2020 Kawasaki STX 160LX Long Term Review: The Watercraft Journal, Ep. 86

The Watercraft Journal provides its definitive long term review of the redesigned 2020 Kawasaki STX 160LX JetSki. To read the whole article, click HERE: watercraftjour...
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[@ejsilva5286]

I own this exact one and it is a blast I love everything about it I am thinking about a different exhaust in the future

[@watercraftjournal]

It won't earn you much in the way of performance.

[@ejsilva5286]

For that I am just looking for a better sound I want more performance after the warranty is up (intake and tuner) but not sure where that will get me

[@callumclose1]

@@watercraftjournal 160hp, 61mph, 4 cylinder, 4 stroke sounds like decent performance for an entry model.

[@romeomercado1686]

I got my 2021 and is really good also is my first pwc and your videos helped me so much

[@watercraftjournal]

We're very happy to hear that! Enjoy!

[@MrAk474life]

I’ve been trying to figure out what pwc is best for me so far I’ve narrowed it to the fx ho, vx ho, and Kawasaki Lx. It’s just so hard to decide when dealers don’t have inventory that you can look at. Thanks for your content it has been helping on the decision

[@watercraftjournal]

Right on!

[@Wavelover33]

I used to Jetski with just one direction - forward. All these bells and whistles shouldn’t sway someone into what watercraft they will choose. It’s unnecessary superfluous sale item that just cost more. Go with something simple because it won’t be in the shop constantly. This stx160 is proven over the years. And it’s a high horsepower machine for its entry level price. No brainer in my opinion.

[@watercraftjournal]

It’s a blast

[@Brian-ml5dn]

I have a 2023 STX160LX and couldn’t be happier. Like you said no bells and whistles but the ski goes and goes quick!

[@fernandomartin624]

I hit 62 MPH GPS with a kit from Kspeed this thing is a monster and non supercharged I think its bullet proof, the guys from Kspeed know their stuff, ride plate, wedge, tune and sponsoons I think i can hit 63+ with not a full tank and silicone under the rideplate

[@watercraftjournal]

Very cool!

[@mr2redsled]

well i will tell ya i would buy another kawi in a heart beat i have lots of seadoo friends and some yamaha friends and the only machines not constaintly in the shop are my 2013 ultra lx and my buddy yamaha vx deluxe all the seadoos are constantly having issues and they are much newer units all 2018 and newer, blown engines sinking and sensors failing it never seems to end. i will stick to my nice riding ultra with no new fancy stuff to fail thx

[@watercraftjournal]

Kawi has a heck of a record, that's for sure!

[@frenchonion4595]

Yeah you better have load's of extra cash with anything BRP. Yes they make power and are innovative, but you pay every bit for it lol. The japanese machine's are 90 percent of the machine but far more reliable.

[@ilovesunoco]

I agree and don't know how Seadoo has customers, blown motors and living in the shop.

[@JP516]

Nice Kevin. U really nail the voice over ! Lets ride the next time your in S Florida

[@watercraftjournal]

Sounds fun. Where at?

[@pajamatime5750]

Nice review Kevin!

[@watercraftjournal]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@TheStephenspann27]

If they are going to have a manual reverse, it would be nice if they had one that actually had some lever throw... and wasn't "on or off." They need to fix reverse, and add trim, then they will have a decent ski.

[@watercraftjournal]

Agreed

[@pajamatime5750]

Can’t wait till you guys get to review the new ‘22 ultra 310 LX!

[@watercraftjournal]

Same!

[@chrisv3863]

Just recently bought this exact ski and the only thing I can complain about is the latch where the key goes. It takes minimal effort to pull up on the door without releasing the latch and have it come open.. I want that thing to stay shut at all times except when i actually pull the latch

[@watercraftjournal]

Yeah, the glove box door is very flimsy and doesn't secure as tightly as it ought to.

[@user-vs7uv7sv5k]

Hello! great review, iyo how would the 160 handle the gulf/ocean? Thank You.

[@elii7417]

I just bought a 2023 but the front always seems to be way down when I slow down it feels like it’ll sink

[@Brian-ml5dn]

I’ve been hearing of the same issue

[@hockeynutt9434]

@@Brian-ml5dn I have 2 23 LX but this is first season with them, We have a no wake zone for 1km, man the nose with a full tank of gas is just underwater, I have numerous ppl ask why is your nose so buried, but on way home with less fuel, not so bad. Also, hate the cruise control. My Wife is doing 45 kmh wants to go down to 40. Hit the - buttom one time and she goes down to 33. Annoys the crap out of me. Find it impossible to get an exact speed. Also, GPS tells me I am going 6-8 kph slower than ski speedometer is showing at cruising speed. I will say rides great on the water. I thought I would not care about manual reverse, I was wrong docking with manual trying to get up onto my ez dock ramp is very blah. Would I buy them again? NO, am I regretting the purchase and thinking of trading? NO, once at cruising, and can get your speed on cruise, I find the ride really nice and no issue going long distance. One last point, after many cruises at 40-45 kph, not mph, I am using 1 litre per 2.1 km travelled. That is eco mode. I thought this would have been better

[@matthewkenna1053]

Is the 160x good in rough water?

[@phillipbraden2753]

One would expect you to give the proper comparison on curb weights on the VX HO and the GTI 170. The actual curb weight differences are only about 20 pounds..

[@watercraftjournal]

You're mistaken on that.

[@brandonellis4422]

I was initially leaning toward the 2021 160LX before watching your initial review. After watching it I decided to buy the 2021 GP1800R HO. I'm glad I went with Yamaha instead. The lack of a reverse paddle on the handle bar, small glove box, and teeter-tottering you mentioned with the high center of gravity at lower speeds steered me away from the 160LX.

[@watercraftjournal]

Good choice!

[@TheMhhale]

How bad is the teeter tottering at slow speeds? Plz elaborate. Looking to buy one of these used with 10 hours.

[@Wavelover33]

@@TheMhhale I have two and they don’t do this.

[@djp279]

​@Wavelover33 are yours 2020s? Maybe they made some small change that fixed this issue. I too am concerned about that. My riding is almost always sub 50

[@shawn01707]

62MPH jet ski for $9999 is hard not to like. I’ve ridden a few jet skis and if they can’t get above 50mph they are very boring to cruise around on. Once u hit 50-55 plus it’s finally fast. 60mph is flying. So for $10k that’s a steal most jet skis with this speed cost well over $16k

[@watercraftjournal]

59 on the GPS. The Kawi speedometer is a little...enthusiastic.

[@helenep6674]

electronic throttle ...what happens if that fails can you still drive it home in limp mode? i can see this part failing after a few years being subjected to water all the time ...we have a 2012 st15f which has been bulletproof although doesnt have all the gimmicks of electronics but this is why i love it ...keep it simple!!!!

[@watercraftjournal]

Ugh. That’s a pretty dumb take.

[@arthurkubrick949]

Hi :) Have the fuel supply problems (and others) observed on the 2020 and 2021 models been resolved on the 2022? I would so love to find the brilliant reliability of the 15f 😥🙏🙏

[@watercraftjournal]

Not that I know of

[@edwardbowles8613]

If you are having fuel filter issues I switched to an aftermarket fuel filter that is not inside the tank after the filter plugged up after getting some bad gas. We had 3 skis with filter issues after filling at the same place. I siphoned the tank but still had issues. The older 15f models had much better filters and were NOT tank mounted like all the manufacturers have gone to. I know its cheaper from a manufacturing standpoint but man a bad batch of gas can be a real problem! I have never had a fuel filter issue in almost 30 years prior to this. So I guess I was lucky and due!

[@Wavelover33]

@@edwardbowles8613 what is the fuel filter you have? Does it fix the filter issue?

[@edwardbowles8613]

I bought it from Kawi Performance in NY. Great guys. I might add that my old 15f that got gas that day had no issues. It has the huge external fuel filter. That filter is original! 2005 with over 600 hours.

[@edwardbowles8613]

Sorry. Yes. So far so good. But I have not been able to ride as much as usual do to weather, work and family health issues.

[@toddrankin5182]

The 07’ STX 15F was one of my favorites and as much as I like some of the things they’ve done to freshen up the ski it seems like sticking w/ a new Yamaha or SeaDoo is a better move?!

[@watercraftjournal]

The new STX line are good mid-entries, but can't touch the VX HO or GTI SE 170.

[@shawntheo1603]

Do you mean speed, could you elaborate please? Im torn Between a set of vx ho's or these.. ​@watercraftjournal

[@skeeterhawk7076]

Not for nothing but I sounds like your saying that this ski is heavier then the yammy and the sea turd...... looking at the specs for at least the yammy the kawi is definitely lighter not heavier.

[@stevenzielke3242]

Do you have any comments on the Smart Steering system? I see tutorials on how to disable it, but I don’t really understand the benefit. I’ve grown up on the water and have been riding for many years. Thanks

[@watercraftjournal]

It’s gimmicky really. It’s more of a hinderance for experienced riders.

[@stevenzielke3242]

Thanks for all of the awesome content. I just got a new 2021 160 LX today, and absolutely love it.

[@landscapin4life95]

In other videos you say time and time again do not beach the ski and to use an anchor how come in different spots of the video is the ski on the beach?

[@watercraftjournal]

Because they're not mine, Tom. That's why. -K

[@jimbaker3764]

Awesome

[@watercraftjournal]

Thank you!

[@matthewkylelewis]

Actually like the look of this ski but I can't help but think kawasaki still isn't doing anything to really grab anyone's attention. I don't see them converting any seadoo or Yamaha fans over with any of the current lineup.

[@matthammer3488]

Sadly I agree. I'm a huge Kawasaki fan too. Seems like Kaw focused on new bikes and side by sides, where Yamaha went full force in the marine world, and Sea Doo executives kept using their own product and making user friendly upgrades to their craft.

[@matthewkylelewis]

@@matthammer3488 idk why Kawasaki won't commit to pwc. They used to be such a leader in the industry. We need more competition in the pwc market. I wish Honda and Suzuki would field some options too but oh well. Heck I bet KTM could make a monster watercraft

[@watercraftjournal]

@mkylelewis Kawi's sales are up 4 years in a row. Whether those are conversions is unclear. Kawi is making moves but they're slower. Additionally, Kawi was only the leader when they were unchallenged. Once Yamaha and Sea-Doo came in, Kawi clung on to a speeding train.

[@matthewkylelewis]

@@watercraftjournal I'm glad to hear it. I hope they continue to improve. I can't tell you the last time I saw a kawasaki on the water.

[@JohnnyWhiplash1]

So why own the Ultra over this if it has everything the Ultra does?

[@watercraftjournal]

Presuming you mean the Ultra LX - as the Ultra 310LX has well, 310-horsepower - there's key gains in rough water tracking/prowess and storage.

[@Mrtoledo25]

It's a nice ski, but just can't understand buying it when you have yamaha/sea doo light years ahead in tech :(

[@watercraftjournal]

Some folks prefer "low tech" - less things to go wrong, they say.

[@veteransforequality7347]

@@watercraftjournal that's exactly the reason i would prefer the Kawasaki. as long as the engine is reliable. I mean speakers is good. but i mean it's a watercraft. why so much tech, just more things to go wrong and it's priced right.

[@randymeza5569]

After 2 years are the speakers still working good??

[@watercraftjournal]

Presumably. We gave it back 2 years ago.

[@edwardbowles8613]

I have 2020 LX and speakers are still fine. Added an amp to hear better at high speeds.

[@jandmmartir4267]

How the gas mileage, how many hours on one tank

[@watercraftjournal]

Depends on how you ride and water conditions.

[@coopercarroll5808]

Does it have trim?

[@watercraftjournal]

No.

[@gnd111]

Audio on this is a behind as Audio on Kawasaki cruisers...smh

[@watercraftjournal]

Unclear what your comment is trying to say.

[@seadoo4life127]

I use to work for a Kawasaki dealer. They cannot compete with Yamaha or Sea-Doo. They have nothing to offer. That was the hardest part when trying to sell them.

[@watercraftjournal]

They have PLENTY to offer. Sounds like you were a poor salesman. :P

[@seadoo4life127]

@@watercraftjournal Far from the case. I believe they have like two models to choose from. Plus a standup. I’m going to say not too exciting and not much excitement in their lineup. 😬. Don’t mind my screen name. I have a Yamaha as well. I like all watercraft

[@watercraftjournal]

You couldn't sell anyone a Kawasaki on the fact they have the most HP of any PWC? The largest storage capacity? The largest fuel capacity? The best service record for 20 years? Their offshore superiority? Racing legacy? Guaranteed I could sell an Ultra 310X tomorrow over any Sea-Doo ST3 or Yamaha FX just reciting facts and enthusiasm alone. Heck, I kinda want to make it this Sunday's topic. -K

[@andreww4885]

Pffftt...whatever sinkdoo4life. I bought a 2020 ultra 310Lx and love it! Has plenty to offer me and will keep it for many years! I wouldn’t buy a seadoo. Would consider a Yamaha

[@seadoo4life127]

@@andreww4885 I have both. Seadoo and Yamaha so take a breath. When I say they don’t offer anything I meant as far as their lineup. They have two hulls and a stand up. Hard to argue that one. They need to get their shit together or they will be out. I do think they make a great hull. No hate. My Seadoo’s don’t sink. I don’t know why people always go there but whatever. My Yamaha’s have been great as well.

[@ericsmith6677]

same hull design same motor why the hell would I pay 12 grand when you can get an older used ski with the same shit for half the price

[@watercraftjournal]

Fair point, but as Kevin notes it has better storage, better ergonomics, Jetsounds, etc.