Reviewing the 2023 Kawasaki Ultra 160LX JetSki: The Watercraft Journal, Ep.125

The marketplace for naturally-aspirated personal watercraft is now as competitive as the supercharged offerings, so Kawasaki did the best thing possible and took their flagship Ultra 310LX and dropped the blower, giving it the all-new 160LX JetSki. This runabout provides all of the bells-and-whistles as the top tier machine but without the incredibly thirsty 310-horsepower fuel consumption. See our review of it HERE:

Read the whole review with more details and pictures HERE:

And please subscribe to our YouTube channel!

You can also follow us HERE:

And please visit our sponsors' websites:

#pwcjournal #kawasakiusa #jetski

[JDsWaterWorld]

Great review, thank you for posting! I put money on my opinion that Kawasaki makes the best product on the market in terms of durability for ocean riding. Built like a real boat, and based on a platform with 15+ years of proven reliability…this is a great option for those who don’t want the extra cost and maintenance of owning a supercharged ski.

[georgel.correa]

I just bought my Ultra 160 LX....it's everything !! YAAAASSS !!!🤗🤗🤗

[edwardbowles]

I waited several weeks for this review. Stumbled on a great deal on an Ultra 160lxs Tuesday. Great deal in current environment meaning MSRP plus tax and registration. None of the other fees. (Kawi has rebates right now for those that don't know).Signed papers Wednesday. Wednesday night you finally posted your review! I was nervous watching thinking you might view it as a dog. Fortunately you were mostly positive. I hope I will be also. Work and Mother's Day stuff preventing me from picking it up til early next week. It will be in the water ASAP. Enjoyed the thorough review. Much better than the other guys.

[edwardbowles]

Finally rode my 160 LXS briefly yesterday. Having no experience with KSRD I can't really say if it was slow deploying or not. Again, I have never been an electric reverse guy anyway but it seemed ok. Hoping it is a simple adjustment as you said and not a change Kawi made to these skis over the 310. But did not really play with it much. My only experience on an Ultra is the 250. You are so correct on playful. I know Kawi changed up the steering a long time ago and man it really does feel playful for a freaking 12 ft long ski. Trim of course changes that too. But the turning response was great. I was not doing much and trying to stay dry but I can tell it will be far more playful than anticipated. Ride is drier than 250 but I can tell it will get you wet with a trimmed down turn! Reverse camera was a definite plus. That will be great for cruising with a group. Anyone that has ever unloaded or loaded a ski in the dark will appreciate the bow lights. I didn't put it on the drive on dock til after dark and they were perfect for that. 54 mph brief FT run with full tank. Surprisingly trimming from level to full up made no difference on speed. Trim was obviously working based on changes in turning. I have always noticed a definite increase in speed when trimmed up with skis in the past. As you stated, maybe someone comes out with a plate that will really get the nose up. Lengthy rant but definitely liking the ski.

[Lukespring]

Another great review. Bought the 310 in October thinking about this one for my daughter

[LifeBeginsOnTheWater]

Great review & content guys & gals! Thanks for sharing. So glad to see Kawasaki swinging for the fence moving forward. Can’t wait to try out the new Ultra 160 platforms.

Billy D

[Anon-ftyb]

Kawasaki is absolutely genius for listening to their customer base concerns and taking action this rapidly. I’m still blown away by the new MSRP ranges for these PWC’s.

[henrynlouisville]

Regular Gas, NA engine that's been around forever, fine speed, totally solid easily repairable hull, deep-V that won't kill my 50yr old back = I think I'll pick one of these up since they just threw $1, 000 on the hood.

[XF_Chaos]

Kawi definitely hit the nail on the head with this one. I remember watching the review on the 2020 STX 160 and just thinking “meh”, so I’m glad to see a quality N/A ski from them. I also love the new orange livery for the 160 LX-S, a review of which I assume is coming in the near future (not that much has changed with it either).

[ToddMunschauer]

Great video Kevin !! This is what we needed . Can’t wait to see what improvements come on next year’s Ultra 160LX

[danteisthe]

Awesome review!
I have a 22 310lx and LOVE IT!
This would be a great option for me however I can’t justify $19k+ OTD.
Imo I think is should be $1000 cheaper.
I know it’s not directly comparable but my 2021 Gti Se 170 seems like a much better value. The 310Lx was around $23k and I’m into the GTI for HALF of that! The GTX 170s are very similar in price to the GTI in my area.
I look forward to seeing how well it sells but I think a lot of people would feel the same as me.

[gangsterboat]

After my 12 month ordeal over my 21 rxtx manufacturing hull failure...I will never buy brp with poor customer service and honestly don't give a shit...im going to order a 24 kawi and never worry about the hull again

[streetpilot]

I'm a Yamaha guy but I really like how the Kawi is laid out. But did you say top speed was only
55?

[David-mwth]

Nice review, i am currently looking to upgrade from my EXR. Its a fun bike but beats you to death in the rough waters i ride. How does this compare to the VX cruiser?

[larky]

I want a jet ski that comes with it's own wheels so I can just drive it home. Get on that will you Kawasaki? Oh and while you're at it could you add a sub woofer and a refrigerator unit with an ice maker??

[brockb]

If you're towing, is the camera really worth it if you can just look at your side mirrors?

I want to know if it should be a deal breaker between buying a yamaha and kawasaki when getting into tow sports. Im thinking i could just look at the mirrors

[HoustonZ]

Please do a direct comparison of 2023 Ultra 160lx Vs 2023 FX HO, mostly interested in fuel economy and comfort.

[fernandomartin]

What improvement over the motor pistons cooling etc these new ultras have over the precious ultra models.?

[xxdanthedinoxx]

Naming all that stuff almost sounds toungue twister Kevin

[TundraAbril]

Thank you for such a great review!
I’m thinking about buying one of these for cruising with my 6 years old little girl, and also some fun while by myself. Of course when I’m with her, can’t go past 20mph so and I heard they’re not that stables for low speeds, I’m also concerned about that nose sinking. Is that something bad enough to consider a different brand, or no need to worry about jetski flipping over too much at low speeds because of that sinking nose?