Buying Friday morning Carbide or Helix

[peteeod]

I had the pleasure of getting to test drive both the Helix and Carbide at my local tracktor supply tonight. I am buying one for my 9 year old son for Christmas friday morning. I was equally impressed with both buggies and as I have read on here, true to form the helix was faster. For some reason I am drawn more to the Carbide, at 6'3"/240 lbs I felt comfortable in both and power was not an issue for either one. Obviously the smaller tires and a little less weight contributes to the Helix being faster. I left smiling curious if these machines can carry me how fast will they carry my 78 lbs 9 year old. So all that being said what do ya'll recommend??? We will spend most of our riding time at a local sand pit with little mounds and trails, mostly open sand. Thanks in advance for your input and my appologies for such a long post being my first.

[joshstep1]

Well, personally, I would go with the Carbide, mainly because I have one and I can legitimately say that I love it! but Helix owners seem to love theirs as much as I love mine. As for pulling power, I can only speak for the Carbide. When me and my dad (320 lb.s) want trail riding with it, un-modified, I was pretty impressed with it. It seamed to handle hills well. Speed wise, with only 80 lb.s in it, it will go pretty fast. Before my mods, I could hit around 44MPH or so on the gps, and I'm almost 140 lb.s. If your son is not that experienced with driving these, the speed may be too much for him. In that case, there are two things you could do. You could get the Carbide and get a speed limiter from ASW, which will limit his speed to about 20MPH, then he could grow into it. The second option is to just get a smaller kart, like a 125cc or below, but thats no fun if you plan on getting some drive time in. In the end, they are both great machines, and I don't think you would be disappointed with either purchase.

[peteeod]

Josh, thanks for the info. Speed is NOT a problem for my son as he has already had a pocket rocket street bike and a 150 ATV. We are just adding to the collection but it will be fun to ride with him.

[joshstep1]

In that case, I would go Carbide, not only does it look awesome, but...ummm, it is awesome!!!

[24evanwilson]

what josh said lol

[BuggyMaster]

Either one would be fine but the fact is you get a lot more ammenities with the Carbide. The Helix will generally out perform the Carbide but those ammenities like the factory headlights, mudflaps, larger tires and such are kinda nice. However, if you are mostly going to be riding in dunes, I think the Helix would be a better choice with the longer wheelbase.

Both are great machines. Ultimately, go with your gut and your wallet. Your gut already says Carbide. If your wallet agrees, that would be the way I would go.

[24evanwilson]

im torn

[joshstep1]

Originally Posted by 24evanwilson

im torn

between what?

[24evanwilson]

carbide an helix

sniffle,sniffle

[joshstep1]

thats not worth crying over! its carbide all the way!

[24evanwilson]

idk about that! lol

[joshstep1]

Carbide, Carbide, Carbide

[24evanwilson]

oh no you did not just ...

[24evanwilson]

HELIX

HAHA

[peteeod]

Well, I was at the Tractor Supply when the doors opened this morning. Ended up getting the Carbide for my son's Christmas. Was able to get 10% off due to some scratches on the front left of the frame, manager said it was from the freight coming to the store. I noticed on the speedometer that the buggy has 2 miles on it, is there some kind of break-in on these AWS machines? Hope to get a day next week while my son is at school to go through the whole cart and check all the nuts and bolts, make any adjustments, get it cleaned up for Christmas day and take some pics. I have it hidden in a neighbors garage for now. Going to start shopping for performance mods next!

[bige]

most come with a few miles on them. all of the ones I have sold have more than that on them because I run them for awhile to make sure they are ok.

some simple mods will make a big difference in the way it pulls, axle sprocket and cvt mods are what I always suggest to start with

[joshstep1]

When I bought mine, it odometer read 0 miles; then again, I did buy it when it was still in the crate.

[roysheepdog]

thay told me to put oil in becouse thay couln not have it in side if it had oil or gas in it .got ready to put the oil in and it was full.?

[joshstep1]

Okay then.

[BuggyMaster]

Boy is he going to have fun! Sometimes they have a few miles on them. Not to worry.

Originally Posted by peteeod

Well, I was at the Tractor Supply when the doors opened this morning. Ended up getting the Carbide for my son's Christmas. Was able to get 10% off due to some scratches on the front left of the frame, manager said it was from the freight coming to the store. I noticed on the speedometer that the buggy has 2 miles on it, is there some kind of break-in on these AWS machines? Hope to get a day next week while my son is at school to go through the whole cart and check all the nuts and bolts, make any adjustments, get it cleaned up for Christmas day and take some pics. I have it hidden in a neighbors garage for now. Going to start shopping for performance mods next!

[BPNWMike]

There is a break-in period.

You should take it easy for the first few hours of use - varying your speeds but don't put it under significant load or long periods at full throttle.

You're trying to get the piston/rings and cylinder worn in properly. Messing this up early on will only lead to early failure so make sure you baby it. I know first-hand how hard this is to do, but your buggy and wallet will thank you for it later!

After the break-in, change the oil and the gearbox oil as you're going to have some metal shavings acquired during this phase.

For performance mods, the CVT and electrical stuff should be OK to upgrade right away. You may want to hold off on air intake and exhaust until after the break in time. No sense in putting more stress on that at the start.

[24evanwilson]

the people at the old tsc we went to and tried to get a helix from was a horrible place (ive already anwered) look itup

they would ride them and roll them practically!

[peteeod]

My son went over to a friends house this afternoon so I took advantage of that time and got his new Carbide out of the neighbors garage. Took a good 2 hours and went over ever nut and bolt on the buggy, tightened the headlight mounts, checked wheel lugs and zip tied up some wires. I noticed the engine stop button on the dash wasn't working so i got out the manual and fixed that up. (Wires were connected wrong). Yes, you might have guessed it, I couldn't resist seeing what this thing had to offer. I climbed my 6'3"/240 self in the Carbide and fired it up. Took a quick run around the neighborhood keeping in mind the break-in time. Ran it up to about 30 mph on the speedo, turned left and came down a slight hill and floored it. Speedo said 42 mph when i let up, i was even able to get it to break free sideways turning into the driveway. So far this machine seems great and I am looking forward to seeing lil'man enjoy it. I think i am going to go ahead and get some mods and have them waiting for after he gets it. Perhaps the Uni filter and rejet to start.

[BuggyMaster]

Believe it or not, these buggies will get faster as you put a few miles on it. We hit 48mph (indicated) on ours once it was broke in.

Wise choice to go over it.

[joshstep1]

Gees o freakin pete, thats fast

[bige]

sounds like dad is having fun to. a uni and rejet will be a good choice.

[24evanwilson]

wooooohhooooo!

[peteeod]

bige, yeah I had to make sure the Carbide was safe for lil'man....... Can't wait to see how it performs with just him in it. So you are in *********?? I lived there for 4 years when I was stationed at Ft. Gillem. I lived off the same exit where OB's BBQ is at. Do you carry the same performance parts as Buggy Parts NW?

[bige]

yes I carry all the performance parts, if they are not on my websight I have them or can get them. we are off of mt carmel rd, just off jonesboro rd. I lived off that same exit for about 20 years