Jetskilopnik Comparo: 2013 Yamaha VXR vs Sea-Doo GTR 215. You Choose!

"Upshift" (Upshift) 03/31/2015 at 11:50 • Filed to: Comparison, review, Sea-Doo, Yamaha, BRP, Waverunner, GTR, 215, VXR, performance, handling, Personal Watercraft, personalwatercraft.com, 2013, power, jetskilopnik

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As some of you might remember, I posted a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! yesterday. Someone asked what the closest competitor would be. The answer? The BRP Sea-Doo GTR 215.

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Though I have not personally had a chance to try one myself (Hint to anyone in the Ottawa, Ontario area who might own one) , PersonalWatercraft.com have reviewed it. I recommend anyone interested to !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! in order to get familiar with the craft. Fair warning though: personalwatercraft.com don't seem to ever negatively review PWCs, well nobody ever does except maybe point out specific annoyances but the former are always glowingly positive but the information is still accurate.

Now I understand both my review and the GTR 215 review are for 2013 craft. However, you can still find unsold 2014 VXRs in dealerships as many people have opted to wait for the redesigned 2015 Yamaha line-up. The 2014 models are identical in every way to the 2013s except for available colours. You also benefit from dealer discounts as they try to make room for newer machines so it's worth taking into consideration. As for the Sea-Doo GTR 215, it's still available brand spanking new and unchanged from the 2013 model as a 2015 unit and MSRP is only 100$ more than the outgoing VXR. So, these two reviews are still very relevant to shoppers.

If you would rather read a shorthand version of what distinguishes the two models, keep reading here.

For starters, the GTR takes the same approach as the VXR, take the company's entry-level hull and stuff a bigger engine in it. In this case, the 1.5L N/A Rotax inline 3 is replaced by... the same engine but with an added supercharger, upping output to 215 horsepower. Yes, the GTR has a 35hp advantage over the VXR's 180hp figure, but the performance advantage gets slightly reduced by the GTRs extra weight. The VXR weighs 728lbs while the GTR weighs 799lbs. Power to weight ratio still predictably falls in BRPs favor at 3.72lbs/hp vs Yamaha's 4.04lbs/hp.

There is a slight catch to consider, however. Yamaha's engine is naturally aspirated, which means it runs happily on 87 octane and has much less complexity and required maintenance. Last I checked, the supercharger in the Sea-Doo requires a clutch rebuild every 100-200 hours which will run you several hundred dollars in cost. If you neglect that maintenance item, you eventually will have the supercharger completely fail on you. The S/C Rotax engine CAN run on 87 octane but BRP recommends using 91 octane. There's also the fuel efficiency trade-off you get with the added supercharger.

In terms of handling, the Yammy's VX hull is designed to feel like it's on rails. It just bites hard into the water and doesn't allow for for any "drifting" so to speak. It's the race car of the two. The GTR, however, is built atop the GTi hull which has a much looser, more playful feel than the VX series. You can easily get the read end to drift and slide and do 180s with this hull. You can get it to bite harder by playing with your weight but it's not as aggressive at cornering as the VXR. It's the drift car of the pair. This comes down to what you personally find more fun.

Now the part where the GTR scores big points: The GTi hull design is MUCH better at handling choppy water conditions than the VX hull. The GTR also has a few features the VXR doesn't. Trim being the main attraction for varying water conditions. It has iBR instead of a mechanical reverse bucket. iBR is essentially a left-hand trigger that activates the reverse bucket and also acts as a "braking" system at speed with electronically controlled reverse thrust used to slow you down up to 50% sooner than if you just coast. This system is also how you activate reverse, so you keep your hands on the steering at all times. It makes maneuvering around a dock and launch ramp MUCH easier. You get 3 on the fly electronic throttle configurations which are self-explanatory: Eco, Touring and Sport. Finally, the touring seat on the GTR is better suited for passenger duty.

So, on one hand you have the VXR which aims for absolute purity with a less is more approach. By contrast, the GTR aims to allow you to have your cake and eat it too. You get better acceleration with the latter while still being fully-featured. The trade-off is that the BRP unit requires more expensive maintenance and drinks more fuel than the Yamaha. What do you prefer?

bob and john > Upshift 03/31/2015 at 12:07

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you know, I should make the trip out there once and lend you my bike. and you tell me how similar/de-similar jet-skis and motorcycles are

CB > Upshift 03/31/2015 at 12:23

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Cheaper running costs sound nice, but choppy water handling is something I'd need. GTR it is.

Also, good to know there's another Ottawa Opponaut.

Upshift > bob and john 03/31/2015 at 12:25

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If I had my motorcycle license I'd be all over that haha. I opted to stay away from bikes for my own survival.

TrustMeImAnEngineer, but I'd rather be an InternationalArtThief > Upshift 03/31/2015 at 12:32

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Big ups for making Jetskilopnik a thing! I will most definitely be keeping up with your posts on this. Also, if you ever find yourself in Colorado, and want to ride an older-ish (2008) Kawasaki Ultra 250X to "test", let me know.

bob and john > Upshift 03/31/2015 at 12:32

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hehe. I'll take you for a couple of spins aorund the block and let you loose in a parking lot. Its really not tht bad

Upshift > CB 03/31/2015 at 12:42

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Good to know indeed! I would say that overall the GTR is a better overall machine. So long as you're willing to accept the extra upkeep.

Upshift > bob and john 03/31/2015 at 12:52

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Sounds fun!

Upshift > TrustMeImAnEngineer, but I'd rather be an InternationalArtThief 03/31/2015 at 12:58

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Thanks, appreciate it! I'll defintey be keeping your offer in mind!

kincai28 > Upshift 03/31/2015 at 13:45

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I prefer my Honda Aquatrax. Yes down on power, but also light.

I have an R-12X (2 seater) and F-12X (3 seater) (both turbo) which have 165 hp. They are great but do require 91 octane.

The R-12X is like a bunny and will jump at the site of a wave while the F-12X is very relaxed (but will still jump!).

I've ridden the VX hull on a VX110 rental. They are nice and stable and I bet are fun with 180 hp.

Upshift > kincai28 03/31/2015 at 14:40

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Very fun with the extra 70hp! It's a shame honda dropped out of the market their machines were interesting!