2024 Kawasaki Ultra 160 LX Speed Test Review
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ส.ค. 2024
- The first major redesign for the Kawasaki Ultra 160 Jet Ski in 16 years has hit the water.
This is Kawasaki’s top-of-the-line non-supercharged model and brings the iconic brand closer to rivals such as the Sea-Doo GTX 170 and Yamaha FX HO.
While the Kawasaki Ultra hull remains unchanged from the previous generation launched in 2007, the top deck is all new, and is the same as the flagship Kawasaki Ultra 310 supercharged model.
The other big news: Kawasaki has doubled down on this important segment of the Jet Ski market, going from just one version of the Ultra 160 to two models.
The LX-S and the top-of-the-range LX - with one more on the way, such as the Kawasaki Ultra 160 Angler fishing Jet Ski due in 2025.
This video covers the 2024 Kawasaki Ultra 160 LX Jet Ski, however it is identical to the 2025 model except for colour changes.
In this video we cover Australian and US pricing, go through all the key features, tell you what it’s like to ride - and do acceleration and top speed tests using precision VBox timing equipment.
We would like to thank Kawasaki Australia for loaning us this demonstrator model to test over two weekends in early 2024.
00:00 Introduction
01:15 Where it fits in the line-up
01:50 Engine details
02:22 US pricing
02:42 Australian pricing
03:27 Australian specifications
03:37 US specifications
03:49 Key features
03:39 New reverse trigger
04:44 Trim adjustment
04:52 Launch mode
05:11 Rear-view camera
06:15 Side pod storage
08:07 Bow storage
09:44 What it's like to ride
11:40 Acceleration tests
12:14 Acceleration results kmh
12:22 Acceleration results mph
13:32 Speed comparison with rivals
14:13 Reverse trigger function
14:21 Rear camera function
14:51 Daytime running lights
15:15 Dislikes
15:49 Summary
16:15 Kawasaki Australia
16:42 Bonus footage
Another great review. Thanks for sharing. Looks like Kawasaki has done it again, great Jetski with some very nice upgrades.
Thanks again for the kind feedback. The new Kawasaki Ultra 160 has received some big improvements. Now to round those off with a new engine …
Yw, yeah that would be amazing to see a new engine platform. Hell even an increase in horsepower & torque from the existing 1.5
Great review. Thanks for sharing 👍
You’re welcome! Thanks for taking the time to read a note. More reviews coming soon. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the info video!!
Hey thanks for the note! You're welcome. More videos coming soon.
Great video once again. As you say Joshua ~ You can [pin it full stick at 83 km/h] in chop and with the 160/310 type hull, and it goes quite well. It's quite fun there. However, on glassy water it feels like you're not moving ~ It's quite boring and you can [fall asleep] Ha! Group riding with other PWC NA brands you're usually at the back!! Definitely needs a powertrain Upgrade to get it to at least ≈ 100 km/h. Sure the 1,498cc NA is reliable and been around for ages ~ going on 2025+ the model just needs a bit more top end speed like the STX160X. Surely the Tech heads at kawasaki have something up their sleeve. Going at 100-120k's/h is fun and thrilling!! If a BIGGER kawi engine uses more fuel then for a 190km Trek, you just take more on the Ultra Deck. My rides now I take 80L + 20L with the 2023 Kawi Ultra 160 LX-S ['Orange' looks better!!] for a Trek that long. River riding. Cheers. Pete C.
Hey! Thanks for leaving a note. That’s a good observation. The hull isn’t bothered by rough chop, and on glassed out water it’s so stable it’s almost monotonous. Here’s hoping Kawasaki is working away in the background on an engine upgrade. Then again, extra power and all this weight could create quite a thirsty machine. The good news is Kawasaki is back in the game with this updated Ultra. The only other thing on my wish list for the Ultra? Higher handlebars so it’s more comfortable to ride while standing up. Thanks again for the feedback.
Good jet ski😊
I like the set up but wish they had left the 160mm pump in.
Great suggestion. We love this hull but a bit more power, a more comfortable riding position when standing, and a bit better fuel economy would be welcome.
Seeing the R on the reverse lever is that indicating it’s only for reverse or is it safe to deploy as a brake going wide open? Or does it even work going at full throttle?
Great question. We received the following response from our Kawasaki expert:
The patent for the new Kawasaki Ultra reverse trigger design says when the reverse trigger is activated it immediately checks the vessel’s GPS speed.
Reverse will only be applied gradually if the vessel is at speed, washing off minimal speed so as to not send the rider over the handlebars.
Once the vessel speed decreases to a modest level, activation of the reverse trigger will lower the bucket further, to create more of a slowing effect.
The slower the vessel speed, the lower the rear bucket drops.
It is marketed as a KSRD ‘smart reverse with deceleration’.
It’s initially very gradual.
Meantime back to our experience.
Sea-Doo craft have a more aggressive reverse trigger (even at speed) whereas Yamaha’s reverse trigger is not as aggressive as Sea-Doo.
Hope this helps! Thanks for the question.
What was that garden hose adapter that you use to drain the footwells?! Very interested let me know where I can find it online
A small business in Australia makes them. Will post a link here shortly.
@@WatercraftZonethanks, please share the link I would like to get one
@@WatercraftZoneany updates on the link to that siphon hose attachment?
@@WatercraftZoneinterested in that siphon also.
I Love Kawi but the 2024 FX HO is now a better option, cheaper and more HP than the 160 LX, better storage access on the FX-HO. Let's wait for the new 1000cc Turbo engine of the SxS Ridge, lighter and faster, same concept as the Rotax 900 ACE HO. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for the note. Both are great skis but the Kawasaki Ultra 160 would benefit from a power bump. The only downside to that is extra fuel. The new Yamaha 1.9 non-supercharged engine is as thirsty at Yamaha’s 1.8-litre supercharged engine in our extensive testing. So here’s hoping Yamaha finds some new efficiencies for future updates.
@@WatercraftZone Thank you, your reviews are the best on YT, please try to do a long run fuel consumption shootout between the Sea Doo 170, Kawi 160 and the new Yammi 1.9L, side by side.
Theres a lot to like about this ski, but at the end of the day it doesn't do all that much for me. Still got the best engine on the market I believe.
Thanks for the note. The good news is there is now a broader choice in the full-size, non-supercharged Jet Ski / personal watercraft market. All three brands - Sea-Doo, Yamaha and Kawasaki - have strong offerings.
@@WatercraftZone I have a seadoo 300 and a kawasaki sxr and love them both! You're absolutely right. It's almost overwhelming how many choices we have !
Wonder why us in America only get a 1 year warranty while Australia gets 5 year
Great question. Different consumer laws. As another example, most cars in Australia have five to seven year warranty coverage. Australian Consumer Law considers whether a fault or malfunction is fair and reasonable for the product’s age. Most consumer tribunals are of the view a product should last three to five years or more without fault. So the manufacturers tend to advertise that coverage because they are obliged to honour the warranty claim. It also explains why Jet Skis and personal watercraft cost more in Australia than in the US (in addition to currency and freight). The companies hold back a larger portion of the profit to cover future warranty claims. Hope that answers your question. Thanks for leaving a note.
I was wondering why US only gets 1 year too
Love the skis but prices are nuts.
We hear you. Here’s hoping prices come back to earth. They’re all over the top at the moment.
So, I took apart my 1999 Seadoo GTI and i can tell you, the thing is very simple in being made. i almost feel like I could build the thing. With these new ski's, they're technological marvels. Even though I'm not happy with the sky rocketing prices, I understand the reason is due to the tech. What these mfgs should do is build a simple budget version for people who want a new ski to not have to worry about breakdowns and don't mind not having all of the new technology. If they built a brand new 1999 GTI type ski in 2024, I'd buy it for like $6000.
Ugliest color possible sadly on the LX, for me at least. That just kills it. At least give 2 options for each specific model.
Thanks for the feedback. It definitely looks better on the water and in person. There are new colours for 2025 (we show them a couple of times in the video). Thanks for watching and thanks for leaving a note.
The gold is amazing and I get nothing but compliments on the beach
Agree. Looks great in the sun on the water
I agree its ugly. It looks like a brown turd floating down the water.
I have an LX. It’s beautiful on the water. Not one person who sees it on the water says a bad thing about the color!
looks like it submarines very easily
Good observation. The trim was in the neutral position and we had a full tank of fuel in those shots. We were also riding in a way that would encourage some water over the nose for the video footage. But even so, it is a bit nose heavy even in normal conditions. As is the Yamaha FX HO in our experience.
Price way too high for just a 160 !
All these skis are getting too expensive. Probably explains the sales downturn. Hopefully the prices across all three brands will come back to earth soon.
There are great deals available on 23 models left over. Shop in the fall and winter.