me, getting into water where it snows lol, where I live we stay indoors if it drops to 10C, we get about three weeks in Winter where we can get down to 10 at night, during the day it's normally 24C unless it's a cloudy or rainy day then it can get down to 16C brr. I don't understand how people can live in cold places, we can be with out power for a month and no one gets hyperthermia, even in our three weeks of Winter :). The water in our area is a constant 22C, a little cool but you get used to it. Doesn't your face freeze ? the beard probably helps a little but at speeds over 45mph the wind chill would be very cool :), I would think the water spray would wake you up as well :)

[@watercraftjournal]

LOL! It's not too bad when you make up your mind to ride all year long, regardless of the weather. We tease those guys who claim to "ride 365" but won't go out if its a tiny bit chilly.

[@billybobjones4317]

@@watercraftjournal Tiny bit I don't mind as I will go out riding if the temperature is only 20C as that can be 20C cooler than the middle of summer ;) but there is no way I would be out on the water if it was anything cooler than 20C :) , where as 20C is probably a nice warm day for you guys :)

[@phillipsjames2244]

Do you buy the map tuner x and unlock tune separate or does the map tuner come with the unlock

[@watercraftjournal]

Purchase of a Maptuner comes with one tune of your choice.

[@Mad-i134]

So the dealership told me to just add 89 octane fuel in the 2021 Yamaha VX unlimited. Is this true or do you recommend a higher octane ? From Southern California

[@watercraftjournal]

VX Limited is naturally aspirated. It can run on 87 or 89 (or 91 if you want) without trouble.

[@profiveoh]

Is there a comparable stock tune and power increase for the HO version?

[@watercraftjournal]

No, because the stock HO tune is not speed restricted in any way. You'd have to up to a Stage 1 tune. Call RIVA's Maptuner support with further questions.

[@josephgrekoski2447]

More performance vids like this. I smell a RIVA paid sponsorship 👀

[@watercraftjournal]

Yes, RIVA is a major advertiser for The Watercraft Journal. So we use, test and endorse most RIVA products.

[@emjman]

So is there an engine bay blower on these machines like most boats have? I feel like that hot air mixed with oil and whatever other fumes aren't the best thing to have jam packed in an engine bay

[@watercraftjournal]

Nope

[@Bangincheeks369]

Is the engine breather attachment better than a catch can? Or is it just less complex?

[@watercraftjournal]

Yamaha's do not require a catch can.

[@fzr1000981]

I would contend any boosted engine needs a catch can (possible exception of Civic Type R baffled head) because they all have some blowby...most just recycle the blowby to the sump where it contaminates the oil

[@WaterDR-tw8re]

Would the results be similar with a 2019 FX SVHO?

[@watercraftjournal]

Watch today’s “Quick Topic” video, you’ll enjoy it.

[@moneymaker8278]

Super

[@watercraftjournal]

Duper!

[@lf4225]

What GoPro Mount do you have in the front?

[@watercraftjournal]

GoPro suction cup.

[@abdelrifeno9606]

Hello I have yamaha sho fx1800 check engine code fault 68 problem is the right handlebar (switch blue no-wake-mode) ?

[@watercraftjournal]

No idea. Go ahead and look that up.

[@callahan18]

I want this engine breather, but you say they wouldn't notice. What about in races? Is it legal for little mods like this?

[@theapeman1989]

So can we just flash this stock file and the hand held? Is the stock 8000 file free?

[@watercraftjournal]

When you buy the MaptunerX you're provided one tune/map, that you can switch back and forth as often as you like.

[@videntemusic2465]

Hi If i flash it, I can put it back from the factory so as not to lose the guarantee.

[@watercraftjournal]

It is 100% reversible.

[@johnhill2550]

Would this work on a 2021 fx cruiser svho

[@watercraftjournal]

Yes, but ONLY with the factory ride plate swapped for a RIVA plate.

[@Sizzerb81]

I have a 2020 fxsvho. With the tuner will the speedo read past 70 mph?

[@watercraftjournal]

Ah, good question! Unfortunately, not much further past 70 and definitely not accurately.

[@Sizzerb81]

Ok. Thanks for the response.

[@bryandonnaud6197]

@@watercraftjournal You know, I just did 75 on my ski last weekend. Exact same ski as yours, same color, year, model, and my speedo read 75!! Bone Stock.. It's running F ing great! 40 hrs on it now. I'm gonna research your stuff and then call you. I'd like to hit 90 or more. Perfect water where I am. Thanks.

[@brad750]

Was there an acceleration improvement as well?

[@watercraftjournal]

No, it's a stock tune.

[@dragshotking7776]

SiCk Kevin👍🏼

[@watercraftjournal]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jaredhays2947]

Hey Kevin my dad has a 2019 FX SVHO I got him the oil breather upgrade, the riva maptunerX programmer and flashed in the stage 1 plus tune and also the Riva ride plate. We are in Nebraska so elevation is about 900-1100 feet depending on which lake we go to. Unfortunately we have only seen about 1-2 mph gain over all from complete stock setup. He has barely cracked 71 mph in 50 degree air temps cool water temp and low fuel level and he weighs about 230 pounds. Any idea as to why we aren’t seeing any better results? We were hoping to see 75 mph especially after adding the ride plate lastly, but saw maybe .3 to .5 mph increase from the ride plate. The ski is a rocket out of the hole but just thinking we should see more top end than we’re getting for the mods we did.

[@watercraftjournal]

Stage 1 Plus with the stock impeller? That's your problem. What's your RPM?

[@jaredhays2947]

@@watercraftjournal he is seeing 7900 on the stock tach at wide open throttle, how accurate the stock tach is idk, we tried one of those TTO tachs from greenhulk and never got it to work either. We first flashed the “bone stock” tune into the ECU and saw no change in any performance at all then we did the “Stage 1 + tune” I Believe it was called, and only saw about 1.5 mph gain, then the ride plate only gained about .3 to .5 mph gain, ski is stock other than oil breather upgrade.

[@watercraftjournal]

Forget about MPH. Pay attention to RPM. If you're not seeing over 8K (8,100-8,150 ideally), you've got a problem, and your problem is the impeller. Grab this now: rivaracing.com/i-18698460-solas-yamaha-160mm-concord-13-20-impeller.html

[@jaredhays2947]

@@watercraftjournal okay I’ll see if he’s willing this sink a couple hundred more bucks in that impeller. How come the GP1800 SVHO see’s such a big improvement with just a re flash and oil breather as compared to the FX SVHO, to our understanding the motor and “drive train” / “driveline” and even the hull are the same between the two skis just the FX is a little longer/heavier. Does the stock impeller just suck that bad on the FX? One other question. Is that factory tach reliable/correct over 8K RPM on the ‘19 FX? We noticed the speedometer is an absolute joke on the ski, it is just relative to the RPM and what speed you “should” be going in its mind for the RPM, and the speedometer max’s out at 70 and it’s not accurate anyway at 70, it shows 70 when you’re doing 67 on GPS. Does the Tach “max” out like this at say 8k or does it read true past 8K so that we can actually notice if it is turning better RPM with the impeller you listed.

[@watercraftjournal]

Go ahead and look up our videos on the current FX. We explain why.

[@seadoo4life127]

It’s funny so many people say that the Yamaha‘s don’t have enough power but they don’t realize that Yamaha restricts their horsepower for a reason. A simple tune and you are good to go.

[@watercraftjournal]

It's truly the most impressive before/after experience we've had on the water.

[@bryandonnaud6197]

Well , since I HV the exact ski, exact color, everything, I'm gonna look into this. Is this the fastest tune for this ski?? I don't wanna go half way, I want THE fastest tune. Thanks.

[@mrjon2805]

I did 74 GPS confirmed with no mods on my 14 FX SVHO

[@watercraftjournal]

We ticked the GPS at 73.1mph on a 2014 FX SVHO - some we sneaking out with delayed throttle controls.

[@LarryPeteet]

I did 73 according to the speedo on my 2016 SVHO Cruiser.

[@scottlovesplayingbass3495]

I see the filter for the breather but there are 2 sizes. What’s the right size? I wanna do this

[@watercraftjournal]

Who says there's two sizes?

[@scottlovesplayingbass3495]

@@watercraftjournal K&N site

[@watercraftjournal]

Go to rivaracing.com instead

[@zchhrrs4590]

Leaving those nice skis out to get snowed in without a cover??

[@watercraftjournal]

Intentionally for the videos

[@albert30121977]

Can you do this on 2016 FZR SVHO ?

[@watercraftjournal]

Certainly! It's the same SVHO engine!

[@04tsxpower]

Is this detected when it goes in for a service?

[@watercraftjournal]

Not at all.

[@Matt-xf6pn]

Does a stage one tune from riva only come with one tune the 8000rpm? And is not detected when going in for service?

[@04tsxpower]

@@Matt-xf6pn already answered service question and no can't be detected

[@watercraftjournal]

Yes, the Stage 1 tune can be identified by the dealership. This is NOT the Stage 1 tune.

[@096085]

I have a GP 1800R SVHO with Stage 1 plus can I say I have 300hp ?

[@watercraftjournal]

You're over 300HP.

[@Tesstickles101]

Might be a good idea to not put the Stickers on so Yamaha dont associate the craft with tuners to avoid warranty problem

[@michaelanderson2335]

IS THIS SNOWMOBILING ON ICE WATER?

[@watercraftjournal]

ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?!

[@JonathanGarcia-pz9kw]

Do you need a map tuner license to tune it ?

[@watercraftjournal]

Yes. The Maptuner X must have a license for each PWC it tunes.

[@JonathanGarcia-pz9kw]

Does the license come with the Maptuner?

[@watercraftjournal]

The first license does/can at purchase.

[@VifferDude]

Hi Kevin, @2:48 you show that boost and horsepower rises substantially between 7300rpm and 7700rpm then tapers off. Why does yamaha wait until the very top end for maximum boost?. Is it possible to put a different supercharger impeller and fuelling so that boost starts build at 5000rpm and peaks at 6000rpm and tapers off at 7000rpm?. Surely, more ponies sooner, and more boost across a wider rev range will make this ski a killer?. Seems like Yamahaw (

[@watercraftjournal]

Anything is possible but consider who their primary buyer is first. The vast majority are cruisers who simply want a temporary thrill of squeezing the throttle. This is why so much of the SVHO’s power is delivered via the torque from displacement of the 1.8L instead of the top end horsepower.

[@regularjoetac-gearshow6474]

My Phoenix bass boat with a 250hp pro xp will run 75mph per gps. Something’s not adding up here.

[@watercraftjournal]

Why not? Your bass boat has a very flat planing hull.

[@ericsmith6677]

funny because my H.O is the same way. it has a limiter at like 7200 rpm

[@costasgeorgiou5015]

Hey man you don't have ski covers? Lol 😂 just to think only if your were a ski journalist kevin😝😜😁

[@watercraftjournal]

I don’t tow long distances with them on.

[@dreknotz1996]

Covers = scratches on plastics and paint job.

[@costasgeorgiou5015]

@@dreknotz1996 paint fades without just don't drive with them on 😜😜

[@adrianrivera3743]

Does doing this void your warranty?

[@watercraftjournal]

Yes (if you get caught)

[@dawgfather2101]

@@watercraftjournal if you get caught? And that's my question! What do you mean? I have 2, both seadoo gtx 300 limited 2018 and 2021. I used maptuner X for a "barebones" tune, I know you can reinstall the factory tune, but I'm hearing these ECU's (for all jet-ski makers) have an rpm history it saves and when you take your ski in that's what the dealer looks at for warranty! So even if you reinstall factory tune (maptuner X saves) they still know! Is this true? If so, there is no way to tune a ski without voiding the warranty.....which sucks because these skis are way more fun with a good tune!

[@EinsteinTeachedYou]

Come do mine

[@watercraftjournal]

Nah. You can do this at home.

[@wreckdiver61]

They should be maxed out from the factory. Why would you make something that doesn’t take reach it’s fui potential. Same with motorcycles and snowmobiles.. I’m tired of company’s trying to “save me from myself” because of lawyers.

[@watercraftjournal]

Your anger is misplaced. Be mad at lawyers and the morons they represent who gave us the need for these regulations in the first place.

[@nsaadaie]

68mph is plenty fast out of box and above that speed a lot can go wrong. It's best an enthusiast unlocks the extra power willingly, because 75mph + is mind boggling fast and isn't for novices.

[@jimclark6883]

I quit doing mods like this for what I feel is very marginal gain in speed and voiding my warranty for the cost and labor involved to do this stuff. Not worth it Kevin!

[@watercraftjournal]

It's absolutely worth it if you know how to work on your own stuff. -K

[@puscifer03dude52]

You can hit 82 mph

[@watercraftjournal]

Not with just a SCOM

[@bubbavasquez1744]

My 2021 Ex Deluxe get any faster flashing it or no? Ty

[@watercraftjournal]

No not really. Save your money for a supercharged ski later!