Posted: 7/3/2002 10:59:03 AM EDT
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Looking to purchase a go kart for my 6yr old son, so have some questions to anyone familiar with go karts. 1.) Is it legal to drive it in the streets. Live in a residential area here in Los Angeles - quiet neighborhood so should be safe. 2.) Electric vs gas engines. Not very mechanically inclined so which one has lower maintenance needs. 3.) Any recommendations on brands or places to shop - not looking to spend more than 500 bucks Son currently has one of those electric ride on cars from Toys R Us but is no longer fun (going 2.5 to 5.0 mph just doesn't hack it anymore). Thanks for all your advice and suggestion in advance. |
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I don't know your neighborhood, but will still recommend strongly AGAINST letting him drive this around on the street, even if it IS (I doubt it) legal. These things are low to the ground and it really would put him at risk from drivers who don't see him and back up over him, pull out in his path, or don't seem him in front of their hood or whatever. I know in my SUV I couldn't see a damn Toyota that was parked right behind me. Good thing I went slow. I agree with the idea that if he's gonna drive something with a motor, it needs to be at a safe place. And locked up at other times. There's nothing wrong with a bike. |
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I have been riding karts since I was 5 and I can tell you they do NOT belong on any street. If you and your son are serious about Karting, get a basic gas powered beginner and head too the local track. Karting is alot of fun and your son will learn quick, most kids do. You can get a good kart for under $500 used, just make sure it will meet the safety requirements of your track and area. You said you were not mechanically inclined, but with a little know-how you could buy a rolling chassis and add an engine and add-ons it is not that difficult, you will save money and it can be a great father son project, you could learn together. |
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Drive a go-cart on the streets? You have to be nuts! [X] If you want to see real carts in action take a drive up the 14 freeway to Willow Springs International Raceway and go watch the 250 shifter cart races. On the big track these things get up to 160+mph. The 125's do about 130 or so. [img]http://www.trackmagic.com/images/racephotos/large%20photos/dsc_0027_lg.jpg[/img] |
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Quoted: Drive a go-cart on the streets? You have to be nuts! [X] If you want to see real carts in action take a drive up the 14 freeway to Willow Springs International Raceway and go watch the 250 shifter cart races. On the big track these things get up to 160+mph. The 125's do about 130 or so. [img]http://www.trackmagic.com/images/racephotos/large%20photos/dsc_0027_lg.jpg[/img] My 24 yr old younger brother has exactly this cart pictured... It's a yellow '99 Trackmajic 125cc... I ran it in the street for about 5 minutes... That sucker ran like a scalded cat... (It's for sale too) DEFINATELY would not recommend it for a 6yr old... My local Wal-Mart sells all terrain go-carts that look adequate for a 6yr old... Can't remember how much they were though... They looked like a "turn-key" toy... Just add fuel, and go.... |
| USNjoe, don't take this the wrong way. Awhile back I was interested in these and could not find out how fast they go. You say 160plus! Man that seems fast, like 20/30 mph under NASCAR. With no roll bar that I can see. Can you give me a site where they talk about how fast these are? |
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I have noticed that a weak point on some of the Yerf carts and their type rely on a belt drive system. These belts basically do the work they do by friction on their sides. These can wear out pretty quickly and aren't relatively inexpensive. Don't expect to run down to the local O'Reilly's/Autozone and pick one up. YMMV |
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i have a alcohol road kart, a margay pro with briggs 5 horse raptor built up for comprtition. 70mph approx. top end depending on gearing. due to expense, i can't afford to move into a shifter or lay-down kart. i've raced a little dirt oval, and is very much like nascar. notice the "horse collar" under the drivers' helmets. that is the only protection against a broken neck a pilot has. no belts, no cage or roll bar (except for cage-karts and full bodied karts). look in the seat of the no. 26 kart (red bicel) and you can see the horse collar neck/helmet pad. i'll try and post a few links to karting sites. [url]http://www.google.com/url?sa=U&start=8&q=http://www.worldkarting.com/&e=653[/url] |