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Kawasaki Re-Launching Its Stand-Up Jet Ski this Fall

Kawasaki is responsible for the motorcycle-like fun you can have now on water. First introduced to the large public in 1972, and discontinued about five years ago, the original stand-up Jet Ski is set to make a return this fall.
Kawasaki Jet Ski 1 photo
Photo: screenshot from YouTube
The jet ski entered our vocabulary to describe any personal water transportation powered by an engine that drives a pump, which in turn pushes water out the back and propels the tiny floating vehicle. But few know Kawasaki was first to trademark the Jet Ski back in the day.

While current jet skis got quite big, with room for up to three, LCD displays, rearview mirrors, switches and even sound systems, the original Jet Ski was nothing but a small hydrodynamic lower hull with a motor and handles strapped to it. You simply stood up on it, hit the gas and hold on. It was mostly meant for racing through buoys and doing stunts.

The model had quite a history but went extinct five years ago, when Kawasaki stopped the production of the SX-R Jet Ski. Now, however, the company decided to bring the original recipe back and made the announcement through the teaser you’ll see below.

It’s not much to see of the new SX-R (if it’s going to wear the same name) in the clip, but Kawasaki says it’s “competition ready”, which means the 2017 model will still be aimed at water racing daredevils.

Other than that, the video tells it’s going to have a powerful 4-stroke engine and the fact that it’s sleeker and more aggressively styled that the defunct model. The model is currently in its final stages of development and is due to show up for the first time in October 2016, with sales probably starting later or next year.

Pricing or detailed specifications are not available at the moment so do check back with us at the moment of launch to discover more.

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