Traveled: Yamaha VX, FX and FZS

• Video

Drawing on over thirty years of experience, Yamaha has invested the knowledge and competitive legacy it has accumulated to develop forms and technologies with which cruising, high speeds and tight turns can only be experienced in the beginning. Yamaha can easily meet the needs of demanding customers who expect quality and reliability for their money. In the chapter on combining comfort and sportiness, it is a little more complicated, and we ourselves saw in Portorož that Yamaha came very close, if not even touched by the ideal.

During the test, we drove along the Slovenian side of the peaceful Piran Bay with the new VX, FX and FZS models. Each of them is designed for a different target group of buyers, and among them anyone who is thinking about buying a sedentary water scooter will be able to choose the right model for their pocket and needs.

The smallest VX model is one of the affordable and economical four-stroke water scooters. With 110 “horses”, it does not provide sharp accelerations and jerks from turns, but is therefore suitable for towing snowboarders and water skiers.

The wide, convex rear-view mirrors provide a wide field of view behind the driver's back, which is an important feature for this type of entertainment. The long and comfortable seat can accommodate three people, as well as a large space on the bow and a box for gloves or some small items.

More demanding and sporty, but also race-oriented users can opt for the FX or FZS model, which is a real race car compared to the base VX.

The four-cylinder gas turbine engine develops 210 "horsepower", which is not the best you can get for your money, but power when combined with a light and durable body made with NanoExcel technology is more than enough. The sink is traditionally narrow at the bottom, so tight turns are not a problem, and it keeps its direction perfectly even when driving in large waves.

In addition to the powerful motor and housing, it is also worth mentioning the rich standard and optional equipment, including both mechanical and electronic components. The list of equipment includes a trimmer with a 24-degree angle, adjustable in five steps, a three-step adjustable telescopic handlebar, and a waterproof cargo compartment.

Built-in electronics include electronic engine controls (cruise control, speed limiter and engine speed control), remote locking and engine power limiting, and digital multifunctional instrument panels provide the driver with information about speed, rpm, fuel level, hours of operation and driving directions and other information.

Face to face. ...

Matevj Hribar: I didn't have a lot of experience with jet skis, but I quickly felt at home on the water with the wide handlebars, so 110 horses weren't enough after a few slaloms, so I wanted to try even more powerful models. Fuck, how are you! When you churn the water under you during a tight corner, the scooter momentarily loses grip and then pushes so hard that you can barely stay in the seat. The hull is agile and explosive, the driver leaves before the turbocharged car reaches its limit. When you drive the better half for the first time, be careful with the gas lest it be the last ride together due to her ill will.

You can control the operation of the engine using the remote control.

VX: from 8.550 to 10.305 euros

Currency exchange: from 13.400 to 15.250 to XNUMX euros.

FZS: 15.250 XNUMX Euro

Technical information

engine: four-cylinder, four-stroke, liquid-cooled, electronic fuel injection, compression ratio 11, 4: 1 (8, 6: 1 turbo)

Maximum power: 81 kW (110 km); 154 kW (210 km) turbocharged

Maximum torque: np

Length Width Height: 3.220 x 1.170 x 1.150 mm (VX). 3.370 x 1.230 x 1.240 mm (FX), 3.370 x 1.230 x 1.160 mm (FZS)

Fuel tank: 60 l (VX), 70 l (FX / FZS).

Weight: 323 kg (VX), 365 kg (FX), 369 kg (FZS).

Representative: Delta Krško Team, Cesta krških žrtev 135a, Krško, www.delta-team.si, 07/49 21 888.

First impression

Appearance 5/5

There are actually no ugly jet skis. Yamaha looks elegant and aggressive.

Motor 5/5

110 horsepower is great until you try a stronger one - all you need is bloat.

Comfort 4/5

Regardless of the design, sailing can also be calm. The triple models are also really spacious enough for three people.

Price 4/5

The price is fair, the loss of value hurts.

First class 5/5

In line with expectations, Yamaha also offers one of the leading scooters in all classes, the 2009 model. In fact, there are no serious shortcomings, and an extensive service network throughout the Adriatic region helps a lot in making a purchase decision.

Mataz Tomažić, photo: Matevž Gribar