SL780 and SLX Opinions... Please

[OregonSLX]

For the past 3 years I've been riding a pair of Polaris Skis. They are stored at my parents place and belong to the company my step-dad works for... "company skis". Over the past few years we have had a few issues that the Dealer has been able to fix. Starter, Fuel tank leak. However last season we took one in and it needed a New Fuel Sending unit. Dealer informed me that the part was no longer avalible and that parts for Polaris Skis Were going to become hard to find. On that note the Company informed us to just trade them in On pair of new skis. Dealer informed us they were worthless as a trade in. So we decided to just keep them as they still were in good overall condition. I was able to locate a float to fix the sending unit. It has come to a point where I have an opportunity to buy the skis as I'm the only one who maintains and uses them. However I'm lerry of the parts avaliblity going into the future.

I would also like to know the actual difference between the SL780 and SLX other than sponsons on the slx. They seem to go the same speed.
Overall are these machines good to go or to be avoided?

Thanks

[SeaLion]

The difference is huge between the SL780 and the SLX780. The extras on the SLX780 are the hump seat (96 only), extended pump, Ocean Pro flame arrestors. I could be wrong but I thought the SL780 had sponsons stock. Mabe not and that is a huge difference too then. All in all, the SLX780 is way better. You know you can get just the float for the sending unit. I am sure the current part number for it is on here somewhere. I know I posted it awhile ago. Most dealers weren't even aware that you could change just the float for $35 instead of having to buy the whole sending unit for $300.

[xlint89]

Welcome to the Hulk Oregon. With the vast array of junkyards, GH members and Ebay, You'll find parts with relative ease, maybe not new, but good used parts. If you can get them (skis) for a good price, I say go for it. The SLX I believe was supposed to have the R&D intake grate as well. The SLX should ride, steer, accelerate and handle a lot better than the SL.

[OregonSLX]

Took the skis out today.... a couple observations... On the SLX Im getting 6700rpm at WOT and 47-48 according to the display which seems to be a bit low compared to what I've been reading here. It appears to have Ocean Pro Carb parts with no cover, along with an aftermarket pipe and waterbox. This thing is all kinds of loud. 33HRs 95'

The SL780 was 6200 at WOT but it was 2 up so that may have had an effect. along with a similar top speed. this machine is completely stock 96'. The hour meter is reading 0 which is a bit odd.

Could the carbs possibly being gummed up cause a low top speed?

Have also been running Polaris Oil and Premium gas not sure if this is nessasary but better save than sorry on borrowed stuff.

Thanks for the information there is a LOT of good reading here in the Polaris Forum.

[jcc011185]

Took the skis out today.... a couple observations... On the SLX Im getting 6700rpm at WOT and 47-48 according to the display which seems to be a bit low compared to what I've been reading here. It appears to have Ocean Pro Carbs with no cover, along with an aftermarket pipe and waterbox. This thing is all kinds of loud. 33HRs 95'

The SL780 was 6200 at WOT but it was 2 up so that may have had an effect. along with a similar top speed. this machine is completely stock 96'. The hour meter is reading 0 which is a bit odd.

Could the carbs possibly being gummed up cause a low top speed?

Have also been running Polaris Oil and Premium gas not sure if this is nessasary but better save than sorry on borrowed stuff.

Thanks for the information there is a LOT of good reading here in the Polaris Forum.

Interesting.. aftermarket pipe huh? You just opened up a pandora's box! What pipe is it? There is great interest in specs for these pipes... does it say "PSI" anywhere on it? I'm sure other's will chime in.. in a nut shell from what I can recall from my all stock 96 sl780... you rpms are about right. but 6700rpm could be attributed to the pipe... As for the loud factor.. maybe it has a TDR waterbox?

(I could be wrong on these base rpm numbers.. I dont' have the polaris anymore to check up on it)

[xlint89]

Took the skis out today.... a couple observations... On the SLX Im getting 6700rpm at WOT and 47-48 according to the display which seems to be a bit low compared to what I've been reading here. It appears to have Ocean Pro Carbs with no cover, along with an aftermarket pipe and waterbox. This thing is all kinds of loud. 33HRs 95'

The SL780 was 6200 at WOT but it was 2 up so that may have had an effect. along with a similar top speed. this machine is completely stock 96'. The hour meter is reading 0 which is a bit odd.

Could the carbs possibly being gummed up cause a low top speed?

Have also been running Polaris Oil and Premium gas not sure if this is nessasary but better save than sorry on borrowed stuff.

Thanks for the information there is a LOT of good reading here in the Polaris Forum.

If the dreamo meter/speedometer is correct, (usually they read faster than actual speed) that is a bit low. Should be closer to 55 MPH. Do a compression test on the cylinders if you can before you buy them. Ocean Pro doesn't make carbs, they make the Flame Arrestors for the carbs. What do you mean there is no cover? Can you see fuel spraying right into the carbs? The Exhaust pipe is most likely a PSI pipe as mentioned earlier and the after market water box is what's making all the noise. You can replace it with a stock one to make it sound just like the SL 780. Pic one up really cheap off Ebay. The hours may have been reset at some point making them seem lower than they really are, maybe why 1 still reads 0. Gummed up carbs would hurt performance, but I'd think the RPM would not be where it is. Check compression on both skis, it should be close to 120 psi and no more than 10% difference between any of the 3 cyls.

[OregonSLX]

When I said no cover I was referring to the factory cover over the air filters. Sorry if I confused you I'm Rather new at this stuff and still learning the terminology.

Thanks for the replys you guys are quick!. I'll try to look things over a little more carefully tomarrow and possibly test compression. I still have a lot to learn.

[SeaLion]

A digital camera is your friend. Please take pics an post them here. A picture is worth a thousand words. 6700rpm is right on the rev limiter. Could be a few things. Maybe it is underpropped, which would explain the top speed loss and high rpm? Maybe it doesn't have an aftermarket pipe but only the waterbox? Maybe it does have the aftermarket pipe and is not set up right? Pics of the pipe would get instant ID from us.

[Watcon]

I think 6700 is average for a decent stock SLX-785. I would guess that the pipe is stock, and he has an aftermarket waterbox? What do you think Sea Lion?

I forgot to mention, this is with a 12-17 impeller, etc.

Randy

[ph2ocraft]

Took the skis out today.... a couple observations... On the SLX Im getting 6700rpm at WOT and 47-48 according to the display which seems to be a bit low compared to what I've been reading here. It appears to have Ocean Pro Carb parts with no cover, along with an aftermarket pipe and waterbox. This thing is all kinds of loud. 33HRs 95'
My 95 bone stock turned 6650 RPM all day long and came stock with the OP flame arrestors. You will not have any other air filtration system (flame arrestor) I'd say somebody tossed in a waterbox if it's that loud.
I'd check the pitot tube to see if it's plugged or use a GPS and verify your actual speed.


The SL780 was 6200 at WOT but it was 2 up so that may have had an effect. along with a similar top speed. this machine is completely stock 96'. The hour meter is reading 0 which is a bit odd.
6200 RPM is low but I'd try it in glassy water condition, one rider straight up and see how you do again (short burst). I'm with 89 on the MFD, it's been probably been re-set due to a voltage spike or something of the sort.

Could the carbs possibly being gummed up cause a low top speed?
Certainly could be, it's worth checking.

Have also been running Polaris Oil and Premium gas not sure if this is nessasary but better save than sorry on borrowed stuff.

Thanks for the information there is a LOT of good reading here in the Polaris Forum.

I'd also like to say WELCOME to the Green Hulk Forums.