Thoughts on Buying a Go Kart
August 14, 2009 by Robert · Leave a Comment
Go karting can be a very entertaining and fun family activity, and the kids do not need a drivers license. How can you get started, what does it cost and what else do you need to know? Here are a number of considerations to keep in mind.
If you want to buy a go kart, then a great way to start the process is to go to a kart track. For a fee, you can drive 2 or 4 cycle go karts for a taste of what type of kart best fits your needs.It is a good idea to do some research on go karts before you make the investment, in order to be fully informed about what is available. This is an ideal strategy to get a feel for go karting. Here are a few points to consider when contemplating purchasing a kart.
Take your time and decide how much you are willing to spend on a used kart. You can expect to spend $800 to $1500 or more for what is called a rolling chassis. A rolling chassis includes the chassis, rims, axle, a gas tank and various other go kart parts.
A new chassis can cost from $1500 to $2500 or more depending on the brand and year. An engine can be bought from a local supplier and will vary in price depending on your preferences, but generally they are anywhere from $750 to $2000 or more.
Engines used in gokarts are typically either 2-stroke or 4-stroke. The 2-stroke engine is usually more specialized and is made by companies like Honda or Briggs and Stratton. The 4-stroke engine is usually the standard type used in lawn mowers. The 2-stroke is typically more powerful than the 4-stroke and can be up to 30 horsepower or more
Gokarts can be a stepping stone for drivers who want to work their way up to professional Formula One or Indy Car racing. It's a less expensive way to get involved with racing. Of course, go karts are not just for those who aspire to become professional drivers. Mostly go karts are raced by people who want to have a little fun.
Let's talk about a couple types of racing karts; namely the Sprint and Enduro. Sprint karting uses a shorter track and the technology used is less sophisticated. Gokarts are downgraded slightly for this type of racing. The circuit is usually 3/4th mile and the racing format is a series of short laps in duration races, normally for just a few laps that qualify for a final, with a number of point scoring calculations to determine the overall winner.
It is usually three qualifying heats and a final race for trophy positions. Each race typically does not exceed 15 minutes. The key to success in sprint racing is successful passing skills.
Hopefully, this has given you some helpful hints to consider before purchasing a go kart. Remember, consider the age and size of the primary driver. Also think about where the kart will be driven and what safety features are available. After purchasing just the right kart, you will be on your way to providing hours of fun for your family and friends!
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Review Kids Go Kart 110cc Sahara Style – 2 Seater
July 1, 2009 by Robert · Leave a Comment
Your kids can really hit the ground running, off road, with this 2 seater kids Go Kart. It's got a 110cc engine with plenty of power, and roll cage protection. Of course, all safety precautions should be observed when it comes to your kids, including helmets and protective clothing. This is a wonderful outdoor activity that your entire family can enjoy.
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Suzuki ATVs Are Standouts, Quadsport, Ozark, Quadracer
May 28, 2009 by Robert · Leave a Comment
Suzuki has been a leader in the ATV industry for over 20 years now and their lineup now consists of over 25 models. The earlier versions of their children's ATV's, the LT50 and LT80 provided many children with their first introduction to ATV's before the models were updated to become the Quadsport Z50 and Quadsport Z90.
For the crowd that needs speed, the QuadRacer R450 brings everything that's needed to hit the race track without needing modification. For riders 16 and over, this ATV comes with a 5 speed transmission and plenty of performance features. For those that want a little speed, but are more leisure oriented riders, the QuadSport series is best. With a great mix of performance, comfort, handling and utility, they are a great all-around ATV.
If you see a Suzuki in your future off road adventures look no further to find Suzuki ATVs for sale.
When it comes to work, Suzuki ATV's really shine. The Ozark 250 gives you the ability to do some light work, but the KingQuad series really knows what it means to work. Starting with the smallest KingQuad, a 400cc model with numerous options, all the way up to the mammoth KingQuad 750AXi complete with power steering. The King Quad's have been working hard on farms and constructions sites now for many years and have proven themselves over and over.
Tags: all terrain vehicles, atv off road, ATVs, Suzuki ATVs, Suzuki Quadsport ATVRelated posts
Polaris ATVs for High Performance, Outlaw, Predator, Ranger, Sportsman
May 25, 2009 by Robert · Leave a Comment
Polaris has come a long way since their snowmobile beginnings in the 1950's. Based out of Minnesota, they have branched into motorcycles and ATVs. When they first entered the ATV market they soon gained attention with the fully automatic transmissions.
While not everyone that wanted an ATV needed an automatic transmission, it certainly made it easier for new riders to get acquainted with an ATV. Polaris currently has over 25 models of ATVs so it is easy to find exactly what you're looking for. Polaris currently has five different ATV categories – Youth, Sport, High Performance, Two-Up, and Sportsman.
If you're looking for an ATV for your child, Polaris has two of them to choose from. The Outlaw 50 and Outlaw 90 suit children just learning to ride and include safety features like a safety tether and daytime running lights and an easy to operate automatic transmission.
If you're shopping for a Polaris ATV, click here to find a comprehensive selection of Polaris ATVs for sale.
Polaris also makes a unique line of 2 seater ATV's known as the 2-Up series. With a number of models and sizes to choose from, they offer you and your passenger a comfortable ride, even on the roughest terrain. Going downhill, you will enjoy the Active Descent Control which adjusts your speed accordingly.
Tags: all terrain vehicle, ATVs, polaris all terrain vehicles, polaris atvs, polaris outlaw, polaris predator, polaris scramblerRelated posts
Go-karting, a Growing and Popular Hobby for Kids and Adults
May 22, 2009 by Robert · Leave a Comment
| Sahara Go Kart 90cc - 2 Seater |
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| Retail Price: Varies based on product options |
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For those that love racing, GoKart racing has become a popular hobby and even a viable sport, with small GoKarts that can race down a track at a frightening speed. Other GoKarts are made to handle rough terrain and come equipped with ATV tires. Some may say that a GoKart is similar to an ATV, so why not purchase an ATV. Some of the benefits of a GoKart include some sort of Rollcage or Roll Bar, they are easy to drive, much like a regular automobile and quite comfortable.
If you're thinking of buying a gokart, you can click this link to begin to Shop for GoKarts.
Some GoKarts even have seating for 2 people, which make them a fun vehicle to enjoy with family and friends. A few large companies have begun to mass produce GoKarts and they're offered in both 2 stroke and 4 stroke models. IN terms of cost, they can start at less than $1000 and go up from there, based on power and options. It really doesn't matter if the GoKart is for a child or an adult; They're just fun to drive!
Tags: electric kart, gas kart, go kart tracks, go karting cost, Go Karts, go-kart racing, go-kart sport, go-karting, kart drivers, kids go-karts, kids sportsRelated posts
Review and Rating of Razor Dune Buggy
May 21, 2009 by Robert · Leave a Comment
What kid wouldn't dream of zipping around in a dune buggy or go-kart. This has to be the ultimate toy. And, while dune buggies are a fun choice for any child, seeing your kid zip around at home, or off road, is a lot of fun for you as a parent, too. These great little vehicles are certainly a lot more exciting and family friendly than another afternoon spent caged indoors playing video games. One of the top choices for kids is the Razor Dune Buggy which is very favorably reviewed here. Read on for more information and ratings from purchasers.
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Kawasaki ATVs Offer Tremendous Variety, Brute Force, KFX, Prarie, Bayou
May 18, 2009 by Robert · Leave a Comment
Kawasaki is a well-known maker of motorcycles, utility vehicles and watercrafts. They also have a great line of ATV's. Whether you are looking for a sport model to race with or one for buzzing around the farm, Kawasaki has an ATV to meet your needs. Kawasaki currently has eleven models of Sport Utility ATV's and five Sport models.
The Sport Utility ATV's are available in three series – the Bayou, Prairie, or Brute Force. The Bayou is the smallest model known for its value with a 228cc engine, five speed transmission and 450 lbs towing capacity. If you're looking for something larger, the Brute Force 750 4x4i also comes in Camo, which is perfect for hunting. This award-winning model has a 749cc fuel-injected V-twin engine that's fully automatic, as well as four-wheel independent suspension.
If you're looking for an ATV, it would be very difficult to go wrong with a Kawasaki. Click here to Shop for Kawasaki ATVs.
Kawasaki's Sport ATV's come in the aggressive KFX series. The KFX 700 has an award-winning package: chassis made for racing with an 697cc four-stroke V-twin engine, automatic transmission. It has dual carbs for incredible torque which makes it easier to push the pedal to the metal without a lot of wheel spinning.
Whichever Kawasaki ATV you choose, you can be guaranteed, it will perform.
Tags: kawasaki bayou, kawasaki brute force, kawasaki kfx, kawasaki mule, kawsaki atvs, utility atvRelated posts
Introducing A Four-Wheeler to Your Teenager
April 11, 2009 by Robert · Leave a Comment
| ATA-250E Black/Red ATV |
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| Retail Price: $1,999.99 |
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It will be costly to buy high quality tires for that ATV especially if you take our advice and keep a second set on hand at all times. But considering what you are asking those tires to do, its worth it to invest in the best tires you can get so that when you are out there in the wilderness with your ATV, there is no question that those tires can take care of you.
The four-wheeler should also be built to operate at a much reduced power and challenge level. This means the child's ATV or even the teenagers version of the four-wheeler will not be so powerful that the youngster could lose control of the vehicle easily leading to a nasty accident. But the most important thing your child needs when he or she is learning to operate an ATV is teaching. Under no conditions should he or she take that ATV into unknown territory or difficult terrain. Driving around a vacant lot in the neighborhood is plenty. Then as you teach your child how to operate that machine, you can slowly increase the challenge as the common sense of how to drive a four-wheeler responsibly begins to become evident in the way your son or daughter drives their very own ATV.
Getting a four-wheeler for your teenager takes more than just putting out the chunk of cash it takes to buy it. When you put a big bow on that ATV to have it under the Christmas tree or to give to him or her for a birthday gift, there is a lot of preparation you must do for this moment and plenty of parenting work to be done before you cut that youngster loose with such a powerful machine.
Of course, everything about the ATV is built for this kind of demand. The shocks, the undercarriage, the brakes, the axils and every other component of that four-wheeler is designed to be able to handle any conceivable terrain without difficulty. You will think about that engineering when the ride gets rough as you take that ATV into some really rough and unsettled terrain. You want that four-wheeler to take that ground like an invading tank and those tires should be tough as tank treads to live up to that expectation.
Also, be aware of the fit of the four-wheeler to your youngster's size. To operate an ATV, the youth should be able to easily manage the steering and other controls and to access the readings that they need to drive their ATV responsibly. This may call for getting some measurements before you give the vehicle to your youth. But better to get them in on the surprise than to get them an ATV that is not comfortable for him or her to operate. This is both an ease of use issue and a safety issue.
Find More Information Here ATV Four-Wheeler Racing.
Tags: 4 wheeler, ATVs, four-wheelers, fun, kids, kids atv, Outdoor, racing, roller, tiresRelated posts
Importance of Go Kart Maintenance
March 4, 2009 by Robert · Leave a Comment
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Go Kart Maintenance - The All Important Up Keep, Pennies Today, Saves Dollars Tomorrow
When first buying a go kart, consideration for how often the go kart will be torn down and looked at, is usually not in the cards for most go karters. Because of this, many suffer broken down go karts that sit idle most of the year...
What To Look For...
The go kart should be torn down completely and examined for cracks and wearing parts. All joints should be examined for premature wear, and all high stress areas, like the steering knuckles and the seat areas should be examined for cracks and pealed paint.
To keep the go kart from rusting away, the paint job should be updated about once every two years. Usually the paint will chip off where rocks and brush hit the frame-work. Application of rust resistant paint is encouraged.
Obviously, change the oil at the end of every season. Use of a reputable engine oil is recommended. I personally use a treatment, that introduces a blend of soft metals into the engine. This particular treatment is amazing because of its ability to actually prevent wear. Piston rings and cylinder walls definitely benefit from this treatment. And what's even nicer is it does not hurt the environment (ie where as lead does)
Also, before storage, drain the gas tank, and the carburetor. To dry out the carb, you can either take it apart, or run it completely dry. The safest, is to pull off the carb bowl (if it has one) and let the gas dry out. If you do not do this, then you will end up with dried out crusty gasoline in your carb, that will not come off.
Sometimes we get overzealous with the power washer and over clean the go kart. It is very easy to drive all the good lubricants from the joints, especially in bearings and chain links. Be sure to soak the chain and grease the bearings after a power washing.
A good maintenance program will save you hundreds of dollars in the long run if you are consistent with it.
My rule of thumb is: Every 10 rides = a thorough going over
- Chain check
- Clutch check
- Bearing check
- Steering check
- Oil check
- Brake check
- Engine gasket
- Engine head bolt check
The Go Kart Guru is a Go Karting Design, Fabrication and Performance specialist.
His main aim is to help you to be able to make a home made Go Kart and make one that looks and sounds like a sports car for $200.
Visit http://www.GoKartGuru.com for more details and see how you can make your own homemade go cart.
And for those with Vertical Lawnmower Engines, there is a special section just for you! Don't throw away that vertical engine just yet!
Tags: go kart care, go kart frame, go kart maintenance, go kart repair, go kart tips, go karting cost, Go Karts, go-kartingRelated posts
Choosing the Right Go-Kart Frame
February 14, 2009 by Robert · Leave a Comment
Everyone wants the perfect chassis for their kart. Ideally, we'd all be able to get a light, durable frame that could be used without wearing down. Of course, that kind of material is pretty much impossible to fine. There are high end racers with frames like this, but they're outside most of our budgets. Here's a guide to finding the right frame within a more realistic budget.
The chassis for your go kart is probably the most important piece of the whole machine. Good construction is vital to maintaining a solid kart. Most frames are held together using torsion bars. Shorter bars produce a stiffer frame, and longer bars produce more flexibility. Since there's no suspension in a go kart, the flexibility of the frame is extremely important.
Older karts used a stiff frame that provided less flexibility. These tended to break down easily, especially on simpler carts. And a healthy frame is important - you can't just run a better engine to make up for a badly constructed or worn out chassis.
Some things that can contribute to the health, or lack of it, in your frame are tire traction and steering. Depending on how weight is transferred throughout the frame, it'll stay in better condition. Since the frame is responsible for how your vehicle moves, you'll need to find a sturdy but flexible model.
That's why a cheap frame is never a good buy. Weaker go karts can slide, drift, and even flip over in a tight turn. This is prevented by a proper frame, which keeps your cart from going out of control under speed. Of course, design is as important as material and construction - karts with narrow rear rails have less "side bite" and are more likely to drift and slide. Wider rails are around thirty inches wide, and give a stable foundation when you turn.
Remember that the correct frame choice for your kart will depend on part on the surface you're driving on. Dirt, concrete and asphalt all cause frames to behave differently. Frames for dirt tracks usually have a longer back rail and shorter front rail. That's because these tracks create a lot of stress on the rails.
A good frame should also be complemented with good tires. Choose high traction tires that allow for more even weight transfer and keep your frame from rattling apart. More traction equals better stability. Never use high traction tires with a stiff frame, however - that can lead to more wear. Stiffer frames are better used with smaller engines - if you have a more powerful cart, choose a flexible one.
Remember that even the best frame won't last a long time. Flexible frames should be replaced every year. You can get a little more out of a frame by periodically running a course backwards, too. Only do this when the course is empty, however. Doing this allows you to put stress on the opposite side of the cart that you usually do, help you retain flexibility.
Choosing the right frame for your go kart can make a big difference in the performance of the vehicle. Remember to couple that frame with the right tires and treat your kart well, and you'll have much better results.
Tags: chassis, dirt tracks, go kart frame, Go Karts
