New guy

[Robert Hall]

Hi everybody, my name Is Bob and I live in Lansing, MI. I'm so new to karting I don't even have one yet, but hope to remedy that soon.

Where is the best place to buy a KT100? I'm gonna race in the Yamaha Sr. Supercan class (345 lbs.) and I need to put something together for between $1500 & 2k. The kart will be used of course, but I'm told I should start with a new engine so I know what I'm getting. Thanks in advance for your greetings and advice.

[Dan Rudd]

Hey Bob,

Call Bill at Stoney Creek Motorsports in Belleville (734) 697-6971. Bill can hook you up with anything you need.
Being from Lansing you'll want to go check out the East Lansing Kart Track. www.karttrack.com. Nice track and close to you. I think thay have a good Sr Can turn out. Lots can be learned from visiting your local kart track.

Once you get your kart around come to MIS at the end of Sept www.michkartclub.com . An event which can't be missed!

Dan

[Robert Hall]

Thanks Dan. ELKT is where I plan to race. I was there last Sunday, and that's what lit the fire.

[Walt Gifford]

I think you better double your budget. A cheap kart package might look good on the front end but you'd be amazed at how much money it'll take to make it track worthy. You might get lucky and I've heard of some amazing deals but generally $1500 for a kart and supporting equipment you're looking at some real junk. Go on any of the kart shop sites and price out some stuff before you buy cheap with the idea of fixing it up cheap.

Gif
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FAA certified jet engine and aircraft technician
Nicholson Speedway class champion 2001
Yamaha KT100 Service Center
40 years karting experience

[Travis Miller]

To get the best deal wait till this winter to buy out someone that is either moving classes or getting out of karting all together. But you will spend at least 2k for chassis and motor. Then bank on another $500 or so in tires and misc.
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Travis Miller
Supercan Heavy
Margay 1.7
Burris Tires

[Jim McMahon]

A new KT is probably the worst purchase you could possibly make. A proven used package would be the right way to go.

Start talking to locals and find out what's up.
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Live in the midwest and have a TaG, Shifter, KPV, KT100, Animal\LO206, enduro or superkart?
Click here to join the karting festival at Blackhawk, IL June 1st-2nd.

[Robert Hall]

[Robert Hall]

[Tim Salvino]

[Dan Rudd]

[Walt Gifford]

[Dan Schlosser]

For the Yamaha a proven used engine package is definitely the way to go. We start a dozen or so new families every year in Yamaha and 90% of the time we put used engine packages together whether the kart is new or used.

Also, you should be able to find a complete package for the $1500-2000 range although it isn't as easy as it used to be thanks to the Clone craze. Around here they've gobbled up just about all the decent used full size sprint chassis.

Spend a few bucks extra if you can find a chassis that is supported locally - will help with the tuning learning curve and spare parts.

[Robert Hall]

[Dan Haynes]

Agreed about the used engine. Call your favorite engine builders. Often they will have the inside scoop on the best engines for sale. They will likely know when their customers are moving up and are sometimes the first to know about stuff for sale. They will also know all the history of the engine. In no particular order some good Yamaha builders are Cook Racing Engines, Adkins, and Comet. There are more good ones but those are probably the most well known fast engines. I would start by calling your favorite.

For a used chassis you can spend anywhere from about $700 to about $3000, depending on what you are looking for. A decent one will be about $1200-1500. I wouldn't buy one cheaper than that because as Walt stated, you will spend tons getting it race-ready. I have seen good, quality, race ready engines for about $700 or $800. I bought a 1 race old Adkins engine several years ago for $700, including mount and clutch.

Don't worry about the condition of the tires. They should be considered disposable. It is fine to run decent used ones for a beginner but 1 race take-offs can be bought for about $50 (at least that is all I could ever get for them). Consider any tires you get with the kart as just an extra.

Make sure you get a good gauge. Mychron is the most popular. A Mychron 3 or 4 will be good.
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Blaise Haynes
#3 Arrow X1-CIK
TaG
Cook Racing Engines Parilla Leopard

[Kent Metcalf]

Robert don't all let this scare you off Walt is right and there are thousands of them out there. and not too costly. It's (in my opinion the best class for your buck) unless you like clones because no matter where you go in the good old USA you have a better chance of finding a track that supports the yamaha class. So I'm told most KT100's are better on there 2nd or 3rd rebuild and sometimes better than a new motor. Now they also will tell you that (and it's true) if you want to be on top of your game you need to rebuild them every 4 or so races. Buy you 2 motors. 1 to race with and an old used up one just to turn laps and get seat time. I got an old used one that has not been rebuilt in 22 races and we now use it to practice on if we go to a new track for the 1st time or have not been back in a long time just to get the seat time and get the hang of the track and you know what it is almost as fast as some of these high dollar people and there fresh new motors. After the shock of what it will cost you to get started ....Kart / motor / safety equipment and odds and ends it is not so bad of a sport. Now keeping up with the big boys might cost ya.
Good luck man keep me posted on how you do.
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St. louis Mo.