Road Rat / Gatormoto karts

Ted Hamilton · Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 5:48 pm Post subject:

I started prepping Mike Clement's XR for a 4-cycle open race and discovered a few things you may want to know:

1. While attempting to bend the left seat strut "in" to mount my own narrower seat, there was a 'pop' and the main chassis rail split at the weld. I suspect lack of normalization/heat treat from factory. We'll probably have to bite the bullet and reweld, but there's no way a seat strut should be stronger than the mainframe. Design change, Justin? Smile

2. The hardware was shiny and looked good but was a mix of American and Metric sizes. Bring both sets of tools to do any work...

3. The motor mount is WELDED to the chassis. In fairness, it has slots for mounting the engine, and good retaining bolts, but don't think you're gonna' put your own mount on there easily...

4. There is no provision for safety wiring to pass any tech -- I broke a drill bit off trying to drill the banjo bolt on the rear brakes, and only got a few other bolts done before I ran outta' time.
Again, in fairness, some karts come with pre-drilled bolts, some don't. IMO, use of a motorcycle style master cylinder and caliper is an AWESOME idea, but beware the the calipers 'float' and the pads lightly brush the disc, adding drag. I suspect a few laps of running and wear and the dragging would disappear.

5. The rear bumper is GREAT! But don't tighten it down all the way if you want the chassis to flex.

6. Depending on your motor and exhaust arrangement, you'll have to bend the seat struts to get clutch and pipe clearance. See point 1. (Note: the included metal chain guard is a nice touch)

7. I had one of the rear hub's locknuts strip VERY easily. Could just be that bad one, but if I buy a XR (and I just might soon!) then I'd go through it all, replace all the metric hardware with american or vice versa and add good grade 8 locknuts, etc. as well as pre-drill the safety wire holes.

8. Fit and finish of hardward, hubs, keys, especially the steering wheel looks better than average. Did note that you may want to tap the holes on the sprocket hub to 1/4" bolts and thread them with locktite in so you only need one wrench to remove a split sprocket with nylocks... just a thought.

9. Bodywork looks very good, though the modern style nose and driver fairing would look even better.

All in all, this seems to be a good entry level package, so long as you know what you're getting and what you'll have to do to make it properly race-prepared. The chinese-brand "Quin Da" tires seemed OK, but I didn't get to run them at speed. Mike Clements has "Land Speed" branded tires for sale at a GREAT price. PM me or him for info.

~Ted
_________________
Owner, www.hamiltonhelmets.com // UAS Racer #76 // Karting for karting's sake...keep it fun!

justin jackrel · Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 8:20 pm Post subject:

Ted,

One thing I would like to comment on is that the motor mounts only come welded onto our race ready karts - to be used in the clone class. If you plan on using our chassis for another class, we do sell rolling chassis kits without the mount welded on.

Justin
_________________
www.RoadRatMotors.com
America's Leader in Affordable Karting

Ted Hamilton · Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 8:07 am Post subject:

Justin - Thanks for the note. For what it's worth, I see people get on here and rip your product with no experience with it whatsoever -- not fair to you or your company. I admire your devotion to making your product better and to good customer service.

I'm sure that's netted you much success. I hope you didn't interpret my post as an attack -- in reality, most of the issues were minor, and the things I'd change are more convenience items.

Do you sell a comletely bare chassis? I'd welcome a PM for a quote on a bare chassis with the rear axle assembly only. Good luck, and keep on refining your product while you laugh all the way to the bank... Smile

~Ted
_________________
Owner, www.hamiltonhelmets.com // UAS Racer #76 // Karting for karting's sake...keep it fun!

Tom Reynolds · Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 12:15 pm Post subject:

Ted your response seems very positive. Those complaints for the most part are pretty minor. Thank you very much and I'll pass the info on. Please post back as you get more experience, I hope Scott can do so once his son is running the Comer against it.

Brian Garfield · Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 6:43 pm Post subject:

Just a few reminders to those people using this package for SCCA Solo purposes...

We're not worried about or trying to find a kart that's "faster" than the typical Comer 50/Kid Kart, just another variation. If it can save first time buyers some money and help them get into the sport, so be it.

The SCCA's (KAC's) concern is simply since it's not widely competed with YET, we want to see them and possibly inspect one when possible. It's not that it should have a problem, just that we need to see them.

Brian

G J · Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 3:02 pm Post subject: Re: Road Rat / Gatormoto karts

Brian Garfield · Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 7:29 pm Post subject:

The notification should have already been in the Fastrack, but has not yet been posted.

The quote below sums it up though:

"...Regions wishing to use this kart must be approved for the 5-7 year old kart program and will need permission to participate in this evaluation program. Please contact the SEB if your region is interested in participating."

***PLEASE NOTE: the Formula Junior Guidelines posted above still need to be updated.***

Brian

Robbie Nelson · Joined: 26 May 2008 Posts: 131

Brian Garfield · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 6:36 pm Post subject:

Robbie, the region that you'd like to run in has to have run a successful Junior Kart Program for at least a year, then apply to be able to run the 5-7yr olds .

So, if the region you're speaking of does not already run Junior karts, that will be an issue. Which region are you speaking of?

Brian

Robbie Nelson · Joined: 26 May 2008 Posts: 131

Brian Garfield · Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 11:34 am Post subject:

Yes, OVR is.

Yes, you do have to be approved to run the Gator Moto/Road Rat Kid Kart. Your Solo Chair needs to email the SEB at SEB@scca.com to request permission to run that kart.
It shouldn't be a big deal, we just want to know where they're being run and who we know that can look them over as we determine if they're safe and "compliant".
Again, they're simply not proven yet.

Brian

Al Oldendorp · Joined: 01 Sep 2009 Posts: 15

Scott Boito · Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 12:18 pm Post subject:

How timely! I was just going to ask if anyone else (other than Philly region) has any experience with the Road Rat clones?

I'll go out on a limb here and say that the Road Rats are a pretty even match for kid karts with comer C50 motors based on our experience this season. The RR kart is completely different from the typical kid karts (more like cadet sized and HEAVY!) but the motor seems to be a good match and the package does pretty well against our Buller kid kart with a bone-stock C50. Both kids are novices this year, but both are staying on course and improving with each run and the times are very close.

So for an experiment, I think these are a good fit for the FJC class. If it means more competitors, I say OK.
_________________
KM #68 - Haase/Honda kart
BetterOffRacing
Member of the SCCA KAC

Al Oldendorp · Joined: 01 Sep 2009 Posts: 15

Scott Boito · Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 1:00 pm Post subject:

It's not mine, but I have spoken with the owner at each event. He has run into "proprietary" issues with the Road Rat: proprietary gears, chain, wheels, brake. But the motor and chassis are bullet-proof so far (and heavy!).

So I don't know if the cost advantage is as large as you might think but as a starter kart, it seems OK. I personally will be sticking with our Buller chassis and Comer C50 while my 2 other kids cycle through.
_________________
KM #68 - Haase/Honda kart
BetterOffRacing
Member of the SCCA KAC