What do you look for in a used shifter kart?

[Stanley Morgan]

I was just wondering if some of you fellas can tell me what I should look for when I'm buying a used shifter kart.

How do I know when its a good one?

I'm looking for something that me my boy and can spend some time doing together and go karts racing looks like fun.

Thank you,
Stan Morgan

[Ray Chiappe]

Make sure to get a chassis that is still in production is a good place to start.

[jeff grose]

What age is your boy?
Where are you located?
This info would kinda give an idea which way to steer you as to where to look at used karts from reputable kart businesses.
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jlgracing
#31 Gillard/PDBAmerica
IAME Leopards by P1 Engines
Tag Sr./FKCS/WKA
Driver: Jesse Grose
Remember: "No matter where you go,there you are"

[TJ Koyen]

Not sure if this is your first kart or not, but a shifter may not be where you want to start if you've never driven a kart before. For a newbie, it's some serious speed and power. 4 sec 0-60, 2-3G cornering... can be a lot to handle. A TaG or lower horsepower Yamaha would still feel quick and would be cheaper as well in most cases.

But before we get into that, letting us know where you live as Jeff said will help a lot.
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T.J. Koyen
OKTANE VISUAL - Custom Helmet Paint & Graphic Design
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DB Motorsports
Exprit/Leopard

[Stanley Morgan]

My boy is 9, so we are thinking about him racing in tag cadet, but the shifter would be mine.

I am currently stationed in Arizona and we live in Litchfield Park, AZ.

I used to race dirt bikes, but I'm not here to set the world on fire, I just want to spend some quality time with my boy.

Stan

[Vernon Head]

Try to get one as complete as possible. Not too old, maybe 5 years old or less. Look at the bottom of the frame for excessive amounts of flatspotting. They are an indication of lots of use. Drive it if you can and at least start it up. Check the brakes. When you push the brake pedal, travel should be short, and the rear wheels should lock up so you cannot turn them by hand. Bodywork is expensive, so find something that doesn't need it. Look also for re-welds on the frame. Don't buy it if this has been done. Don't buy a kart just because it won lots of races. Another indication of wear. Get something that was used a couple of times then garaged. If it has been run a lot, plan to spend another grand on misc. stuff like top end rebuilds, seats, tires, fuel lines, etc.

[Justin Martin]

Stanley, I too grew up racing motocross, supermoto and 80cc shifter karts as a kid. Prior to the military I was racing professional downhill mountainbikes, and supermoto in my time off. I recently got stationed here at Davis Monthan (Tucson) and decided to get back into karting (as the downhill mountain bike world is non existent).

I considered getting into shifters again, as thats where I left off (7 years ago). After adding it up, it was just too expensive for me.

I took up driving a rotax FR125. This isn't like the single speeds from back when I used to race 80cc shifter karts.... Definitely not an old KT100. These things have some serious "go" for a single speed (more than I was expecting.) I do however miss banging between gears, however a single speed kart can teach you to be smooth through turns. A TaG or Rotax is usually only 1-2 seconds slower than a shifter (MAYBE)... At my local track (musselman honda circuit) I am running on part with the shifter times...

Also you have a GREAT track up there. PKRA is a wonderful facility and their prices are spot on!

TaG is a great single speed class, however rebuilds can be costly on some of the higher end motors, like a leopard. Rotax run longer between rebuilds, but are more costly in parts. Running red tires are saving me a ton of money. I can often get 6-7 track days before they are "done." where as a shifter with whites or yellows would only last a couple weekends...

Either way I am looking forward to driving with you! Maybe Ill see you at PKRA someday soon, or even Musselman!

Make sure to check AZ Kart Werx, as well as Innovative. They are both awesome shops and VERY helpful. I personally have an Intrepid, and although I have only talked to Curtis of innovative a couple times, he is second to none. Both shops also have some karts on consignment. I would suggest just going in and talking to them. Curtis helped me with all sorts of helpful tips with buying a kart.

Goodluck looking!

[Stanley Morgan]

Thank you all for the helpful information.

I think I now have a good idea what to look for; recent model, straight frame, no flat spots, good brakes, no welds, everything spins freely. Any tips on these stock honda engines? I understand they are sold in pieces and you put them together yourself? That sounds like a project we can sink our teeth into.

Stan

[Vernon Head]

The norm for Stock Honda is a '99 motor with a '97 6-speed gearbox and '99 ignition. I would buy this configuration. Look for something with a pump around system for the fuel. Keihin 38mm carb is good. RLV R4 pipe is the standard these days. Ask if there are any problems. Ask about the history of the motor. Has it been raced a bunch? How many hours since the bottom end was rebuilt? Look for broken areas or holes in the cases, missing bolts, or worn through area in front of the front sprocket (happens when you run a large sprocket). Drive it if possible and check to see if it shifts properly and doesn't jump out of gear.

[Brian Degulis]

Don't get all wrapped up in finding the hot set up meaning the newest latest greatest chassis engine set up etc. You won't be able to utilize it untill you learn to drive it and that will take a while. That's not to say you won't have a blast learning and not to say you'll be crawling around the track but to get competitive will take time and by then you will have prefrences that aren't likely to match whatever intial choice you make. I would look for something complete that hasn't been raced. It will be cheaper and much less complex than trying to put something together yourself. You'll have plenty to do keeping it going.

If your area has it think about 4 cycle box stock for your son. It's cheap UN complicated and a great starting point for a 9 year old.

Temper my suggestions knowing my minimual experience. My sons and I are just getting going with it and the above is just my opinion a few months in.

Good luck Above all make sure both of you are having a blast!!!!


Brian

[Vernon Head]

My point about getting the latest and greatest was made because of better resale value.

[Stanley Morgan]

Some very good advice. I think I have an idea of what to look for now and I think it will come down to making a decision on each individual machine. I'm leaning towards buying a complete used machine for my boy and a used chassis and new motor kit for me. I've had a few honda dirt bikes and they seem to run forever with regular piston changes. Where is the best place to buy the motor from? I think I would like to make a project that me and my boy can do together. Also, how much are you guys spending on oil, tire and upkeep each month and who are you dealing with?

Thanks again.
Stan

[Vernon Head]

This forum is a good place to buy. Also Craigslist.

[Stanley Morgan]

Does anyone know how much depreciation do you lose when you buy a brand new machine?

Is it like a car or truck, where it worth 25% after you drive it off the lot?

Stan