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Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Wichita, KS
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Kids Go-Karts - Suggestions?
My 5 year old son has had one of these since he was three:
 Now he's asking for a Go-Kart for Christmas. I'd prefer something electric so he can start it easily and doesn't alert the neighbors when he tears through their yard.  I'm leaning towards the Razor Dune Buggy, as our Dirt Quad has held up remarkably well considering the abuse it's taken. Dune Buggy here: http://www.razor.com/products/dune-buggy.phpAny other cool suggestions? I'd prefer to spend about $300-ish.
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‘07 Mazda RX8-8 Past: 911T, 911SC, Carrera, 951s, 955, 996s, 987s, 986s, 997s, BMW 5x, C36, C63, XJR, S8, Maserati Coupe, GT500, etc |
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10-26-2009, 09:43 AM
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Feelin' Solexy
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: WA
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One thing that "old school" go karts have going for them is that there is usually a steel plate onto which is mounted a horizontal shaft engine. This makes it really easy to get a kart with a 2-3hp engine and replace it with a larger one later on when your kid is a bit bigger.
I'm not sure what to suggest for a 5 year old, but if your son was a couple of years older I would be recommending a two-seater with a roll bar. Two-seater because then if your son has a friend over they can ride together rather than waiting turns, and roll bar because they WILL manage to roll it. Ask me how I know 
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Grant In the stable: 1938 Buick Special model 41, 1963 Solex 2200, 1973 Vespa Primavera 125, 1974 Vespa Rally 200, 1986 VW Vanagon Syncro Westfalia, 1989 VW Doka Tristar, 2011 Pursuit 315 OS, 2022 Tesla Y Gone but not forgotten: 1973 VW Beetle, 1989 Porsche 944, 2008 R56 Mini Cooper S |
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10-26-2009, 10:08 AM
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Did you get the memo?
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I would consider a gas one, but I'm concerned about the ease of starting. His electric 4Wheeler only has a switch to flip. The two person idea is good though.
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10-26-2009, 10:33 AM
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Danger! Transition his interest to another sport while you can still save yourself... The sport goes from early fun and games to hideously expensive outrageous fun and games later. My neighbor started his young son just like you are doing. 4 years later they have a Ford F-250 with huge toy hauler trailer, 3 race carts (one shifter cart for him), a couple pit bikes, stands, driving suits, tools, gear, etc... He is in the garage EVERY night and all weekend wrenching on the karts. It's like legalized crack...
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10-26-2009, 10:33 AM
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Did you get the memo?
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Quote:
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10-26-2009, 10:34 AM
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Cogito Ergo Sum
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Matt we have a gas powered Sears kart that you could buy... Might be a little big for him.... I got it when I was about 9. We'd let go of it for 3 and it needs about 100 worth of parts...
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10-26-2009, 12:55 PM
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I can't hurt him:
 I was in a 10HP briggs kart by the time I was about 8 or 9.
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10-26-2009, 01:06 PM
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Cogito Ergo Sum
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Stop it Mike... I want a shifter kart bad... Real bad...
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10-26-2009, 01:10 PM
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Meets the ease of starting--electric and transmission--cvt.
May as well have something to grow with. Plus Dad can enjoy it too. $300 a month should cover it .
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madmmac AKA Mitch 1984 Factory Turbo Look 2006 4Runner 1998 TRD Supercharged 4Runner (Sleeper) |
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10-26-2009, 02:36 PM
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MAGA
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 10,769
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Start him out right on a dirt bike. I don't know a single person who grew up on a dirt bike that can't hop on/in any motorized vehicle and go relatively fast right off the bat. I cannot say the same about some people I know who grew up riding a yard cart or utility ATV.
I am not saying I do not like carts, as I do. I built a 250cc shifter cart as a teen and later raced briggs powered carts, but mastering a dirt bike at a young age almost guarantees that you're kid will be able to do well in any motorsport he might choose later in life.
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German autos: '79 911 SC, '87 951, '03 330i, '08 Cayenne, '13 Cayenne 0% Liberal Men do not quit playing because they get old.... They get old because they quit playing. |
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10-26-2009, 03:53 PM
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10-26-2009, 05:47 PM
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Quote:
72 HP and 17" of suspension travel in an 800 pound single seater! I think it took me 15 minutes to have it on its lid but it took some serious effort to roll.
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10-26-2009, 05:51 PM
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Did you get the memo?
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Quote:
Quote:
After watching a video of the Razor kart, it looks pretty lame. I need to find something else.
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‘07 Mazda RX8-8 Past: 911T, 911SC, Carrera, 951s, 955, 996s, 987s, 986s, 997s, BMW 5x, C36, C63, XJR, S8, Maserati Coupe, GT500, etc |
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10-26-2009, 06:15 PM
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Cogito Ergo Sum
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I guess you probably don't have much offroad space do you? This one has knobby turf tires and kicks arse on terraces and stuff.
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10-26-2009, 06:18 PM
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Just our yard, and our neighborhood common areas.
. In-laws have 40 acres though, so that helps.
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10-27-2009, 05:18 AM
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Location: Magnolia State
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I think he would out grow the razor cart in a hurry. Even a gas "yard kart" is gonna require some space for him to enjoy. A gas race kart is totally unsuitable for off road/yard stuff due to low ground clearance....you will have to find a track or vacant parking lot let him enjoy it. Wish I had known as I bought my nephew a used "Kid" kart a few years ago when he was 5. Disc brakes, 50cc Comer engine, slicks...a real race kart. He rode it twice and lost interest because my brother didn't take him to any asphalt and then his custodial mother move 300 miles away. New they go for about $1500-2K...I bought it slightly used for $1000 and sold it last year for $750 to a guy who started his kid in kart racing. They are perfect for 5-7 year olds. BUT they require taking the kids somewhere to truly enjoy it....not suitable for putting around yard. A used 50cc dirt bike like Tim suggests might be just the ticket for your parents/in laws place.
My brother now has a 5 y.o. dtr and bought her a 2 seater gas yard kart/dune buggy and she loves it....but they live on 120 acres. Her's the kart style I'm talking about...this one is a similar one of the one I had...good price: http://gokartsusa.com/topkarttonymargaycrg.aspx
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Jim 1987 Carrera 2002 BMW 525ti 1997 Buell Cyclone cafe project 1998 Buell S1W: "Angriest motorcycle I've ever ridden." Last edited by Dueller; 10-27-2009 at 06:17 AM.. |
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10-27-2009, 06:07 AM
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My son started with pedal powered stuff and used to ride it through the autocross courses while we did early morning course walks.
Then graduated to the exact Razor ATV in the Original post. Now he has a Briggs Raptor powered racing Kart. about a grand gets you in the door. he comes to all the events that run my car in. He is becoming quite good and is off the restrictor plates and throttle stops. As it is geared it tops out about 50 MPH. 
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10-27-2009, 07:02 AM
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Joe...does your son ever run the road course up here in Clinton, Mississippi?
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Jim 1987 Carrera 2002 BMW 525ti 1997 Buell Cyclone cafe project 1998 Buell S1W: "Angriest motorcycle I've ever ridden." |
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10-27-2009, 07:13 AM
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Did you get the memo?
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Joe, so he runs it at your autoX events? That's some great quality time!
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10-27-2009, 07:19 AM
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Cogito Ergo Sum
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Ya Matt the kart will get boring fast in town... How far away is that 40?
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10-27-2009, 07:20 AM
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Carrera
2003 996
04 Jeep
1986 Porsche 944 2.5l
74 Porsche 914 2.0L 
