Tested By Vince Daniello

Yamaha’s new VX110 Deluxe features a four-stroke engine at a two-stroke price. Instead of building a boat then pricing it, the marketing team came up with the target price, and then set the budget for each major component. In the end, Yamaha’s team pulled it off with some thoughtful ways to cut production costs without stripping the boat.

Four-Stroke Technology

With tougher environmental standards enacted few years back, most manufacturers focused their research and development on four-stroke engines. Lower emissions, better fuel economy, and smother, quieter operation are the main advantages, but four-stroke engines are typically a bit heavier –requiring more horsepower for similar boat performance. They also tend to be costlier to build, so four-stroke powered personal watercraft were noticeably more expensive than similar two-stroke models.

To that end, Yamaha touts a one-piece cylinder and crankshaft assembly the company says is stronger, lighter, and less expensive to manufacture. Advanced electronic fuel injection and electronic variable ignition timing provide just the right fuel at just the right time for better performance, economy, emissions, and smoother operation.

Yamaha also increased their new MR-1 engine’s maximum RPM, developing 110 horsepower at 8,000 revs, faster than many two-strokes and most other four-strokes. Some might consider this higher RPM a disadvantage, but as four-stroke technology has evolved small engines have been turning faster and Yamaha has been building high-RPM motorcycle engines for nearly two decades without any longevity problems. Yamaha also reengineered the jet pump to be lighter and more efficient, thereby increasing actual power where it counts – at the stern of the boat.

Innovative Features

Some of the features on this model include dual side view mirrors and 19 gallons of storage, which are standard. So is the electronic information display with bar graphs for RPM and fuel, digital readouts for speed and engine hours, and visual and audible warnings for low fuel, or engine trouble.

The same nonskid material runs all the way forward to the driver’s foot rests, and the rear passenger hand-holds are great for two and three person riding. In addition, the long contoured seat lifts off for easy engine access.

Yamaha included insulated drink holders, something I’ve never seen on a personal watercraft before, and a keychain remote which operates both a security alarm and reduced-speed operating mode, which drops the top speed by approximately 30%.

Performance and Ride

The 110 horsepower VX Deluxe topped out at 49.5 miles-per-hour, not as fast as other Yamaha Waverunners with 140 and 160 horsepower versions of this same engine, but I never felt the boat lacked enough muscle to get the job done. It hit 30 miles-per-hour in under 3.8 seconds, and responded well whenever I gunned the throttle.

All-in-all the engine meets the needs of the boat. The VX 110 Deluxe has the classic WaveRunner feel – quick, nimble, and responsive. The boat leans aggressively into turns, rides comfortably in a straight line, and handles wakes well. If you were disappointed in the past by the slow speed maneuvering of personal watercraft, particularly in reverse, you’ll like the improvements Yamaha has made here.

If you have been reluctant to pay the premium for a four-stroke personal watercraft, but equally uneasy about investing in old two-stroke technology, your procrastination may have paid off with Yamaha’s new VX 110 Deluxe.

All speeds are measured by a hand held Stalker PRO radar gun and a hand help digital timer, so the human elements is a factor. Temperature, saltwater versus fresh, load, and water conditions are all a factor and the reason why test results may vary.

Performance Chart

Test Conditions