Among all of the noise and fanfare of Yamaha and Sea-Doo launching all-new powerplants for 2024, Kawasaki Motor Corp. USA quietly rolled out its complete 2024 lineup of JetSkis, all of which consisted of a handful of colorway changes for the new model year. Back in the day, many within the powersports industry learned the acronym BNG standing for the marketing-friendly phrase Bold New Graphics. And for 2024, Kawasaki is bringing a lot of BNG.
Within the last year, Kawasaki successfully “fleshed out” its JetSki lineup with the addition of two naturally-aspirated iterations of its Ultra JetSkis; namely the Ultra 160LX-S and Ultra LX. Propelled by the same tried-and-true engine found in the STX 160 series and SX-R 160; the ambient water-cooled, 4-cylinder, 1,498cc engine is fed by digital fuel injection that provides intuitive throttle response and superior engine management.
Both naturally-aspirated (ie. non-supercharged) Ultras come with four power modes (full, middle, low and SLO), Kawasaki Launch Control Mode (KLCM), electronic cruise control, and a rearview camera all operated through the low-glare 7-inch TFT digital dashboard. The dash includes Bluetooth connectivity and multiple display modes, which are too many to list here. The new skis also include Kawasaki Smart Reverse with Deceleration (KSRD), Kawasaki Smart Steering (KSS).
The 160LX-S and 160LX both include the Ultra Deck, 21.1-gallon fuel tank, 44.5-gallons of storage split between the bow storage and “horseshoe” center cargo accessed by twin gullwing doors. The Ultra 160LX comes equipped with a meter visor, 3-position Ergo-Fit adjustable LXury seat, and Jetsound 4s audio system. For 2024, the 160LX-S comes in a Ebony/Candy Steel Furnace Orange with an MSRP of $17,199 as the 160LX comes in Ebony/Metallic Shadow Gold with an MSRP of 18,199.
The three supercharged siblings vary only slightly, offering the same features, digital attractions and top tier offshore/rough water Ultra hull as the aforementioned 160 Series. As detailed with the prior 160LX, the 310LX shares all of the same features and top-of-the-line amenities but comes with the supercharged 310-horsepower 1.5L powerplant, is adorned in a unique Ebony/Metallic Gold Sparkle Deep Green and wields a MSRP of $21,199.
The mid-tier 2024 Ultra 310LX-S returns unchanged from 2023 in Kawasaki’s iconic Ebony/Lime Green colorway with an MSRP of $20,199 (save for some green sponsons). While a naturally-aspirated equivalent doesn’t exist (yet), Kawasaki’s bare-bones 310X JetSki remains our personal favorite. Stripped of all accessories, the all-business 310X received a splashy new Ebony/Neon Red colorway that we enjoy (although the yellow highlights are atrocious), and new pricing at $19,199 MSRP.
The trio of STX models carry over from 2023 unchanged; the plain Jane STX 160 comes in Crystal White/Vibrant Blue and an MSRP of $11,999; the STX 160X includes cruise control and comes painted in Crystal White/Ebony with an MSRP of $$12,599; finally, the top tier STX 160LX shares the same livery as the 310X, namely Ebony/Neon Red, and waves a $14,299 asking price. It’s worth noting that none of the STX models include Kawasaki’s braking system KSRD.
Amazingly, the SX-R 160 too received a special Ebony/Ice Gray coloring marking Kawasaki’s 50th anniversary of the standup JetSki. Sadly, no special embossing or unique decal herald the golden anniversary on any of these machines, and we also noted KHI (Kawasaki Heavy Industries) removed the famed “river mark” from the watercraft lineup as of earlier this year. The SX-R 160 now fetches an MSRP of $11,999. All other details can be viewed at www.kawasaki.com.
