shifter karts

Anyone here race them?

Is it a short lived hobbie?

 

I raced them when I was a kid. Awesome thrill, would certainly get back into it if I had the disposable income to do so.

They sure as hell look like fun. I think my favorite shifter kart I saw online was a GSXR motor in one. Not quite sure how in the world that thing hooked up but man that looks fun.

 

(edit) found the video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWUcZXAHQ8I

that looks like ALOT of fun.

They are so stinking fast. Grip for days. I know people that have been racing them since they were kids and still do it at 40+ years old. It just depends on what you want to do with it and if you have fun with it. They run GT-2 lap times at Road Atlanta.

Yes, have a Tony Kart! They are a BLAST!!!! A real way to get to know how do drive well. Be sure to buy a rib protector before you even go out for your first time.

I've driven the 125cc ones they have at Bondurant. They are a blast.

Anyone know the technical details of a shifter kart transmission?

 

Is it a dog clutch, sequential box?

 

I see the pulling action like it's a paddle transmission but know it's not that, hehe.

Anyone know the technical details of a shifter kart transmission?

 

Is it a dog clutch, sequential box?

 

I see the pulling action like it's a paddle transmission but know it's not that, hehe.

 

It is a sequential transmission. I am not sure about the clutch. It does have a small clutch, there is a pedal for it I believe, but you only use it to get the kart initially moving. From then on out, you shift it like a sequential box with revs.

The one I drove the clutch was on the steering wheel as well. You only need to use it to get going. When shifting you just pull the lever to go up/down like on a motorcycle. Only problem I had was sometimes losing my gear count until I learned the track.

I have a DD2 kart with a 125cc rotax engine with a two speed transmission, kind of a cross between a shifter and a tag kart. If you are new to karting, get some seat time in a tag kart, before you move up to a shifter.

went from 125 shifters to tag karts. My brother was big time into karting... but now we're sold on the TAG karts for ease of use (since we don't do it as often as we would like). Touch and Go karts are slower, but a lot easier to run... gotta love the start button!

We should be heading out later this month to the local track to test one out.

Everyone raves about them, only negative I have heard is that it can be potentially rough on your back. But besides that everyone loves it! Anyone know of any good forums or a place to get detailed info on these karts?

 

edit- came across this site for those who are interested:

http://www.ehow.com/video_4417593_go-kart-...protection.html

 

Ran shifter karts for 6 years. My son driving , me wrench & sponsor.

Ran local tracks in So Cal & SKUSA events. Skusa Cal events called PROKART

The motos use mostly Honda moto X motors. There are ICC motors also. ICC are kart specific motors,

most made in Europe

Moto x motors use wet clutch. ICC dry clutch

Hand clutch used only for taking off.

Upshifting lift throttle pull into next gear. Downshifting just bang in.

These are fing fast. Belive it or not there are hundreds of adjustments to be made for track conditions.

A good site to visit is Ekarting news. It will all seem greek at first so don't be discouraged. Huge learning

curve to be fast. A blast to drive if you are new.

 

Have fun

Opps double post

Ran shifter karts for 6 years. My son driving , me wrench & sponsor.

Ran local tracks in So Cal & SKUSA events. Skusa Cal events called PROKART

The motos use mostly Honda moto X motors. There are ICC motors also. ICC are kart specific motors,

most made in Europe

Moto x motors use wet clutch. ICC dry clutch

Hand clutch used only for taking off.

Upshifting lift throttle pull into next gear. Downshifting just bang in.

These are fing fast. Belive it or not there are hundreds of adjustments to be made for track conditions.

A good site to visit is Ekarting news. It will all seem greek at first so don't be discouraged. Huge learning

curve to be fast. A blast to drive if you are new.

 

Have fun

 

 

We have a 2 month old son at home that we some day hope to introduce to karting. What's the earliest and best way to introduce him to the sport? Any advice would be appreciated.

Personal opinion, 5 or 6 yrs. Kid Karts is the class for kids.

The karts in this class are rules regulated like NASCAR, making the advantage

to chassis tuning & driver. Go to your local track to see practice sessions & races.

Ask alot of questions, Racers are mostly very cool people.

A word of caution, this class is like little leage base ball. The parents

are a little fightsty. After a race I've seen parents, more than once, yelling

at each other, while the parents kids were playing together, kickin ball ect.

Some have even been thrown out. Not just for the day. From the club

Karting officials are not to be messed with.

 

Damn...freeway carting! That is nuts...and awesome.

Personal opinion, 5 or 6 yrs. Kid Karts is the class for kids.

The karts in this class are rules regulated like NASCAR, making the advantage

to chassis tuning & driver. Go to your local track to see practice sessions & races.

Ask alot of questions, Racers are mostly very cool people.

A word of caution, this class is like little leage base ball. The parents

are a little fightsty. After a race I've seen parents, more than once, yelling

at each other, while the parents kids were playing together, kickin ball ect.

Some have even been thrown out. Not just for the day. From the club

Karting officials are not to be messed with.

 

 

Thanks for the advice. Hopefully my boy will show some interest in the sport!

Some group needs to get a series of Nintendo costumes and get on a bunch of carts and go cruising around town, Mario Kart made real

Some group needs to get a series of Nintendo costumes and get on a bunch of carts and go cruising around town, Mario Kart made real

 

IMO Mario Kart makes most people think that karts are some sort of lame kiddie toys, when in reality proper racing gokarts are awesome machines.