So how would you feel about a 350-horsepower, all-carbon fiber Sea-Doo RXP-X built by a multi-time World Champion that weighs exactly the same as Kawasaki’s new SX-R standup? You’d think it’d be pretty crazy, huh? Well yeah, anyone would but that’s what makes it awesome. James Bushell’s 158 Performance is bringing back its “Black Edition” Sea-Doo package for 2017 and it’s one heck of a machine.
Located just east of Birmingham in a town called Tallington, 158 Performance starts each Black Edition with a standard Sea-doo RXP-X 300 then splits it in half like a pistachio. The RXP-X is gutted of its powertrain and transplanted to a F1 carbon fibre hull. This alone accounts for a massive drop in weight, 220 pounds to be exact. Factor in to this the specialty-crafted reshaping of the hull’s chines and strakes, and your Black Edition is suddenly a loaded weapon, even if everything else were left alone.
Thankfully, it’s not! Next, Bushell’s team digs into the factory Rotax 1630cc ACE 300 powerplant, increasing power and performance by remapping the engine management (ECU), upgrading cooling system to an open loop setup, installing a cold-air intake, adding titanium valve retainers, a re-pitched 13/18R Solas prop, James’ own 158 Performance sponsons exclusive for this machine, a complete Worx steering system and and open exhaust. The end result is an impressive 350-horsepower, which is considerable given how little work is put into modifying the engine itself.
Bushell claims, “[The Black Edition’s] 0-to-60 comes in under 3 seconds – that’s faster than a Ferrari 458! To describe the handling you would need to own one, as it’s like no other!”
Besides the custom graphics, a new Jade Ceramic Quartz coating, and Jettrim mats and seat cover, additional weight is carved off of the ski thanks to the supplied race-proven single pilot carbon fibre seat. It steps up the pilot engagement and helps lower the rider’s center of gravity as well. But never fear, 158 Performance also includes the standard recreational 2-up seat for more casual riding. Priced at £32,000 (or $39,500 for us Yanks), you’re buying a race-ready machine for less than what it’d cost to build one. There’s certain to be more news, video and pictures of the 2017 Black Edition coming soon, so hang tight.
