Buying a Used Kawasaki Jet Ski: Ultra 310 vs STX 160, Engine Hours, and What to Pay
Buying a used Kawasaki jet ski? Ultra 310 vs STX 160 vs SX-R, how many hours is too many, what to inspect, and real used prices.
A used Kawasaki jet ski is a good buy if you pick the right model for how you ride and verify the engine hours before you pay. The STX 160 is the one I'd point most families to. The supercharged Ultra 310 is the one for rough water and speed, and it costs more to keep healthy. New, Kawasaki lists the 2025 STX 160X at $12,599 and the 2026 Ultra 310LX at $21,799. Used, recent low-hour Kawasaki skis on Commonplace list anywhere from about $8,400 to $16,450 depending on model and trailer.
I help people buy and sell jet skis, boats, and other big outdoor gear for a living, and Kawasaki listings are some of the most mislabeled ones I see. Sellers write "Kawasaki jet ski" for everything from a 1987 stand-up to a 2023 supercharged Ultra. So this guide covers what Kawasaki does better than Sea-Doo and Yamaha, which model fits your riding, how many hours is too many, what a compression test and hull inspection should show, and what a used Kawasaki jet ski should actually cost.
Kawasaki vs Sea-Doo vs Yamaha: What Kawasaki Does Best
Kawasaki builds fewer jet ski models than Sea-Doo or Yamaha, and it leans hard into big engines and big hulls. Its whole current sit-down lineup runs on a 1,498cc four-cylinder engine, either naturally aspirated at 160 horsepower or supercharged at 310 in the Ultra. That's the pitch. Big displacement, big hull, rough-water stability.
Here's the honest comparison. Sea-Doo has the widest lineup and the cheapest entry point. Yamaha has a reputation for reliable engines and strong resale. Kawasaki sits in between, with fewer choices but a very planted ride in chop.
If you're cross-shopping, our used Sea-Doo buying guide covers the other side.
Ultra 310 vs STX 160 vs SX-R: Which Kawasaki Jet Ski Fits How You Ride?
The STX 160 is the all-rounder, the Ultra 310 is the big-water flagship, and the SX-R 160 is a stand-up for people who want to work for their ride. Pick by use, not by horsepower.
| Model | Engine | Seats | Best for | Recent new MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STX 160 (X, LX) | 1,498cc, 160 hp, no supercharger | 3 | Families, lakes, first-time owners | $12,599 to $14,299 (2025) |
| Ultra 160 (LX-S, LX) | 1,498cc, 160 hp, no supercharger | 3 | Ultra hull without the supercharger | $17,799 to $18,799 (2026) |
| Ultra 310 (X, LX, LX-S) | 1,498cc supercharged, 310 hp | 3 | Ocean, chop, towing, speed | $20,799 to $21,799 (2026) |
| SX-R 160 | 1,498cc, 160 hp | 1 (stand-up) | Experienced solo riders | About $11,999 |
My recommendation is plain. Most people should buy a used STX 160. It's simpler, cheaper to maintain, and plenty fast for a lake with kids on the back. Buy a used Ultra 310 only if you ride big water, tow a lot, or know you want the speed. Buy an SX-R only if you've ridden a stand-up before. If you're on the fence about that last one, read our take on stand-up vs sit-down jet skis.
Older names show up on used listings too. The STX-15F, the 1100 STX, and the 750 SS are discontinued models. They can be cheap fun, but parts and dealer support thin out with age, so price them accordingly.
How Many Engine Hours Is Too Many on a Used Kawasaki Jet Ski?
For a modern four-stroke Kawasaki, I treat under 100 hours as low, 100 to 250 as normal, and over 300 as a ski that needs a clear service history to justify its price. Hours matter more than model year. A five-year-old ski with 40 hours is often a better buy than a two-year-old one with 200.
On the supercharged Ultra, I'm stricter. Hours there come with more wear on the supercharger and more stress on the engine, so a high-hour Ultra without service records is a pass for me.
Verifying hours is easy. The digital meter on the dash shows them. But the meter can be swapped, so the better check is to have a Kawasaki dealer read the hours from the engine computer with their diagnostic tool. It's a short appointment, and it also pulls any stored fault codes. If the seller won't allow it, that's an answer.
Is a Supercharged Ultra 310 a Maintenance Trap?
No, but it's a commitment. The supercharged Ultra 310 is the most capable Kawasaki jet ski you can buy, and the supercharger is the part that needs the most attention over its life. Skip the maintenance and it gets expensive.
Here's what I'd ask a seller of a used Ultra 310:
- Has the supercharger ever been inspected or serviced, and is there a receipt?
- Has it been used in salt water, and was it flushed after every ride?
- Are there service records showing oil changes on schedule?
- Was it winterized every year, or stored somewhere it froze?
Before you buy, call a local Kawasaki dealer and ask what a supercharger service or rebuild costs in their shop. Prices vary by region, and knowing the number turns a scary unknown into a line item you can negotiate on. If the seller has records showing the work is done, the ski is worth more. If not, take the quote off the price.
Compression Test and Hull Inspection: What to Check Before You Pay
A compression test tells you about the engine, and a hull inspection tells you how the ski was treated. Do both. They take under an hour together.
- Compression. All four cylinders should read close to each other. A common rule is that readings within about 10 percent of each other are healthy. One low cylinder means worn rings or a valve problem.
- Cold start. Ask the seller not to run it before you arrive. Watch for smoke, rough idle, or a long crank.
- Hull bottom. Get on your knees and look. Deep gouges, spider cracks in the gelcoat, or fresh patch work near the pump intake are red flags. Light scratches from beaching are normal.
- Pump and impeller. Look into the intake. A chewed or bent impeller means it's sucked up rocks.
- Engine bay. Look for corrosion, white salt crust, oil residue, or water sitting in the hull.
- Water test. Ride it if you can. It should hit its top speed without stumbling and hold it without overheating alarms.
- Title and HIN. Match the hull ID number on the ski to the title. Check the trailer has its own title or registration if your state requires it.
Our general guide to buying a used jet ski goes deeper on inspection if you want a full checklist.
What Should a Used Kawasaki Jet Ski Cost?
A used Kawasaki jet ski under five years old with low hours usually lists between $8,000 and $16,500 on Commonplace, with the Ultra 310 at the top and the STX 160 below it. Older discontinued models sit far lower. Here are real asking prices from recent Kawasaki listings on our site:
- 2022 Ultra 310X, 42 hours, trailer included: $16,450
- 2023 Ultra 310LX, 42 hours, with trailer: $15,450
- 2021 STX 160X, freshwater only, trailer included: $8,400
- 2007 Ultra, 165 hours, trailer included: $6,175
- 1998 1100 STX, trailer included: $2,850
- 1987 650SX stand-up, two-stroke: $1,020
Two things move the price more than anything. A trailer adds real value, so compare packages to packages. Our guide to what a jet ski and trailer package should cost breaks that down. And freshwater-only history is worth paying a bit more for, because salt is hard on everything in the engine bay.
Here's my quick rule. A used STX 160 a few years old with low hours should sell for roughly 60 to 70 percent of a new one. A used Ultra 310 with records holds a little better. A used Ultra 310 without records should be priced like it needs work, because it might.
Getting a Used Kawasaki Jet Ski Home
The hardest part of buying a used jet ski is often not the inspection. It's the distance. The best deal on a low-hour Ultra 310 might be four states away, and most buyers don't want to drive a trailer that far on a maybe.
On Commonplace, we handle that. We pick the ski up, inspect it, and deliver it to you, and you pay on delivery. You can see how it works here.
Used Kawasaki Jet Ski FAQ
Are Kawasaki jet skis reliable?
Yes, when they've been maintained. The non-supercharged STX 160 and Ultra 160 are the simplest to own. The Ultra 310 is reliable too, but it needs more attention.
Is a Kawasaki better than a Sea-Doo?
It depends on your water. Kawasaki is the stronger pick for chop and big lakes. Sea-Doo gives you more models and lower entry prices.
What's the difference between the STX 160X and STX 160LX?
Mostly features and finish. The LX is the higher trim with more creature comforts, and it listed for $14,299 new in 2025 against $12,599 for the X.
How do I check the hours on a used Kawasaki?
Read the dash meter, then have a Kawasaki dealer confirm it from the engine computer. The second check is the one that counts.
Should I buy a jet ski that's been in salt water?
Only with proof it was flushed after every ride and an engine bay that looks clean. Otherwise, buy freshwater.
If you have a Kawasaki you're ready to part with, list your jet ski on Commonplace. We pick it up, inspect it, and find the buyer.
If you're shopping, browse used Kawasaki jet skis and the rest of our inspected used jet skis, delivered to your door.