2020 Kawasaki Jet Ski SX-R

POWERFUL ENGINE

Inspired by legendary Ninja sportbike performance, it’s the hardest accelerating production stand-up Jet Ski personal watercraft ever.

A key-operated magnetic ignition switch is designed to deter theft. A wrist lanyard connected to the engine stop switch automatically cuts power when the lanyard is disengaged. The V-shape hull design delivers light handling and agility for ultimate exhilaration. The hull lowers and centralizes the engine for maximum cornering performance, handling and balance. Kawasaki set the standard for power with the 1,498cc inline four-stroke engine. Inspired by legendary Ninja® sportbike performance, it’s the hardest accelerating production stand-up Jet Ski® personal watercraft ever. Ample thrust and abundant torque maximize rider confidence for all-day fun.

V-SHAPE HULL

The V-shape hull design delivers light handling and agility for ultimate exhilaration. The hull lowers and centralizes the engine for maximum cornering performance, handling and balance.

SAFE & SECURE

A key-operated magnetic ignition switch is designed to deter theft. A wrist lanyard connected to the engine stop switch automatically cuts power when the lanyard is disengaged.

Key Features

Steering nozzle
A cast-aluminum steering nozzle transfers the engine’s massive thrust. Specially designed for the SX-R, the nozzle (ø87 mm in diameter, 102 mm long) ensures the light operation ideal for a stand-up machine.

MX-style handlebar
MX-style handlebar features a sporty pad that contributes to the ski’s racy looks.

Exceptional stability
Approximately 400 mm longer and 30 mm wider, the hull’s larger size contributes to excellent stability in both straight lines and in turns. Sitting high in the water when stopped, the hull’s stability facilitates boarding.

Storage
Indent beneath the handle pole offers convenient storage for small items like rope, flare, etc. Items are secured with a rubber net.

Kawasaki Splash Deflector
In a first for a stand-up ski, the hull features a Kawasaki Splash Deflector (KSD): a lateral strip on the forward section of the hull reduces water splash, especially at speed and in rough water.

Wide deck
Larger, wider floor area gives riders more room to move around and makes it easier to get accustomed to a stand-up PWC.

Handle pole
The handle pole is a reinforced version of that from the 800 SX-R (to ensure the durability to match the increased power and higher top speed). Its pivot was positioned to reduce the amount of forward/backward movement at the grips, to minimize rider fatigue, particularly during long races.

Superb cornering performance
Development of the new hull incorporated racing feedback. Its agile handling, complemented by great stability and increased power, allows higher cornering speed. Corner grip of the well-balanced machine exceeds that of the 800 SX-R.

Sleek & sharp styling
Reflecting its high race potential, the SX-R’s sleek and sharp lines evoke the highly successful 800 SX-R while giving the new machine a distinct Kawasaki look. MX-style handlebar adds to the sporty looks.

Water intake
Water intake is via a special low-resistance stainless steel intake grate. Its design, although slightly longer, was based on the highly efficient grate of the 800 SX-R.

What they say

“The 2020 Kawasaki Jet Ski SX-R is a machine designed to make you feel like a racer, a craft that will power through a hairpin turn and leap forward down the straightaway. And in that regard, it’s right on target.”

• Jeff Hemmel, Personalwatercraft.com

“You don’t need to be travelling at Mach One to have a lot of fun on the Kawasaki SX-R. I’ve always found sit-down PWCs to be enormously enjoyable for 20 mins but then I’m ready to give it back. After doing the going really quickly thing and the whizzing round in circles thing, that’s it, I’ve had enough. Not with the SX-R, even at quarter throttle it’s both entertaining and challenging, particularly when it comes to turning.”

• Hugo Andreae, MBY.com

Specifications