As the top member of the VX family, the Yamaha VXR HO is aimed at “the personal watercraft rider who understands and appreciates the spirit of rally and tuner cars that deliver mouth-dropping thrills in an affordable, lightweight package.” Save for two new colours, it returns unchanged for the upcoming riding season.


Focus on performance
The 2013 Yamaha VXR HO is powered by the Japanese manufacturer's fuel-injected, 1,812cc engine -- the largest-displacement engine in the personal watercraft industry -- combining power, efficiency, environmental awareness, and reliability. The fact that the VXR HO can do this without the added cost of a supercharger and intercooler makes it appreciably more affordable than comparable performance models.

Using a 3-blade stainless steel impeller, the 155-mm, hyper-flow jet pump propulsion system is designed to maximize water flow and provide quick acceleration. It also offers reverse.

The other part of the equation is Yamaha's proprietary NanoXcel hull and deck material that is lighter and stronger than traditional SMC construction. Because of this blend of power and light weight, the 2013 Yamaha VXR HO can brag about delivering “awe-inspiring performance that rivals the industry's best musclecrafts” -- impressive.

The progressive, stepper draft hull with integrated bow spray guard is said to improve handling and comfort. Moreover, Off-Throttle Steering (OTS), which is part of the Yamaha Engine Management System (YEMS), activates when the operator releases the throttle lever and attempts to steer, effectively making cornering manoeuvres easier when the watercraft is decelerating.

Safety and convenience
Other notable features on the 2013 Yamaha VXR HO include: an electronic switch that immediately stops the engine and oil pumps if the watercraft becomes overturned, a multi-function electronic information centre, and a remote-controlled transmitter allowing you to enable or disable the digital security system and Low RPM Mode from up to 30 feet away. By the way, that Low RPM Mode reportedly can reduce fuel consumption by up to 26%.

As mentioned earlier, Carbon and Crimson Red Metallic have been replaced by Deep Blue and Velocity Yellow. The latter really emphasizes the machine's sharp styling and racing pedigree.

Photo: Yamaha

What about pricing? The 2013 Yamaha VXR HO still starts at $13,146. Note that it stands out from the VXS HO ($12,824) with a 5-cm longer body, a retractable reboarding step, and more importantly, a new two-tone seat with aggressive racer styling that's textured and bolstered for better grip.