2014 Yamaha FX Cruiser SVHO Review

Yamaha's flagship cruiser gets a boost for 2014

Yamaha stepped up its game for 2014, giving performance customers what they wanted – more power. That’s good news for you speed freaks, but also good news for the flagship touring crowd. With the added horsepower, Yamaha’s FX Cruiser SVHO instantly competes head-to-head with the best both Kawasaki and Sea-Doo have to offer.

Hold on…Tight

Yamaha’s new offering is the Super Vortex High Output, or SVHO engine. It’s based on the previous SHO model, but features a number of changes that give it an entirely new feel. The biggie, naturally, is a new supercharger and larger intercooler. According to Yamaha reps, the latter is 25% more efficient than the SHO design. The SVHO engine also reveals a larger oil cooler advertised as 110% more efficient, which will shed heat, larger fuel injectors, and beefier forged steel pistons. The end result, when coupled with a few more tweaks, is 20% greater power than the SHO and an impressive 60% improved boost.

Yamaha has caught up to Sea-Doo and Kawasaki in the performance department for 2014.

Changes in the engine demanded changes in the pump. Diameter has increased from 155mm to 160mm. Inside you’ll now find an eight-vane design that borrows heavily from race boats. And speaking of race style, Yamaha is finally offering a top-loader scoop grate. This style grate better loads the top of the pump. The rideplate has also been extended.

COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2014 Sea-Doo GTX Limited iS 260

Though quoting horsepower has kind of fallen out of fashion, Yamaha reps couldn’t resist dangling a few hints out there. Namely they say the SVHO bests a certain competitor by about five percent. I’ll save those intent on doing the math a little bit of time. It equates to about 250+ horsepower, which is realistically right between Sea-Doo and Kawasaki’s 250/260 models. In fact, my test on an early model in near ideal conditions produced numbers that bested most other models out there. I passed the 70-mph mark with a light fuel load, and ballparked acceleration as low as 1.5 seconds. In short, the boat flew. And production models haven’t slowed by all that much, with good conditions still producing numbers in excess of 67 mph.

A new supercharger and larger intercooler were mated to Yamaha’s 1.8-liter engine, helping to produce the big horsepower gains.

As I stated in my previous FX SVHO review, however, it’s amazing how comfortable and confident the driver can feel at the highest ends of that speed range. Calm waters or rough, tight turns or high-speed runs, the FX Cruiser SVHO simply excels. You notice the big things, like how well it charges across the wakes with nothing knocking it off its path, or how the hull now sweetly slices through a tight turn with near absolute precision and just the right amount of inside lean. And you notice the small things, like how much more comfortable Yamaha’s pistol-style grips feel after extended riding compared to the simple round grips we’ve come to expect. Most of all you simply notice what a great boat the FX SVHO is in any riding condition, no matter what the task at hand.

Time to Cruise

Of course, there’s a little extra to satisfy those who want to put it to the use its name suggests – cruising. Obvious is Yamaha’s masterpiece of a seat. With the most pronounced levels and bolsters of any watercraft, Yamaha’s cruiser seat sports defined tiers to position each passenger noticeably higher than the last. That enhances their view forward and makes for a far more pleasant ride. Each seat also gets a supportive bolster to provide great back support. Yes, I sometimes felt as though the driver’s position nudged me a little closer than I would have liked, but overall it’s a comfortable, plush seat that works for a crowd, and not just a solo rider.

Yamaha’s cruiser seat has the most support of any in the industry.

Other features, shared by the non-Cruiser models, also enhance touring, as well as overall riding. There’s cruise control, which allows the driver to set a speed and then just simply squeeze the throttle fully to prevent “finger” fatigue (great for both cruising and watersports); no-wake mode that similarly helps during those lengthy slow-speed zones; tilt steering; a mechanical trim system activated by a twist grip on the left handlebar; and a nicely done boarding system that includes a deep, flattened reboarding step and multiple grab handles to get you back aboard from deep water. There’s also Yamaha’s implementation of neutral. By simply putting a detent in the throw of the reverse lever, riders can start the craft in a stationary position, before choosing to go forward or backward. It’s useful in many situations, but especially around a tight ramp or dock area.

COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2014 Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra 310LX

Other goodies include the auto-like key remote, which locks the boat against unauthorized use or activates a low-speed/gas-saving mode, handy pull-up cleats for dockside tie-ups, and as always, great Hydro-Turf traction mats to keep you anchored while underway. Sorry, but the reverse handle is still located to starboard, making it difficult to simultaneously use reverse and throttle. At least for now, if you want a Yamaha you just better get used to it.

A Cruise Assist feature will help reduce thumb fatigue and is particularly useful for tow sports.

Worth The Wait

Yes, there’s still a place for the SHO models, but let’s face it – performance types expected more from Yamaha. Sometimes, they expected a lot more. And now, they finally have it.

COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2014 Yamaha FX Cruiser HO

The FX Cruiser SVHO literally makes it a head-to-head battle atop the watercraft ranks, which enables consumers to now pick the boat that best suits their personality or riding style…and not just their top-speed demands. Yamaha doesn’t, however, demand quite the excessive price as some of its competition. Though speed and handling is now similar to competitor’s top guns, the boat rings up at $15,399, slightly lower than we’ve come to expect from these premium models.

At $15,399, the 2014 Yamaha FX Cruiser SVHO is more affordable than the flagship models from both Sea-Doo and Kawasaki.

Try one, and get ready to be surprised. Pleasantly surprised.