.1998
KAWASAKI JET SKI® WATERCRAFT
Xi
SPORT:
QUALITY
PERFORMANCE AT A BARGAIN PRICE
Consumers looking to get in on the fun of personal watercraft
riding at a reasonable price need search no further than their
local Kawasaki JET SKI watercraft dealer. There they will find
the new Kawasaki JET SKI Xi Sport watercraft that offers a potent
combination of performance and quality at an attractive price.
Within the sharp-handling hull is the potent 80 horsepower
twin-cylinder engine from the championship-winning JET SKI Xi.
This combination produces plenty of power across the rev range
with agile turning and confidence-inspiring straight-line
ability.
The 743 cc two-stroke engine is tuned to perform. Dual 40mm
carburetors provide crisp acceleration and excellent top speed.
The crankcase reed induction system features twin eight-petal
reed valve cages to supply consistent air-fuel mixtures to the
cylinders. A digital capacitor discharge ignition (CDI) system
maintains optimum ignition timing across the rev range and never
needs adjustment. All electrical circuits are conveniently
located on the port side and are protected from shorting with a
fuse.
Kawasaki's Superlube oil injection system eliminates the need for
pre-mixing gas and oil. Two oil pump outlets deliver the proper
oil supply to both intake manifolds. A bypass outlet on the
starboard side lets the operator visually confirm that cooling
water is circulating through the engine. If the engine
temperature rises too high, the engine speed is automatically
slowed to 3,500 rpm to prevent damage.
To reduce noise, the exhaust exits underwater at idle. The
water-jacketed exhaust system also lowers noise levels and
reduces underhood temperatures for better power.
The engine is directly linked to the shielded three-blade
impeller. The driveshaft is dacrotized, which is a special
anti-corrosion metal surface treatment, and supported by a sealed
bearing for durability. An impeller damper reduces driveshaft
noise.
Constructed of strong yet lightweight Sheet Molding Compound
(SMC), the sponson-equipped hull provides stable straight-line
running and precise, high-speed cornering. The semi-box-section
keel minimizes rear-end slide during turns and helps the Xi Sport
turn in a tight radius. A Kawasaki Splash Deflector (KSD) is
molded into the hull to minimize spray for a drier ride for the
operator and passenger. Integrated floatation cells aid buoyancy.
On the upper deck there's a thick seat to assure day-long comfort
for up to two people, and a rear grab rail for passenger security
as well as reboarding from the water with ease. Centrally-located
LED fuel gauge and oil/water temperature warning lights are
within easy view of the rider, while the choke and fuel petcock
are within easy reach. Watertight storage compartments fore and
aft hold necessities for long days on the water.
With a high level of fit and finish, and aggressive color and
graphics not usually found in bargain-priced watercraft, the
Kawasaki JET SKI Xi Sport watercraft offers the optimum
combination of performance and quality at a tremendous value.
SXi
PRO:
NEW
HULL MARKS CLASSIC PERFORMER'S RETURN
For some "hard core" performance-minded personal
watercraft enthusiasts nothing beats the acceleration and quick
handling characteristics of a stand-up style watercraft.
Kawasaki has been building the stand-up JET SKI personal
watercraft since 1973 and, on the 25th anniversary of the
test marketing of the boat that helped create today's personal
watercraft boom, the company offers the new JET SKI SXi Pro
watercraft for the stand-up faithful.
The SXi Pro combines the speed and acceleration of a
high-performance 743cc twin-cylinder engine with aggressive
competition-style handling characteristics. Changes to the hull
make this stand-up equally suited for recreational riding while
still providing a challenging ride for the more experienced.
The redesigned hull is based on the one that carried Team
Kawasaki JET SKI rider Rob Flores to five victories on the 1997
International Jet Sports Boating Association (IJSBA) Jet Sports
Tour. It is now made of hand-laid fiberglass reinforced plastic
(FRP), which is the strongest construction for its weight of any
fiberglass manufacturing process and helps make the SXi Pro hull
is as light as possible while retaining strength. Extra layers of
fiberglass are added for strength in key areas. The front of the
hull now rises at a sharper angle and sponsons were added at the
rear. The sponsons are uniquely placed just under the
hull/topdeck bond line.
These hull changes make a dramatic difference in the SXi Pro's
handling. Straight-line ability and cornering are improved. The
sponsons help the SXi Pro hold its line better in turns and make
it more suitable for recreational riding.
While the hull was redesigned, the top deck didn't change. It is
made of fiberglass reinforced sheet molding compound (SMC) that
is produced when fiberglass mat is formed in a large hydraulic
press at Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing, Corp., in Lincoln,
Nebraska. The finished deck is tough and resists damage.
Integrated foam floatation is built into the deck and handlepole
to make the craft virtually unsinkable. Soft padding covers the
tray area for rider protection.
Inside the new hull is a two-stroke engine that pumps out 75
horsepower from its twin cylinders. A pair of 40mm Mikuni
carburetors feed each cylinder while radical exhaust port timing
efficiently removes the burned mixture, ignited by a waterproof
and maintenance-free capacitor discharge ignition (CDI) system,
for great top-end power. The exhaust pipe, expansion chamber and
aluminum muffler are water-jacketed to lower underhood
temperatures and suppress noise.
The new front hull configuration reduced space for the fuel and
oil tank. Rather than drastically cut fuel capacity, the oil
injection system and its tank were eliminated and the SXi Pro
engine now runs on a pre-mixed fuel/oil mixture. This allows
serious enthusiasts to fine-tune their fuel/oil mixtures.
With the biggest engine and most power of any stand-up
watercraft, plus the competitive handling characteristics of its
new hull, the 1998 Kawasaki JET SKI SXi Pro watercraft offers
performance that will put it ahead of the competition.