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1990-1996 Yamaha WaveRunner III 650 Review and Specs [Video]

1990-1996 Yamaha WaveRunner III 650 Review and Specs [Video]

The world’s first 3-seater WaveRunner was revealed in 1990 featuring the largest and most stable WaveRunner platform of its time. This model, namely the WaveRunner III 650, shared its 633cc, 42 HP twin engine with the first “square nose” SuperJet 650.If you want to discover this legendary Yamaha jet ski, this post is for you.

We at JetDrift have compiled all you need to know into this Yamaha WaveRunner III 650 review!

1990-1996 Yamaha WaveRunner III 650 Review

The legendary 1990 WaveRunner III 650 (WR650) was the first 3-seater Yamaha jet ski ever built.

Also known as Marine Jet 650TL, this ski was the largest model in Yamaha’s feet at that time. It was built on a large platform measuring 109.1 inches in length, 40.2 inches in width, and 34.3 inches in height. The dry weight of the machine was a remarkable 379 pounds.

To propel this heavy hull on the water, the WaveRunner III 650 was powered by a 2-stroke, 633cc twin engine featuring a single Mikuni carb, CDI ignition, electric starter, and open-loop cooling system. This lively power mill produced 42 HP at 5,500 RPM while its mixed flow, single-stage jet pump provided a thrust of 385 pounds.

Since this model lacked an oil injection system, riders had to premix the fuel with 2-stroke oil before filling up the gas tank. The recommended gas and oil mixing ratio for this WaveRunner was 50:1.

In the later model years, the WR650 was upgraded to an oil injection system.

The maximum fuel consumption of the ski was 4 U.S. gallons per hour, so the 5.8-gallon fuel tank offered about 1.2 hours of riding time at full throttle.

With one rider, a stock WaveRunner III 650 could reach a top speed of 35 mph, but it could be easily modified to reach the range of 40-45 mph. The ski’s electric system and 12V battery was kept charged by a flywheel magneto.

Although this model was marketed as a 3-seater jet ski, it was virtually impossible to ride it with three adults on board. Even with just two adult riders, this tiny craft became very tipsy, so double rides on it were challenging and required some practice.

What’s more, these vintage WaveRunners were also prone to porpoising. Fortunately, this could be reduced by installing a larger aftermarket ride plate or by applying different riding techniques.

It was also wise to upgrade and secure the oil lines on later models. The stock oil lines were prone to going bad with age, which often resulted in a seized engine.

After many years of production, in 1997, the WaveRunner III got a more powerful, 700cc engine upgrade. This model was also renamed the WaveRunner III 700 (WRA700V).

By 1998, Yamaha had permanently dropped this model from its fleet to make room for new models like the XL 1200 or the legendary GP series.

1990-1996 Yamaha WaveRunner III 650 Specs Chart

For your convenience, we’ve compiled the 1990-1996 Yamaha WaveRunner III 650 specifications into these charts!

Yamaha WaveRunner III 650 Engine Specs

Yamaha WR650Engine Specs
Type2-stroke
Number of cylinders2
Displacement633 cm³ (38.61 cu in.)
Bore and Stroke77 × 68 mm (3.03 × 2.68 in)
Compression Ratio7.0
Lubrication SystemPre-mixed
Recommended Engine Oil TypeYamaha outboard motor oil
Gasoline and Oil Mixing Ratio50 : 1
FuelUnleaded regular gasoline
Cooling SystemWater-cooled
Starting SystemElectric Starter
Ignition SystemC.D.I.
Spark Plugs TypeNGK BR-8HS
Spark Plug Gap0.5 - 0.6 mm (0.020 - 0.024 in.)
Battery Capacity12 V 19 Ah
Charging systemFlywheel magneto

Yamaha WaveRunner III 650 Drive System

Yamaha WR650Drive System
Propulsion SystemJet pump
Jet Pump TypeMixed flow, single stage
Impeller RotationCounter clockwise (Rear view)
TransmissionDirect drive from engine
Steering (nozzle) Angle29° +/- 1°

Yamaha WaveRunner III 650 Performance

Yamaha WR650Performance
Static Thrust385 lb (175 kg)
Maximum Output42 HP (31.5 kW) @ 5500 RPM
Maximum Fuel Consumption4.7 US gal/h (18 L/h)
Cruising Range (at full throttle)1.2 hours

Yamaha WaveRunner III 650 Dimensions

Yamaha WR650Dimensions
Overall Length109.1 in (2.770 m)
Overall Width40.2 in (1.020 m)
Overall Height34.3 in (0.870 m)
Dry Weight379 lb (172 kg)
Fuel Tank Capacity5.8 US gal (22 L) including 1.06 US gal (4 L) reserve
These charts are for informational purposes only! For exact specifications, please refer to the factory manual.

Vintage Yamaha WaveRunner III 650 for Sale

As you can imagine, it’s not easy to find a Yamaha WaveRunner III 650 for sale in good shape. Since these skis went out of production in 1996, so most were worn out and already scrapped.

However, if you are lucky, you can find a Yamaha WaveRunner III 650 for sale on Craigslist, eBay, and other dedicated jet ski classified websites.

Besides these places, you may want to visit some online Yamaha WaveRunner forums as well, where you can find some great deals, along with a lot of valuable info about these vintage crafts.

Takeaway

As a takeaway, we’ve answered the most common questions about the 1990-1996 Yamaha WaveRunner III 650!

What Size was a Yamaha WaveRunner III 650?

The Yamaha WaveRunner III 650 was 109.1 inches long, 40.2 inches wide, and 34.3 inches high.

How Much Did a Yamaha WaveRunner III 650 Weigh?

The dry weight of the Yamaha WaveRunner III 650 was only 379 pounds. This means it weighed less than half as much as the top-of-the-line WaveRunners these days!

What Kind of Engine Did the Yamaha WaveRunner III 650 Have?

The Yamaha WaveRunner III 650 was powered by a 2-stroke, 633 twin engine featuring a single Mikuni carb, CDI ignition, electric start, and open-loop cooling system.

How Much Horsepower Did a Yamaha WaveRunner III 650 Have?

Although it was advertised with 50 HP, the original owner’s manual tells us that the engine of the Yamaha WaveRunner III 650 provided only 42 HP at 5,500 RPM, while its pump delivered a thrust of 385 pounds.

How Fast Did a Yamaha WaveRunner III 650 Go?

Top speed of the Yamaha WaveRunner III 650 was only 35 mph under ideal conditions, which can be boosted to the range of 40-45 mph with some aftermarket modifications.

How Much is a 1987-1990 Yamaha WaveRunner III 650 Worth?

The exact price of a Yamaha WaveRunner III 650 depends on many factors like its condition, year, and location. If you are lucky, you can find a neglected one for a couple of hundreds of dollars. In contrast, if you are looking for a WR650 in a mint condition, be prepared to pay about $1,500-$4,000!