People are going to read this announcement the wrong way, so we’re just going to address it: this is not a replacement program because Kawasaki is not confident in their engines. This is because the Kawasaki 1.5L powerplant (be it the 160-horsepower variant or the blistering 310-horsepower plant) is being routinely yanked from perfectly fine watercraft and supplanted into aftermarket standup skis, small craft and other vessels.
So instead of buying a brand new JetSki, extracting the drivetrain and junking the runabout Kawasaki wisely launched an engine replacement program that allows shops and certified installers to purchase a fully kitted engine of their choosing. This saves the market from losing functioning units and helps third party builders to save massive overhead costs.
Companies like Kommander, Bullet and Fast Powersports all use Kawasaki 4-strokes in their aftermarket standups; now they no longer need to eat the cost of purchasing a functioning SX-R or STX-160 just to eviscerate it for its engine. Makes sense, right? Well thus far, Kawasaki is the only of the Big 3 to offer such a program. Here’s hoping Sea-Doo and Yamaha will follow suit.
Here’s the original press release:
Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., a pioneer in the personal watercraft industry, is thrilled to announce replacement engines are now available for select models of its iconic JET SKI® watercraft lineup. This new offering showcases Kawasaki’s commitment to providing enthusiasts with the ultimate riding experience and helping to extend the longevity of their watercraft investments.
The replacement engine lineup will include engines for the following models:
• JET SKI® SX-R™ 160 stand-up
• JET SKI® ULTRA® 160
• JET SKI® ULTRA® 310
With an MSRP of $7,499 for the engines for the JET SKI SX-R 160 and JET SKI ULTRA 160 watercraft, and $7,899 for the engine for the JET SKI ULTRA 310 watercraft, Kawasaki owners can now continue to maintain the performance and reliability they expect from their watercraft.
Owners can now find complete replacement engines for select JET SKI personal watercraft models by browsing the Parts Diagrams found in the Owner Center on Kawasaki.com or by contacting their local authorized Kawasaki dealer to place an order.
