2015 Yamaha VXR Review

Budget-friendly benefits from new RiDE technology

When Yamaha first introduced the VXR, it was designed to deliver flagship-like speed, performance, and handling, but not cost a flagship price. That feat was accomplished by taking an existing, so-called introductory-level hull – the VX – and combining it with the company’s biggest, most powerful 1.8-liter engine – sans supercharger.

The resulting boat was light, powerful, and far easier to afford for those who dreamed of hitting benchmark top speeds. Not too surprisingly, it went on to win some races, including four national championships in a row, and pleased many hardcore performance enthusiasts.

Light, powerful and affordable, the Yamaha VXR is back and better than ever for 2015.

This year, the VXR gets a little makeover. No, there’s not a new engine. It’s the same familiar 1.8 at work under the saddle. The boat does, however, get some new technology, as well as an impressive new hull and deck.

COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2015 Yamaha VX and V1 Lineup

Here’s the scoop.

“One Of Best Hulls We’ve Ever Done”

Yamaha Product Manager Scott Watkins calls the new VX hull design “one of the best hulls we’ve ever done.” He’s not just blowing smoke. The new hull, lengthened from 126.6” to 131.5” and widened from 46.1” to 48”, includes a new shape for the keel, softer chines in the bow area, retooled hull strakes, and a new shape to the jet pump intake (as well as a new ride plate), all designed to improve the hull’s comfort, stability – and most importantly for VXR customers – further increase performance and excitement.

We found the high-speed handling of the 2015 VXR improved, thanks to the new hull design.

I noticed the difference mostly in high-speed handling. Rather than search for the perfect position to lock in the hull as I did on the previous VXR design, the ’15 version of the hull seemed simply locked in and ready to roll. It handles tighter than before, and responds quicker to driver input. It also seems to eliminate surprises. In the past, I noted that the incredible power and light weight could make the VXR a handful should you not be ready in a turn, or not have your weight in just the right position. Now, the craft seems ready for almost anything you throw at it right from the start.

Still, the VXR remains a boat that demands a good deal of rider skill as you push it to its limits. This is a fast, nimble racer, and as such if you crank a high-speed corner unprepared you just may find yourself swimming. Don’t forget to get your weight to the inside in the corners, and maybe keep your outside foot planted toward the back of the tray to get the best results. Also don’t forget to use the VXR’s new electronic trim. Replacing the twist-grip trim of old, it positions up/down buttons adjacent to the left handgrip that will allow you to drop the nose for the most aggressive corners, and then raise it to improve top speed on the straightaways.

Though it lacks a supercharger, the VXR is still a hugely powerful and lightning quick craft that demands a rider’s respect.

That increased physical presence arguably also improves the craft’s handling, but it doesn’t have a negative impact on the boat’s weight thanks to the VXR’s adoption of the brand’s proprietary NanoXcel hull material. The VXR has always been about exploiting the horsepower-to-weight ratio, using a lightweight hull to allow engineers to forego a supercharger on the craft’s large 1.8-liter engine and still get exceptional performance. Nano produces a boat that weighs just 767 pounds, keeping that tradition alive. Watkins admits to possibly losing a little of the boat’s top end to ensure the hull produced the handling Yamaha desired, but I still clocked numbers in the mid-60 mph range, edging as high as 65 mph in the best conditions. In terms of acceleration, the VXR continues to literally leap from the water at the first touch of the throttle, hitting the 30 mph mark in about 1.8 seconds.

COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2013 Sea-Doo GTR 215

As to the top deck, it too receives some attention. Gone is the slightly tamer, rounded look of the previous generation, and in its place is a more masculine, harder-edged design complete with integrated mirrors, two-piece seat design, and larger aft swim platform.

Enjoy The RiDE

While performance and high-speed handling will always be the VXR’s cornerstones, the boat’s everyday manners also got attention in 2015 thanks to the adoption of Yamaha’s new RiDE system.

Yamaha outfitted the VXR with its new RiDE system for 2015, allowing users to slow the craft down faster and maneuver around the dock easier.

RiDE introduces dual “throttles” to the VXR. The righthand throttle behaves as normal, but the lefthand throttle is used for reverse, or to rapidly slow the craft when underway during normal operation. For this latter purpose, applying the RiDE (left) lever drops the reverse bucket, redirects the thrust exiting the pump forward and to the sides, and rapidly slows the craft. As that thrust exits to the sides, it also keeps the boat level in the water, enhancing the rider’s feel of control and eliminating any concerns about getting pitched forward over the handlebars or dipping the bow. As RiDE doesn’t have any lag between on/off, you can stay on the righthand throttle as the lefthand RiDE throttle is depressed. The RiDE system will override normal throttle input. But once you release the RiDE lever, any normal throttle input will immediately return.

Should you apply RiDE and attempt to turn, as in a collision-avoidance situation, those same ports that direct water out the sides of the bucket also provide steering control.

Like Sea-Doo’s similar Intelligent Brake & Reverse (iBR), RiDE also lets the VXR start up in a neutral mode. Hit the start button and you don’t go anywhere until you choose to apply forward or reverse thrust. It’s extremely intuitive, and keeps eyes up and focused on the water.

Keep It Simple

Beyond RiDE, in terms of practical features and additional amenities the VXR offers a bow storage compartment with smaller glovebox directly in front of the saddle. The glovebox can handle a couple of water bottles, or phone, keys, etc. Overall storage has increased to 24.6 gallons. Footwells are covered in grooved Hydro-Turf matting for exceptional traction, and a spring-loaded boarding step is ready at the stern. Yamaha’s familiar keyfob-like remote locks the craft against unauthorized use, and can be used to activate a slow-speed/fuel-saving mode.

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

The saddle deserves special mention. It features a substantial bolster, not only to support a rider’s back on long rides, but also to lock in a performance rider during aggressive riding and cornering. The surface texture also provides a level of “grippiness” that aggressive riders will appreciate.

Dual mirrors are integrated into the hull, which has a more aggressive design for 2015.

Dual mirrors and a tow hook also make this a performance model that can handle towing duties. A slightly larger, 18.5-gallon fuel capacity ensures you’ll go a little bit longer on a tank of fuel.

Yes, the VXR is definitely new and improved. RiDE alone makes the craft worthy of attention, but so too does the new hull design. This is simply a better, more refined craft than the generation that came before, and that change tacks a mere $300 onto the price tag.

And yet at the same time, it’s also still very much the same craft performance junkies have come to know and love, one that makes the most of its light weight and horsepower to get impressive speed and performance at a very un-flagship-like price tag.

In short, a good thing…just got that much better.