Need Yamaha expert

I looked at a 98 XL 1200 today. It looked clean but noticed some oil in the bilge under third seat. Also the battery was dead and it needed a jump to get going. It ran strong (7000 rpms) but seemed to vibrate alot on idle (1500 rpms). All contols worked great as well as guages.

Questions: (1) the original engine went out and it was taken to a yamaha dealer for a new engine ($3,000) in Nov '00. It has 65 hours on new engine. Is this something to stay away from? (2) Why would a small amount of Yamalube be in the bildge unless it was spilled. Do these leak oil from the variable oil system or oil tank? (3) Do the 1998 or 2000 xl 1200 engines normally vibrate alot on idle? If not could this be a fouled spark plug issue or something more serious? (4) Do these skies have problems charging the battery. If it were to sit 2 or 3 months unridden is is possible for the battery to drain and not start?

Thanks for your responses as I am thinking about buying the boat if these are minor issues. I will run a compression check before buying.

If the new engine was installed by a 'competent' dealer than no, it's not a problem. That is also probably when some oil got spilled into the bilge. As for vibration, no two stroke is butter smooth but I wouldn't say the 1200 is excessive. Go down to the local riding spot and ask a couple of riders to let you sit on their skis at idle and do a comparison. As for the battery, yes, the XL series of skis will discharge the battery over time. Don't know why, I think it has something to do with the security system missing a diode somehwhere along the line. However, it you ride it regularly (once a week or so) it's not an issue. My wife's XL760 sometimes sits for a couple of weeks and still has plenty of battery life but anything over that and it will still start but then I get the Low Power warning on the gauge. Hope this helps.

I have experiance with a 98XL1200,

1) I agree with Tom 2) Yes...does leak a little and some people spill too...doh! 3) They are very LOUD 'chug a lug bug a rug' during idle but they dont really shake/vibe 4) Yes...big time unless you ride often like Tom said.