Boat & Sail

Builder · Core · Yokohama, Japan / Lincoln, Nebraska

Kawasaki Jet Ski

Japanese personal-watercraft division, established 1973. Kawasaki Heavy Industries-owned. The Ultra and STX lines are the volume sellers; the SX-R 160 stand-up is the heritage.

Kawasaki Jet Ski at speed
Founded
1973
Headquarters
Yokohama, Japan
Ownership
Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Tier
Core
Website
kawasaki.com

Kawasaki Jet Ski is the personal-watercraft division of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, established 1973. Kawasaki invented the modern stand-up jet ski in 1973 with the JS400. The current lineup runs the Ultra (luxury touring) and STX (family rec) lines plus the SX-R 160 stand-up.

The brand argument is the heritage stand-up jet ski (SX-R) and the Ultra 310 supercharged touring flagship. Kawasaki competes head-up with Yamaha WaveRunner and Sea-Doo on the touring and performance flagship segments.

Lineup

Current platforms.

Model breakdown

Each platform, what it does and where it falls short.

Kawasaki Jet Ski STX 160 series

STX 160 is the family-rec line. 1.5L Kawasaki marine engine, 160 horsepower, three-seat layout.

Things we like

  • · Pricing 5 to 10 percent below Yamaha VX equivalents
  • · Kawasaki dealer network shared with motorcycle dealers

Things we don't

  • · Smaller dealer footprint than Yamaha or Sea-Doo on PWC-specific service
  • · Resale slightly softer than Yamaha and Sea-Doo equivalents

Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra 310 / 310X / 310LX

Ultra 310 is the touring flagship line. 1.5L supercharged Kawasaki marine engine, 310 horsepower, premium ergonomics.

Things we like

  • · Supercharged 310 horsepower competes with Sea-Doo RXP-X 325
  • · Touring-class ergonomics with deep storage

Things we don't

  • · Supercharger service interval is 100 hours, documented cost item
  • · Pricing comparable to Sea-Doo RXP-X 325 and Yamaha FX SVHO

Kawasaki Jet Ski SX-R 160

SX-R 160 is the stand-up jet ski. Heritage Kawasaki stand-up form, 160 horsepower.

Things we like

  • · Heritage stand-up form preserved across multiple generations
  • · Freestyle-friendly handling

Things we don't

  • · Stand-up segment is small, used market thin
  • · Pricing comparable to Yamaha SuperJet

Buyer's guide

The Kawasaki Jet Ski story and what to know on the used market.

Origin and ownership

Kawasaki invented the modern stand-up jet ski in 1973 with the JS400. The brand grew through the 1980s and 1990s as the PWC segment expanded.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries has owned the brand throughout. US production happens at the Lincoln, Nebraska facility; engines come from Japan.

Design philosophy

Kawasaki uses 1.5L marine engines across the lineup, with supercharged variants on the Ultra 310 flagship. Stand-up SX-R uses a smaller 160 horsepower engine.

Hull form across the touring lineup is moderate-V optimized for sustained-cruise touring use.

Used-market notes and known issues

Supercharger service on Ultra 310 is 100-hour preventive item.

Wear ring (jet pump liner) replacement at 200 to 300 hours on hulls in shallow rocky water.

Battery and electrical-harness corrosion on saltwater-stored hulls.

Dealer network shared with Kawasaki motorcycle dealers; PWC-specific service depth varies by dealer.

Resale

Kawasaki Jet Ski resale runs slightly below Yamaha and Sea-Doo at equivalent LOA. Three-year depreciation runs 25 to 32 percent. Five-year depreciation runs 38 to 46 percent.

Where Kawasaki Jet Ski fits

Buyers cross-shop Kawasaki against Yamaha WaveRunner and Sea-Doo on the PWC segment. The argument for Kawasaki is the heritage stand-up SX-R and the Ultra 310 supercharged flagship. Buyers who prioritize segment-leading dealer network should look at Yamaha or Sea-Doo.

FAQ

Frequently asked.

Is the SX-R the only stand-up still in production?
Kawasaki SX-R and Yamaha SuperJet are the two stand-up jet skis in current production. Kawasaki invented the segment in 1973 and has stayed in the segment across multiple generations.
What's the maintenance cost on an Ultra 310X?
Annual service runs $700 to $1,200 plus 100-hour supercharger service at $600 to $900. Insurance for a $20,000 hull runs $400 to $900. Trailer storage $500 to $1,500.
Where are Kawasakis built?
Lincoln, Nebraska for US-market hulls; engines built in Japan. Kawasaki Heavy Industries facility.

Compare

Categories Kawasaki Jet Ski fits.

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