2020 the Last Year of the Yamaha SuperJet? A Call to Action.
The beloved Yamaha SuperJet remains unchanged for the 2020 model year.
Same graphics, same hull, same everything – except a slight MSRP increase to $8699.
Now, this isn’t really a bad thing despite the rumor mill running amok in 2019. We’ve all probably seen people saying one “powered by a TR1 four-stroke for Yamaha’s 30th Anniversary”, or another touting a “variant of a popular aftermarket hull with a four-stroke.” But alas, we have the same SuperJet in 2020 as we did in 2008.
The stand up community should count our blessings that this spunky little two-stroke ski is even available in the United States for 2020. The SuperJet, in its current two-stroke form, is no longer available in Australia due to more stringent emissions laws.
Two-stroke engines require the gas to be mixed with oil to lubricate bearings and other moving parts. They earn the popular nickname “two-smoke” because oil gets burned in the combustion chamber, then puffs of smoke are emitted out the exhaust. As you might be thinking, not so great for the environment.
There is an elephant looming in the corner of our community’s metaphorical room. A big one.
If subsequent two-stroke SuperJets are now banned in Australia, when will they be banned in the USA and elsewhere?
If Yamaha is not developing a four-stroke (or more EPA suitable two-stroke, etc) SuperJet due to a small, unresponsive customer base, our precious SuperJet will be gone forever. If it comes down to it, EPA regulations will win the two-stroke emissions battle.
I pose a challenge to you. You, the lover of all things stand ups.
Support the stand up community and prove to Yamaha that it is worth their money and effort to produce an updated SuperJet for the modern era. If anyone can produce a playful hull mated with a powerful four-stroke, it is Yamaha. Even if a rumored four-stroke SuperJet is already coming down the pike, our enthusiasm can only help the cause.
Share your love of skis with your loved ones, your friends, your coworkers, heck, people eyeing your ski at stop lights! Help grow this amazing sport.
Kawasaki took the initiative to revive the SX-R, previously two-stroke and discontinued in 2011, as a four-stroke for 2017 model year. Some love it, some hate it. It is big, heavy, and fast. Perfect for the racing scene, able to mow through chop and reach speeds over 60mph. However, the large size causes the SX-R to lose most playful flick-ability. One thing is for sure, the polarizing SX-R dropped on dealership floors and it spiked interest from both old and new buyers.
Die-hard Kawasaki riders put the new SX-R in their stable with pride, happy to support their brand who brought the Jet Ski into the world decades ago. With the SX-R fresh on the dealership floor, many visitors encountered a stand up for the first time. That’s now new riders are born!
Sure, the SuperJet has been available in dealers since 2008, and thus, also in the public eye. Buuut, they’re usually shoved into a dark, spider-infested corner while more popular products earn prime floor space. I stand by the opinion that riding stand ups is akin to motocross, and many dirt bike riders visiting dealers, tired of smashing into hard earth, could benefit from switching sports.
Imagine if stand ups were as popular as dirt bikes. No need for massive dirt tracks, similar price point, similar speeds, and softer landings. The water your trail, the waves your track. Race on a buoy course, soar into the air with freestyle. Endless choices. Pure freedom.
None of that is possible without our support. Which hand fills up first? One with hopes and dreams or one with…well, you probably know how that old saying goes.
There are always the negative Nancys making comments out there. A new SuperJet will be too big. It won’t be fun. Two-strokes rule, four-strokes drool!
Two-strokes are going away, embrace the future, or there won’t be one.
I say – what can it hurt?
Join me in sharing your passion for the stand ups, and the continued production of the mighty SuperJet!
Yamaha, we’re watching.
