Fearless Flying
If Sea-Doo's RXT-X doesn't get your adrenaline pumping, don't bother checking your pulse … because you probably don't have one.
by Alan Jones
For the
past couple days, you’ve been watching these silver-and-copper-colored blurs out of the corner of
your eye, ever mindful of the fact that soon it’ll be you streaking across Lake Shasta in Northern
California on these outrageously fast, 255-hp Sea-Doo RXT-X and RXP-X “musclecraft.” The emotions
associated with the prospect of piloting one of these amped-up waterbikes include curiosity,
excitement, and — although you’d never dare admit this to any of the more experienced riders around
you — a little dash of apprehension.
Since the bulk of your riding experience has been aboard cruising-type personal watercraft
and rental-esque models, you figure it might be a prudent decision to work your way up the personal
watercraft food chain before tackling one of these predatory beasts. This strategy is only
possible, of course, because Sea-Doo has been generous enough to make its entire lineup of PWCs
available for the assembled members of the press to flog.
Flying into Redding from L.A., you look down and wonder why you're coming here at all.
Everything is that particular shade of brown that only centuries of aridness can create. It looks
like the sort of place where you'd expect to see a pride of lions gnawing on the slowest gazelle -
forget about having enough water to float a boat. But when you drive 30 minutes north after
landing, the landscape transforms dramatically into a verdant paradise as you near the shores of
Lake Shasta.
The first day is spent cruising en masse with a dozen-plus other riders, and for the initial
run, you select the entry-level 130-hp GTI. It features a carbureted version of the Rotax 1494cc
4-TEC 4-stroke power plant - the same displacement as the new "X" bikes, which possess nearly
double the horsepower. One thing you notice from being the tail-gunner Charlie of this gonzo herd
of aggressive riders is, since all these PWCs are 4-strokes and are further enhanced by Sea Doo's
D-Sea-Bel noise reduction system, everything is surprisingly quiet. Were these the much-louder,
old-technology 2-strokes, a gang of this many PWCs would have sounded like a billion angry bees on
the attack.
At regular intervals, the group stops and assembles on shore to learn more about the RXP-X -
which is built for one or two passengers - and the 9-inch-longer, three-seater version: the RXT-X.
Although you can see with your own eyes that from a standing start these PWC are faster than
anything you've ever seen, you learn from the Bombardier Recreational Products Product Manager,
Philippe Normand, that the RXP-X goes from 0 to 50 mph in 2.9 seconds - which is faster than
Ferrari's million-dollar F40, the first street-legal car to break the 200 mph barrier. Being
something of a car buff, you remember that the classy 150-mph Dino Ferrari had 60 fewer horsepower
than either one of these 255-hp fire-breathers. Even the three-seat version smokes the Ferrari F40
with a 0 to 50 mph time of three seconds flat.
Before tackling the mega-horsepower RXT-X, the author takes
Sea-Doo's Luxury Performance GTX 155 for a spin on Lake Shasta.
So, how does Sea-Doo extract 255 hp from the same basic Rotax engine block as the entry
level GTI? For starters, it's supercharged, which is how the RXP achieved the 215-hp mark when it
set the standard for performance back in 2004. Basically, supercharging uses a compressor to allow
the engine to pack more air into the combustion chamber, which gives you the ability to introduce
more fuel and create more power. Fortunately, the boost for these new engines remains at 8.5 psi,
which is the same as the 215-hp Rotax. This is important because as the boost increases, internal
temperatures rise that can be deadly to engine longevity. To gain even more horsepower, the
addition of an intercooler reduces the air temperature entering the engine, making it denser and
therefore allowing you to introduce even more air.
For the X-series, Sea-Doo uses a Vortech supercharger with a larger air inlet that features
a more efficient external intercooler, which reduces the air temperature by 60 percent more than
the intercooler used by the 215-hp 4-TEC models. To utilize this power, Sea-Doo's direct-drive
propulsion system uses a racing pump with a larger intake grate to ensure the PWCs stay hooked up -
even under the roughest conditions. Couple these features with larger electronic fuel injectors,
and what remains is a powerful recipe for blistering X-bike performance.
At the next stop, you swap out for the 155-hp GTI SE, which is clad in an attractive shade
of green that your fellow writers either love or hate. The snappy acceleration on this particular
fuel-injected, non-supercharged model only serves to increase the apprehension factor about
stepping up to the "blown" models. All the Sea-Doos in the current watercraft lineup share a number
of common characteristics, such as closed cooling systems that are similar to those of a car
radiator. By comparison, most PWCs are cooled using water circulated from whatever body of water
they're operating in, which can corrupt the engine's internal passageways if you're riding in
less-than-pristine conditions or in corrosive salt water.
Sea-Doo has done an outstanding job of countering the reasons some non-watersports
enthusiasts seem to dislike PWCs. As mentioned, the reduction in sound level with the all 4-stroke
lineup is a huge factor, as evidenced by the 69-decibel reading at idle on the RXT-X (the readings
at higher speeds are largely wind noise). In addition, every model from the GTI on up to the RXT-X
is rated 3 stars by CARB (California Air Resources Board), which identifies these performance
machines as ultra-low emission vehicles.
Warming up for the first ride of the next day aboard Sea-Doo's previous performance champion
- the 215-hp RXP - proves to be an eye-opening experience. The acceleration is so unbelievable, you
wonder what 40 additional horsepower is going to feel like. Gaining more confidence, you decide to
jump a stray cruiser wake and blip the throttle as you hit it, sending you about twice as high in
the air as you planned. "No harm, no foul," you say to yourself as you land unscathed.
Swapping to the GTX Limited luxury cruiser for an extended cruise to the dam with a fellow
rider alongside proves to be a great choice, since it has a built-in GPS - and on this 30,000-acre
lake with all its different coves and arms, it would be easy to get lost. Snow-capped Mount Shasta,
the highest in the Cascades at a height of 14,179 feet, looms over the lake and poses for some
breathtaking photos. But now that the day is halfway over, it's time to see if the X-craft are too
much 'craft for the average rider.
Of course, you could simply wimp out and start with one of the training ignition keys that
limit your top speed to either 35 or 50 mph, which is a nice feature to have when that crazy
brother-in-law of yours wants to try out your new RXT-X for the first time. But you want to go for
the gusto. Sitting on the comfortable seat, you admire its traction and ability to be gripped by
your thighs, which should come in handy shortly. Rather than the sectioned saddle of the T-model,
the RXP-X features a racing-style seat that's an inch lower than its predecessor. There's even lots
of storage in two compartments that total nearly 30 gallons.
Cranking up the 255-hp engine brings to life the LED Multifunction Digital Information
System, which reports on 20 key engine functions. Both the test RXT and RXP feature the X-Package,
which is a collection of upscale and eye-catching features - like the footrest section, for
instance, which has a patterned tread that's extremely functional. The handlebar is derived from
racing machines and has two-way adjustability for different sized riders. It's padded to prevent
the rider from cracking their head should a mishap occur. One of the features you immediately love
is that - instead of the usual thumb throttle - there's a billet aluminum index finger control
reminiscent of a gun's trigger, which allows you to grip the handlebar more securely while
maintaining precise control of all this power.
Idling out of the home cove where the Sea-Doo hospitality houseboats are located, the motor
is surprisingly quiet, although the RXT-X's high-performance tone is unmistakable. You're startled
by the PWC's immediate reaction to any amount of throttle. After watching Tim McKercher - former
PWC racer and now the media relations and competition management guru for Sea-Doo - launch with the
trim up and immediately stand the RXP-X near vertical, you decide to go easy on the throttle for
the first run. Even with a moderate amount of throttle, though, you're catapulted forward at an
amazing velocity. What's even more impressive is that the rate of acceleration is totally linear
with the amount of throttle you apply. Instead of exploding when you hit a certain RPM (like many
racing vehicles will do), it's totally predictable and manageable, even for non-performance riders.
Once you figure out how usable the power is, the fear factor washes away, and you find yourself
reveling in the sheer exhilaration of accelerating faster than you've ever done before. With a
price tag of $13,299 for the RXT-X three-seater (the RXP-X is $300 less), the cost of doing so is a
little on the high-end for a PWC, but still significantly less than the Ferrari-based method.
Sea-Doo complies with the Coast Guard agreement to limit PWC top speed to approximately 65 mph, but
with the X-bikes, it's all about how you get there.
Overall, the handling is nimble and responsive. Performance riders will probably prefer the
RXP-X- which, with its shorter length, is slightly more agile in sharp turns. Riders who'd like the
option of taking the family for a spin, though, will probably find the RXT-X is a better fit for
their riding style. Both Sea-Doos come with a host of high-tech features, like the VTS Variable
Trim System - which, like a trim system in a boat, can be used to change the attitude (both
figuratively and literally) of the X-machine to give you a better hole-shot, provide more top-end
speed, or adjust to changing sea conditions. All Sea-Doos come standard with O.P.A.S. (Off-Power
Assisted Steering), a breakthrough safety feature that allows you to steer your PWC even when you
let off of the power. For security, Sea-Doo has developed D.E.S.S. (Digitally Encoded Security
System), which replaces the standard (and easy
to defeat) ignition key, with an electronic device that can only be programmed by an
authorized Sea-Doo dealer after verifying the vehicle's ownership.
It's kind of ironic that, while it took you a day or so to work up the gumption to get on
the RXT-X, the Sea-Doo folks are having an even harder time getting you off it. Conveniently
failing to notice the company representative as he futilely attempts to wave you back in for the
third time, you turn this beastly PWC toward open water and rip the throttle for another blistering
run.
Sea-Doo RXT-X
LOA 10'10"
Beam 4'
Weight 818 lbs.
Fuel 15.9 gal.
Base Price As Tested $13,299 (w/255-hp supercharged intercooled Rotax 4-TEC
engine)
Warranty 3-year, non-declining
BRP/Sea-Doo
1111 JA Bombardier Blvd.
Palm Bay, FL 32908
www.sea-doo.com
Test Data
Performance data was gathered on Lake Shasta, with a 255-hp supercharged intercooled Rotax
4-TEC engine, one passenger and a full tank of fuel.
Top Speed 65 mph (approx.)
Time To Plane Almost instantaneous
0-30 mph 1.4 seconds
0-50 mph 3 seconds
Decibels @ Idle 69 dB-A
Notable Standard Features
X-handlebars, billet finger throttle, High Performance Variable Trim System (V.T.S.),
X-traction footwell carpet and deck pad, D-Sea-Bel noise reduction system, 20-function LED
Information Center w/tachometer and speedometer, Digitally Encoded Security System (D.E.S.S.),
Off-Power Assisted Steering (O.P.A.S.) system, Sea-Doo Learning Key (LK1 or LK2) and double-density
comfort hand grips.
