This section provides an overview for water bikes as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 6 water bike manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked water bike companies as of November, 2024: 1.Aqua Creek Products, 2.Weihai Oner Outdoors Co., Ltd., 3.Schiller.
Table of Contents
A Water Bike, also known as a Jet Ski, is one of the special small watercraft in Japan.
In English-speaking regions, it falls under the category of pleasure boats. The formal term in Japan is "water motorcycle." Jet Ski is a registered trademark of Kawasaki, and Marine Jet is a registered trademark of Yamaha. In the United States, it is also referred to as Personal Watercraft (PWC).
While many people may think that Kawasaki's Jet Ski was the first water bike, the Bombardier Sea-Doo, a single-seater sitting-type watercraft released by Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) in 1968, is considered the first water bike.
Water bikes have diverse applications in leisure, sports, racing, and various other activities, taking advantage of their characteristics and functions.
Some specific use cases include:
While water bikes provide a convenient means of transportation, instances of enthusiasts disregarding etiquette and rules have been observed. This has led to reported cases of disrupting fishing grounds, collisions with beachgoers, and other accidents. Administrative measures include restricting navigation areas based on the Ship Officers and Small Ship Operators Act and regulations, enforcing laws against operating under the influence, and conducting safety training sessions to prevent accidents.
Water bikes operate by rotating the impeller inside a jet pump using an engine, drawing water from the jet intake located on the underside of the hull, and expelling it at high speed through the jet nozzle for forward propulsion. Water bikes use propulsive force to make turns, and simultaneous throttle and handlebar operations enable easy maneuvering.
The engines used in water bikes come in two types: 4-stroke and 2-stroke. 2-stroke engines, with a simpler structure that is lightweight and easy to maintain, were commonly adopted until around the early 2000s. However, due to environmental concerns related to burning oil and issues with noise, which make them subject to regulations, 4-stroke engines have become the mainstream.
Water bikes are mainly divided into three types:
A single-seater water bike operated in a standing position. It requires a bit of skill to maintain balance but offers a high degree of freedom in driving, making it suitable for those who enjoy a sense of speed.
A water bike that accommodates two to four people, allowing them to sit. Due to its large body, it is easy to balance and maneuver.
Designed for sports such as boat racing, this water bike is engineered for high speed. When used for regular purposes, it is recommended to choose either the standing or runabout type to avoid excessive speed.
To operate a water bike, one must obtain the "Special Small Ship Operator License." This license, required for driving water bikes, can be obtained by individuals aged 16 and above.
Even if someone holds the "First-Class Small Ship Operator License" or "Second-Class Small Ship Operator License," which are mandatory for operating watercraft, they cannot operate a Jet Ski without obtaining the specific license for it.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Aqua Creek Products |
25.0%
|
2 | Weihai Oner Outdoors Co., Ltd. |
25.0%
|
3 | Schiller |
25.0%
|
4 | xueming vehicle co.,ltd |
12.5%
|
5 | Yantai Heitro Amusement Equipment Co.,Ltd. |
12.5%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the water bike page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History