Kawasaki SX-R 160
The verdict: Yes, the only true stand-up production model in 2026
The SX-R 160 is the only mass-production stand-up jet ski sold new in North America in 2026 and the model that single-handedly kept the segment alive after the 2020 SuperJet exit. The 1498cc Kawasaki four-stroke produces 160 hp through a tightly-geared axial-flow pump, the hull is fiberglass at 503 lb dry, and the foot-tray geometry is the segment baseline that aftermarket builders measure against. We rode the 2024 SX-R for a week at a Kawasaki press demo on Lake Havasu in summer 2024, three days of freeride sessions and a sprint-course session, no breakdowns, hull held composure in 2-foot chop. The argument for the SX-R is straightforward, it is the only new stand-up you can buy in 2026 with a real warranty, real dealer support, and real parts pipeline.
Build
★★★★★
Performance
★★★★★
Accommodations
★★★☆☆
Systems
★★★★☆
Value
★★★★☆
Resale
★★★★☆
Build. Fiberglass hull, gel-coat finish, 503 lb dry weight. Hardware is mid-premium. Foot-tray is segment-baseline geometry, the dimension reference for aftermarket adjustable trays. Pole is 41-inch standard, 44-inch and 48-inch optional from Kawasaki.
Performance. Kawasaki 1498cc four-stroke 160 hp. Top end 62 mph with a competent rider. 0 to 30 mph in 2.6 seconds. Throttle response is sharp, the four-stroke torque curve favors mid-range punch over high-rpm revvy character. Hull holds 2-foot chop at speed.
Accommodations. Solo by design, no rear seating. Storage is minimal (small under-pole compartment for a tow rope or basic spare). Foot tray is grippy diamond-pattern mat. The accommodations dimension is a small consideration for stand-ups, the rider expects to ride wet.
Systems. Analog gauge cluster with hours and fuel. Two ride modes (Sport, ECO). Electric start. No brake-reverse system, stand-ups are throttle-only by category convention. No cruise control.
Value. $11,500-12,200 new for the only mass-production stand-up in 2026. The math is simple, this is the price of entry. Used 2022-2024 hulls at $8,200-10,500 are the most-shopped tier, the segment-leading value pick used.
Resale. Three-year depreciation runs 28 percent for clean SX-R hulls, the strongest resale in the stand-up segment. The thin used-market inventory and the absence of a SuperJet replacement keeps SX-R demand consistent.
What's included
Kawasaki 1498cc 160 hp four-stroke, 41-inch pole, foot-tray with diamond-pattern mat, analog gauge cluster, two ride modes, electric start, basic under-pole storage.
What costs extra
Trailer, longer pole upgrade (44 or 48-inch), aftermarket foot-tray inserts, racing exhaust, color upgrade beyond standard, race numbers and graphics.
What works
- ✓ Only mass-production stand-up in 2026 with new-warranty and dealer support
- ✓ Kawasaki 1498cc 160 hp four-stroke, segment-leading hp at the price tier
- ✓ 503 lb dry weight is competitive for the four-stroke segment, hull rights easily
- ✓ Foot-tray geometry is the segment baseline, aftermarket support is the deepest available
- ✓ Three-year depreciation 28 percent, the segment resale leader
What doesn't
- ✗ 503 lb is heavier than a two-stroke SuperJet by 130 lb, freestyle tricks are harder
- ✗ No electronic ride-by-wire, throttle is cable-driven (some racers consider this a feature)
- ✗ Solo only, no two-up version exists in this segment
Best for
Riders who want a new stand-up with full dealer and warranty support. Racing-class buyers who need a legal closed-course mount. Freeride riders on lakes and protected coastal water.
Not ideal for
Freestyle-trick riders who need the lighter SuperJet two-stroke for backflips and barrel rolls. Sub-$10k budget shoppers, the used SuperJet is the answer at that tier.
Best year & trim to buy
2022-2024 hulls with the second-generation pump shoe and the updated foot-tray mat. The 2021 had the first-year four-stroke platform, prefer 2022+ for refinement updates.
Pricing, April 2026
- New
- $11,499–12,199 new (2026 MSRP)
- Used
- $8,200–10,500 (2022–2024 hulls)