Looking for my first kart

[pfcperry17]

I am 17 and want to get an off-road go kart. My dad said he might buy me one, depending on the price and condition. So I'm lookin' around and found a few that I'd like some opinions on.

I mainly want it since him and my brother both have Jeep's but I don't exactly like driving them since I can't see over the hood and I'm just not comfortable driving a stick shift. I can do a motorcycle just fine.

They like to go mudding, climb some hills, hit the mountain trails & all the typical white person stuff.... No offence, guys. I used to have a racing kart that had bigger tires and a bigger motor on it that I used to drive around and I loved it.

Here's the karts that I found on Craigslist. I am 6' 3" at 230lbs so I think we MAY need a bigger engine.....

Murray Go Kart - $400 Dunno Model

Off Road Go Kart - $500 Don't know the brand

[chuckorlando]

Those are both basicly yard carts with shocks. I would wait on a real buggy myself

[BuggyMaster]

believe it or not, you can actually find a buggy priced at that if you keep looking and catch the deal first in line. That first one is murray kilowatt. Not a bad machine. Can be a pain to find parts for.

The second one is an American Sportworks (manco at the time). This is what they were selling prior to the Helix.

In both of these cases, you'll find that they aren't the most comfortable thing to ride and the power is just ok. If you get into a buggy, they are a world apart in differences. The buggy actually rides fantastic and has plenty of power.

My vote is to keep looking.

Between the two of those go karts, I would go with the kiilowatt. The steering on the Manco is kinda funny.

[olderthan]

i would keep looking for a buggy at least a 150

[pfcperry17]

well we have a limit of $1,000 and I don't want a SUPER fast one. We have a Honda dirt bike engine and transmission that would could adapt to it. I want to drive it just on the trails we go on and maybe some mudding.

With the Honda engine on it, I'm sure it will keep up and have enough power to break traction in the mud. Any place I can find parts for either kart? I like the Sportworks better....it looks bigger and better.

[chuckorlando]

Brother I own a hammer head 250cc, Joyner 250cc, and a crossfire 150cc all of them for your budget or less. 1000 for the hh, 900 for the joyner, and 600 for the crossfire.

Keep looking. Search craigs list for go cart, go kart, and buggy

[EJ Mac]

There is a Baja reaction on your local craigslist for $500 I believe that needs a top end. I'd pop on that before one of those shake your teeth loose yard carts. Here is the link to it and there may be a pretty sauced up motor available for it as well. In any case I'd offer $350 and go from there. You can get a top end for a little over $100. http://modesto.craigslist.org/mcy/1928066908.html

[pfcperry17]

I didn't even see that one. Thanks! Where could I get the parts to fix it?

[olderthan]

tom syc would be a good start

[EJ Mac]

I should have said you can get a 155cc cylinder kit for a little over a $100, not a complete top end. Unless it dropped a valve or something the head should be fine.

[pfcperry17]

ok so if we get it and the parts, about how easy is it and how long would it take to repair the engine?

[olderthan]

its not hard to do-usualy pull the passenger seat & rebuilt engine in buggy if i can get
my head in to rebuild in a day or two never more than a easy week.with head ready to go i have done them in a day or less

[EJ Mac]

The only thing that may get tricky is if something stupid happened and they shelled the piston and ruined the crank. Then it gets a little tougher and a lot more expensive. I sent them an email on it to try and get some more info. I will post back when I hear something. I will also hook you up with a very detailed service manual if you decide to get it.

[pfcperry17]

So what would a good offer be for this buggy? I was thinking about $300 since I don't know if anything is wrong other than the engine.

[olderthan]

sounds like a good starting point

[pfcperry17]

OK. Good to know I'm thinking normal. I might offer $250 and see what happens but nothing over $375. With the engine needing rebuilt, other possible damage that the seller doesn't want you to know about & and other parts that may need replaced, I'd say between $250-$350 SHOULD be acceptable. Not to mention the gas cost to get from Sacramento to Modesto and back towing a buggy on the back of a V8 pickup.....About 3 hours round trip.

Towing our 12ft, 1500lb boat to Truckee, we get about 9MPG with a 20gallon tank....Sucks.

[olderthan]

two buggies on my trailer pulled by my mazda tribute v6 allwheel drive at highway speeds
14 it will do 24 to 26 w/o trailer or buggies. i work at lake tahoe and live in dayton lots
of good riding around reno/carson/dayton areas
http://www.riderplanet-usa.com this will find you places to ride in any state

[pfcperry17]

Nice....Thanks for the link. We mostly go to prairie city down here in Rancho Cordova and play on the rocks on stuff.

Yea, our trucks is showing its age. It's a '97 f-350 dually. Getting some engine wear and tear and it's dragging down the mileage.