The 2024 Kawasaki STX 160X is a standout entry-level jet ski with fun and bouncy performance and an improved design. It’s a formidable machine with a four-cylinder, 1,498cc engine and a fuel capacity of 20.6 gallons.
Admittedly, it would be a little misleading to call the 2020 Kawasaki STX 160LX a completely designed JetSki. Yet, in spite of these carryovers, Kawasaki found a way to eke new life into a slowly staling platform and from it, create a whole new line of entries into the Recreation segment for Kawasaki.
Key Features and Specifications
This new model has a 1,498cc engine with 160 horsepower, making it more potent than its predecessor. The STX 160X has a powerful engine with a reliable water-cooled design that delivers smooth and efficient power.
Specifications:
- Weight: 496 lb.
- Length: 124.1 in.
- Width: 46.5 in.
- Height: 45.4 in.
- Curb Weight: 864.4 lb.
- Fuel Capacity: 20.6 gal.
- Overall Storage: 35.0 gal.
Newly designed features will, by comparison, demonstrate notable improvements. But wait, what does all that mean? How many CCs are enough? What is a CC? CCs or Cubic Centimeters measure the size of an engine’s cylinder volume. This measurement describes the power of a motor, such as those found in jet skis. Consider a cylinder, a tube-shaped chamber in an engine where fuel burns to produce power. The larger the cylinder, the more energy can burn and the more power produced.
Read also: Is the Ultra 310R the right jet ski for you? Find out here
Design and Comfort
Equal to the full-sized Ultra 310LX, the STX 160LX is coated in the same Candy Lime Green and Ebony paint livery and features the same two-tone, high bolstered seat covered in heat-resistant black textured vinyl. For the driver, the redesigned cockpit features the same LCD dash found on the naturally-aspirated Ultra LX’s with two cup holders molded into the fairings on either side of the narrow handlebar neck. The throttle is no longer cable operated but fly-by-wire, with enough spring tension to feel natural.
The comfort features of the 2024 Kawasaki STX 160X make it an excellent choice for long rides and fishing trips. The redesigned seat is more giving, with a plush design that accommodates longer riding sessions and fishing trips.
Finally, the 2024 Kawasaki STX 160X includes several additional comfort features. These features include electronic cruise control, activated using the handlebar’s UP/DOWN buttons, a comfortable handle grip that tapers outward, making it easier to hold on when riding in a straight line, and a premium painted deck.
Handling and Performance
With its strong performance and focus on comfort, the 2024 Kawasaki STX 160X is suitable for a wide range of jet ski riders because of its forgiving handling. As a seasoned jet skier, I can attest that the 2024 Kawasaki Jet Ski STX 160X will seem quite lively, if not a little too light, on bigger water when trying to steer a straight track. This makes the jet ski ideal for those who love tranquil lakes and curvy rivers.
The handling of the STX 160X distinguishes it from other jet skis. The hull design has also been optimized for stability and control, allowing riders to take tight turns without biting to severely into them. That means the boat will skip along while easing along into sharper turns.
Read also: Experience the Thrill with Kawasaki
In redesigning the deck, Kawasaki elevated the rider’s height, which in turn, altered the JetSki’s center of gravity. While tracking straight, this means very little. But in leaning into a corner, the ski rolls heavily on its centerline, giving the sensation of being the bob weight at the end of a metronome.
Beneath the seat is Kawasaki’s 1,498cc, 4-stroke, dual overhead cam (DOHC) 4-cylinder as found in previous STX’s but now equipped with the same ignition and engine management system as the larger Ultras, thus giving it the ability to operate in Cruise Control or No Wake mode. No Wake mode is permanently set at 5 miles per hour. No toggling up or down here. And most exciting is the addition of Kawasaki’s massive 20.6-gallon fuel cell from the Ultras; giving the STX the largest fuel capacity of any competitors’ entry into the Recreation segment.
All of that is pretty respectable given the STX 160LX’s curb weight (meaning when loaded down with fuel and oil), comes in at 877 pounds - that’s 110 pounds over the Yamaha VX Cruiser HO, and 140-pounds over Sea-Doo’s GTI SE 170.
The STX 160X also has a semi-dry-sump lubrication system, which is needed for high-performance jet skis as it gives greater control, which is essential.
Storage and Accessories
The last portion of the STX’s 35-gallon overall storage is a rubberized pouch on the back for docklines or a tow rope. It’s fixed to the deck between the two-rung reboarding handles behind the rear passenger.
With the new slide-and-lift access system, the 114L storage bay is easily accessible from the seat, making storing and retrieving your gear simple. Some people won’t like the split glove box, which protects your stuff but limits what you can store.
It’s also worth noting that early in the production run, Kawasaki found that the hood bases were cracking, resulting in several hoods breaking free.
Another available accessory for the Kawasaki STX 160X is the Vacu-Hold Jet Ski Cover, which protects against the elements during storage or transportation.
Kawasaki Smart Steering (KSS) and Kawasaki Smart Learning Operation (KSLO)
The 2024 Kawasaki STX160X is a recreational jet ski, but Kawasaki did not skimp on safety features. The Kawasaki Smart Steering (KSS) system, identical to the higher-end Kawasaki jet ski models, is one of the most notable safety features of the STX160X. An electronic control unit monitors the jet skit’s speed and handlebar input, automatically adjusting the steering to provide maximum stability.
The Kawasaki Smart Learning Operation (KSLO) is another critical safety feature of the STX160X. This system limits the engine’s power output when the jet ski is operated at low speeds, making it more user-friendly for those just starting.
The STX160X also has several features that help riders stay on board the jets ski.
Setting the 160X on a trailer is straight-forward. The USCG approves this vest for personal flotation and provides excellent comfort and flexibility while participating in water activities.
STX 160X vs. STX 160LX
Think of this as big brother and little brother. They have the same parents but slightly different personalities. The Kawasaki STX 160LX is the series’ luxury model, with more advanced features than the STX 160X. It has a distinctive color scheme and a high-quality dashboard with a 5-inch LCD screen that displays vital information like speed, fuel level, and engine temperature. It also includes a JETSOUND audio system that allows you to play music via Bluetooth.
The performance of the two models is very similar, as they both use the same 1,498cc engine with 160 horsepower.
The Ultra 160LX
Kawasaki may have been slow to embrace modern trends like electronic reverse and deceleration systems, or even significantly update its Jet Ski lineup over the last decade, but change is in the wind. First came the midrange STX 160. The following year, a significantly upgraded Ultra 310LX flagship was introduced. For 2023, the company borrows a little of both craft to create the Ultra 160LX, which boasts virtually all the cool style and tech introduced on the 310LX last year, but with the STX’s tamer, supercharger-less engine below the saddle. Both the 310LX and 160LX are based on Kawasaki’s Ultra hull platform, a deep-V design with 22.5 degrees of deadrise that excels in rough conditions, making it a favorite for big-water enthusiasts and offshore racers alike.
Over the course of Kawasaki’s nearly 120-mile press ride on the Sacramento River, I noted the craft boasts that same confidence in the confused, washing-machine chop that often plagues group rides. With the throttle pinned, I felt confident charging across mixing wakes, the Ultra staying planted to the water without getting caught up in wakes or wandering. While riders familiar with the hull would expect that flagship ride, they might not expect great performance. This non-supercharged version of Kawasaki’s 1,498 cc inline, dual overhead-cam four-cylinder offers nearly half the horsepower of its flagship brethren. Still, I found its power delivery impressive for the category. The craft accelerated strong enough out of the hole to please aggressive riders or tow water toys with ease, and it delivered a welcome midrange punch. That overall performance and snappy feel make it somewhat of a surprise when you see the speedometer topping out around the 52 mph mark.
The 160LX is almost indistinguishable from the 310. It shares the same broad bow, sculpted lines, and ebony and metallic-gold paint job. The 160 also shares the 310’s unique LED accent lights. They’re for style points, not nighttime operation, but they do slightly enhance daytime visibility. Take a seat atop the tiered saddle and two different pairs of speakers catch the eye and the ear. Kawasaki’s 200-watt Jetsound 4S audio system takes PWC sound systems to the next level with 35-watt speakers mounted to each side of the display and 60-watt speakers placed at the front of the footwells. Linked via Bluetooth to a rider’s smartphone, the system produces exceptional sound. A volume dial is to the left of the 7-inch color TFT information display. A phone or other audio source can be placed in a waterproof housing inside the 160’s twin gull-wing storage compartments.
As to additional technology, the most practical addition is Kawasaki Smart Reverse with Deceleration (KSRD), the company’s long-awaited answer to competitive solutions like Sea-Doo’s Intelligent Brake & Reverse and Yamaha’s RiDE system. Though the basic operation is similar to competitors-a curved bucket redirects the flow of water exiting the jet pump to mimic the feeling of forward, neutral and reverse while providing rapid deceleration at speed-Kawasaki eschews a reverse/deceleration lever on the left side of the handlebars in favor of a small thumb lever below the right handgrip. Use the conventional throttle to go forward, then tap the KSRD lever to put the craft into neutral. Apply continual pressure on the thumb lever and you get increasing throttle in reverse. Yes, it’s different than competitive solutions. Out of habit, I reached for a phantom neutral/reverse lever on the left side of the handlebars. Those latter scenarios also benefit from a first on a personal watercraft: a rearview camera monitored on the dash display. What I first dismissed as almost a gimmick was quickly appreciated while backing up in tight quarters during gas and lunch stops. Surprisingly, I also found having it active while running forward was a good way to check traffic following closely behind before making a turn during our crowded press run. Just keep in mind that the view diminishes as speed increases due to increased water spray coming off the hull.
Comparison with Competitors
As to how the Ultra 160LX compares to the competition, the toughest bang-for-the-buck competitor would likely be Sea-Doo’s GTX 170. Offering about 5 mph more in top speed, unique cargo storage, and a comfy touring saddle, buyers can option it to include a 100-watt sound system for $15,229. Yamaha’s FX Cruiser HO ($16,699) features an additional jump in performance, a two-speaker Bluetooth sound system, a 5-inch color touchscreen display with GPS mapping and smartphone connectivity, and a glove box with USB and 12-volt charging outlets. Kawasaki, however, has leveled the PWC playing field.
In terms of value for money, the STX160X is a better investment than other models, such as the Yamaha VX, in its recreational jet ski class due to the high-quality features it provides.
While lacking some of the versatility of its Sea-Doo competitor or racy handling of the VX Cruiser HO, the STX 160LX is a strong entry into this hyper-competitive cut-throat market segment.