Yamaha Exciter Shifter Kart - info please?

MotoSook · 10-22-2010, 07:47 PM

What do you guys know about these. I can't find much info online. It's an older kart now without a class to run in, but if it's cheap, it would make a fun track day toy. We have a kart track 30 minutes away that holds open track times.

I know has a "250 Exciter" motorcycle drivetrain. The chasis on this one looks great and clean as heck. Brakes are disk front and rear. Hydraulic brakes with bias adjustable master.

It doesn't look very complicated and it's got a lot of machined aluminum parts. I couldn't build such a kart for less then what I can get this one for.

It comes with an extra set if wheels , extra side pods and frame. Has a timer/transponder. Engine is pristine.

What y'all know?

Jim Bremner · 10-22-2010, 08:30 PM

chassis make? any more details? If now chassis brand what color is it? Pics please

MOST shifters are 80cc or 125. If it's a 250 it could be a "super" kart and they run them on ROAD courses like Sears Point.

MotoSook · 10-22-2010, 08:37 PM

Here's what I've been able to find:

Other TaG Karts

This is the Exciter by Mayko. The machine is designed specifically for adult karting enthusiasts. It has 3" wider frame rail spacing and 1 1/2" longer wheelbase to accommodate full-size drivers. It is powered by a Yamaha 225cc SOHC air cooled, electric start 4-stroke that makes roughly 25hp, has a 6-speed gearbox, and includes front brakes. At a package price of under $6,200, this is an interesting machine. Maintenance is essentially nill, with 300+ hours to major rebuilding. Unlike 99% of the kart engines on the market today, the Yamaha motor pulls like a draft horse off corners. The chassis is well matched to the motor, and feels stable and smooth. Unlike the zingy little 2-strokes, this monster produces a serious, but manageable wallop that is fun to drive. Downside: No real class to run it in - yet. Single cylinder engines are also pretty thumpy, and the chassis is not well suited for other class applications.

TURBOKART

It appears to be a TaG Spec class that never took off....just wondering if anyone here has seen these.

Jim Bremner · 10-22-2010, 08:48 PM

Might be FUN

I raced Rotax 125 for a handfull of years and my favorite engine that I ever drove was YouTube - Stretton 2000 onboard - Biland SA250 and it's only a single speed.

How much do they want for the kart?

MotoSook · 10-23-2010, 07:17 PM

Picked it up today...hooboy! The thing is fast. I just did a couple laps up and down the street. Got to get the shifting down...can't wait to really play with it.

I also called Franklins in Wisconsin, the folks who built them. Turns our it's a "kart built before its time" so the class never took off. Some of the NASCAR car teams bought them and still use them to help there guys stay sharp as it's capable of similar G forces as their cars. So their is still some support for them. They thought it might even be able to run in some classes if I replace the engine with a 125cc engine. They said to check the chassis spec with the kart organizations. Regardless, it'll be a great toy and training kart.

Since it is fairly maintenance free it'll be nice to have. If I restrict it, the kids can yet some use out of it too.

Jim Bremner · 10-23-2010, 08:32 PM

wait till you get a fresh set of tires on it!

Karts do not belong on the street. you will not be able to get heat into the tires to make them handle right. PLEASE be carefull they will always be too lose on the street.

Schumi · 10-23-2010, 08:43 PM

a 4 stroke kart is such a different animal than the 2 stroke- completely different driving styles must be used to suit the powerband differences.

I used to run an Italkart with a Yamaha 125 dirtbike 2 stroke.. stupid, stupid fast. Zero to 100 mph in less than 5 seconds? Yes, please.

I remember my first drive in a shifter .. after I got out I was kinda sad and a friend asked why and I stated: "Because now I know... short of an F3000 or F1, that's the fastest I'll go."

MotoSook · 10-23-2010, 08:45 PM

Oh I don't intend to use it on the street, but I just wanted to make sure it worked well. The PO ran it for me when I checked it out earlier in the week. He's a car guy and racer so I trusted he was not hiding anything, so I didn't drive it before we brought it home. So of course I had to make sure it was as promised.

It is a very trick kart so I think I got my money's worth. Can't wait to get it on the track!

Tim Hancock · 10-24-2010, 07:56 AM

Back in the late 80's myself and two friends all built ourselves 250cc 2-stroke shifter carts. I used my old aircooled late 70' KX250 engine on a piece of shiit cart frame (I was a broke college student at the time). One friend used a late 70's CR250 engine and the other guy used a his 2 yr old liquid cooled Cagiva 250 engine on a fairly new cart "racing" frame. All three were WICKED fast. At the time, there were no shifter cart racing classes around and the carts would not have been legal anyways. They were cobbed up pieces of shiit, but we had a blast with them at a local cart track and in some big parking lots.