KSX-250W...First few hours.

Posts: 10

I'm not sure that this will qualify for a review since this is the first buggy I've ever owned and I don't have anything to compare too. Also I only drove it for about six hours. This is just a noobs first impressions after first few hours.

Lets set the scene. My 2 acres which is long and narrow made for an excellent circle track. The terrian is flat and consists of soft brown dirt. My land is 18 miles from my house, so I have to pack up everything like Im going on a trip. Well needless to say I forgot some things: video camera (DOH!), GPS (DOH! DOH!), and sunblock (DOH! OW! DOH!)

I unloaded the buggy and proceded to beat down a path around my lot. I ran around for about 30 min and stopped to check everything over. I lost my left rear shock nut and my left front tire was loose. Oh well, I knew I was supposed to check everything for tightness, I guess I just forgot.

The engine seemed sluggish in the 0-5mph (est), but really came alive in the 5-20 mph range. I guess I will have to make some adjustments to the CVT or sprockets.

I ran around for a couple of more hours periodically checking for problems, I quickly came apparent to me that the seat belts were installed for decoration. The four point harness kept loosening. Im sure my hard turns and leaning did not help it much, but they should remain tight.

A problem I noticed especially for the taller people or people with big feet like myself, is that my left foot would occasionally slide outside of the frame. Potentially allowing your foot to get hung up in the supension or the terrian. Welding some expanded metal in that area would do the trick. Also a tall person might take issue with a rollcage cross member that is directly over the drivers head.

The ride was a bit bouncier than I would of liked, but I like to ride fast and in tight turns. The setup might be more ideal for off roading.

After a couple of hours running around the engine began to loose power and start backfiring a lot. So, I pulled it into my shop. After pulling the sparkplug and seeing the white glaze. It was apparent it was running lean. I cleaned the plug with some 600 grit sand paper, I was back in business. I will be ordering some new jets soon.

Toward the end of my outing I began to notice that the coolant resevoir cap (not the radiatorcap) began weeping coolant all over the rear of the buggy. I'm hoping its just air pockets in the cooling system.

First let me say, I seriously had some of the most fun I ever had with clothes on. Wink

I kinda did a mini Baha just running laps, with some tight turns at high speed. Had a few close calls, but managed to save it.

I will use the donut rating system 1 to 5 (Higher is better)

Engine: OOO
3 donuts: How much more expensive would it be to sell them more properly jetted? Coolant problems? CVT adjustments at the factory for low end torque could make this a more fun ride.

Frame: OOOO
4 donuts: Frame seems solidly built. Needs kicker panels, to keep you feet out of really bad places. The generious use of greaseserts is very cool. Rollcage cross member above drivers head needs be rethought. Would not hurt to bring the steering a few inches closer to the driver. The stock steering wheel feels flimsy especially when making tight turns. All in all I had no breakages despite hell I put it through.

Handling: OOOo
3.5 donuts: What can I say the steering is hampered by the straight axle rear end (limited slip would be cool), but is HOOT in power slides. Pretty good braking provided by dual piston calipers in the back and single piston in the front. Hand brake not very useful in power slides, because it locks all the brakes.

Saftey:OO
2 donuts: Problems with the seat belt, and no kicker panel figured into this. Generous padding was a plus.

Fun:OOOO
4 Donuts: I had a real good time with this buggy. I found myself saying things outloud that I never thought I would say like WOOT, YEEHAA, a Holy $**t that was cool.

Well I hope this helps.

Posts: 6278

Thanks for posting that review. You can fix that sluggish 0-5mph by getting lighter rollers. I don't know what comes stock in yours though.

Have fun with it!

Posts: 9836

This is why the reviews of user first impressions are so cool. That foot plate should be a pretty simple fix. I can totally see the issue since you pointed it out there in green Smile

It would be so easy for the factory to change this. I hope they are listening.

Glad to hear you had a good time!

-Steve

Posts: 387 · Gold Member Joined: 17 Mar 2006 Posts: 387 Pictures: 0

i had the same problem i made a mud gard there so it acts as a gard and a sheild Very Happy

Posts: 10

Thanks fellas.

I went and bought a cheap video camera and mounted in place of my left rear view mirror, but I only got a couple of short clips. I want to compile more before I post it in action.