Kawasaki – the once proud brand which came up with the Jet Ski name and was one of the pioneers of the sport – has buried its biggest news of the year in the sand.
One of the most important models in the Kawasaki line-up – the first new-generation Kawasaki STX 160 in 20 years – was unveiled inside a hospitality gazebo on the beach in Pattaya, Thailand during the Jet Ski World Cup this weekend.
It was such an important announcement, the President and Chief Executive Officer for Kawasaki Motors Limited, Hiroshi Ito, was in attendance.
But Kawasaki apparently didn’t think it was important enough to share the news with the world, instead unveiling the new model under the noses of race goers who didn’t appear to know what a big deal it was.
A number of examples of the 2026 Kawasaki STX 160 were on display.
And there was a new colour scheme for the largely unchanged 2025 model (pictured below), which may continue as a price-leader as an entry point to the revamped Kawasaki STX 160 range.
Aside from a handful of photos and a shaky video on social media, for now there is no further information or any decent images.
Here is what we have pieced together so far.
2026 Kawasaki STX 160 Jet Ski highlights:
- All-new top deck (hull dates back to 2003 as a 2004 Model Year)
- Reverse trigger from the Kawasaki Ultra series
- New bumpers and gunwales
- New seats
- New handlebars
- Provision for daytime running lights (as per Kawasaki Ultra series)
- New variant added called STX-R
- No extra power from the carryover 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine (160hp)
The next question on the top of our list: Does the 2026 Kawasaki STX 160 gain trim adjustment? Experts are betting on it – given all the other changes – but for now it is unclear.
The bow of the current model tends to plough its nose through the water, even when cruising at low speeds in calm conditions.
With or without trim adjustment, it is hoped the larger front bumper could aid buoyancy of the bow.
Above and below: Hiroshi Ito, the global boss of Kawasaki Motors, was in Thailand to unveil the 2026 Kawasaki STX 160.
Why is this new-generation Kawasaki STX 160 so important?
Kawasaki has had a dramatic fall from grace over the past two decades and is paying the price for a lack of investment in new models.
Kawasaki is now well and truly in the wake of Sea-Doo and Yamaha.
Today, Sea-Doo accounts for 70 per cent of sales in the personal watercraft market, and Yamaha WaveRunners account for 25 per cent of sales. Kawasaki Jet Skis represent just 5 per cent of customer demand in Australia.
The new-generation Kawasaki STX 160 can’t come soon enough.
Kawasaki has a significantly smaller model range compared to the Sea-Doo and Yamaha WaveRunner line-ups.
The Kawasaki STX 160 is the most affordable model in the Kawasaki Jet Ski line-up.
It is a medium-sized, three-seater Jet Ski designed for leisure riders and those who are new to the sport.
The core structure and the hull design of the Kawasaki STX 160 are unchanged since 2003 (when it was introduced as a 2004 Model Year).
The current Kawasaki STX 160 top deck, pictured above, was redesigned in late 2019 as a 2020 Model Year (the above colour scheme is from 2024).
However the new model – which had its global unveiling in Thailand at the weekend – is the biggest change to the Kawasaki STX 160 in 20 years.
One of the biggest criticisms of the current Kawasaki STX 160 is the old-school reverse lever located on the left of the centre console.
The lever is shaped similar to a car handbrake, can be difficult to operate, and requires patience and practice.
Above: Patent drawings for the new Kawasaki reverse trigger.
Sea-Doo introduced reverse triggers in 2010 and applied it to most models from 2011 onwards.
Yamaha has applied reverse triggers to most models from 2015.
Watercraft Zone has reached out to Kawasaki Australia for more information about the 2026 Kawasaki STX 160.
Be sure to check back with us in the coming days for more details.
MORE: Our Updated coverage of the 2026 Kawasaki STX 160
MORE: Our updated coverage of the 2025 Kawasaki STX 160
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