PWC Expert: 2010 Kawasaki and Honda Report
New colors for Kawasaki's Jet Ski models, and nothing at all for Honda's AquaTrax.
February 2, 2010
We’ve reported on the new 2010 watercraft models from Yamaha and Sea-Doo, but what about Kawasaki and Honda? Read on for an update.
Despite its “dirty” two-stroke engine, the Jet Ski 800 SX-R will be available in 2010, thanks to an exemption from new EPA exhaust emissions regulations that expires in 2012.
Honda
The 2010 model year is not even going to happen for Honda. Back in September, Honda announced that it was permanently ending production of AquaTrax watercraft at its manufacturing facility in Timmonsville, S.C. (which had been suspended in January, 2009), and turning that capacity over to ATVs, which have also been built there. Honda said that there was sufficient inventory of 2009-model AquaTrax craft, so it would not be building any 2010 models. If Honda decides to resume AquaTrax production, it will be at another manufacturing facility, not at Timmonsville. Bet there are some great deals out there on non-current Honda AquaTrax boats. And the good news is that all the Honda employees that were building AquaTrax are now building ATVs.
Kawasaki
There will be 2010-model Jet Ski craft from Kawasaki but they will essentially be the same boats the company offered in 2009, with changes only in colors and graphics, and new prices that increase by $600 to $900. The line will include the 260-hp supercharged Ultra 260X ($12,899) and Ultra 260LX ($13,199), still the most-power craft on the market. The Ultra 260X is black with either red or green cowl and stripes, while the touring-oriented 260LX is white with black trim. The 160-hp (non-supercharged) Ultra LX ($10,699) comes only with the touring seat and is offered with a black hull, white deck and blue trim. The trusty STX-15F returns with 160 hp and an attractive price of $8,999, although that’s $600 more than this boat cost last year. It’s offered in a new white/metallic titanium color combination. Aimed at the entry-level/rental market and packaged with no reverse or mirrors, the Jet Ski STX is priced at $8,499.
Still one of the best bargains on the water, the 2010 STX-15F is offered in new Jet White/Metallic Titanium colors, but nothing else is changed for the new model year.
Last Call for Stand-Ups
The stand-up Jet Ski 800 SX-R ($7,299) is also back for 2010, in classic Kawasaki lime green and black. Like the Yamaha SuperJet, the SX-R 800 remains on the market (except in emissions-restricted California and New York) until January 1, 2012, thanks to a dispensation offered by the EPA in its latest round of federal exhaust emissions rules. Both are powered by traditional two-stroke engines, which could be averaged with much cleaner four-stroke models into the over-all fleet emissions in previous years. A new set of emissions regs puts a hard cap on two-stroke emissions, and has taken traditional two-stroke outboards off the market as of Jan. 1, 2010. But Yamaha and Kawasaki were able to persuade the EPA to give them two more years to sell the SX-R and the SuperJet, arguing that alternative engine technology is not available for those models. After Jan. 1, 2012, Yamaha and Kawasaki will only be able to sell its two-stroke stand-up models for racing, and the buyers will need to demonstrate that they are qualified racers.
