Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/743349
PWC Forty-three years ago, Kawasaki created new excitement on the water with the launch of the Kawasaki Jet Ski watercraft. The 2017 model year reawakens that excitement as Kawasaki is once again leading innovation on the water with the introduction of a four-stroke stand-up personal watercraft, the Jet Ski SX-R. Equipped with Kawasaki's proven 1498cc four-stroke marine engine, the Jet Ski SX-R per- sonal watercraft produces twice the power of Kawasaki's previous stand-up model while also delivering plenty of low-to-mid-range torque. This makes it easier for those learning to ride a PWC. The 2017 Jet Ski SX-R stands alone in performance and fun on the water. Kawasaki combined its personal watercraft heritage along with its race winning perfor- mance to build a stand-up Jet Ski watercraft that is easy to ride, yet capable of carving through a competition buoy course. The Kawasaki Jet Ski SX-R watercraft's engine carries the Kawasaki Ninja motorcy- cle heritage as it was derived from the Ninja ZX-14R power plant and has been proven in Kawasaki's naturally aspirated Jet Ski water- craft lineup. The four-stroke engine allows this stand-up model to meet U.S. EPA emis- sions, as well as provide a linear torque curve that delivers big power output throughout the RPM range. Digital fuel injection allows for easier starting and includes a 60mm mechani- cal throttle body mated to a resin-type intake manifold, which improves throttle response and power delivery throughout the RPM range. This makes the Jet Ski SX-R the quickest and most agile personal watercraft in Kawasaki's lineup. To allow for a moderate hull size, the water muffler is slimmer and more compact than the Jet Ski STX-15F model. Propulsion is handled by a direct drive axial-flow jet pump driving an oval-edge, stainless steel, three-blade 148mm impeller for powerful acceleration. The intake grate is based off of the Jet Ski 800 SX-R model design, but the length was increased to pro- vide more efficient water intake. The steering nozzle has a 102mm nozzle length and 87mm nozzle diameter to provider the rider with smooth, easy operation. The sleek, sporty styling of the Jet Ski SX-R watercraft was designed to enable handling that combines sharp cornering with performance. The compact design works hand in hand with the stunning graphics package to give the Jet Ski SX-R its sleek appearance. Designed to accommodate the bigger four-stroke engine, the hull measures 106 inches long by 30 inches wide, greatly increasing the footprint on the water. Aft-mounted sponsons contribute to the performance of the ride. The V-shape hull was designed using data collected from Kawasaki watercraft racing activ- ities to provide the best platform for cornering. The hull also is more buoyant, sitting higher on the water line than Kawasaki's previous stand- up models, making it easier to climb aboard. The engine is mounted as low and aft as possible to help the hull penetrate swells and waves with less shock to the rider. The Jet Ski SX-R is the first stand-up watercraft to feature a Kawasaki Splash Deflector (KSD), which reduces the amount of unwanted splash com- ing over the bow of the vehicle. Equipped with a six-gallon fuel tank, the Jet Ski SX-R has a longer cruising range than its predecessor. The rider tray of the Jet Ski SX-R watercraft was enlarged with the overall hull size. The tray features a forward slanted design that makes it easier for riders to brace against the machine while riding and also the rectangular shape allows for a more natural riding position. The deck fins have a rounded edge and feature pad- ding on the inside that is the same material as the floor padding, making it easier for riders to brace against the vehicle. The Jet Ski SX-R will be available in Ebony/ Jet White colors. Price and availability for the Kawasaki Jet Ski SX-R will be available on Nov. 13. PSB Kawasaki introduces 2017 stand-up Jet Ski 30 • November 7, 2016 • Powersports Business www.PowersportsBusiness.com The International Jet Sports Boating Associa- tion's 2016 quakysense World Finals drew 400 competitors to Lake Havasu, Arizona, for PWC racing Oct. 1-9. While thousands of visitors walked through the trade show part of the event, the stands were also full as spectators watched the races. "Compliments are flowing from everywhere on the conduct, control and professionalism of the IJSBA staff. The line and tower manage- ment are sending several people to let us know this is how they want to see the racing flow. Riders are making a point to tell us how well the course marshals are controlling the event and performing rescues," the IJSBA said on its website. "Most of all, we received strong com- ments from large teams today letting us know they feel the staff was the best it has ever been." Yamaha and Sea-Doo shared their results below. YAMAHA Yamaha WaveRunner racers conquered the IJSBA World Finals that concluded Oct. 9, win- ning every professional runabout title Yamaha competed in at the international personal watercraft world championships held annually in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. In all, pro riders aboard Yamaha WaveRun- ners won world titles in Pro Runabout Stock, Pro Runabout Spec, Pro Runabout Limited and Women's Runabout. The highlights of the weekend came from multi-time world and national champion Chris MacClugage and Abdullah Alfadel, who rode their Yamaha FZR WaveRunners to World Finals gold. MacClugage blistered the IJSBA closed course to the top of the podium in the premier Pro Runabout Stock class with fellow Yamaha FZR riders Abdullah Al Fadhel and Aero Aswar completing the podium sweep. Alfadel rode his Dean's Team-tuned Yamaha FZR to the Pro Runabout Spec world title, finishing 1-1 in a tough field swelled with fel- low Yamaha FZR riders. With the win, Alfadel cemented his standing as one of the best riders ever to compete on the international stage. "For the past six years, the Yamaha FZR has dominated closed-course racing, winning more world and national pro runabout cham- pionships than all the other brands combined," said Yamaha's race director Scott Watkins. "Although we're sure to see the FZR on the starting line in 2017, we're really excited to get our new GP1800 in the hands of the top pros and tuner to keep the momentum going. The new Yamaha GP1800 features the supercharged SVHO engine and 160mm pump that powers the Yamaha FZR and the ultra- lightweight, high-performance hull featured on the Yamaha VXR. Congratulations to Women's Runabout champion Shante Bukes, Pro Runabout Lim- ited champion Mohammed Burbayea, Dean Charrier of Dean's Team, Riva Racing, Macc Racing and all of the Yamaha racers and their families for their commitment and support of Yamaha Racing. SEA-DOO The Sea-Doo X-TEAM continued the domina- tion of World Finals watercraft racing, claim- ing 11 championships, nearly double that of the closest competing brand. György Kasza of Hungary continued to build the Sea-Doo RXP-X watercraft dynasty with his repeat win in the premier Pro Open class, bringing the total in that class to six years running. Kasza was joined on the podium by RXP-X mounted racers Mohammed Burbayea of Kuwait and Jun Ikoma Funabashi of Japan for a Pro Open clean sweep for the Sea-Doo X-TEAM. Also adding to the dynasty is the sixth consecutive PRO GP championship win with Waleen Alsharshani of Qatar taking the top spot on his Sea-Doo RXP-X followed by fel- low X-TEAM riders, James Bushell of the UK and Erminio Iantosca of the U.S., filling out the podium. The event, attended by the top riders in the world, proved the dynasty of performance dominance lives with the Sea-Doo 300 hp watercraft models. The 2017 Sea-Doo RXP-X 300 and RXT-X 300 come equipped with a new Rotax 1630 ACE engine, that together with the new Ergolock system, allows riders to enjoy more performance, confidence and greater control to push limits even further. PSB Yamaha, Sea-Doo take wins at World Finals Kawasaki's new Jet Ski SX-R is powered by a 1498cc four-stroke marine engine.