Seeking guidance

Posts: 3 · Newbie Joined: 15 May 2008 Posts: 3 Pictures: 0

Three years ago I told my son I would buy him a go kart for his tenth birthday. Well, here it is. He's totally excited and I'm totally confused.

I am plannning on buying a 2 seater so I have the opportunity to teach him responsibility with the new "toy". Thereafter, he'll be supervised but will most likely be by himself or with a young friend. I was focusing on a 150cc but am concerned about whwther or not it will move with the two of us. I'm 6'2" and 225, and he's about 85 lbs.

I also live in Western NY and don't believe there is a local dealer I can go to, so I'll be buying from an internet source.

I have done some research on brands, models etc. and made a phone call to inquire about a particular model I was focused on. The person at the company told me I don't want that one, they've been having problems with the manufacturer (Not sure why they still have it on their web site). Back to square one.

Any guidance is greatly appreciated.

Posts: 1045

witch one did you want try to stick with name brands like blade hammerhead and joyner
but i dont think joyner makes the 150 any more

Posts: 6236

Welcome to buggynews! Tell us what you were interested in, that will help us get an idea of what you are looking for.

Posts: 160

dont worry about the 150 and fitting the two of you I own two now and I taught my son on one. I way 250 and my son 150 it did just fine with the both of us in it.

Posts: 165

It was my understanding when researching buggys that it is very difficult to find a 150 that will comfortably fit a person over 6 feet tall.

I admit I didn't go sit in any myself, as I don't have a local dealer (That I know of, anyway) so I'm certainly not an authority on it.

Posts: 1085 · 02-05-06 050.jpg: 8 Time(s) Viewed, 349.21 KB

My 150 moves me at 230 and my son at about 50 lbs with no problems, especially after a few basic mods. I'm about 5'11" and find it to be comfortable but I do have short legs (30" inseam). Some of the 250's have more seating room but they are also bigger overall making tight trails a problem. If it fits in your budget I'd reccomend a 250. The 150's are ok with some mods but the 250's, especially the ones with the Hi/Lo range option will have a lot more climbing power. Neither one of them will have enough power that they will be dangerous for your son to ride as long as he's responsible.

Where in western NY are you? I live in Derrick City, PA and bought my Twister 150 at J&R Auto in Olean, NY. I'm not sure if they still sell them as I haven't stopped in there in a while and the last couple of times I drove by I didn't notice any sitting there.

Just for size reference heres a couple of pics of me and my son in the buggy.

Posts: 107

I would get something you could grow into. He's 10, but do you want a buggy that will be useless when he's 14? I am partial to Carter Brothers, because I own one, but they are more expensive, as are Joyner's, the other BIG name brand. I think longterm, because I can't afford a few thousand every two years for a new toy. SO, a 250 is a good idea. Hammerhead, Blade, Carter and Joyner all have excellent 250's that are built with safety and performance in mind, as well as top notch support. I believe that carter and Joyner are the best at support, tho. Altho, there are a couple Blade dealers on here that are absolutely the best I've ever seen.

250's are moving aside to the 300s and 400s right now. Nothing up to 400cc's is so powerful that you have to worry about your child's safety. I think 300 is the new sweet spot, with 400 not offering too much more right now. But that is my opinion.

Posts: 3 · Newbie Joined: 15 May 2008 Posts: 3 Pictures: 0

Thanks for everyone's input. It's extremely helpful. A 250 is definitely in my budget, just not my wife's. I may have to upgrade in a few years.

Thanks for the tip in Olean. I'll look into that one. I'm in Newfane, 25 miles east of Niagara Falls along the Lake Ontario shore. If there weren't trees you might as well consider it Kansas. Hills shouldn't be a problem when riding near home.

Since I'm not buying local I need to pay attention to parts supply so I've been focusing on a 150 with a GY6 engine. Seems like there's lots of availability of parts.

What do I need to consider with respect to tranny and gearing? I have no clue here.

Posts: 3655

most 150 buggy's come with a 39 tooth axle sprocket now, so doing a few cheap mods to the cvt will make a very big differance in the bottom end power.

I have friends that live in ST. Catherines, I go up and visit evry couple of years, nothing like seeing the falls when they are frozen