What does the Kawasaki STX 160 Jet Ski Need to Compete in Today's Market? [4K]

[@stevec2766]

Kawasaki makes an incredible product, they already have the tools in their arsenal to pull ahead of their competition. It all has to start with a supportive network from the ground up. Those that truly love the brand need to be hand picked and put in positions where they can make change to bring back the brand that started it all tothe top

[@stuartpeck26]

THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS!!!

[@JDsWaterWorld]

Wouldn't a Turbo STX-R 350 be incredible??

[@stuartpeck26]

@@JDsWaterWorld indeed. Also I’m going to email you the picture my mom took of me when I took her out on my ski a couple weekends ago (the outing in which I forgot my Jettribe gloves)

[@stuartpeck26]

@@JDsWaterWorld I sometimes wish Kawasaki would bring back the Super Chicken or the Jet Mate lol

[@fernandomartin624]

If you maintain the kawi stx 160 it's an indestructible tank that can go anywhere and is peppy and fast enough can handle anything. I do wish for a 200 hp version with trim and the new reverse but on the other hand, the simplicity and confidence it won't let you down is like top of the line. Heard too many horror stories about the other brands 😂😂😂

[@JDsWaterWorld]

Agreed. It's a great ski- it just needs a few updates to be re-positioned as a market leading buy

[@bat555maddog]

KSRD, ULTRA 22+ DASH, TRIM & a 310 STX-R come on @kawasakiusa make this happen!!!

[@jerplane400]

Great video JD! Sure wish someone at Kawasaki would listen and do something! Great company but the "race to the bottom" as you stated in an earlier video is affecting the product line and quality issues with the JetSki line. Thanks for posting.

[@JDsWaterWorld]

Kawasaki needs a "wow" factor with the STX to take a stab at the Yamaha VX and GP lines

[@SquiggyWigginz]

We have a high school here in Cincinnati called St. Xavier. It's the home of the Cincinnati Pepsi Marlins, the famous swim team with tons of past Olympians and world record holding swimmers. The Saint X is what we call this ski here in the 'nati.

[@Watercraftshack]

Great video!

[@JDsWaterWorld]

It's based on your comment, so thanks!!

[@stuartpeck26]

I will say that I love the handlebar bag accessory for the STX-160. Kawasaki did a good job on that. High quality velcro and stitching. You can see it on one of those pictures I sent you

[@JDsWaterWorld]

Their accessories are very high quality- I have the soft cooler, stern bag, rack, and dry bag and all are holding up well so far

[@ericsoumah7510]

Great point, however I get the fact of reliability, their price point is also cheaper than the competitors , all the best buddy🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙

[@JDsWaterWorld]

The only issue is Kawasaki is using the STX as a surrogate for rec-lite and midsize segments and it doesn't aggressively complete with either segment. It's a great ski- just needs some love to blow the competition away

[@joeyperez6993]

​@@JDsWaterWorld Kawi needs a beginner entry level ski that is priced right. The STX 160 is basically an out of the box 62 mph mid size ski that is in the same category as Yamaha's GP series but even more stripped down. With the STX you are basically paying for a 62 mph bare bones ski with a fiberglass hull. They should advertise it as the race ski and support it with needed upgrades and then offer a true rec lite ski.

[@JDsWaterWorld]

Yes they should bring back the X2 as a SX-R based variant (even though the SX-R is more than the STX 160) and then reposition the STX as a VX killer with the STX-R as a monster GP killer

[@joeyperez6993]

The STX does has one thing going for it. Its the fastest ski in its price range. Seadoo doesnt have a non supercharged ski faster and Yamaha only has 2 non supercharged skis that are faster being the GP HO and VX Cruiser HO.

[@JDsWaterWorld]

The TR1 from Yamaha is a toy and the VX and GP hulls are very fragile and weak

[@TheStephenspann27]

I think it needs trim as well

[@JDsWaterWorld]

Atleast the top of the line models need trim..and that's not asking for anything crazy

[@bat555maddog]

so the 1st October was @Kawasakiusa big reveal and guess what, no new 2025 models of the STX 160 or SX-R 160 not sure what this may tell us? is it no longer going to be produced!

[@JDsWaterWorld]

I noticed as well on the microfiche it's missing for 2025 as well, Ultra is there, STX gone

[@bat555maddog]

@@JDsWaterWorld maybe there be something new coming and announced @ havasu

[@whotube357]

Is it possible to install Linq fittings on a Ultra deck? Maybe a video on that? 💪

[@JDsWaterWorld]

No clue, I don't really use accessories other than a stern bag or the fuel/cooler rack

[@edwardbowles8613]

I have thought of installing the Recdec from Sea Doo on the Ultra deck. But that means you buy that deck from Sea Doo and then have to buy their expensive accessories. I found a company called Yak Attack. They are VA based and make a lot of their stuff in the US. I bought their tie down brackets to use on the Ultra Deck rails. A pair of US made strap brackets are $20. Then bought one of their 12ft straps. (They have a video on the strap. Very high quality) this system works great and I can use my 30 yo gas cans that are not ruined by the EPA. I have logged literally hundreds of miles now. Hauling two 5 gallon cans. That is far more capacity than Sea Doo Recdec cans and way cheaper. It is simple to strap down. No tools needed other than an allen wrench to remove the factory track plugs. Once they are out no tools required. The Kawi tie down brackets are more expensive and require an allen wrench to adjust and secure in the track. Yak Attacks do not. Doubt the Kawi ones are made in USA either. As a bonus the straps are black and orange matching my 160LXS.

[@Gmtail]

Kawasaki even makes machines that make the rims for Yamaha ATVs.

[@JDsWaterWorld]

Do they really? Hahah

[@Gmtail]

@@JDsWaterWorld Yup. They make a lot of industrial machines for companies that do various things. It’s sort of like how Amazon makes a bulk of their money from their hosting side of things. This is how they can sell products cheaper than many other places, and do the whole prime thing. Kawasaki Heavy Industries makes a bulk of their money, like you said making trains, as well as other machines. So they can keep their motorsports division alive, especially the JetSki line, which as you know has the lowest market share.

[@whotube357]

Im not a fan of Kawis jog dial display. It's sluggish and clumsy to get into the menu. My 24FX touch screen is much easier and faster. Also the jog dial thing takes up space where there could be a storage compartment

[@JDsWaterWorld]

What?!? It's so fast! I don't think it could be any faster..I can't stand touch screens on the jet ski..they barely work with gloves and get all covered with smudgy prints

[@JDsWaterWorld]

I will also say the jog dial is safer since you don't have to reach over the handlebars to try to touch the screen while you are underway. Are we talking about the same ski? The software in the Kawasaki is so fast and really well thought out and accessing the menu is extremely easy.

[@whotube357]

@@JDsWaterWorld I keep pushing the O key to bring up the menu and I have to push it multiple times. Also I think it's only accessible when I'm stopped, when throttle is not engaged, which means I have to stop to access the menu. And the menu layout requires navigating multiple sub levels with the jog wheel. PITA. Try my Yamaha 24FX. Much easier. I have both a 23 Ultra160 LX and 24FXHO so I know lol

[@JDsWaterWorld]

I typically only press the circle button once for an extended hold to get into the menus, then use the jog dial and the push button on the jog dial to access everything else. The system locks out over 3000 RPM.

[@SquiggyWigginz]

@whotube357 yes, your touch screen is so important when jetskiing.