“We’ve had [a 2019 Yamaha FX SVHO] in the hands of our development team – Bruce Clarkson, Mark Nystrom and Jesus Garcia – for a while now,” RIVA Racing’s Dave Bamdas prefaced. “Getting performance out of the SVHO (Super Vortex High Output Yamaha Marine 1,812cc Marine Engine) was easy with our Maptuner X software, but getting the speed and more importantly, the handling right took some doing.”
Bamdas was careful not to echo some sentiments swirling around the performance tuning threads online. Doubters and naysayers blithely crow that the new Yamaha FX platform is slow, some going so far as to call it a step backwards. “Not so,” Bamdas defended vigorously. “But to get the ski to stay consistent at higher speeds took quite a bit of testing and development to get right.”
In the past two years, aftermarket performance enthusiasts have become spoiled by the immediacy of 80-plus-mph speeds provided by the Yamaha GP1800 – and now GP1800R – with solely a couple of modifications. “We were hitting 78 miles-per-hour with pretty much just an ECU reflash,” Bamdas recounted. “It didn’t take much at all. And we hadn’t even touched handling components. [The GP] didn’t need it.”
The new full-sized, 3-seater FX though, proved not as responsive as its smaller sibling. From the showroom floor, both craft clocked reasonably identical (sustained) top speeds: a fraction over 68mph. Although the new FX borrows heavily from the GP’s successful hull design – particularly below the splash-deflecting chine – the added 50-pounds (769 vs. 818-pounds) and length (131.9 vs. 140.9-inches) does increase the FX’s running surface, and thereby surface tension (ie. drag), considerably.
IJSBA WORLD FINALS - LARGEST WATERCRAFT TRADESHOW IN THE INDUSTRY
The Blowsion IJSBA World Finals acts as the industry's largest gathering of watercraft racing's aftermarket companies, race sponsors, and pro racers. In that way, the World Finals is our sport's largest trade show. It is here that consumers and racers alike can check out new 2019 parts, apparel, custom builds, and all things watercraft for next year. This is also a good time where competitors can catch up with all of their sponsors or potential new ones.
IJSBA WORLD FINALS - RIVA RACING'S BEST BOOTH TO DATE
At this year's event, RIVA Racing has set up our best trade booth ever, boasting a full line up of our aftermarket racing parts, our new 2019 Yamaha & Sea-Doo Custom Builds, plenty of fresh apparel, and a hands on display of the watercraft industry's #1 tuning device, the MaptunerX. RIVA Parts Technicians will be standing by in our tent for any watercraft or parts questions so feel free to swing by!
IJSBA WORLD FINALS - LET THE RACING BEGIN!
At this year's event, RIVA Racing has set up our best trade booth ever, boasting a full line up of our aftermarket racing parts, our new 2019 Yamaha & Sea-Doo Custom Builds, plenty of fresh apparel, and a hands on display of the watercraft industry's #1 tuning device, the MaptunerX. RIVA Parts Technicians will be standing by in our tent for any watercraft or parts questions so feel free to swing by!
IJSBA WORLD FINALS - MORE INFO
At this year's event, RIVA Racing has set up our best trade booth ever, boasting a full line up of our aftermarket racing parts, our new 2019 Yamaha & Sea-Doo Custom Builds, plenty of fresh apparel, and a hands on display of the watercraft industry's #1 tuning device, the MaptunerX. RIVA Parts Technicians will be standing by in our tent for any watercraft or parts questions so feel free to swing by!
