Please help, first buggy. Kandi, Trailmaster, Hammerhead?

[dougandbeth]

Hi Everyone!

Boy do I need some help! I am in the market for our first buggy for our 8 year old and getting a 2nd one for our 5 year old. I think for the 5 year old we are set on a Hammerhead Torpedo but here is the question on the 8 year old. I am tossed between buying on the internet or from a local dealer. The internet is showing Trailermaster Mid XRX for $1,500, the Kandi mini spyder 100 for $1,137 and this is shipped and tax.

Now we have a local Hammerhead dealer that I can get a Hammerhead Mudhead for $1675 assembled, gased, etc.

I am ok buying from a dealer or the internet. Now the question is do I buy Hammerhead, Trailmaster or Kandi? Is anyone familiar with the models I laid out?

Should we be looking for another line in the $1200-$1500 price range?

[Johnny 5]

I would get the kandi kd 150. if you buy the small buggy your kids will out grow it.

[Miamieddie]

Yup don't get anything smaller than a 150. The 150cc is great for kids and adults. It can be worked up to run as hard as a stock 250 when the kids grow up. No doubt.

[bear]

I have to disagree here, the first buggy I bought my daughter was the Roketa gk17 110cc, with the 3speed semi auto trans with reverse, and we still have the buggy today and she is now almost 18 years old! she has a bigger buggy now too, but still gets a kick out of taking her first buggy out and kicking up some mud and dirt! I have done just a couple of simple mods to it over the years i.e. exhaust, timing, and gearing, but it is a little beast that is still capable of giving you a great time in alot of different conditions. and yes it can even haul my big "gorilla" butt around 6'3" 265#! it has been a great 3rd buggy to take along when we have had friends come along who have not experienced the joy of these little machines before! ok, ok, enough said! Amen lol

[ckau]

Regardless of which model you choose, buy from a local dealer. Though the internet price is attractive it comes with no support after the sale. After that crate is dumped in the driveway, that's it! Has anyone ever read about someone receiving a new drop shipped buggy with no missing or damaged items? Everything goes together and it's a happy ending to the story. That scenario is few and far between! We've heard plenty of reports of incomplete and damaged shipments, no satisfactory service and with some, total disregard after the sale. A dealer will take care of problems. Internet sales are luck of the draw and the odds are stacked against you.

[Johnny 5]

That is true, you get what you pay for.

[BuggyMaster]

If you don't mind putting the hammerhead together and you can save quite a bit on it, go for it. It has been our experience that these are good machines. We had a kandi 250 which was a great fast machine but in short order (like first day) the stator (charging coil) went out on it...no fun.

The trick with buying these china machines is in the fact that China metal just isn't up to par. Two parts from two different companies that are otherwise identical in appearance can be very different in quality. It is for this reason that I say go with the HammerHead. They have been doing it long enough to know who the "good" suppliers are in China. Doesn't promise you that you won't get a dud..but in my educated opinion, you have the best chance of not getting a dud.

We had a few of the 110cc semi automatic machines and I must say they are very fun but you have to teach the kid(s) how to shift them. Ours did not hold up as well as what bear stated but they sure were fun machine and pretty dang fast too!

[dougandbeth]

It looks like I am going to be going with the Hammerhead. Might place the order this week and looks like I will be buying two of these since the 8 and 5 year old won't both be able to drive the Mudhead. Looks like a Mudhead and a Torpedo. Almost $3000 later!

[bear]

Well now that that is settled, time for ones for mom and dad!!! lol