Best chassis for a taller then average driver

Robert Kielbasa

Hi,

I'm planning my return to karting, but after being out of it for 7 years I'm sure some things have changed. I want to start back into Supercan and the local clubs senior sportsman heavy class since I can double up my track time most days by just bolting on some weight. I will probably end up being 5ish pounds heavy in Supercan but I can deal with that. I'd also like to play with the forumla Y class when the opportunity presents itself.

My question is related to which chassis would be a good pick for my size? Being 6'5" I'm not your average kart driver size! lol I'm also not a huge fan of the general concept of just throwing the front porch out a ways to make it fit me. I have to imagine if the kart was not designed with this in mind or just happens to accept it well - it has to have a negative effect on tunability. For this reason when I purchased my last chassis, I went with the Margay because the Limo version is designed with a little more though then bolting on a few inches up front. To me, it seemed like a much better option from a design stand point. Maybe I'm nutty, but the chassis always worked well for me.

A year or two down the road I want to also pick up a TAG motor but I have to make the decision if I'm going to stay with one kart and pick a class or if I'm going to try to run two karts at that point. I'm not thinking I will find a chassis that will suit my size as well as the extra power and such of running TAG.

I feel like I'm fairly certain I'm going to go back to Margay - but I'm definitely up for some opinions! Very Happy

Thank you in advance!!!

Neelan Nadesan · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 5:32 am Post subject:

From what i have seen and heard the arrow chassis is the best kart for taller drivers. I think the X1 or the AX9 will suit you well.
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Neelan Nadesan
Sr. Heavy - 6

Travis Miller · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 6:47 am Post subject:

have you looked into the Margay Limo chassis? Check out their used karts. or call keith 800-562- 7429 at the factory- he gave me some good insight the other day.
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Travis Miller
Supercan Heavy
Margay 1.7
Burris Tires

Walt Gifford · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 8:24 am Post subject:

It's funny how all these chassis take on magical properties depending on customer needs. Just get something with 32mm frame, 50mm axle and, if buying used, make sure you can still get parts for the brakes. Try a Coyote Onyx.

Gif Cool

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Gary Osterholt · Site Admin Joined: 18 Jul 2001 Posts: 2769

Chuck Parker · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 8:34 am Post subject:

I just bought an Arrow X1, in stock form the X1 is bigger than my Wildkart by a couple inches. I also added the Arrow extended porch and gained a couple more inches. I'm 6'3" I have more legs than torso, with my Wildkart my knees were under the steering wheel. My legs are barely bent in the Arrow.
Once I change the seat from the stock one to a Ribtec I'll be able to tell you how it drives.

TJ Koyen · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 8:51 am Post subject:

Robert,

I believe you used to race at Badger?

The LM30 chassis from Merlin has been very competitive in all classes, including some of the Masters TaG guys and some of our taller drivers so it would be a nice fit for you I'd think.

And of course Franklin is nearby and at Badger almost every week.

www.franklinkart.com
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T.J. Koyen
OKTANE VISUAL - Custom Helmet Paint & Graphic Design
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DB Motorsports
Exprit/Leopard

Robert Kielbasa · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 5:38 pm Post subject:

TJ - I sure did. I was the guy with the blue S10 rolling in with his Kart on top of the bed and everything piled under neath. And the giant green tent/canopy. I used to get a lot of ribbing for the size of that thing! It rocked for the $100 I paid for it though. Raced in senior sportsman heavy. Did pretty well and even managed to qualify on the pole the final race of the year. I was pretty damn proud of that! And its not like there were no Karts there that day... I believe there were a good 8-10 karts if I remember right.

Right now the main options I'm looking at are Margay because of my confidence in the limo setup from my previous experience with it. As well as the Merlin and Haase because of the local support. Obviously Franklin is a great place to deal with, and I have always been treated extremely well and was extremely pleased with the motors I received from Two Cycle Technology. So the Haase comes into play because I can get all my support under one tent over there. It also sounds like I need to take a look at the Arrow chassis from the couple of posts above. The only thing that scares me is I'm not sure if there is much support for them around here.