Riding the Kawasaki Jet Ski Lineup - How Does it Stack Up with Sea-Doo & Yamaha?

We take a ride on three different Kawasaki Jet Ski models to see how they compare with each other and how they feel next to the competition from Sea-Doo and Yamaha.
The Jet Ski Ultra 310 is a powerhouse with a deep-V hull that offers amazing performance in choppy water. Then you step down to the Jet Ski Ultra 160, same great hull at a more affordable price point with less power. Finally you have the STX 160, the entry level unit in the lineup. It doesn't feel anything like the Ultra, which is both positive and negative.
So come along for a ride around Long Beach California on the Kawasaki Jet Ski lineup to see how these machines perform.
#JetSki #kawasaki #pwc

[@jerplane400]

I have a '22 Kawasaki Ultra 310LX. It is by far the best watercraft you can buy, especially if you are in riding the ocean. Thank for the video!

[@arasheqajar]

Legitimately the best hull in the industry for rough water! I personally love how these ride

[@pajamatime5750]

I have the 310LX. Came from a Seadoo. The quality is night and day in favour of the Kawi. Built like a tank. Would totally recommend. Get the 160 Ultra LX if you don’t need 310HP though - they fly, but they’re thirsty!!!

[@CrochetNewsNetwork]

I’m thinking a 2023 or 2024 160 lx ultra.

[@pajamatime5750]

@@CrochetNewsNetwork Ya won’t be disappointed!!

[@CrochetNewsNetwork]

@@pajamatime5750 are there any aftermarket modifications on the 160 that might get it up to 55 or 60 mph??

[@pajamatime5750]

@@CrochetNewsNetwork I’m not too sure what the aftermarket has for the 160…. I would encourage you to watch and / or subscribe to JDs Waterworld on KZbin. He does a pile of Kawi videos with great information. He also responds to comments so if you ask him he’ll weigh in…. Super good channel and a great resource if you own or plan to own a Kawasaki Jetski!! Hope that helps you!

[@CrochetNewsNetwork]

@@pajamatime5750 thank you pajama, I have seen JD ‘s video but will reach out to him and ask that question. Don’t know why I didn’t think of that :-)

[@LifeBeginsOnTheWater]

Great review, awesome PWC’s. I absolutely love the Kawasaki JetSki brand. It was awesome seeing Jon Rall hanging out with his you guys. Thanks for sharing Billy D

[@edwardbowles8613]

Bow lights are extremely helpful early in the day and late in the day. Gullwing storage is great. Really grows on you.

[@jdunbar1820]

I have a 23’ 310x, coming from a 22’ ultra LX. I have to say I will never go back. The power is insane and the fuel consumption is worth it! 💯💯

[@fernandomartin624]

I have the 160lx and also the 310lx now and they are both amazing. The 310lx in my opinion is the best jet-ski ever made. Proper hull proper power now has all the goodies and more best sound system and rides like a Cadillac on chop. But the stx 160lx can still hit 62mph and is more nimble more fun in a way. And also the gas consumption and maintenance of the stx160 lx is way way less complicated and expensive. I'm still debating on which one to keep. Because how good the stx is.

[@skwerlee]

Amazing machine however these prices have gotten absolutely ridiculous

[@ALMX5DP]

I think the options and higher end models make it so. I remember our family got a new Honda unit 20 years ago and if memory serves it was about $9k. The $17k model here is near double that but also two decades difference is considerable as well.

[@_jamesrose]

Least the water was flat as perfect conditions for speed runs. Very good review. The 310 will never beat anyone a FX svho or a Seadoo 300 or 325 but Kawi 150% wins for ride and capability offshore. No question

[@MWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWWWMMMWMWMWMMWM]

This guy is my favorite toy tester because he's not some tiny little guy. Represents what most of us look like.

[@Las_Jerera]

Thanks for the video. I'm just getting into the whole jetski topic, this video helped a lot

[@chriscarhart1367]

The Kawa rides better in rough water hands down. This thing is a beast yet still fast af

[@SC-yx6wr]

Great video! Btw, I had heard the Ultra 310 top speed is electronically governed at the factory...I have a 2014 Yamaha VXR, its as fast as a super charged, but naturally aspirated. Only issue is that the Nanocell composite hull is very light and the bottom rather flat which gives it its speed, but its a bit of a hairy ride if you push it in a chop. Recently I purchased an '18 Ultra LX 1500 with only 43 hours on it. Its about 200 lbs heavier than the VXR and has a deep vee hull, so I am looking forward to trying it out and see how it does in the rougher conditions we always seem to get at our place.

[@bryman868]

Very informative 👏 thanks for the upload

[@tkpowersports]

Glad it was helpful!

[@toddhickey1956]

Ultra LX is a phenomenal ski…

[@whotube357]

Its not a reverse camera, its for towing or water skiing

[@user-yc9jz6tf8r]

I had a 310 LX years ago and rode it all the time in The Galveston, TX surf which is very salty water. Flushed it every ride per spec, hosed it down, sprayed with oil, etc. The issue was the super charger pulley totally rusted out. The whole super charger pully system had to be replaced. At that point I sold it.

[@seqroughwaterrides9845]

I went from a 2020 Ultra 310 to an FXHO purely to save money on servicing and fuel as I cruise at 50mph and the 310 drank the fuel at that speed, and the exhaust filter cost heaps to change. I have to admit though, as much as I like the FX, the Ultra is a much better built ski in many ways and rides nicer. I will go to an Ultra 160 when they bring out an X model. I don’t want the stereo. Great video mate.

[@CrochetNewsNetwork]

Exactly same for me. I don’t want the stereo because 1) I need the extra foot well space 2) I see no reason to blast music for everyone to hear.

[@CrochetNewsNetwork]

Yep, I really don’t want a stereo and I have long legs and can use as much foot well space as possible. Took out a 310 ultra -X and was great. Just in the short 15:00 test ride it appeared that the fuel gauge went down :-0

[@onefast_yami911]

I rode once when its raining man that water feels like needles in your face lol... i ride from lbc to catalina i had fx 2020 and i love how it handles in the chop going to catalina... my gp1800 diferent story rough as it comes 😆 🤣 😂

[@henrytischbein155]

I love the pic of the skis with the queen Mary

[@tom19581000]

Thank you so much for the video so informative, but you didn't talk about accessories , like for fishing and extra gas tanks for long rides!

[@AustraliasBestForkliftOperator]

Im surprised you don’t mention the fact the stx160 nose tends to plow and ride low in the water, especially with a full tank. You can see it doing it in the video and it’s worse at low speeds. Was pretty irritating during my ownership.

[@jeffallen5871]

There’s another review that talks about it. Says anything below 5 mph will cause it to “submarine “. Recommends to keep speed around 7-10 mph in no wake zones.

[@quadit321]

Kawasaki is a better rough water machine they usually win that Catalina run any big water pwc race where it's rough that's where they shine

[@timw8028]

Excellent video... I own a 310LX and can't figure out how to engage the cruise control at higher speeds. Let's say around 30...

[@edwardbowles8613]

You have to be maintaining a steady speed. Then press and hold the set button. You have to hold it for a second to set it. But the throttle position has to be static. Can't be moving the throttle while setting it.

[@wiliamandresgonzalespuli-nx8vs]

TENGO LAS ESPERANZAS DE QUE LA KAWASAKI ULTRA 310LX LLEGUE A PERU 🔥🔥🚤💪

[@edwardbowles8613]

Trimming up might have bumped speeds a bit. Especially 160. It was trimmed down. 310 was neutral. Thanks for doing this video.

[@williamsmith5360]

Yamaha ski's are the go to brand for rentals. Must be a reason? Yep, reliability. Wouldn't consider anything else until the other 2 mfgs catch up.

[@jtpug777]

The yamaha vx is cheap and available. I've been in the rental business & they are junk throw away jet skis. The hulk is delicate. They're not reliable. They lack power and they handle awkwardly

[@AustinTA-cd9rs]

SeaDoo is just fine if you do proper maintenance on time and don’t abuse it. It’s like anything. I have two friends with over 200 hours on their SeaDoos and they run like brand new. Your opinion is just an opinion, not facts.

[@CrochetNewsNetwork]

@@AustinTA-cd9rsyou are correct about opinion, however the Kawasaki is much better than Sea Doo in choppy water by far due the the differences in hull design

[@AustinTA-cd9rs]

@@CrochetNewsNetwork I have the SeaDoo with the ST3 hull and it eats the chop. Very smooth. The difference is likely negligible.

[@CrochetNewsNetwork]

@@AustinTA-cd9rs I e ridden both and cannot go back the ST3 hull. Even Sea Doo knows the difference and will be redesigning hull

[@Bonsai-Miata2020]

They should add blind side monitoring and under glow lighting lol Oh wait, heated grips and heated seat.

[@mmldr]

64 mph top speed? My 300 got 75 stock with a reflash only.

[@24rezimodnaR]

USCG regulations requires manufacturers to limit to under 70mph

[@jorbedo]

I love the Kawis 160 models but the 2024 FX HO's with 200hp have better ROI, even with subpar hull paint (You can fix it).Heavier hull (A lot better) but 20% less horsepower.

[@CrochetNewsNetwork]

Is the FX HO super charged or non asperiated?

[@stuartpeck8169]

6:03 If I could make a little correction: 160 has 955.6lbs of thrust. If you wanted to use whole numbers, should have said 956lbs But it’s fine

[@jasonbaker5760]

Lol😂

[@dylanschwartz8239]

Might have nice features, but it’s not going to last 1,000 hours like any Yamaha ski would with ease.

[@Paradigmconcretefl]

I’ve ran into people with seadoo RXTX with 1400 hours. They all have issues but they all are great if you take care of them !

[@simonkirkland-bw3pk]

Has anyone had reliability issues with regards the engine?

[@edwardbowles8613]

Very reliable skis

[@Bonsai-Miata2020]

64 top speed for over 20 grand out the door? No thanks

[@whotube357]

Kawis 1500cc engine is outclassed by its competitiors like Yama 1.9.

[@CP-kb1du]

900 pounds

[@pajamatime5750]

And? It’s about 45 lbs more than a comparable Seadoo.

[@MAGApepe]

ya lost me at 22k... omg no thanks

[@jeffbryner5355]

The best pwc does not have a seat. It's the komander gp1 and it has a kawi power plant. You couches you are reviewing are la.e and not worth the money. Might ad well get a actual boat

[@whotube357]

Standups are toys, not interested.

[@jeffbryner5355]

@whotube357 are they though? Have you rode a fully built kommander gp1?

[@jeffbryner5355]

0-60 2.2 seconds with no seat. 90 on a lazy boy ain't shit cuz

[@whotube357]

@@jeffbryner5355 You mean a surfboard with a motor oh wow ur too cool for me

[@jeffbryner5355]

@whotube357 not quite those actually exist but nice try. They are definitely more entertaining then a 1000 pound lazy boy with a jet pump and cooler/livewell rack. If I wanted a Honda gullwing of the sea I'd just get a boat and have more room for family amd friends and storage. That's the only reason to get a gargantuan pwc like that