To mod, or not to mod – that is rarely the question – or so says a vocal sector of the PWC lifestyle family, who leave little doubt that, to them at least, modding is a must.
And in all actuality, there is much to be said for taking the steps necessary to improve your ride. Quality mods can improve handling, acceleration, speed, stability and more, not to mention adding a level of customization that ties your PWC’s behaviors to your preferences, skill level and riding style – all of which multiply the level of enjoyment available from your ski.
As Reddit reader jakgal04 wrote in a thread on the advisabiltly of adding mods, “I’ve always modified mine. Granted I tend to lightly modify (impeller, intake, exhaust, tune) for the sake of reliability, but mods are fun and the whole point of owning and riding a PWC is to have fun. Right now I have a 2024 RXT-X 325 with a Riva unlocked ECU, 8500 RPM tune, impeller, intake, catch can, exhaust, BOV with tubing and a few freebie mods like grinded iBR stops and a sanded ride plate so I’m averaging 85 mph, which is perfect.”
As pointed out in that comment, mods can come in a number of levels, from mild tweaks to aggressive alterations, and are available for the full range of PWC systems – engine, handling, accessories, etc.
Performance-connected mods include fuel tuners, ECU flashing, upgrading intake grates and exhaust systems can improve airflow and power, while replacing the impeller with a more aggressive one can increase acceleration and top speed. In the realm of handling, upgrades to ride plates and sponsons can improve traction and handling, while hull modifications can provide stabilization as well as reduce drag. And at the opposite end of the spectrum from engine modifications, are mods such as upgraded speakers, heated grips and other add-ons.
As another Reddit reader, bmxguy08, commented, “Life’s too short to ride/drive stock things. Everything I own but the wife’s car is modified. Even that has drilled and slotted rotors and power stop pads but I don’t consider that modified just upgraded. I just got a 300 ultra lx 2 weeks ago and it’s already got a RIVA SCOM, RIVA water box, RIVA exhaust pipe, RIVA air intake, waste gate block off, KSpeed trumpet, Solas impeller, RIVA sponsons, and I got a KSpeed intake grate on order. At the end of the season I will send the ECM off to KSpeed for a tune.”
That being said, the feedback on modding a PWC is not 100% positive – there are, at least every once in a while – words of caution thrown in the mix – things like the high cost, increased maintenance budgets/schedules, increase risks for mechanical issues – and one of the most often mentioned cautions against modding a ski is the risk of voiding the warranty – a noteworthy concern considering the price of a news ski, and the cost of repairs.
However, a recent release from GreenHulk PWC Performance Parts Store, entitled “Modding Your Ski? Here’s the Truth About Warranty & the Law,” cautions against lending full credence to that concern.
According to GreenHulk, this consequence for adding aftermarket modifications is not as automatic as some may assume.
“Many riders are hesitant to install even minor upgrades like an intake grate or an air intake kit because a dealer told them it would void their entire warranty. But thanks to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, you are protected from unfair warranty denial,” GreenHulk advises.
Under the Act, in order to legally deny a warranty claim, a dealer must prove that a modification directly caused the failure, and the mod is directly related to the failure. Additionally, a warranty cannot prohibit the owner from working on the vehicle, nor can the dealer demand that only work completed at the dealership is covered under the warranty.
More details are available in a video from Rich with K&N:
You can read the full release below:
One of the biggest misconceptions in the PWC world is that installing aftermarket modifications will automatically void your ski’s warranty. This is simply NOT true.
Many riders are hesitant to install even minor upgrades like an intake grate or an air intake kit because a dealer told them it would void their entire warranty. But thanks to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, you’re protected from unfair warranty denial.
- What You Need to Know About Mods & Warranty Coverage
Your warranty is NOT voided just because you install aftermarket parts. - Dealers must prove that a modification directly caused the failure to deny a warranty claim.
- You are legally allowed to perform your own maintenance. Your dealer CANNOT force you to bring your ski to them for maintenance work to keep your warranty valid.
- If a failure is unrelated to your modifications, it must still be covered.
- Example: You install an air intake kit and your instrument cluster fails—your dealer must still honor the warranty for the cluster because the intake has nothing to do with the failure.
- Example: You install multiple performance mods and tune the ECU. Later, you run bad fuel and blow your motor—your dealer can deny the warranty for the engine, but your warranty on other components like steering, trim, and sensors remains intact.
Straight from the Experts
I consulted Brian from RIVA, and he confirmed: “Warranty should only be denied if the modification caused the failure. Any failures caused by defects in the original parts or manufacture are still warrantable under the express terms of the OEM manufacturer’s warranty.”
This means your dealer cannot legally deny unrelated warranty claims just because you installed an aftermarket part.
Know Your Rights!
There’s plenty of great information about the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, and I encourage you to research it yourself. Here’s a great video featuring Rich from K&N, explaining how this law protects consumers just like you.
If you’ve been holding off on modifying your ski, now you can upgrade with confidence knowing that your warranty is protected under federal law.
