Kawasaki 1100 STX D.I.: Personal Watercraft Report

The deep-V hull of the 1100 STX D.I. ensures both high performance and a comfortable ride.

Kawasaki's new three-passenger 1100 STX D.I. boasts high performance, direct injection, low emissions and Smart Steering technology, so grab two friends and take a rip-roaring ride on this pleasingly powerful PWC.

The deep-V hull of the 1100 STX D.I. ensures both high performance and a comfortable ride. Made of hand-laid fiberglass, the hull is gelcoated for a deep, lustrous, scratch-resistant finish, and a molded-in spray deflector helps minimize spray on you and your passengers.

One of the most envied features of this Jet Ski is its Smart Steering system. Under certain conditions, the system provides turning action even if the throttle is not applied. The advanced computerized system detects the rider's steering input as well as the speed of operation and automatically increases engine speed to provide additional thrust.

Plus, it continuously monitors engine rpm to determine if the craft is being operated at a low or high speed. The system does not operate at low speeds, but it does operate at high speeds, even if the throttle has been released and the engine has returned to idle.

This Smart Steering technology helps riders learn to negotiate turns and maneuver. Experienced riders may not feel the system functioning, since they realize throttle application is required during turning.

The craft's Ficht fuel injection is another welcome bit of technology. It allows the 1100 STX D.I. to offer both ultra-smooth acceleration, efficient fuel economy, noise reduction and lower exhaust emissions.

Increased fuel economy translates to an increased riding range — and it means you'll be filling up the 14.3 gallon fuel tank less often. Altogether, the design uses approximately one-third less fuel and one-half the oil of comparable carbureted PWCs.

The lower exhaust emissions keep the 1100 STX D.I. within the Environmental Protection Agency's standards for 2006 and beyond, so you don't have to worry about it becoming obsolete in a few years.

The brain center of the craft's fuel injection is the Engine Management Module (EMM). The EMM monitors everything from crankshaft position and engine temperature to atmospheric pressure and intake air temperature, allowing the 1100 STX D.I.'s engine to start easier and run smoother at idle.

An open rear deck offers space for putting on skis and makes for an excellent diving platform. The automatically retracting boarding step located at the rear of the hull makes it easy to reboard in deep water.

Riders can monitor oil and fuel levels, as well as speed, engine rpm, trip distance and time on the easy-to-read LCD instrument panel. A magnetic keyed ignition switch helps to deter unauthorized use.

Kawasaki 1100 STX D.I. Specifications

Length	10'3"
Beam	3'1"
Weight	692 pounds
Fuel capacity	14.3 gallons
Weight capacity	496 pounds
Suggested retail price	$8,499

Engine Specifications

Type	Two-stroke with Ficht fuel injection
Propshaft horsepower	130
Cylinders	3
Displacement	1071 c.i.d.
Bore and stroke	80.0mm x 70.0 mm
Compression ratio	6.6:1
Impeller	Three-blade stainless steel w/oval edge
Maximum engine speed	7,000 rpm