2016 Yamaha VX Limited Review

Yamaha brings Limited extras to VX line

The process of buying a personal watercraft often follows a typical path. First you buy the actual craft itself, and probably even use it for a short time. Then you head back to the dealer or marine store and buy all the stuff that you quickly realize you need, want, or would make ownership simpler and more fun.

It’s those extras — plus the desire to have something just a cut above the norm — that neatly sums up the new 2016 Yamaha VX Limited.

Watersports Wish List

Allowing a manufacturer to assemble your wish list is tricky. I’ve often commented that I’d rather have the money savings on the craft and go shopping to assemble my own list of accessories rather than have someone at a manufacturer try to guess my needs. Yamaha, however, seems to have done a nice job of packaging together items that a large group of owners seem likely to benefit from.

The inflatable tube and towrope are included in the VX Limited’s "Tube Pack."

Those extras are essentially broken down into two packages. The “tube pack” is exactly what it sounds like, the items necessary to get your friends and family enjoying an inflatable. It includes the single-passenger tube and towrope (both color-matched to the Limited’s exclusive Torch Red Metallic, black and white paint scheme), a 12V tube inflator, and a tube holder. The latter is simple but necessary, as anyone who has ever attempted to haul a tube out to their towing area can attest, and simply secures the tube to the craft’s aft platform. The tube pack is complemented by an accessory pack, which adds a rope bag, dry bag, four pull-up cleats, chrome 3D Yamaha emblems, and switches out the simple U-bolt aft for a legitimate ski tow eye.

All of the necessary accessories are included in the Tube Pack.

For those wondering just how you’ll use that inflator at the beach, check out the glovebox. Like most boats, Yamaha has seen fit to outfit the Limited with a 12V accessory plug. It allows owners to easily use the included inflator, but also proves a great spot for charging a cell phone, handheld GPS or VHF radio. Perhaps the most unique addition, however, is a custom cover that includes a solar-panel to keep the craft’s battery always topped off. Yup, the cover is actually designed to accommodate the attached 5-watt solar panel battery charger so that your craft is always ready to run. That’s cool.

New Engine Debuts For ’16

As is the new three-cylinder, 1049cc TR-1 High Output engine. Designed to replace the long-running MR-1 that has powered the VX since its inception, the TR-1 shares engineering background and design with a similar three-cylinder designed for the snowmobile side, but has been tweaked and marinized for use on the water. It’s ideal in this application, as it’s 40% smaller than the MR-1, 20-percent lighter, and produces 13% more power. Given that the VX hull is already manufactured from Yamaha’s NanoXcel composite, it gives the craft an advantageous power-to-weight ratio. I noted an overall more responsive feel when grabbing the throttle, with a crispness lacking in the MR-1. Top speed in hot, humid conditions was 53.3 mph with a light test load. The engine also proves quite efficient, burning a mere 3.7 gallons per hour at a 30 mph cruise, and only 8.3 GPH at wide-open throttle.

The 13% increase in power helps improve handling.

Handling benefits from the added power, a fact that should be obvious given that Yamaha has used this same platform for the VXR/VXS models. Turn the bars and you’re rewarded with a clean, predictable turn enhanced by an inside lean.

Low-speed handling, and control at speed, is enhanced by last year’s innovation — RiDE. Identified by its dual handlebar controls, RiDE is a two-throttle system that uses the right throttle lever as normal and adds a left-handlebar lever to control reverse, as well as provide stopping power underway. RiDE does the latter by interacting with a redesigned reverse bucket. Deploy it at slower speeds and the craft will mimic the feel of forward, neutral and reverse gears. Activate it at speed and the bucket drops into the thrust exiting the pump, redirecting water flow to the sides and rapidly decelerating the craft while maintaining a level attitude.

The $400 Difference

In addition to the Limited’s comfortable and supportive three-tiered Cruiser seat, it also offers Cruise Assist and No-Wake Mode, the former of which is quite welcome for those towsports duties. Cruise Assist allows the driver to lock in a set speed and then fully squeeze the throttle, eliminating the surges that go hand-in-hand with a human finger controlling the throttle. Both features are also useful for long-distance touring.

That means the decision to buy the Limited versus the VX Deluxe will come down to whether you deem those extras worth the $400 difference in price between the craft. It’s personal preference, but I’d certainly be tempted.