If you’ve been following our posts for a while now, you will have surely seen some of the reviews our Editor-in-Chief Kevin Shaw has written about the RIVA Performance Kits over the years. Take, for example, his write-up about the 2017 Yamaha EX Waverunner Stage 1 Kit, where he lauds the notable improvements in the throttle’s immediacy and the increased speeds which made riding the EX an experience of “pure, unrefined joy.”
Then there’s his coverage of RIVA’s 2017 Yamaha GP1800 WaveRunner kit where he details the power increase the folks at RIVA Racing managed to provide for an already nearly perfect watercraft. So, when we found out that RIVA was launching two new Stage 1 kits for 2024 Yamaha models, we knew this was top-priority news.
This new RIVA launch features Stage 1 Kits for the 2024 Yamaha GP HO (1.9L) and the 2024 Yamaha FX HO (1.9L), two models which have been lauded among racers and enthusiasts alike for their top performance and plethora of features.
Up first: The GP HO, which Yamaha boasts is the preferred choice for naturally-aspirated performance enthusiasts, and is undoubtedly one of this year’s best-selling performance PWCs. The WaveRunner is known for its brute power and nimble handling, which are granted thanks to the 1,898cc (1.9L) four-cylinder, 16-valve High Output marine engine, which produces 200 horsepower. The model also boasts an overlapping impeller and redesigned intake grate, allowing for quicker acceleration and throttle that gives you total control on the waters.
Next: The FX HO boasts similar power, with added benefits of a 7-inch Connext touchscreen, with new Drive Control options like Economy, Towing, Performance, Comfort, and Custom settings. We posted a more detailed introduction to the line late last year.
With such great reviews, you may be surprised to hear that RIVA was able to upgrade these personal watercraft in some substantial ways – and by only adding three modifications! The biggest asset that these Stage 1 performance kits bring is an increase in top speeds of 5 mph, bringing the watercraft up to 8100 RPM during tests. While we haven’t gotten the chance to try out these upgrades for ourselves, RIVA’s transparency around testing conditions gives us ample reason to believe these boosts make for some tangible differences on the water.
Of the modifications in the package, the Maptuner Nano Bundle from RIVA Racing is perhaps the most significant boost to not just your performance, but your overall watercraft experience. The Nano revolutionizes the tuning experience for watercraft enthusiasts, offering instant plug-in horsepower boosts with an unparalleled level of convenience. It includes all the necessary components in a comprehensive package, allowing you to connect to and reflash both the FX HO and the GP HO’s ECUs conveniently.
By connecting with your smartphone using a Bluetooth connection, you can switch between performance tunes quickly and easily, even allowing an instant return to stock tune whenever you may wish. The bundle prevents you from needing to ship out your PWC for programming and provides the peace of mind of live monitoring and data logging that even lets you read and clear fault codes from your mobile device.
On top of the convenience of the Maptuner Nano Bundle, they install the RIVA Power Filter Kit to override the restrictions of the factory intake system, providing enhanced throttle response and increased top speed. Then there’s the Solas Concord Impeller which they install to provide maximal acceleration and top speed, by increasing the blade area and creating a more efficient hub shape.
Priced at right at $1,500 for either kit, both the kit for the GP HO and the kit for the FX HO are already available to ship now in their entirety, along with a massive selection of performance kits for other Yamaha, Sea-Doo, and Kawasaki Watercraft, so consider checking them out on RIVA Racing’s website to increase your PWC performance beyond what you thought possible, and be sure to stay in touch with the RIVA Racing Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X [commonly known as Twitter to everyone on the planet but Elon Musk -Ed.] accounts.
The wait is over. 
With universally-positive customer reviews from customers, like this one from Sam A., who said “Been rocking these shades for nearly three weeks now in all kinds of different conditions. These are the perfect on-water sunnies. I’ve always had issues with either wind getting behind the lenses or uv. Not the hybrids! They tick all the boxes for all different environments. I’m rough on the gear and still haven’t managed to scratch my lenses,” you know you’re making an investment in a solid product that successfully combines looks, quality build, durability and convenience. 
We all know and love the folks over at 
But what truly sets these items apart is their durability. Crafted with high-quality materials, RIVA Racing’s clothing is made to withstand the rigors of an active lifestyle, whether you’re tearing through waves on your jet ski or lounging on the pontoon with your friends. Just like with their top-tier customer service and high-quality products, you can trust RIVA Racing to provide some of the best apparel on the market!
If you’ve shopped on the
While the upgraded Build & Price tool is currently only available for the Ridge and Ridge XR lines, Kawasaki has confirmed that it will be expanded to more models as the software is further developed, meaning there’s a good chance we’ll be able to use the tool for PWC shopping as well. Meanwhile, the standard version of the 
In the wake of the tragic flooding and severe storms in Texas, stories of heroic rescues have flooded the internet. One that caught our eye was shared by the Houston Police Department on Monday, showing a truly heartwarming rescue. The bodycam footage shows an officer mounted on a Jet Ski, cruising through the murky floodwaters to save a man and three dogs stranded at an almost completely submerged house. The floodwaters had risen up to 10 feet, and you can see the relief on the faces of all four during the rescue.
Communities are bracing for further rain and damaging weather conditions, rallying together to prepare for whatever problems this string of severe weather may continue to bring. Through the struggle, it’s inspiring to see the resilience of Texans shining through amidst the adversity, finding ways to defend their community through whatever means they can.
Following up on The Watercraft Journal’s article on Monday about flooding in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, which borders Uruguay and Argentina, WCJ has learned that FuelTech’s, well-known in PWC circles as a leading developer and manufacturer of high-performance vehicle control units, has suffered severe damages from the recent storms and flooding in the Southern Brazil region. 
When it comes to water safety, few people understand the urgency like big wave surfers. The intensity of the sport demands a level of knowledge and preparation that few others have, making them some of the most well-trained watermen out there. That’s why, for a big wave surfer like Mark Healey, controlling the protocols and preparation needed to prep a jet ski for big wave surfing is a crucial part of protecting his own safety.
In a recent 
