2012 Sea-Doo GTX S 155 Review

Suspension trickles down to more affordable price point

Without question, Sea-Doo’s Intelligent Suspension concept is cool. It’s also expensive. The price tag alone likely keeps many prospective buyers from making the jump, or even considering a suspension-equipped model.

What’s a manufacturer who wants to gain more widespread acceptance of suspension to do? Lower the price by putting a slightly less sophisticated version of suspension on a more affordable model.

If you’re Sea-Doo, that means you make the GTX S 155.

Oh The Suspens-ion

The GTX S 155 allows consumers the chance to enjoy suspension on a PWC at a more affordable price.

Like the system found on the higher-end Sea-Doo suspension models, the GTX S 155 suspension system works by separating the rider area — seat, handlebars, and footwells — from the hull. The parts are linked by a twin-arm suspension featuring a central spring (boing!) and shock absorber which provide 5.5” of travel up and down within the lower hull. Encounter turbulent waters and the upper rider pod will literally absorb a good deal of the jolt, depressing into the hull below.

Adjusting the suspension is done by lifting up the seat and using a ratchet to either loosen or tighten to match your riding style or body weight.

The GTX 155 already adopted the styling of the suspension models last year, albeit without any separation of hull and rider pod. But unlike the system featured on higher-end models, the S 155 suspension approach does not rely on an onboard computer but is instead manual. Lift up the seat (it stays up thanks to a pneumatic strut), and with a simple ratchet you can adjust the suspension’s tension, loosening or stiffening its response to match your rider weight or typical riding conditions. It’s simple and less expensive, but works in similar fashion to its pricier counterparts.

As a driver, I found suspension to soften the blows of rough conditions substantially, but appreciated it even more so as a passenger. No, it’s not riding nirvana in the rough stuff, but it definitely takes the edge off. If you ride in bigger waters, it’s worth a test drive to see the difference for yourself.

Bells And Whistles

Outside of the suspension, this boat is equipped with all the goodies that previously trickled down from above, including Intelligent Throttle Control. ITC is essentially drive-by-wire technology, meaning no mechanical cable between throttle and engine, but instead an electronic signal. That makes possible cruise control and a low-speed no-wake mode, but also allows Sea-Doo to give the boat differing acceleration profiles. Touring mode tames the engine’s acceleration; sport mode gives the driver the engine’s full potential. ECO mode allows the driver to pick the most economical approach, saving gas by giving up a little control of the engine’s peak potential.

The S 155 also features the Intelligent Brake and Reverse system. In simplistic terms, iBR uses a redesigned reverse gate to interrupt the flow of water and redirect thrust to stop the boat in roughly half the distance of a conventional system. Operated by a left handgrip-mounted lever, iBR is a method of collision avoidance, but also can be used to more rapidly change directions.

The most glaring issue with the GTX S 155 is limited storage space.

Of course, my favorite aspect of iBR is that it allows the boat to start in a fashion that mimics neutral on a prop-driven boat. Thrust is redirected to a position that keeps the craft still; squeezing the throttle then lets the boat go forward, squeezing the brake/reverse lever sends you backward. It adds a whole new level of control around tight areas, like the dock or launch ramp, and gives Sea-Doos a low-speed precision long missing on PWC.

More? An electronic Variable Trim System adjusts the boat’s attitude when running. Drop the bow for quicker acceleration, raise it for best top-end speed. A memory allows you to set preferences, and then have the boat respond to them with a simple double-tap of the trim button.

Of course, there’s also a full-featured display, and programmable learning key lanyard system that can limit the craft’s speed for certain riders, as well as act as a theft-prevention device. And yes, tilt handlebars, fold-down boarding step, and a comfortable, cushy, touring-oriented seat.

One decided weakness? Storage. The hull design makeover limits capacity to about 16 gallons, far below some competitors.

Haul Boat

At its core, suspension or not, the GTX S 155 is still very much the GTX 155 that impressed me last year. The boat’s S3 hull design handles rough water much better than previous Sea-Doo hulls, and yet turns with the same aggressive nature that ‘Doo fans have come to expect. A step is used to reduce drag, while sponsons further improve cornering bite.

Added comfort will be appreciated by driver and passenger.

Power remains the 155hp version of the versatile Rotax 4-TEC, a 1,494cc, naturally aspirated four-stroke. Expect a top speed around 55-57 mph, and enough low-end punch to thrill off the line or pull the kids or buddies around on skis, wakeboards, or tubes.

Just expect to do it all a little more comfortably…thanks to that big spring under the seat.

Related Reading
2011 Sea-Doo GTX 155 Review
2012 Sea-Doo PWC Lineup Preview
2012 Sea-Doo GTR 215 Review