2002-2007 Honda Aquatrax F12X Review and Specs [Video] - jetdrift.com (2024)

2002-2007 Honda Aquatrax F12X Review and Specs [Video] - jetdrift.com (1)

The Honda Aquatrax F12X was the only production turbocharged jet ski in the marketplace. Honda manufactured this model from 2002 through 2007 along with its smaller brother, the naturally-aspirated Aquatrax F12.

If you want to find out more about this legendary turbocharged Honda jet ski, you’ve come to the right place.

We at JetDrift have compiled all you need to know into this Honda Aquatrax F12X review!

2002-2007 Honda Aquatrax F12X Review

Honda Aquatrax F12X Review

Honda officially entered the PWC market at the 2002 Miami International Boat Show with the introduction of its innovative Aquatrax family.

These machines were among the first 4-stroke jet skis made, and appeared at the same time as their rivals, the Sea-Doo GTX 4-TEC and Yamaha WaveRunner FX140.The lineup included two models, the naturally-aspirated Aquatrax F12 and the more powerful, supercharged F12X.

This high-performance model was powered by a turbocharged, 1235cc, DOHC, inline 4-cylinder engine producing 163 HP at 6,100 RPM.

This purpose-built, turbocharged Honda jet ski engine housed a lot of innovative features including a dry-sump lubrication system, electronic fuel injection, electric start, open-circuit cooling system, and a water-cooled cast aluminum exhaust manifold.

Engine power was delivered to an axial-flow, single-stage Solas jet pump, featuring a three-blade impeller with polished leading edges.

Thanks to its advanced engine and propulsion system, the top speed of the Aquatrax F12X was 66 mph on the speedo. This ensured smooth soft rides that reached planing speed very quickly.

The fuel consumption of the ski was 14 GPH at full throttle, which ensured a playtime of 1.2 hours.

This fuel-efficient machine complied with the 2004 California Air Resources Board as well as the 2006 Environmental Protection Agency emissions standards.

The engine of the F12X was plated in the all-new fiberglass-reinforced plastic Aquatrax hull, measuring 126 inches in length, 49 inches in width, and 41.7 inches in height.

The dry weight of the ski was 791 pounds while its maximum weight capacity was 524 pounds.

It featured a two-piece seat rated at three riders, a 16.64-gallon fuel tank, and an overall storage capacity of 25.6 gallons.

Storage spaces included a removable front storage bin, a glovebox, and a tool kit/fire extinguisher compartment under the rear seat.

Although the F12X was marketed as a solid and stable ski, it became really tippy at idle speed and rolled over relatively easily.

What’s more, although it offered more engine power than competitor skis, its turbocharged engine suffered a variety of malfunctions.

Due to these issues, Honda jet skis never become as popular as the rival skis. Eventually, the Japanese manufacturer ceased its entire jet ski line after the 2009 season.

Today, it’s hard to find parts for these outdated machines or even a service shop that is willing to work on them.

This means that buying them is not the best idea.

If you are looking for a used ski, you should take a look at Yamaha WaveRunners or Sea-Doos instead!

Honda Aquatrax F12X Features

The standard features of the Honda Aquatrax F12X were as follows:

  • Digital multifunction display
  • Electronically controlled off-throttle steering (OTS) system
  • Crankcase breather system
  • Adjustable trim
  • Storage capacity: 25.6 gallons
  • Glove box
  • Under-seat storage case
  • 2-piece seat with seat strap
  • Tool kit
  • Safety lanyard
  • 6-gallon fuel tank
  • Mechanical reverse
  • Riding modes
  • Rear grab handle
  • Reboarding step
  • Mooring cleats
  • Dual mirrors
  • Tow hook
  • Sponsons
  • Deck mat

These skis were equipped with an innovative digial instumentation, of which the key features were as follows:

  • Tachometer
  • Speedometer
  • LIMIT MODE indicator
  • WARNING lamp
  • Low oil pressure indicator
  • PGM-FI malfunction indicator lamp (MIL)
  • Low battery voltage indicator
  • Engine cooling water temperature indicator
  • Fuel gauge
  • Low fuel indicator
  • Multi-function meter
  • Clock

The F12X was available in a more featured configuration, labeled as the Aquatrax F12X GPScape. As the name suggests, this model came standard with a factory-installed GPS navigation system.

Honda Aquatrax F12X Specs Chart

For your convenience, we’ve compiled the key specs of the Honda Aquatrax F12X into these charts:

Honda Aquatrax F12X Dimensions and Weight

Honda Aquatrax F12XDimensions and Weight (ARX1200T3)
Overall length126.0 in (3,200 mm)
Overall width49.0 in (1,245 mm)
Overall height41.7 in (1,060 mm)
Dry weight791 lbs (359 kg)
Hull materialfiberglass reinforced plastic

Honda Aquatrax F12X Fuel and Lubricants

Honda Aquatrax F12XFuel and Lubricants (ARX1200T3)
Fuel recommendationunleaded premium gasoline, pump octane number of 91 or higher
Fuel tank capacity16.64 US gal (63.0 L)
Engine oil capacity(ARX1200T3)
after disassembly5.6 US qt (5.3 L)
after draining4.4 US qt (4.2 L)
after draining & oil filter change4.5 US qt (4.3 L)
Engine oil recommendationAPI Service Classification SG or higher except oils labeled as energy conserving on the API service label. SAE 10W-40, JASO 4T Standard MA or MB. Pro Honda GN4, HP4 or HP4M 4-stroke oil or an equivalent motorcycle oil.
LubricantWater-displacement corrosion-proof lubricant (without Teflon or molybdenum additives, such as CRC 6-56 or equivalent)
Cooling systemWater-cooled, open circuit, direct flow from propulsion system
Torque oil filter20 lbf·ft (26 N·m, 2.7 kgf·m)

Honda Aquatrax F12X Capacities

Honda Aquatrax F12XCapacities (ARX1200T3)
Passenger capacityoperator, two passengers
Maximum weight capacity524 lbs (238 kg) - rider, passengers, all cargo
Cargo capacityfront storage compartment: 22 lbs (10 kg), glove box : 6.6 lbs (3.0 kg)

Honda Aquatrax F12X Engine

Honda Aquatrax F12XEngine (ARX1200T3)
Engine typefour-stroke
Displacement75.3 cu-in (1,235 cm3)
Bore & stroke3.11 x 2.48 in (79.0 x 63.0 mm)
Spark plugIMR9D-9H
Valve clearance (cold)- intake0.006 in (0.16 mm)
exhaust0.01 in (0.26 mm)
Spark plug gap0.031 – 0.035 in (0.80 – 0.90 mm) no adjustment
Idle speed1,200 +/- 100 rpm

Honda Aquatrax F12X Performance

Honda Aquatrax F12XPerformance (ARX1200T3)
Maximum output121.4 kW (162.8 HP)/ 6,100 rpm
Fuel consumption14.0 US gal/hour (53 L /hour, at 6,100 rpm)
Cruising range1.2 hours (at full throttle)

Honda Aquatrax F12X Propulsion System

Honda Aquatrax F12XPropulsion System (ARX1200T3)
Jet pump typeAxial flow, single stage
Minimum level for jet pump operation3 feet (90 cm)
Impeller3-blade stainless steel

Honda Aquatrax F12X Electrical Features

Honda Aquatrax F12XElectrical Features (ARX1200T3)
Battery12 V-18 AH
Generator0.31 kW/5,000 rpm
Fuses - main30 A
Fuses - other fuses5 A, 7.5 A

These charts are for informational purposes only! For exact specifications, please refer to the factory manual.

Takeaways

As a takeaway, we’ve answered the most common questions about the Honda Aquatrax F12X!

What is a Honda Aquatrax F12X?

The Aquatrax F12X was a 4-stroke, 3-seater, sit-down jet ski manufactured by Honda.

When did the Honda F12X Come Out?

The Honda Aquatrax F12X was introduced in 2002.

What Years Did Honda Make the Aquatrax F12X?

Honda marketed the Aquatrax F12X from 2002 through 2007.

What Size was a Honda Aquatrax F12X?

The Honda Aquatrax F12X measured 126 inches in length, 49 inches in width, and 41.7 inches in height.

How Much Did a Honda Aquatrax F12X Weigh?

The curb weight of the Honda Aquatrax F12X was 791 pounds.

What Size Storage Compartment Did the Aquatrax F12X Have?

The total storage capacity of the Aquatrax F12X was 25.6 gallons, split into a standard bow storage, a glovebox, and a storage case under the rear seat.

How Many People Could Ride on a Honda Aquatrax F12X?

The Honda Aquatrax F12X could carry 3 adult riders.

What Kind of Engine was in the Honda Aquatrax F12X?

The Honda Aquatrax F12X was powered by a 4-stroke, 1235cc, DOHC, fuel-injected, 4-cylinder Honda engine.

Was the Honda Aquatrax F12X Turbocharged?

Yes, the Honda Aquatrax F12X was powered by a turbocharged engine.

Was the Honda Aquatrax F12X a 4-stroke?

Yes, the Honda Aquatrax F12X was powered by a 4-stroke engine.

How Much Horsepower Did a Honda Aquatrax F12X Have?

The Honda Aquatrax F12X produced a remarkable 163 HP.

What Oil Did a Honda Aquatrax F12X Use?

According to the operator’s manual, the Honda Aquatrax F12X used SAE10W-40 engine oil (JASO 4T Standard MA or MB).

How Much Oil Did a Honda Aquatrax F12X Hold?

The oil capacity of the Honda Aquatrax F12X was 5.6 US quarts (5.3 L).

How Much Fuel Did a Honda Aquatrax F12X Hold?

The Honda Aquatrax F12X featured a 16.64-gallon fuel tank.

How Much Fuel Did a Honda Aquatrax F12X Use?

The fuel consumption of the Honda Aquatrax F12X was about 14 GPH at WOT.

What was the Fuel Range of the Honda Aquatrax F12X?

The fuel range of the Aquatrax F12X was about 80 miles at full throttle, which equals 1.2 hours of playtime.

How Fast Did a Honda Aquatrax F12X Go?

The top speed of a Honda Aquatrax F12X was about 66 mph under ideal conditions.

Did the Honda Aquatrax F12X Have a Reverse?

Yes, the Honda Aquatrax F12X came with a mechanical reverse.

Did the Honda Aquatrax F12X Have a Brake?

No, the Honda Aquatrax F12X was manufactured without a brake system.

Did the Honda Aquatrax F12X Have Speakers?

The Honda Aquatrax F12X was marketed without speakers.

Could the Honda Aquatrax F12X Tow a Skier or a Wakeboarder?

Yes, the Honda Aquatrax F12X could tow a wakeboarder or skier with ease.

Did the 2022 Honda Aquatrax F12X Have Electric Trim?

Yes, the Honda Aquatrax F12X was marketed with electric trim.

How Much Does a Honda Aquatrax F12X Cost?

The asking price of a used Honda Aquatrax F12X varies between $3,000 and $7,000 depending on the year and its condition.

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2002-2007 Honda Aquatrax F12X Review and Specs [Video] - jetdrift.com (2024)
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