2016 Yamaha Waverunners: Australian launch

Yamaha Motor Australia has officially launched the 2016 WaveRunner line-up in Australia at a Gold Coast dealer and media event that involved plenty of riding.

The lively 2016 Waverunner range is highlighted by Yamaha’s all-new TR-1 three-cylinder marine engine in the affordbale stakes, an all-new ‘VX Limited’ model with some fruit as well, and the return of the ‘Race-Ready’ FZR SVHO.

These new 2016 Waverunners are finished in some of Yamaha’s boldest, freshest and most exciting colour finishes ever seen in a concerted effort to woo more young riders to the fold.

Adding considerably to the buzz of the launch was a dazzling night display of SuperJet riding skill by the Jet Stunt Extreme team at Sea World, an underwater dinner by the nearby Shark Bay, and then some serious riding the morning after.

Your BoatPoint and boasales crew were the first off the beach at 8.35am sharp. There were 14 WaveRunners in the water covering all the new 2016 models, the new TR-1 three-cylinder engine, and spanning everything from the entry-level VX for about $13K through to the FX SVHO Cruiser for $22,900.

We also rode the returning 'bad boy' in the line-up, the much-loved and incredibly speedy FZR SVHO, which has laid claim to being the fastest production 'ski' in respect of acceleration.

Our test run took us from Sea World at The Spit to Tipplers and then Jumpinpin, thereby covering  the inside of South Stradbroke Island on the mighty Gold Coast Broadwater.

Conditions ran the gamut from glassy to light chop, tidal runs to flat water, boat wakes the size of decent breakers, to some nice little wave faces on the 'Pin bar. We look forward to penning our test of the new VX Limited aboard which we spent most of our time.

Meantime, here's the official Yamaha Australia release with some pics from the local launch. The bold colours and the agility of the new 2016 Waverunners augur well for summer...

THE ALL-NEW TR-1 MARINE ENGINE
- All-New light and powerful three-cylinder
In 2015 Yamaha redesigned the VX hull and deck, giving the namesake range one of the best handling hulls to ever hit the water, it's widely said. For 2016, Yamaha has given the world’s best-selling watercraft line its first power-plant upgrade in over a decade; the all-new, lighter and more powerful TR-1 Marine Engine.

This new 1049cc three-cylinder engine weighs in at just 73kg, a whole 26kg lighter than the previous MR-1 inline four-cylinder.

Not only is it light, the engine is also physically 34  per cent smaller and sits lower in the watercraft for the optimal center-of-gravity.

Performance has also been improved with a 13 per cent increase in horsepower output and is more fuel efficient than the outgoing engine, Yammie says.

With this new TR-1 (Triple 1-Litre) four-stroke marine engine beating in the heart of the newly-designed hull, the VX lineup now has an engine with enough poke to extract the best performance from the sharp-handling hull. It's a sporty and affordable combo that we'll expand on in our coming test.

ALL NEW VX LIMITED WAVERUNNER
- Joining the best-selling PWC series of all time in 2016, is the all-new VX Limited.
The VX Limited is the flagship of the VX range, combining the thrilling performance of the revised NanoXcel VX Hull, with the new Yamaha TR-1 marine engine.

This exciting hull and engine combo is trumpeted by bold red and black graphics. Features include four pull-up cleats, a redesigned ski tow eye and chrome 3D Yamaha badging.

This new model also plays host to a list of luxurious features such as Yamaha’s iconic cruiser seat for added comfort, Cruise-Assist, No-Wake Mode and Yamaha’s proprietary RiDE dual throttle system for unmatched control.

LEGENDARY FZR SVHO RETURNS
- Returning to the Australian High-Performance line-up after a three year absence, is the legendary FZR SVHO.
Yamaha’s FZR SVHO is a race-ready, Championship Winning muscle-craft, powered by Yamaha’s 1.8 litre Super Vortex High Output (SVHO) Marine Engine.

Even with the industry’s largest capacity PWC engine beating in the heart of the heavy-hitting FZR, the muscle-craft maintains a light-weight stature, weighing in at an industry-leading 359kg courtesy of Yamaha’s light-weight NanoXcel2 Hull & Deck.

This two-seater muscle-craft matches aggressive performance with aggressive lines. Race-inspired carbon-look hood, white deck, sports-bolstered seat and a striking Torch Red Metallic Hull, finish off the muscle-craft look.

BOLD APPROACH FOR 2016
- Hot colours meet the latest technology and ride comforts
Yamaha says it has reset the industry benchmarks with innovative watercraft advancements such as: RiDE, Yamaha’s exclusive dual throttle control system; the race-ready SVHO Marine Engine; NanoXcel2, the all-new VX Hull; and through Yamaha’s shared automotive-painting technology some of the boldest colour combinations available on the water.

For 2016, Yamaha has once again pushed the envelope with additional models joining the Australian model-mix, a new lighter more powerful engine and the most complete WaveRunner line-up ever seen.

Yamaha’s FX series will be available through Yamaha’s network of Authorized dealers from the beginning of November. The SuperJet, FZS and FZR are available from December onwards, and the VX range is available at the beginning of 2016.

For more information visit your local authorised Yamaha WaveRunner dealership or go to www.yamaha-motor.com.au/waverunner.