![Kawasaki Jet Ski Horsepower Chart [New and Vintage Skis]](https://www.jetdrift.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/kawaski-jet-ski-horsepower.jpg)
Kawasaki Jet Ski Horsepower Chart [New and Vintage Skis]
As a rule of thumb, a production Kawasaki Jet Ski can generate anywhere between 160 and 310 HP. Each of these powerful machines shares the same base 4-stroke, 1498cc, 4-cylinder engine, which is available in naturally-aspirated (160 HP) and supercharged (310HP) configurations. In contrast, the engine power of older models varied between 24.5 and 300 HP depending on the year and model.
If you want to find out more about the engine power of Kawasaki Jet Skis, this post is for you.
For your convenience, we at JetDrift have complied them under one roof!
How Much HP Does a Kawasaki Jet Ski Have?
Kawasaki STX 160
As the name suggests, entry-level STX 160 Jet Skis offer 160 HP.
This series includes the base STX 160, the STX 160X, and the top-of-the-line 160LX.
The entire STX line shares the same hull, and the naturally-aspirated version of the proven 4-stroke, 1498cc, 4-cylinder Kawasaki marine engine.
Examples:
- Kawasaki STX 160: 160 HP
- Kawasaki STX 160X: 160 HP
- Kawasaki STX 160LX: 160 HP
Kawasaki SX-R 160
The only production stand-up Jet Ski from Kawasaki, the SX-R 160, also offers 160 HP out of the box.
This is no surprise since this machine shares its power source and jet pump with the STX 160 series.
Kawasaki introduced this model under the name SX-R 1500 but rebranded it to SX-R 160 in 2023.
Kawasaki Ultra 310
The recently revamped Kawasaki Ultra 310 family comes with a 310 HP engine, which makes these machines the most powerful production PWCs available.
The power source of the Ultra 310 family is a more powerful, supercharged configuration of the 160 HP STX/SX-R engine.
Thanks to an Eaton Twin Vortices Series (TVS) supercharger, this engine produces 50 HP more than its naturally-aspirated sibling.
The members of the Ultra 310 family are as follows:
- Kawasaki Ultra 310X: 310 HP
- Kawasaki Ultra 310LX: 310 HP
- Kawasaki Ultra 310LX-S: 310 HP
How Much HP Do Vintage Kawasaki Jet Skis Have?
Let’s go back in time a bit and take a close look at the engine power of vintage Kawasaki Jet Skis!
300cc
Kawasaki’s smallest Jet Ski engine, the 294cc single-cylinder power mill, was rated at 30 HP.
This powerhouse was nestled in the lightest stand-up Jet Skis including the ’86-’88 JS300, and its successor, the ’87-’91 300SX.
400cc
The first production Kawasaki Jet Ski was the Kawasaki JS400 powered by a 24.5 HP engine.
This power source was a purpose-built, 2-stroke, 400cc, single-carb, twin Kawasaki marine engine.
Its predecessors were the hand-built Kawasaki WSAA and WSAB.
440cc
The Kawasaki JS440 was a more powerful version of the proven JS400. It enjoyed a 2-stroke, 436cc, single-carb, twin-engine rated at 27 HP.
The JS440 was introduced in 1977 and remained in production through 1992.
550cc
As a rule of thumb, 550cc Kawasaki Jet Skis produced anywhere from 36 to 47 HP.
The power source of these Jet Skis was a 2-stroke, single-carb, 530cc twin that came in many different configurations. The early piston port valve versions delivered 36-41 HP while the more advanced reed valve configuration put out 47 HP.
The HP ratings of each Kawasaki 550 Jet Skis were as follows:
- ’82-’85 Kawasaki JS550: 36 HP
- ’86-’89 Kawasaki JS550: 41 HP
- ’90 Kawasaki 550SX: 41 HP
- ’91-‘95 Kawasaki 550SX: 47 HP
650cc
You could expect the engine power of a 650 Kawasaki Jet Ski to be in the ballpark of 52-57 mph.
Most of these skis are powered by the single-carb, 635cc, twin Kawasaki engine rated at 52 HP.
Only the upgraded, ’94-‘95 X-2s had a twin-carb version of this engine, which produced 57 HP in stock condition.
Examples:
- ’89-’92 Kawasaki Jet Mate: 52 HP
- ’89-’96 Kawasaki 650TS: 52 HP
- ’91-’95 Kawasaki 650SC: 52 HP
- ’87-’93 Kawasaki 650SX: 52 HP
- ’86-’93 Kawasaki X-2: 52 HP
- ’94-’95 Kawasaki X-2: 57 HP
750cc
The performance of 750cc Kawasaki Jet Skis varied between 63 and 83 HP.
The power source of these models was a 2-stroke, 743cc, twin-cylinder engine, which underwent several performance upgrades during its lifetime.
It was produced in both single and twin-carb versions and got a major upgrade in 1995. This “Big Pin” 750 engine offered more power and durability, while the weaker (pre-’95) predecessor was labeled as “Small Pin.”
The HP ratings of production Kawasaki 750 Jet Skis were as follows:
- ‘92-‘95 Kawasaki 750SS: 63 HP
- ‘92-’95 Kawasaki 750SX: 63 HP
- ‘94-’95 Kawasaki 750ST: 63 HP
- ‘96-‘97 Kawasaki 750SS: 70 HP
- ‘93-’97 Kawasaki Super Sport Xi: 75 HP
- ‘95-’97 Kawasaki 750 SXi: 75 HP
- ‘98-’00 Kawasaki SXi Pro: 75 HP
- ‘95 Kawasaki 750 STS: 80 HP
- ‘98-’99 Kawasaki Xi Sport: 80 HP
- ‘95-’97 Kawasaki 750 ZXi: 83 HP
- ‘96-’97 Kawasaki 750 STS: 83 HP
- 1998 Kawasaki 750 STX: 83 HP
900cc
Triple-cylinder Kawasaki 900cc Jet Skis could reach a whopping performance of 100 HP.
These machines shared the same 2-stroke, triple-carb, 891cc, triple Kawasaki marine engine.
Examples:
- ’01-’02 Kawasaki 900 STS: 100 HP
- ’97-’06 Kawasaki 900 STX: 100 HP
- ’95-’97 Kawasaki 900 ZXi: 100 HP
1100cc
1100 Kawasaki Jet Skis delivered 120-130 HP depending on the engine configuration.
Each of these machines was built on the same base 2-stroke, 1071cc, 3-cylinder engine marketed in both carbed and fuel-injected configurations.
The latter was baptized D.I. and delivered a remarkable 130 HP, while its triple-carb sibling was rated at 120 HP.
Examples:
- ’97-’09 Kawasaki 1100 STX: 120 HP
- ’96-’03 Kawasaki 1100 ZXi: 120 HP
- ’00-’04 Kawasaki 1100 STX D.I.: 130 HP
- ’01-’04 Kawasaki Ultra 130 D.I.: 130 HP
1200cc
The most powerful 2-stroke Jet Skis from Kawasaki were arguably the 1200 models with a claimed engine power of 145 HP. In contrast, their only 4-stroke 1200cc Jet Ski, the STX-12F, was rated at 125 HP.
The most popular models in this class were as follows:
- ’99-’05 Kawasaki Ultra 150: 145 HP (2-stroke, 1176cc)
- ’02-’05 Kawasaki 1200 STX-R: 145 HP (2-stroke, 1176cc)
- ’03-’07 Kawasaki 1200 STX-12F: 125 HP (4-stroke, 1199cc)
1500cc
As a rule of thumb, the engine power of a 1500cc Jet Ski ranges between 160 and 310 HP.
Kawasaki derived its 4-stroke, 1500cc, 4-cylinder, fuel-injected engine from the ZX 14-R motorcycle series. Today, this is the only production Kawasaki Jet Ski engine that is available in a naturally-aspirated (160 HP) and supercharged (310 HP) configurations.
This power source had also been used in many older Kawasaki Jet Skis, including:
Naturally-aspirated models:
- ’04-’20 Kawasaki STX 15-F: 160 HP
- ’07-‘22 Kawasaki Ultra LX: 160 HP
- ’17-‘22 Kawasaki SX-R 1500: 160 HP
- ’23- Kawasaki SX-R 160: 160 HP
- ’20- Kawasaki STX 160 series: 160 HP
Supercharged models:
- ’07-’08 Kawasaki Ultra 250X: 245 HP
- ’09-’10 Kawasaki Ultra 260X: 260 HP
- ’11-’13 Kawasaki Ultra 300X/LX: 300 HP
- ’14-’21 Kawasaki Ultra 310R: 310 HP
- ’14-’21 Kawasaki Ultra 310X: 310 HP
- ’14-’21 Kawasaki Ultra 310LX: 310 HP
- ’22- Kawasaki Ultra 310 series: 310 HP
Kawasaki Jet Ski Horsepower Chart
For your convenience, we’ve compiled the HP ratings of Kawasaki Jet Skis into one chart:
Years | Model | HP | Displ. (cc) |
---|---|---|---|
1973-1975 | WSAA | 24.5 | 400 |
1973-1975 | WSAB | 24.5 | 400 |
1976-1981 | JS400 | 24.5 | 400 |
1977-1992 | JS440 | 27 | 436 |
1982-1985 | JS550 | 36 | 530 |
1986-1989 | JS550 | 41 | 530 |
1986-1988 | JS300 | 30 | 294 |
1986-1993 | X-2 | 52 | 635 |
1987-1991 | 300SX | 30 | 294 |
1987-1990 | 650SX | 52 | 635 |
1989-1992 | Jet Mate | 52 | 635 |
1989-1996 | TS (650TS) | 52 | 635 |
1990 | 550SX | 41 | 530 |
1991-1995 | 550SX | 47 | 530 |
1991-1995 | SC (650SC) | 52 | 635 |
1991-1993 | 650SX | 52 | 635 |
1992-1995 | SS (750SS) | 63 | 743 |
1992-1995 | 750SX | 63 | 743 |
1993-1995 | Super Sport Xi (750SS Xi) | 75 | 743 |
1994-1995 | X-2 | 57 | 635 |
1994 | Super Sport XiR | NA | 743 |
1994-1995 | ST (750ST) | 63 | 743 |
1995-1997 | 900 ZXi | 100 | 891 |
1995-1997 | 750 ZXi | 83 | 743 |
1995 | STS (750 STS) | 80 | 743 |
1996-1997 | STS (750 STS) | 83 | 743 |
2001-2002 | 900 STS | 100 | 891 |
1995-1997 | 750 SXi | 75 | 743 |
1996-2003 | 1100 ZXi | 120 | 1071 |
1996-1997 | SS (750SS) | 70 | 743 |
1996-1997 | Super Sport Xi | 75 | 743 |
1997-1998 | 900 STX | 100 | 891 |
1999-2000 | 900 STX | 100 | 891 |
2001-2006 | 900 STX | 100 | 891 |
1997-1999 | 1100 STX | 120 | 1071 |
1998 | 550SX | 47 | 530 |
1998 | 750 STX | 83 | 743 |
1998-1999 | Xi Sport | 80 | 743 |
1998-2000 | SXi Pro | 75 | 743 |
1999-2005 | Ultra 150 | 145 | 1176 |
2000-2004 | 1100 STX D.I. | 130 | 1071 |
2001-2004 | Ultra 130 D.I. | 130 | 1071 |
2002-2005 | 1200 STX-R | 145 | 1176 |
2003-2011 | 800 SX-R | 80 | 781 |
2003-2007 | STX-12F | 125 | 1199 |
2006-2008 | X-2 | 80 | 781 |
2004-2020 | STX-15F | 160 | 1498 |
2007-2022 | Ultra LX | 160 | 1498 |
2007-2008 | Ultra 250X | 245 | 1498 |
2009-2010 | Ultra 260X | 260 | 1498 |
2011-2013 | Ultra 300X | 300 | 1498 |
2011-2013 | Ultra 300LX | 300 | 1498 |
2014-2021 | Ultra 310X | 310 | 1498 |
2014-2021 | Ultra 310LX | 310 | 1498 |
2014-2021 | Ultra 310R | 310 | 1498 |
2017-2022 | SX-R 1500 | 160 | 1498 |
2020- | STX 160 | 310 | 1498 |
2020- | STX 160X | 310 | 1498 |
2020- | STX 160LX | 310 | 1498 |
2022- | Ultra 310X | 310 | 1498 |
2022- | Ultra 310LX | 310 | 1498 |
2022- | Ultra 310LX-S | 310 | 1498 |
2023- | SX-R 160 | 160 | 1498 |
This chart is for informational purposes only! For exact specifications, please refer to the factory manual.
Takeaways
As a takeaway, we’ve answered the most common questions on the topic:
How Much HP Does a 2-Stroke Jet Ski Have?
A 2-stoke Kawasaki Jet Ski can generate anywhere between 24.5 and 145 HP.
How Much HP Does a 4-Stroke Jet Ski Have?
The latest 4-stroke Jet Skis are powered by a naturally-aspirated 160 HP, or supercharged 310 HP engine options, while some vintage models were designed with a 1200cc, 125 HP power source.
How Much HP Does a Single-Cylinder Jet Ski Have?
Kawasaki produced only two single-cylinder Jet Skis, the JS300 and 300SX, both of which were powered by a 2-stroke, 249cc, single engine rated at 30 HP.
How Much HP Does a Twin-Cylinder Jet Ski Have?
Depending on their design and features, the power of twin-cylinder Jet Ski engines varied greatly. The single-carb configurations of these tiny power mills were rated ad 24.5-70 HP while their twin-carb brothers delivered 75-83 HP.
How Much HP Does a Stand-Up Jet Ski Have?
Vintage 2-stroke Kawasaki Jet Skis produced 24.5-80 HP depending on the model, while the production 4-stoke SX-R 160 was rated at 160 HP.
How Much HP Does a 3-Seater Jet Ski Have?
Simply put, a 3-seater Kawasaki Jet Ski can generate anywhere from 160 to 310 HP. The naturally-aspirated models like the STX 160 series offer 160 HP and supercharged 3-seater Jet Skis put out a whopping 310 HP.
Which Jet Ski Has the Most Horsepower?
The most powerful Jet Skis from Kawasaki are the Ultra 310 models powered by a 310 HP supercharged engine.
Which Jet Ski Has the Least Horsepower?
When it comes to production models, the least powerful Jet Skis are the STX 160 series as well as the SX-R 160 stand-up Jet Ski. Regarding vintage models, you could expect the least amount of engine power (24.5 HP) from the JS400.
What is a Good Horsepower for a Jet Ski?
As a rule of thumb, 160 HP is more than enough for a Jet Ski if it is being used for recreational purposes. When it comes to racing Jet Skis, those machines are powered by the most powerful, supercharged (250-310 HP) engines for obvious reasons.