Common problems with 90 and 95 TS 650's

[thumper723]

I am looking to pick up a pair of Kawasaki TS 650's. One is a 95 that is all there, and the other is a 90 repairable parts ski. <br /><br />Are there any chronic problems with these units that I should check for other than the obvious hull damage and such?<br /><br />The 95 has aftermarket pump, reeds, exhaust, etc. The stock stuff is in a box.<br /><br />Thanks for your help

 

[Jeff Walkowiak]

Re: Common problems with 90 and 95 TS 650's

the plug wires are notorious for going bad and sometimes eating up the coil,the hull material is not very strong, they break pretty easily, some of the water boxes fill up with sand and salt, baffels come loose, cooling hoses from the pump get plugged up.

 

[thumper723]

Re: Common problems with 90 and 95 TS 650's

Any strong points to these units?

 

[Jeff Walkowiak]

Re: Common problems with 90 and 95 TS 650's

I owned a 94 750 ss and it ran great after I fixed a few problems with it , I destroyed the poor hull a few times and sank it a couple of times but I hated the ride, ok on a lake but not good for rough water, the engine and pump were ok, even after sinking it and pulling it back to the beach in salt water I managed to get it running the same day , I would never get another one though.I have also owned a 3 seater kaw and it had only one carb 750cc it was slow so I sold it real fast, also the steering helms seem to get hard to turn but all it is is the bushings and a little oil will free them up. I also did not care for their thumb throttle and I designed a twist grip like a motorcycle that I really liked. the last straw was when I was pulling a tube with the ss and the entire rear of the ski broke out when the tube flipped . A piece of the boat was still attached to the tow ring where it ripped out. I fixed the ski and sold it.I have a picture of the hull with a huge hole in the bottom aprox. 1ft by 2 ft section was totally destroyed from hitting a submerged piece of wood, the wood was probably floating under the water it could not have been very big as I never even felt the impact I just sank immediately, I know it was a piece of wood from the impression it left where it first made contact with the hull. I was only going about 30 mph as I was waiting for my wife to catch up on her ski, she towed it back to the beach, I had to hold on to the rear of the ski and drag behind it to keep the front from nose diving as the hole was so big it kept wanting to go straight to the bottom as soon as she started pulling it. It Was Not Any Fun. Took An hour and a half to get it to the beach while I held on to it and had to breath exhaust fumes from her sea doo,the hull was so bad I had to winch it up on the trailer backward because there was nothing in the front to support the hull as it went on the trailer it just wanted to cave in. And as I remember they paint the hulls rather than jell coat them so the paint falls off and all the pads get lost.As I said I would not own another one

 

[mac92a2002]

Re: Common problems with 90 and 95 TS 650's

Hey<br />I own a 96 TS650. Jeff is right they do have weak hulls, I wouldnt recommend ocean riding unless very calm. But i enjoy the lake ride, which where mine is used. If you buy, change plug wires asap, they will quit on you. but other than that my ski is totally stock and has been since 96 when i bought it. It has never been in the shop for repair, very simple maintanance. It sits in -10 degree weather during the winter. proper care is imperative. have fun with it, but use caution if riding in the ocean

 

[Jeff Walkowiak]

Re: Common problems with 90 and 95 TS 650's

I responded to your question and hope you did not think I was bashing the ski I am a very to the point type of person. Yesterday I was out on the water and a person with 2 kaws like yours was towing one back to shore it lost its ignition, I believe it was the kill switch in his case because he alreadt replaced the entire inginion box etc. I noticed his water box is going bad while I was looking at the ski for him , If you get the ski, remove the box and clean it out they fill with sand, it will run a lot better if you do. If you want to inspect it I believe the hose fitting is bolted on the box and is easy to remove , that way you can look in and see whats in it before you remove the thing.