1996 kawasaki 750.... Need Advice

[lts70]

I am looking at buying a 1996 Kawasaki STS JetSki. I have no experience with Jetski's. A guy at work has been trying to sell it to me for a month now and has gone from asking $800 now to $600. I went to his house and it starts right up and the hull and seat are in good shape minus some sun fading. Tomorrow I am going to take it for a test ride. I just want to get some second opinions on this machine before I jump into buying it.

1) Is it worth $600 if it rides good?

2) What are some things to look for as problem areas?

3) All stock will it pull a tube or skier (I am 200lbs, Wife is 169.9lbs, and I have normal size 3-1/2 and 2 year old boys).

Any advice or info would be appreciated as I am going to ride it tomorrow morning.

 

[itguy55]

Re: 1996 kawasaki 750.... Need Advice

I would check the impeller and the spark plugs. Spark plugs will give you an idea if the engine is running well or will need work. It may start run but it could have hidden problems. The price is not bad but a 750 will not be able to tow a person and have two riders on the ski. If you state allows for you to tow without an observer behind you ( person who sits facing the person being towed) then you should be fine with towing a person. Also ask if the ski has been in salt water and ask about flushing the system. I once was being sold a jetski and the guy did not know how to flush the system that gave me a clue to know the guy had not taken care of the engine or water system.

 

[blip61]

Re: 1996 kawasaki 750.... Need Advice

I have one of those jetskis. It's alright in smooth waters but any little chop and you feel it. You have to slow way dowmn or get pounded. Also, it's shorter and thinner than most skis that size and bigger, so with two full size adults it is top heavy and very unstable (you will tip over). Me, 210 lbs, and my 11 year old daughter 80 lbs, are no problem however. Just something to think about.

 

[lts70]

Re: 1996 kawasaki 750.... Need Advice

Well I went ahead and purchased the machine after a 1hour long ride and a good looking over. It has never been in salt water and is a one owner machine. I have been building classic trucks as a hobby for years but have little to no experience with pcw or 2 stroke engines. It sounds like it is completly stock.

So my questions are:

1) Are there some basic mods I can do to increase performance? I don?t want to go crazy money wise but I do enjoy tinkering with things and sometimes small things can make significant improvements.

2) What would be a good aftermarket prop to use to increase low end grunt and tube pulling capabilities? I live in Utah, I say this as I would think elevation plays in.

3) Grip tape is peeling on edges, any good advice as what to use to replace?

4) The fuel gauge has the lights punched in and does not work, if I get one on eBay that looks the same but is form a different year or model will it work?

5) Does it help to smooth out the bottom of the hull with new paint or wax for performance?

6) How do you get and keep these yellow seats clean?

 

[The Penguin]

Re: 1996 kawasaki 750.... Need Advice

Well I went ahead and purchased the machine after a 1hour long ride and a good looking over. It has never been in salt water and is a one owner machine. I have been building classic trucks as a hobby for years but have little to no experience with pcw or 2 stroke engines. It sounds like it is completly stock.

So my questions are:

1) Are there some basic mods I can do to increase performance? I don?t want to go crazy money wise but I do enjoy tinkering with things and sometimes small things can make significant improvements.

I'm not familiar with that model, but basic 2 stroke performance mods are: increase compression, advance timing and install aftermarket exhaust.

2) What would be a good aftermarket prop to use to increase low end grunt and tube pulling capabilities? I live in Utah, I say this as I would think elevation plays in.

Again - not familiar with the model, but you should check your state boating laws. In most states, you can't tow a skier/tuber with a 2 seat ski. The mirrors are too small, and you must have seating capacity to hold the driver, observer, and skier/tuber

3) Grip tape is peeling on edges, any good advice as what to use to replace?

www.hydroturf.com

4) The fuel gauge has the lights punched in and does not work, if I get one on eBay that looks the same but is form a different year or model will it work?

Go to the kawasaki website, look up the part number for the part you are replacing. Compare that with the part number from the donor ski. If they are the same - you're good.

5) Does it help to smooth out the bottom of the hull with new paint or wax for performance?

6) How do you get and keep these yellow seats clean?

good luck

 

[lts70]

Re: 1996 kawasaki 750.... Need Advice

Thanks for the answers Penguin. It is a 3 person so I should be legal to pull tubers right?

 

[DoGood]

Re: 1996 kawasaki 750.... Need Advice

Thanks for the answers Penguin. It is a 3 person so I should be legal to pull tubers right?

I don't know law, but a 750 isn't going to hold two adults and pull a tube. I don't think they even made a 3 person 750. Maybe it's not a 750 or maybe it's not a 3 seater.

 

[The Penguin]

Re: 1996 kawasaki 750.... Need Advice

I have no idea of the laws in UT.

in TX, a 3 person ski is needed to pull a tuber. 1 person driving, 1 observer (since the mirrors are too small), and the tuber

not saying that I've never pulled a tube by myself...but I also know what I can get away with in my area.

 

[bigdaddypt]

Re: 1996 kawasaki 750.... Need Advice

that ski is a 2 person, not a 3 person. Even if it's just you and a tuber, you're not going to have much fun towing because it's not a very powerful engine...80-85hp I believe.

As far as performance mods...get a high compression head, performance exhaust pipe and rejet the carbs accordingly. Don't bother with the impeller until you have made performance mods as the won you have in it now, as long as it's not damaged, is probably the best one for the set-up.

 

[bigdaddypt]

Re: 1996 kawasaki 750.... Need Advice

so I checked becuase I haven't seen the STS in a while and it is rated for 3 people. But it won't be comfortable with more than 2 on there unless you have 2 kids with you...and towing...forget about it.

 

[lts70]

Re: 1996 kawasaki 750.... Need Advice

Thanks guys

Does anyone know where I can download a set of Utah PWC rules or laws?

I don?t plan on being crazy on this thing, just want to give my family nice little rides around the lake and pull them in the tube (even if it is at low speeds). I am confused about what I can and can?t do.

I have seen pictures of the guy I bought it from pulling people behind the same machine. Some without a second flagger person some with. In one picture he had two on the machine and two on the tube.

One guy even told me that my mirrors make it so I dont need a spotter as long as I have a place to post a flag for all to see while the tuber is down, is that true?

Can I have my kids on the machine? Some say kids are not allowed on them some say otherwise. Is there a set-in-stone age or weight limit for kids? I just bought them both brand new HO life jackets.

 

[The Penguin]

Re: 1996 kawasaki 750.... Need Advice

http://www.utah.com/boating/

http://stateparks.utah.gov/boating

 

[lts70]

Re: 1996 kawasaki 750.... Need Advice

Well it looks like I can give my kids rides on the ol PWC, Just not let them drive. I still cant find any kind of rules or list of laws for the PWC's. Anyone see somthing I am not?

 

[The Penguin]

Re: 1996 kawasaki 750.... Need Advice

I can't do it all for you:

 

[lts70]

Re: 1996 kawasaki 750.... Need Advice

I can't do it all for you:

but you have. Thanks bud.