Kawasaki Ultra 130 PWC

The Ultra 130 features a Ficht fuel-injection system that reduces emissions and improves fuel efficiency.

No doubt about it: The Ultra 130 delivers wicked performance. The near-150-horsepower personal watercraft blasts to an honest 65 mph and slashes its way through abrupt turns without the hint of a slide or hook. It's an aggressive ride for aggressive riders. But what if you want that kind of precise handling yet prefer a little less punch?

Kawasaki's answer for 2001 is the Ultra 130, which rides on the same hull as the Ultra 150 but has a 130-horsepower engine with Ficht fuel injection. According to the folks at Kawasaki, the direct fuel-injection system makes the watercraft compliant with Environmental Protection Agency emissions standards for 2006.

Another cutting-edge feature is Kawasaki's Smart Steering system. Without throttle input, jet-powered personal watercraft (and almost all boats with jet power) have no steering; that is, they maintain their heading, no matter how hard the rider turns the handlebars in either direction, until they coast to a stop or the rider hits the throttle. The Smart Steering system "detects" the rider's steering input, as well as the speed of operation, and automatically increases engine speed (rpm) to add thrust. Thrust, in turn, provides directional control.

Other highlights of the Ultra 130 include trim control, water-jacketed dry exhaust and a waterproof magnetic ignition key, which helps to deter theft and unwanted joy rides.