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1994-1995 Yamaha FX-1 Review and Specs [Video]
The Yamaha FX-1 was a lesser-known Yamaha freestyle stand-up jet ski manufactured in the mid-’90s. Thanks to its smaller hull and weight, it was more agile than the SuperJet and other larger stand-up models.
If you want to know all about this rare Yamaha stand-up jet ski, you are in the right place.
We at JetDrift have compiled all you need to know into this Yamaha FX-1 review!
1994-1995 Yamaha FX-1 Review
Yamaha FX-1 Review
Contrary to popular belief, the SuperJet is not the only stand-up jet ski Yamaha made.
Just like the second-generation Yamaha SuperJet, the lesser-known FX-1 also made its debut in 1994. These machines replaced the outdated first-generation “square nose” SuperJet.
Are you wondering what justified the existence of the FX-1? The short answer was the gaining popularity of the stand-up segment.
In the early ‘90s, stand-up jet skis were extremely popular. In the middle of the decade, no less than four jet ski manufacturers produced stand-ups; with some of them offering more models.
One of the most famous stand-up fleets belonged to Kawasaki, which consisted of three different models, the Kawasaki 550SX, 650SX, and the 750SX.
Yamaha tried to gain a larger share of the market by releasing two different stand-up skis. Obviously, the FX-1 was released to compete with the widely popular Kawasaki 550SX, while the SuperJet was close to the 650SX.
Simply put, the FX-1 combined the slim hull design of the Kawasaki 550SX with the power of the 701cc SuperJet.
The latter was a larger model that was intended for closed-course racing. Therefore, it was built on a larger platform and housed a more advanced, 144mm jet pump.
In contrast, the Yamaha FX-1 had a lighter and more nimble “freestyle” hull designed for slalom racing. Thanks to its narrower hull, it required much less space for turning.
Although the FX-1 shared its 701cc, 62 HP, 2-stroke twin engine with the SuperJet, its outdated 122mm jet pump restricted its performance.
Regarding dimensions, the ski was 83.9 inches long, 42.8 inches wide, and 26.8 inches high. The dry weight of the FX-1 was only 267 pounds, which was about 24 pounds less than the SuperJet.
It also has a smaller, 3.7-gallon fuel tank, which offered only around half an hour of play if you were hard on the throttle. This was not a surprise, as the max. fuel consumption of the Yamaha FX-1 was 6.9 GPH at full throttle.
Performance?
According to the original owner’s manual, the top speed of the Yamaha FX-1 was about 47 mph under ideal conditions.
Because of its lively attitude, the FX-1 was harder to ride than bigger stand-up skis, but it also offered a lot of fun for experienced riders.
What’s more, the ski also came with some advanced features like CDI ignition, a different flywheel design, and a factory-installed bilge pump.
What Happened to the Yamaha FX-1?
Surprisingly, although the FX-1 was introduced in 1994, it was discontinued after the 1995 model year. Eventually, only around 1500 were made of this unique Yamaha stand-up.
But why did it disappear from the market so quickly?
First, the FX-1 inherited its jet pump from the retired WaweRunner 500 family. This outdated 122mm pump provided less thrust, which severely limited the performance of the ski.
Even if it utilized the powerful 62 HP engine option, its performance lagged behind the SuperJet and other competitor models. Its nimble hull was also hard to ride on rough waters.
The model was also not competitive because its hand-made fiberglass hull made its production costs too high. The FX-1 cost more than the more powerful high-end Kawasaki 750SX.
As you might assume, the FX-1 didn’t sell well, and Yamaha decided to stop making them after only two short years of production.
Many riders waited for this model to return with some improvements, but unfortunately, it never did.
Yet, you can still see many of them running on the water! However, these machines are often actually an FX-1 hull upgraded with a more powerful engine, a larger pump, and other aftermarket performance modifications.
1994-1995 Yamaha FX-1 Specs Chart
For your convenience, we’ve compiled the 1994-1995 Yamaha FX-1 specifications into these charts!1994-1995 Yamaha FX-1 Engine Specs
| 1994-1995 Yamaha FX-1 | Engine Specs |
|---|---|
| Engine type | 2-stroke |
| Number of cylinder | 2 |
| Displacement | 701 cm³ (42.78 cu in.) |
| Bore and Stroke | 81 × 68 mm (3.19 × 2.68 in) |
| Compression ratio | 7.2 : 1 |
| Intake system | Reed valve |
| Carburetor type | Floatless type |
| Lubrication System | Premix |
| Cooling System | Water-cooled |
| Starting System | Electric Starter |
| Ignition System | C.D.I. |
| Battery Capacity | 12 V 19 Ah |
1994-1995 Yamaha FX-1 Drive Unit
| 1994-1995 Yamaha FX-1 | Drive Unit |
|---|---|
| Propulsion System | Jet pump |
| Jet Pump Type | Axial flow, single stage |
| Impeller rotation (Rear view) | Counter clockwise |
| Transmission | Direct drive from engine |
| Steering (nozzle) angle | 18.5° ~ 20.5° |
1994-1995 Yamaha FX-1 Performance
| 1994-1995 Yamaha FX-1 | Performance |
|---|---|
| Maximum speed | 46.6 mph (75 km/h) |
| Static thrust | 496 lb (225 kg) |
| Maximum Output | 46.2 kW (62 HP) / 6250 rpm |
| Maximum Fuel Consumption | 6.9 US gal/h (26 L/h) |
| Cruising Range / at full throttle | 0.5 hr |
1994-1995 Yamaha FX-1 Fuel and Oil
| 1994-1995 Yamaha FX-1 | Fuel and Oil |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| Oil | Two-cycle outboard motor oil |
| Fuel and oil mixing ratio | 50 : 1 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 3.7 US gal (14 L) |
| Reserve | 0.95 US gal (3.6 L) |
1994-1995 Yamaha FX-1 Dimensions
| 1994-1995 Yamaha FX-1 | Dimensions |
|---|---|
| Length | 83.9 in (2.13 m) |
| Width | 24.8 in (0.63 m) |
| Height | 26.8 in (0.68 m) |
| Dry weight | 267 lb (121 kg) |
Yamaha FX-1 vs. Yamaha Superjet Comparison
Let’s compare the key specifications of the 1994 Yamaha Superjet and the 1994-1995 Yamaha FX-1 in one chart!| Specs | Yamaha FX-1 | Yamaha Superjet |
|---|---|---|
| Hull | FX1 | SJ |
| Engine | 62L | 62L |
| Length (") | 83.9 | 88.2 |
| Width (") | 24.8 | 26.8 |
| Height (") | 26.8 | 26 |
| Dry weight (lbs) | 267 | 291 |
| Jet pump (mm) | 144 | 122 |
| Maximum Speed | 46.6 mph (75 km/h) | 43.5 mph (70 km/h) |
| Maximum Output | 46.2 kW (62 HP) / 6250 rpm | 46.6 kW (62.5 HP) / 6250 rpm |
| Cruising Range / at full throttle | 0.5 hr | 0.5 hr |
| Displacement | 701 cm³ (42.78 cu in.) | 701 cm³ (42.78 cu in.) |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 3.7 US gal (14 L) | 4.8 US gal (18 L) |
- Different “freestyle” hull design
- Lighter weight (FX-1: 267 lbs. vs. SJ: 291 lbs.)
- Smaller jet pump (122v vs. 144mm)
- More nimble attitude
- Smaller flywheel
Vintage Yamaha FX-1 for Sale
If you want to ride one, you probably want to know where to find a Yamaha FX-1 for sale. Since only 1500 were manufactured, this ski is already a collectible item, so finding one is not easy!If you want one at all costs, you may start your research on Yamaha jet ski forums and Facebook groups.
Besides these sources, you may also find some used Yamaha FX-1 for sale on Craigslist, eBay, PWC Trader, and other dedicated jet ski ad sites.
Takeaway
As a takeaway, we’ve answered the most common questions about the iconic Yamaha FX-1!What was the Yamaha FX-1?
The Yamaha FX-1 was a lesser-known Yamaha stand-up jet ski that became much less popular than the legendary Superjet. It was considered a great base on which to build a more powerful freestyle jet ski.
It’s s fun fact that Yamaha also released an electronic synthesizer under the same model name.
When was the Yamaha FX-1 Introduced?
The Yamaha FX-1 was revealed in 1994 and was marketed through 1995.
What Size was a Yamaha FX-1?
The Yamaha FX-1 was only 83.9 inches long, 24.8 inches wide, and 26.8 inches high.
How Much Did a Yamaha FX-1 Weigh?
The dry weight of the first-generation Yamaha FX-1 was only 267 pounds, while the Superjet weighed 291 pounds.
What Kind of Engine Did the Yamaha FX-1 Have?
The engine of the Yamaha FX-1 was a 2-stroke, 701cc twin featuring a single carb.
How Much Horsepower Did a Yamaha FX-1 Have?
The engine of the Yamaha FX-1 provided 62 HP at 6,250 RPM.
How Fast Did a Yamaha FX-1 Go?
The top speed of a Yamaha FX-1 was 46 mph in stock condition, but with some aftermarket mods, it could easily hit 50-52 mph.
How Much is a Yamaha FX-1 Worth?
It’s hard to tell the exact price of a vintage Yamaha FX-1, as it depends on various factors like its year, condition, mods, and location. If you are looking for a side project, you can find one with a blown engine for a couple of hundreds of dollars. In contrast, the price of a restored Yamaha FX-1 ranges from $2,000 up to a whopping $6,000+.
