It’s been a while since we’ve gotten our hands on any new riding apparel that we’ve actually liked wearing. While more hardcore riders don’t find product reviews such as these terribly titillating, the majority of folks looking for the right gear, equipment and accessories to increase their enjoyment out on the water love these kinds of reports. And why shouldn’t they? Some of our best, most popular content has been reviews of useful and brilliantly-engineered products that make a day on the water even more fun. Sure, you might not think a shirt can make that much of a difference, but you’d be wrong.
A regular ol’ cotton T-shirt is certainly comfortable to wear while riding, as it is both light and breathable. Yet, the minute it gets wet, either by splashing, falling off or just wading a little too deep into the water, and BAM! you’ve got a heavy rag clinging to your skin that can rapidly drop your body temperature in a matter of minutes. Add to that little to no protection from UV rays, and the fact that cotton stretches horribly when wet, and you’ve just got yourself a shirt you won’t be wearing again anytime soon. That’s why RIVA Racing, the industry’s biggest name in performance and lifestyle products for the PWC enthusiast, is offering its race-inspired Offshore Rash Guard.
While we opted for the stealthy black-and-charcoal combo, the RIVA Racing Offshore Rash Guard comes in yellow/green, red/white/blue, and blue/white. Every shirt comes with long sleeves and cut in a classic regular fit (although RIVA notes that sizes may run slightly smaller than average). Moreover, each shirt is made from 100-percent polyester with soft, durable flatlock seams (that means no uncomfortable scratchiness). Being polyester, the material is super soft, doesn’t cling uncomfortably when wet and dries insanely quick – whether standing in the sun or at speed on your ski. A major addition that we found to be super useful was RIVA’s inclusion of special super-breathable mesh for the under arms ensuring that sweat and perspiration will dry quickly and won’t discolor lighter colors. Of course, the big feature is the rash guard’s UPF 35 sun protection ensuring that a day on the water won’t end in an evening slathering oneself in aloe vera.
Owning a Maptuner X also includes full access to RIVA’s World Famous Tuning Library and RIVA’s unmatched technical support. Users can switch between different performance tunes quickly and easily, download new tunes from RIVA, and even restore their ski’s stock tune settings if going in for scheduled service or warranty work.
With the engine’s ECU unrestricted, the rest of the engine is opened up via a RIVA Yamaha FX SVHO 2019+ Power Filter Kit (PT# RY13120) accessing greater air flow for added throttle response and top speed; and RIVA’s Engine Breather Upgrade Kit, 2012-19 Yamaha 1.8L (PT# RY19040-12-EBUK), which according to RIVA, “eliminates power-robbing crankcase emissions from your engine’s air intake. Increases horsepower by removing the engine’s requirement to burn relatively non-combustible oil.”
Additionally, RIVA’s Engine Cooling Upgrade Kit, SVHO, Stage 1/Stock (PT# RY10080-ECUK-I) opens up the water flow to the stock SVHO engine and intercooler by greatly reducing engine “heat soak” or “fade.”
While not available just yet, RIVA expects to have its adjustable Yamaha 2019+ FX SVHO Pro Series Sponsons (PT# RY26120) in the coming months. These, like the Pro Series Sponsons for the GP series Yamahas, took a while to perfect, and RIVA’s team is whittling away to shape the blades and backing plates to optimize the FX platform as best as possible.
Lastly, RIVA worked closely with Solas to create a Yamaha 160mm Concord 13/18 Impeller (PT# YV-CD-13/18) that incorporates “a large blade area and superior hub design that delivers increased acceleration.” In total, the Stage 1 Plus kit promises a sustained 80mph at 8,300rpm all while radically improving handling and cornering, as well as straight line stability in a variety of water conditions.
While these performance numbers were stellar, RIVA wanted to confirm its findings and sought out a second opinion. Reaching out to RIVA Racing-supported National and World Champion Brian Baldwin, Bamdas flew the no-holds-barred racer from his home in North Carolina to RIVA’s test lake in Pompano Beach, Florida. There, Baldwin was given one challenge: “Break it.”
“A few weeks ago, before he got the handling down,” Baldwin told The Watercraft Journal, “Jesus got [the FX] to 80 and said ‘I’m not riding that thing again ’till we figure something out.’ At those speeds, the FX plowed the nose really bad and felt like it would spin out with the flick of the bars.” After riding the Stage 1 Plus-equipped Yamaha several hours, Baldwin beamed, “They nailed it. It’s absolutely perfect. It feels like a GP.”
Baldwin spent the morning thrashing the modified FX SVHO around the lake, pushing the Yamaha harder and harder. Coming in to the dock, Baldwin let out his signature “WHOO!” as he peeled off his helmet. “It’s amazing. What a difference!” But his day wasn’t over yet. “We took it out to the ocean that afternoon,” Baldwin revealed. “It’s really good. Jesus and I went out in the afternoon when it was rough. It beat the pants off of the tuned Sea-Doo RXT-X 300 we brought. I can’t wait to take this out on the race course.”
As noted, RIVA Racing’s Stage 1 Plus Kit isn’t quite ready yet, and availability will be announced in the coming months. Meanwhile, others are rushing to social media to post top speeds, but few (if any) are showing how they’ve tackled managing the FX’s handling at such speeds. “That’s dangerous stuff,” Bamdas cautioned. “Speed is easy nowadays. But it takes lot of homework to make sure you’re safe at those speeds. That’s why RIVA Racing doesn’t play around. It’s either right or not at all.”
