2023 Ultra reverse steering is backwards??

[Ttrm007]

Using my new ultra 310lx-s and reverse is very awkward. It turns the opposite way as all other skis. When in reverse, if I turn the bars to the right, the ski goes left?!

Anyone else? Is this an issue or a "feature'?

[K447]

… new ultra 310lx-s and reverse is very awkward. It turns the opposite way as ...
When in reverse, if I turn the bars to the right, the ski goes left? …

What model year is your Kawasaki?
Does it have mechanical reverse lever or electronically controlled from the handlebar?

Years ago, it was common on many PWC that when selecting reverse, turning the handlebars left would cause the bow to swing to the right. The reverse bucket shape and design determines whether this occurs.

Our Yamaha models with RiDE are consistent in the response to steering input.
Handlebars turned left while going forward, the bow swings left.
Select Neutral with the handlebars still turned left, the bow will continue to swing left.
Engage Reverse while holding the handlebars towards the left, the bow will continue to swing left.

[Team Bilford]

Reverse steering on PWC is backwards from a boat. The reason is the reverse gate does not move with the steering nozzle. Just remember that the bow will go in the same direction relative to your handle bars in forward or reverse. I have only had a ski with reverse function since 2018, and it still drives me crazy.

[steve45]

It's a stupid design, to be exact. Backwards from virtually any other vehicle, whether it's a car or truck, boat, older PWC, even a kid's wagon. It's ridiculous.

Very poor engineering. Products should be designed to adapt to people, rather than people having to learn to adapt to products. I'm sick of change for the sake of change when there is no benefit to it.

[K447]

… Backwards from … boat, older PWC …

The steering response on the Yamaha RiDE system is intuitive and quickly understood by new riders. Steering left cause the bow to move left, always. Forward, neutral or reverse.

It is the boat and older PWC that have the awkward steering response. With these, one must rapidly change the steering input every time the thrust is changed from forward to reverse, if one wants the bow to continue to swing to the left while maneuvering, say in a tight area near a dock. Watch someone working to bring their hull around while switching multiple times between forward and reverse and you will see the steering input also being slammed from one angle to the other.

I have not ridden a new model Kawasaki with the electronic reverse controlled from the right handlebar. When turning left at slow speed, does engaging reverse continue to swing the bow left in reverse?

[Ttrm007]

Here is my frustration. I have three skis. An OLD school 1996 zxi 900, a 2012 ultra 300x, and this new 2023 Ultra 310 ls-x. They all steer as I would expect (just like a car, motorcycle, 4 wheeler or any other motor vehicle. This new one is completely backward so going between them is messed up.

[Ttrm007]

I think I figured out why they do it. You can use reverse as a "brake" when moving forward at high speed. Turning to the left needs to steer as if it is forward.

[TimeBandit]

First ... to the OP, I copy that your reverse steering is working more like a boat than a typical ski. So, yeah, I "get" how that can be weird for a veteran ski rider, yet I'm not familiar with the 2023 Ultra model, so not going to be much help here. Your post does got me curious, if this is a "new" feature, to well ... adapt to humans (aka steve45's rant above) - but I digress. :P

Regarding the side-topic : the inverted reverse steerage phenomena of nearly all skis ... yes, it certainly takes a new rider some getting used too. Humans that we are, we adapt quickly. And unlike a big boat, "if" you do mistakenly turn wrong, the agility of a small ski typically permits immediate correction - no harm no foul (in most situations).

I've grown to love a HUGE benefit with a-typical ski-type reverse behavior --> alignment-ease during trailer docking approaches !! True-story:
I typically launch and retrieve by myself. On a retrieve, I back the trailer into the water and secure the truck with brakes on the (dry) ramp, while I jump-out out the truck and get back on the ski. Approaching on the ski, with trailer in-sight, I ride forward while aiming the ski between the trailer's PVC risers tubes sticking up. Everyone here can attest that "idle" approach can be still quite "fast", AND I'd rather not contact my trailer's bunks at that speed !! Therefore, as I get within 10ft of the trailer, I begin to hit the ski's "brakes" a few times (aka engaging the reverse bucket in varying degrees). Now here's the COOL thing about inverted steerage ... because the ski's handle bar direction consistently controls the bow direction regardless of forward or reverse thrust amounts applied, I need-only to focus on keeping the bow pointed center of the bunks as I focus on shaving-off that last 2 seconds of forward momentum. Bingo - smooooth touch-down ! Then I gas a little forward again to plant the ski on the bunks so I can jump out and secure the bow hook. I have to say, the entire maneuver looks "pro" at the ramp - and ya know folks are watchin' !
In other words ... "if" the ski's reverse was more like a typical boat, each time I engaged bits of reverse thrust, I'd also in tandem have to time invert steerage if I happen to have any last-minute steerage-input at that time.

[K447]

… the COOL thing about inverted steerage ... because the ski's handle bar direction consistently controls the bow direction regardless of forward or reverse thrust amounts applied, I need-only to focus on ...

It is my perspective that the consistency of steering input versus the hull yaw rotation is not inverted, it is the intuitive and ‘best’ response model for PWC steering. This is the desirable and correct way for controlling a watercraft. Left steering input swings the bow left, always.

It is the classic motorboat (steerable outboard motor) steering (when in reverse) that is weird. Boaters learn how to work around the problem with rapid offsetting steering inputs, but we have all seen or experienced boating moments where the boat operator gets out of sync between steering input, reverse/forward engagement and throttle application. The boat goes ‘the wrong way’ at the wrong moment, perhaps running into something like a dock or another boat.

[steve45]

No. When it's backwards from virtually every other vehicle made in the last hundred years, it's confusing and STUPID!!!

[Mr. GP1800]

No. When it's backwards from virtually every other vehicle made in the last hundred years, it's confusing and STUPID!!!

I tend to agree with this. But, with a PWC using the reverse as a brake and other functions it works much better than if it were like any other vehicle. You just have to learn to use it. It’s not difficult. I thought it was dumb at first, but after years of using it on a PWC it makes sense and makes the machine much more maneuverable than if the reverse steering worked like a car or outboard driven boat.

[K447]

… virtually every other vehicle …

Leaving wheeled land vehicles aside, since unlike land vehicles watercraft can rotate in their own length and drift in any direction. PWC always have drive thrust engaged, even in neutral there is thrust available to steer and yaw the hull.

There are other non-wheeled vehicles that exhibit similar directional control response as Yamaha RiDE equipped PWC.
Helicopters, drones, perhaps some hovercraft?

On the water, joystick boat control systems and marine bow thrusters can provide consistent helm directional response whether moving forward or reverse.

[steve45]

Well, I'm glad YOU like it. I don't.

[Ttrm007]

Well, I hate it. I have a Yamaha jet boat, two other Kawasaki jet skis, 7 mopeds, and 5 cars. Every time i get on this ski it is backwards from everything else ever made. I can't get used to it because I don't just ride this.