From a press release issued by the Kawasaki Racing Team:

FULL THROTTLE ON THE WATER

Fuchs Kawasaki Racing Team riders Garry McCoy and Andrew Pitt took some time off the race tracks, but not off motor racing. Spending two leisurely weeks at home in sunny Queensland after the season-opening Grand Prix in Suzuka, the two Australians took a chance to race each other aboard two brand-new Kawasaki Jet Skis on the Gold Coast, one of Australia’s most famous tourist destination on the Pacific Ocean. Garry McCoy, who already owns last year’s 750 cc stand-up version, spontaneously upgraded to the sleeker, more powerful 800 SX-R with 80 hp that Kawasaki released for this summer season. Andrew Pitt, who already owns an 1100 STX three-seater two-stroke model, was especially impressed with the grunty, 145 horsepower strong all-new 1200 STX-R two-seater four-stroke.

Andrew Pitt:

“It was my first time on stand-up Kawasaki Jet Ski, and I got pretty wet! I spent a lot of time under water, and falling off. But I got the hang of it in the end, and it really is good fun. It is a bit more of a challenge to ride those than the sit-down ones for sure!

But the 1200 STX-R two-seater is a blast also. I own the 1100 fuel-injected two-stroke three-seater, which runs great. But I didn’t know that they actually released a version with a big four-stroke engine. The acceleration of the 145 hp engine is pretty impressive, and the engine runs a lot quieter, which is fantastic. I also took the STX-R out into the open water through the seaway, and jumped a few waves. It feels a bit more solid than mine, too, so it seems better for jumping. I like it – it might be the time for a trade-in! “

Garry McCoy:

“The new stand-up Kawasaki Jet Ski 800 SX-R is pretty good, I really like it. It’s definitely got a little more grunt than the older one from the previous year that I’ve got. I wish riding Kawasaki Jet Skis was part of my regular training routine, but as we are racing all year long, it’s pretty much an off-season thing. Just to have fun, to wind down, and to train a bit at the same time – everything put into one.

The big 1200 STX-R four-stroke feels really different to what I’m used to. Jet Skis have been all two-strokes in the past, and they are only starting to bring out the four-strokes now, which definitely feels good with their different and smoother range of power. The four-stroke motor is a perfect match for the more relaxed, more leisurely way you drive these sit-down ones!”