Excellent to see you testing this in San Diego. Prior to the Kawasaki 300's we rode the STX15F TO Catalina and back over and over again and I could have sworn we hit 62 mph w/ a GPS constantly w/ the old 150 hp motor + that hull design allows a splash deflector to be mounted that makes riding in the ocean very"dry" even in the roughest conditions. Great ski's I was hoping this new 160 was even better??
Nope, it's identical. Again, it's a good hull design, and the deck offers some slightly improved ergonomics, but trying to charge customers the same price for a ski without brakes is tomfoolery.
@@watercraftjournal seen a 2year old 2019 seadoo300 ibr failure which cost over $300.00 to fix....yep wish they had a neutral on the kawi would be a big difference especially for a newby
Love the channel and content. Wanted to let your community know that various states in US with travel restrictions in place are still allowing recreational boating while others are not. Check your local policies currently in place before heading out. And stay safe everyone. Social distance using your PWC!
I still don’t get why kawi doesn’t offer an ITC and RIDE equivalent. I hope they offer something soon. That’s one thing that’s a must on a PWC when I go to purchase one and I am pretty sure I’m not alone on this one.
iTC is Sea-Doo's Intelligent Throttle Control. Kawasaki has its own engine management system that works quite well, and there's even an Eco range (although not an "Eco Mode"). A iBR or RiDE equivalent would be a huge win for the brand and immediately open it up to new buyers.
The more and more I look at the Kawasaki the more and more I like it .... but then for the same price I can just get a Yamaha or Sea doo with better options!
@@watercraftjournal what's been problematic in your experience? I'm thinking of getting the red and white base model but I want something as reliable as possible
Great review, I ended up purchasing this and love it. I’m having an issue with my radio that I’m hoping someone can help me with, as it’s stuck with a message/code displayed. Any help or direction would be appreciated!
Did you get fixed? No issue with my display. Wish the stereo was louder. I did manage to quiet the ski a bit with no performance drop. Still wish the Bluetooth sound was as loud as the regular radio. It is probably 10% quieter on Bluetooth. And yes the phone volume is max'd.
Not happy with kawasaki, bought 2 in june hood flew off 1 5 hours after break-in period. Second one broke off 50 hours on it. They have been recalled due to faulty hood latch. One of the radios stopped working on mine also. Going to shop in October, the soonest available appointment. At least 6 others with same problem here in Denver that I know of.
@@noahrael7946 How did they break off? Did the latch release due to water pressure and flip the hood open, hyper extending it? Or did the pressure break it loose at the hinge with the latch still closed? I have over 90 hours on 2 skis with a lot of rough playing and in the ocean. No issues. Even submarine the bow a lot to splash kids riding in front of me. It seems like water can most easily get under the edge afte about halfway up the hood and have more leverage there. Seems like they tried to eliminate water getting under the lower front and sides.
The lack of the neutral gear prevented my friend from buying 2 kawas, what a loss they encounter in sales for some small feature despite the beautiful and powerful design
@@watercraftjournal How would you rank them by price, performance, handling, and features? (Kawasaki really needs a Ride/IBR system and a 310R motor in that hull with trim.)
What is the love affair with neutral? I can idle in forward if needed. Can put it in reverse and it will move slowly in reverse OR I just turn it off. Do people sit around idling in neutral a lot not wanting to go forward? I basically never do and I ride a lot.
fuel cunsumtion must be good because in rreal world my ultra lx only used 1.5 gallons of fuel more then my buddys 2018 vx deluxe over a full day of riding and the ultra lx is more power and faster then the vx delux so this machine being lighter then the ultra must be great on fuel
@@watercraftjournal understood but is this in part of Kawasaki doing their best to try to keep the price point low and competitive? I would think in today's watercraft arena people (including myself) are willing to pay a little extra for current technology and features.
I always wanted a 310R but that old school reverse lever is a deal-breaker. The Kawasaki Green looks cool to me!
Yeah, they need brakes!
Excellent to see you testing this in San Diego. Prior to the Kawasaki 300's we rode the STX15F TO Catalina and back over and over again and I could have sworn we hit 62 mph w/ a GPS constantly w/ the old 150 hp motor + that hull design allows a splash deflector to be mounted that makes riding in the ocean very"dry" even in the roughest conditions. Great ski's I was hoping this new 160 was even better??
Nope, it's identical. Again, it's a good hull design, and the deck offers some slightly improved ergonomics, but trying to charge customers the same price for a ski without brakes is tomfoolery.
LOVE IT, KAWI FOR THE WIN!
With all of the IBR failures...i almost prefer the lever.
iBR failures happened mainly a decade earlier. Newer Sea-Doos are not experiencing the issues they did years ago.
@@watercraftjournal seen a 2year old 2019 seadoo300 ibr failure which cost over $300.00 to fix....yep wish they had a neutral on the kawi would be a big difference especially for a newby
Love the channel and content. Wanted to let your community know that various states in US with travel restrictions in place are still allowing recreational boating while others are not. Check your local policies currently in place before heading out. And stay safe everyone. Social distance using your PWC!
Yes, always check out municipal and state laws before traveling.
Great video as always. Man Kawasaki really needs to step it up. No ibr/RIDE type system? That’s a huge must have if I’m buying a ski.
Yeah, the lack of brakes is a deal-breaker for most people.
Who needs brakes ? Vts would be nice but all the added features just more stuff to break i like the simplicity
@@watercraftjournal If you don't know to let off the throttle and throw it in reverse, maybe you should stay on land.
@@celyl That won't hurt anything? I've always been worried about that
I’ve been on them many years and rarely ever needed brakes or reverse. It’s water not a Walmart parking lot.
I still don’t get why kawi doesn’t offer an ITC and RIDE equivalent. I hope they offer something soon. That’s one thing that’s a must on a PWC when I go to purchase one and I am pretty sure I’m not alone on this one.
iTC is Sea-Doo's Intelligent Throttle Control. Kawasaki has its own engine management system that works quite well, and there's even an Eco range (although not an "Eco Mode"). A iBR or RiDE equivalent would be a huge win for the brand and immediately open it up to new buyers.
The Watercraft Journal ya sorry my bad I meant IBR lol
You could simply turn it off and would stay in place...
The more and more I look at the Kawasaki the more and more I like it .... but then for the same price I can just get a Yamaha or Sea doo with better options!
The more time we spend on the new STX 160LX, more problematic it becomes. Go Yamaha or Sea-Doo.
@@watercraftjournal what's been problematic in your experience? I'm thinking of getting the red and white base model but I want something as reliable as possible
Why have you not answered this question?
@@watercraftjournal what problems?
Can you use the manual reverse as well as the throttle for a stronger reverse in case of emergency, or would that damge the bucket that lowers?
Yes
Sorry. Yes you can. Won't damage bucket unless maybe you tried it at full speed.
@@edwardbowles8613 thanks for the reply
Great review, I ended up purchasing this and love it. I’m having an issue with my radio that I’m hoping someone can help me with, as it’s stuck with a message/code displayed. Any help or direction would be appreciated!
Have you talked to your dealer first? It might've been in the set up stage.
I’ll be calling them today. We’ve had the ski 2 weeks and run it every other day, yesterday was the first time the display locked up on us.
Did you get fixed? No issue with my display. Wish the stereo was louder. I did manage to quiet the ski a bit with no performance drop. Still wish the Bluetooth sound was as loud as the regular radio. It is probably 10% quieter on Bluetooth. And yes the phone volume is max'd.
Not happy with kawasaki, bought 2 in june hood flew off 1 5 hours after break-in period.
Second one broke off 50 hours on it. They have been recalled due to faulty hood latch.
One of the radios stopped working on mine also. Going to shop in October, the soonest available appointment. At least 6 others with same problem here in Denver that I know of.
@@noahrael7946 How did they break off? Did the latch release due to water pressure and flip the hood open, hyper extending it? Or did the pressure break it loose at the hinge with the latch still closed? I have over 90 hours on 2 skis with a lot of rough playing and in the ocean. No issues. Even submarine the bow a lot to splash kids riding in front of me. It seems like water can most easily get under the edge afte about halfway up the hood and have more leverage there. Seems like they tried to eliminate water getting under the lower front and sides.
The lack of the neutral gear prevented my friend from buying 2 kawas, what a loss they encounter in sales for some small feature despite the beautiful and powerful design
Yes, it's really a lack for foresight.
No deal! Those cup holders need to hold 40 ouncers.
LOL! Dang man.
This looks like with would be a fair comparison to Yamaha VX HO. Thoughts?
Yes, this would be considered a direct competitor to the Yamaha VX Cruiser HO and Sea-Doo GTI SE 170.
@@watercraftjournal How would you rank them by price, performance, handling, and features? (Kawasaki really needs a Ride/IBR system and a 310R motor in that hull with trim.)
You need to go to www.watercraftjournal.com, Steven. Go ahead and look up our Watercraft of The Year awards.
I’m looking at getting this jet ski, so what happens if you don’t have any throttle on would that work as a Neutral???
There is NO true neutral. We explain it in detail both in this video and in greater detail in the article. NO NEUTRAL.
What is the love affair with neutral? I can idle in forward if needed. Can put it in reverse and it will move slowly in reverse OR I just turn it off. Do people sit around idling in neutral a lot not wanting to go forward? I basically never do and I ride a lot.
How would you say in handles in chop I would be riding on a large Lake lots of other boats making waves.
You need to watch our "Uncut" video on the STX cutting through Pacific Ocean white caps.
Kawasaki's always do need to be green. Yamaha's need to be blue. Seadoo's need to be yellow.
Why?
@@watercraftjournal Hertigage mostly. I don't follow motocross anymore but they only used to make bikes in factory colors.
fuel cunsumtion must be good because in rreal world my ultra lx only used 1.5 gallons of fuel more then my buddys 2018 vx deluxe over a full day of riding and the ultra lx is more power and faster then the vx delux so this machine being lighter then the ultra must be great on fuel
None of that math adds up.
Maybe not but that was the difference was 6 litres whatever that is in gallons.
Where’d you get those gloves
Please read our review here: watercraftjournal.com/real-review-golovejoy-thermala-premium-thermal-windproof-gloves/
Howecome this easily hits 60MPH but the seadoo 170 , with more horsepower and less weight, cannot?
Because the speedometer is LYING to you. We record on the GPS a confirmed 58.1mph in ideal conditions.
VX Cruiser HO (it's Yamaha competition) is faster and more fuel efficient.
@@watercraftjournal wish it had a similar price tag :(
@40 Life BOOM. Agreed.
I'll tell you what, the one jet ski I won't try to fly by is the green on the lake
More news coming soon!
Great review as usual - but I'll stick with Yamaha all-day-long. So much antiquated technology on this machine.
Really all it needs is a decent braking system.
@@watercraftjournal understood but is this in part of Kawasaki doing their best to try to keep the price point low and competitive? I would think in today's watercraft arena people (including myself) are willing to pay a little extra for current technology and features.
Are the prices lower than the competition? Sadly, no. They price their JetSkis on par with far more advanced Sea-Doos and Yamahas.
I’ll take speed over fancy features alllll day
Off shore meaning your in the ocean? Yes I'm a NOOB.
Yes, open ocean.
Top speed?
We told you both in the video and in the article.
67 mph on a good day
Always the same questions without reading or watching... xD Damn ! Ahahaha
pass. Seadoo still has what i like in a PCW
What's a PCW?