The Kawasaki 900 ZXI was one of the most pristine jet skis in the 1990s. Three models were released in 1995, 1996, 1997. Despite the last model being released almost 25 years ago, there are still plenty of 900 ZXIs still around.
In today’s article, I am going to cover everything you need to know about the Kawasaki 900 ZXI, and whether or not it is still worth it to buy today.
Specs of the Kawasaki 900 ZXI:
- Model Years: 1995, 1996, 1997
- Top Speed: 55-60 mph
- Weight: 560 lbs
- Hull type: Deep V
- Engine: 2 Stroke, 3 Cylinder
- Engine Capacity: 891 cc
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 14 gallons
- Ride time on a full tank: ~10-12 hours
- Horsepower: 100 hp
- Spark Plugs: BR8ES or BR9ES
- # of riders: 1 adult or 2 lightweight people (max 300 lbs total)
Kawasaki 900 ZXI Jet Ski Review: Is it still worth buying?
The Kawasaki 900 ZXI is a very crafty jet ski that can usually reach a top speed between 55-60 mph. If you come across a 900 ZXI for sale that runs well with no issues, it is certainly worth buying.
Pros of the Kawasaki 900 ZXI:
The Kawasaki 900 ZXI is lightweight and has pretty good acceleration. I suggest only having one rider, as two riders can be a bit unstable. You should not have more than 300 lbs of weight on the jet ski or it will be pretty hard to control.
With just one rider, the ZXI can fly through water and is pretty easy to steer. If all parts are working properly, the ZXI is very fuel efficient and can last at least 10 hours on a full tank.
While the ZXI works well in freshwater, I would not take it out in the ocean. It will be hard to keep it stable, and the salt water would certainly deteriorate the engine over time.
I am personally also a fan of the bright paint colors of the jet ski, which give it a cool style and make them easy to spot on the lake.
Cons of the Kawasaki 900 ZXI:
The biggest con of the ZXI is that it is old. With any motorized vehicle that is older than 20 years, there will almost always be some defects or malfunctions on the original parts. Therefore, most ZXIs require new parts to run properly.
Since the model is so old, it can be pretty hard to find specific parts for it. However, you can usually still find ZXI engines and batteries on ebay or craigslist.
Many reviews of the ZXI also state that the paint chips off easily. Additionally, most people who have bought a ZXI said that they have had to replace the spark plugs.
Should I buy a Kawasaki 900 ZXI?
Simply put, you should never buy a Kawasaki 900 ZXI without test driving it first. I only recommend buying a Kawasaki 900 ZXI if it is in good condition and runs properly. If the seller does not let you test drive it before you buy it, I suggest you buy a different jet ski.
While test driving it, you should test out the top speed, and also keep an eye on the fuel consumption.
I also suggest doing a compression test on the engine before buying to see how efficient the engine is. To learn more, check out my article on what to know before buying a used jet ski.
Unless you are an experienced jet ski mechanic, you should not buy a Kawasaki 900 ZXI that isn’t running properly. A lot of times I see Kawasaki 900 ZXIs for sale that supposedly only have one problem that is a “quick fix.” Most of the time there are multiple parts that need to be replaced when this is the case.
How much should I pay for a Kawasaki 900 ZXI?
If it is in working condition, you should pay around $2,000 – $3,000 for the Kawasaki 900 ZXI. I would not suggest spending any more than that, as you can get a much newer jet ski for $4,000 to $5,000.
To learn more about the cost of other models, check out my article on jet ski pricing.
If you do buy this model, I suggest you check out some jet ski accessories to help deck it out.
