2014 Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra 310X SE Review

Sportier seat helps set this Ultra apart

With no less than six variations of the new Ultra 310, there’s no doubt Kawasaki’s current lineup is tipped toward the high-end for 2014. But while that new-and-improved engine is probably the biggest news across all of the models, there’s a lot of nuance to be found in the words, letters, and digits that precede the 310 in each craft’s name.

We’ve already tackled the sound-system equipped Ultra 310LX and race-inspired Ultra 310R for the new model year. Now, let’s check out the tantalizingly named Ultra 310X Special Edition.

What’s So Special

The name certainly overflows with promise. The reality of the Special Edition, however, is decidedly more subtle and practical. In addition to those 310 horses, the SE gets two primary upgrades – a “Sport” seat and new “Sport”-inspired paint and graphics.

All that separates the Special Edition Jet Ski Ultra 310X from the non-SE version is a sportier seat and different paint scheme.

The seat is designed with less flare at the thighs to provide a slimmer feel that aggressive riders will appreciate, especially when they stand in rough water. Instead of being forced wide, riders can literally grip the slimmer seat with their knees, giving them added control and taking some measure of strain off the upper body. That seat is also covered in a grippier vinyl material, inspired by Kawasaki’s KX motocross bikes, to keep those same aggressive riders from slipping around when they’re pushing the boat to its limits. Add a bolster in there to offer lower back support for the driver, as well as to help passengers find their own sweet spot without crowding into the driver, and you’ve got a subtle, but significant difference from the Ultra 310X that should hold added appeal for performance types.

COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2014 Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra 310R

Likewise the new colors and graphics. Of all the 310 variations, the 310X Special Edition may be the most bold. It features a familiar black hull and lower deck, paired with a bold and bright Sunbeam Red on the seat, cowl, and nose. Graphics closely parallel the 310R, with a minimal, but clearly aggressive appeal.

The Jet Ski Ultra 310X SE strikes an aggressive pose.

A Familiar Tune

Below that nice seat and those cool colors and stickers lies the new 310hp, 1,498cc liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder engine. It’s a mill that got some serious attention this year. Kawasaki says the added horses came via efforts to reduce mechanical loss and improve efficiency. Specific items of note include a newly reshaped, heat-resistant plastic intake manifold for improved low to midrange power, new cast pistons with additional ring land V-grooves for better oil retention (and in turn added durability), and a slew of completely new items. The latter list includes a new fuel pump for increased power and fuel efficiency, thicker water jackets to improve cooling, an additional oil jet per piston to increase piston cooling, a baffled oil pan to prevent sloshing, and enlarged crankcase oil return holes.

COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2014 Yamaha FX SVHO

The supercharger is Kawasaki’s familiar Roots-type Eaton Twin Vortices model, designed to provide large amounts of boost at all RPM in part to deliver instant, powerful acceleration right off of idle. Coupled with an intercooler to feed in cooler, denser air, it is a big part of the 310’s performance. Turning to the opposite end of the driveline, the impeller features a revised three-blade design, also intended to boost acceleration, as well as eliminate a little noise and rattle.

With 310 horsepower on tap, the Ultra 310X SE offers arm-stretching acceleration.

How does this boost in horses and durability translate to the water? During Kawasaki’s first look at 310 models in late January, I noted the Ultra’s familiar acceleration now felt even more brutal off the low end. Hold on tight, this boat will stretch your arms and provide a jet-like whoosh as it powers up to top speed. That top-end number measured shy of 67 mph, although I expect a low fuel load and ideal conditions will see the Ultra frequently edging even higher.

That Hull…And Those Extras

As always, the Ultra hull excels in nearly any water condition. Years ago, this was really just a big-water machine, its 22.5-degree deadrise hull able to find its way through even the roughest waters with ease but lacking some of the agility of competitors. That big-water mastery still exists, but the introduction of electronic trim several years back has now also given the hull cat-like reflexes in calm conditions as well. Drop the nozzle to lower the bow, lean in, and you can slice your way through the toughest of buoy courses, or just impress friends on the beach. Raise that bow after you exit and you’ll get more of that hull out of the water to scream down the straightaway. Total nozzle travel is 16 degrees, or eight degrees both above and below the stock position. In either case, it’s a pretty dry ride thanks to built-in splash deflectors forward on the hull.

Kawasaki’s Ultra hull excels in virtually any water condition.

Like nearly all high-end models, the Special Edition offers the advantages of electronic throttle. Chief among them is cruise control. Find a speed you like, push a button to lock it in, and you can then just fully squeeze the throttle and not worry about any finger finesse or fatigue. A similar “no-wake” feature holds an approximately 5 mph pace without any throttle input at all. You can also opt for ECO mode to conserve fuel. Tip? ECO is also a good way to smooth out the engine response, great for new riders in rougher conditions as it eliminates some of the surging inherent with trying to control this powerful of an engine in rough water.

Other feature standouts include a dual key system, one of which activates a speed-governing mode, five-position tilt steering, a handy rebounding step, and a full-featured instrumentation panel. Ultras also offer a massive 56 gallons of storage capacity, and a generous 20-gallon fuel tank. Subtle tweaks to the upper deck for 2014 include a slimmed passenger grab rail that promises not to get in the way when standing, and a new mirror brackets.

COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2013 Sea-Doo GTX Limited iS 260

Anything not to like? Perhaps the biggest gripe with the Ultra is a surprisingly aggressive response to the off-throttle steering. Cut the throttle, turn the bars hard, and the power kicks in as the computer surmises you’re trying to avoid something in the water. It’s a good idea, especially for newbies, but the power comes on far harder than any other manufacturer’s models. That occasionally leads to some surprises, like when you come up on another stopped rider, release the throttle to talk, and suddenly find yourself accelerating in close quarters to another boat. It’s careless riding, really, that puts you in the situation in the first place, but a lot of people have experienced it. Until you get used to the boat’s response, use added caution.

Vive La Difference

Yes, the differences between all the Ultras are subtle. Even should you narrow your choices down to the Ultra line, you’ll still have to look carefully to decide which is the best craft for you. But, Kawasaki feels that the subtle enhancements – in this case the bolstered, grippier sport seat and colors/graphics combo that turns a 310X into a 310X Special Edition – are obviously worth the trouble.

Try one and see if you feel…<em>special</em>.