At one time, many manufacturers made simple low weight, low cost go karts often referred to as Lawn Karts or hobbiest Karts. In the past 10 years, no more than a couple of manufacturers make this type of Kart. So if it is not dead, it certainly is dying.

The question relates to why the go kart evolved into a buggy versus a more sophisticated go kart. You are correct, there has actually been a resurgence of industrial engine kart racing for people seeking affordable fun. I am just surprised the same has not happened for off road karting.

Here is my point, the size and weight of these Buggies have created several new problems in making the go kart stronger and have a suspension. Weighing in at over 500 pounds, I cannot easily transport or store the vehicle. Increases in engine power have been offset by higher weight, effectively eliminating increases in power to weight ratio. Cost has risen exponentially.

So, if I could make a low weight, low cost go kart with a full suspension and provide a moderate power to weight ratio, would there be a market for it (12+ on age). The disadvatage, my be the lack of a full cage, but the advantages could provide signficant portability and open off roading to a larger audiance.

Russ

well in this country there are bells and whistles for bells and whistles, for safety! so when they add more hp, they add more safety, ie. full roll cage, bigger heavier karts. the cost. BANG. someone can make more money. MONEY! MONEY! MONEY! safety is first and formost, then??????? speed, at an affordable cost. Maybe someone here in the USA can make a kart with first class material,good speed,and reliable. OOPS money, money, money. All of us know what and where karts are lacking. ok, we are not suppose to beat on them (right). imagine if they were made to? you would only have to buy ONE! (right). There are good karts out there but they cost. just my opinion. I couldn't kill my 67' chevy belair. what a concept. PEACE

lets be realisic here. You can get a decent classic gokart 5hp for aournd 430 bucks.

or you can get a 12.8 hp,full suspension, disc brakes, blinkers, lights, reverse, more durable,way more space for 950.



So most people save up. I was in the same situation. They are both my karts. the first one was sold to fund the bigger one. The small one had a very hard time with the one wheel drive just going through the the front yard.

The buggies are just more fun in general. IMO he yard carts are only better when it comes to reliability. the only things that can go wrong is the enine, chain, clutch, brakes.

I got to say that kids want different things today than when I was a boy.I have 3 girls and they have every game system, bikes, gocarts, they get to ride golf carts, swimming pool, boating, camping,and ect.ect.ect. and they still sit around bored. They have a little land with goats, chicken,dogs,cats, still bored. Then when they hit 16-17 they think they are adults and all their interest is on doing things away from home. When I was a boy I had very little and stayed busy doing something all the time. I never got a cart or any motorized toy. We were happy with what we had. Nowadays It seems like its never good enough. ...Heck maybe I am just sour right now. After raising my 17 year old for 17 years she decided that she was not going to live by my rules and moved in with her deadbeat mom who I have been divorced from for over 10 years. The woman has no job lives with a girl friend, and has dodged childsupport off and on for years.....Back on subject- My girls did have one of the old 5 hp gocarts though and it had a rollbar. You can still buy them today.

Just would like to comment, I like that stuff - I just built a computer actually, but I still love my buggy...

I own 7 computers (yes I'm a geek) and love computer games. I love our buggies too. Though maybe we are more prioritized than younger generations.

I can agree with this thread. First my dad got me a 5hp kart with slicks and a 14t to 60t drive. Still have it, belongs to my sister. Then i got the awsome kart. Full suspention 6hp eng. GREAT now i can go offroad. Only it has the tourque to pull me out of the mud but not the speed to go faster than my first one. A wize guy (me) once said. You can have it with tourque, with speed, with safety. Pick 2.
I just can't seem to dump safety for speed. But back on subject. That slick kart can D-R-I-F-T like nothing else. There are things that these dino's are still good for. If you try to drift the offroad kart. Forget it. A fixed, 2 wheele drive axel will just not let you turn. In mud it will just keep on going into the fence. I want a suspention kart with slicks and 1 seater so it might turn. I have not seen anyone selling a kart to this specification. Only plans.......... Plans never get me anywhere.