Does Honda still make jet skis? This is a common question of many jet ski buyers and with good reason. Honda is known for its durable and dependable vehicles, which is why this brand is so popular with buyers. But to the regret of many fans, Honda isn’t currently making jet skis!
This means if you are looking for a new jet ski, your only choice is to purchase one from the “big three” (Sea-Doo, Yamaha, or Kawasaki).
If you are looking for a Honda jet ski for sale, the good news is that used models occasionally appear in the second-hand market.
But are they still worth buying? Find out from this post!
Does Honda Make Jet Skis?
Sadly, Honda isn’t making jet skis at the present time. The Japanese manufacturer entered the jet ski market in 2002, but they discontinued the production of these machines after a couple of years.
Let’s take a closer look at what happened to Honda jet skis (called AquaTrax)!
Why did Honda Stop Making AquaTrax?
Simply put, Honda stopped making jet skis because of poor sales figures. Many factors contributed to the downfall of Honda jet skis, but the main reasons were probably bad market timing, limited availability, and lack of innovation.
Many people say that Honda jet skis were outdated and lacked innovation. While competitor models came with new features each year, Honda didn’t put as much effort into research and development.
They lacked a braking system and many other features that became industry standard in those days. On top of that, Hondas were slower than competitor models.
Another issue was the lack of availability. For some curious reasons, Honda PWCs were only available at a small number of dealerships. Poor distribution made these crafts difficult to purchase.
On the top of that, the Japanese manufacturer entered the jet ski market at an unfortunate time.
What Year did Honda Stop Making Jet Skis?
Finally, in 2009 Honda stopped making jet skis. The financial crisis hit the market in 2008 and as a result, the 2010 Honda PWC line was canceled. The announcement shocked the market and left Honda jet ski dealers who’d kept new machines in stock in a difficult position.
This is because it’s always hard to sell a vehicle after production has stopped.
Will Honda Make Jet Skis Again?
Many fans hope that Honda jet skis will make a comeback in the future. There are many brand-loyal customers out there who already own a Honda motorcycle or car. Many of them would be happy to purchase a jet ski! But let’s face it, even though there are rumors out there, it seems Honda isn’t in a rush to re-enter the PWC market.
Are Honda Jet Skis Any Good?
There is no question that Honda jet skis were really good products. These machines were known for their reliability and dependability. Since they are built with Japanese precision and didn’t feature as many parts as the other jet skis on the market, they were less prone to failure.
On the other hand, the drawbacks of Honda PWCs were that they were not as powerful and exciting as competitor models. And these are huge drawbacks in the PWC market!
Let’s move on and take a look at the performance of Honda AquaTrax
Honda Jet Ski Top Speed and Performance
Honda jet skis were manufactured with naturally-aspirated, as well as turbocharged 4-stroke, 4-cylinder engines. Thus, their performance varied depending on the model. Their naturally-aspirated engines put out around 125 HP, while turbocharged Honda jet skis offered an amazing 165-200 HP.
With these powerful engines, Honda jet ski’s top speed numbers ranged from 54 mph up to 75 mph. For your convenience, we’ve gathered the top speed numbers of some popular Honda AquaTrax jet skis under one roof:
- Honda AquaTrax F-12 top speed: 54 mph
- Honda AquaTrax F-12X top speed: 60 mph
- Honda AquaTrax F15-X top speed: 66 mph
- Honda AquaTrax R-12X top speed: 75 mph
Is it Still Worth Buying a Honda Jet Ski?
As a rule of thumb, Honda jet skis are not recommended for purchase. Since the last models were manufactured in 2009, all of them are pretty old and outdated. Don’t forget that many service shops refuse to work on jet skis that are more than 10 years old!
Moreover, it’s also becoming increasingly difficult to find parts for them. All of these issues make Honda jet skis difficult to maintain and fix.
Therefore, even if you find one in a good shape, it’s recommended that you steer clear of the deal. Keep in mind that jet ski engines don’t last forever, so it doesn’t make sense to purchase one with hundreds of engine hours.
However, if you want to stick with Honda, let’s see where you can find one!
Honda Jet Ski for Sale
If you are looking for a Honda jet ski for sale, you should search at online jet ski ad sites like PWCTrader, or Personalwatercraft.com.
Besides these sources it’s also worth it to visit online forums where you can find a lot of valuable info on Honda PWCs as well.
If you are lucky, you can also find a Honda jet ski for sale on Craigslist, eBay or other online ad sites!
FAQs About Honda Jet Skis
How much does a Honda AquaTrax weigh?
You can expect an average Honda AquaTrax to weigh about 700-950 pounds depending on the model. Some examples:
- Honda AquaTrax R-12 weight: 715 lbs.
- Honda AquaTrax F-12X weight: 792 lbs.
- Honda AquaTrax F-12 weight: 748 lbs.
- Honda AquaTrax F-15X weight: 842 lbs. (estimated)
What kind of oil does a Honda AquaTrax use?
Honda AquaTrax jet skis use 4-stroke engine oils, which should meet the following requirements:
- API classification: SG or higher
- Viscosity (weight): SAE 10W-40
- JASO T 903 standard: MA or MB
The suggested engine oil for Honda an AquaTrax is the Pro Honda GN4, HP4 (without molybdenum additives), or HP4M (with molybdenum additives) 4-stroke oil, or an equivalent motorcycle oil.
How much oil does a Honda AquaTrax hold?
Honda AquaTrax jet skis hold about 5-6 quarts of oil depending on the model. But when it comes to oil changes, you can only drain out part of it (about 4-4.5 quarts).
How do you check the oil on a Honda jet ski?
You can easily check the engine oil on a Honda jet ski with the dipstick. Here is the step-by-step guide on how to do it:
- Level the jet ski.
- Remove the rear tray and seats.
- Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean.
- Insert the dipstick until it sets.
- Remove the dipstick and check the level.
- Repeat the process in the oil drainpipe.
- Refill the oil as needed.
- Check the oil level again.
- Reinstall the caps.
It’s very important to not start the engine if the oil doesn’t reach the correct level! Operating the engine without a sufficient amount of oil may end in overheating issues, or even costly damage.
How do you change the oil in a Honda AquaTrax?
You can change the oil in a Honda AquaTrax in 10 easy steps:
- Warm up the engine.
- Remove the drainpipe cup and dipstick (oil filler cap).
- Drain the oil from the engine with a manual pump (oil extractor). You have to train the oil from the oil drainpipe as well as the oil filler cap hole.
- Remove the oil filter.
- Apply a thin coat of fresh oil onto the new filter’s rubber seal.
- Install the new filter.
- Install the oil drainpipe cap.
- Fill the engine with the recommended fresh engine oil to the correct level. You will need approximately 4-4.5 quarts of oil.
- Install the dipstick/oil filler cap.
- Let the engine run at idle for a few minutes while you flush the cooling system with fresh water.
How do you change the spark plugs on a Honda AquaTrax?
- Remove the seat.
- Disconnect the ignition connectors and remove the bolts.
- Remove the ignition coils from the plugs.
- Remove the spark plugs with a plug wrench.
- Install the new plugs by first threading them in by hand.
- Tighten each spark plug with the plug wrench.
- Reinstall the ignition coils and bolts and connect the ignition connectors.
- Install the seat.
Also, you must always use the recommended type of spark plugs. Beware that improper plugs can even cause engine damage!
Best practice is to always replace the plugs at the start of every season. (The manufacturer doesn’t recommend cleaning the plugs.)
If you notice that the electrodes are contaminated, immediately replace all the plugs with new ones!
How to winterize a Honda AquaTrax
You can winterize a Honda AquaTrax in just the same way as any other jet ski. You can read about the PWC winterization process here, or just view this tutorial video:
Conclusion
Honda’s PWC line was released in 2002, under the name AquaTrax.
These amazing jet skis were powered with 4-stoke, 4-cylinder engines. What’s more, certain models were boosted with a turbocharger! Thanks to these powerful engines, Honda jet skis offered a top speed of 54-75 mph.
Unfortunately, because of poor sales figures, Honda canceled the AquaTrax family in 2009. This means if you are looking for a Honda jet ski for sale, your only choice is the second-hand market. But keep in mind that it’s not easy to find one!
On the other hand, let’s face it, Honda AquaTrax PWCs are now very old and outdated. All of them were manufactured before 2010, so the majority of service shops will likely refuse to maintain and fix them.
Because of this, when it comes to purchasing a used jet ski, the general rule is that it’s not worth buying one if it’s more than 5-6 years old.
If you are looking for alternatives, you should take a look at the current models on the market!
References
https://www.jetdrift.com/honda-jet-ski/
https://watercraftjournal.com/vicious-rumors-vile-gossip-wait-honda-come-back-pwc/
