Go karting is the latest trending outdoor sport for kids. They’re fast, they’re fun, and they’re a great way to get outdoors and burn off some energy. But go karts can also be a great investment. In addition to providing hours of fun, go karts can help develop important skills like balance, coordination, and spatial awareness among kids. They can also teach kids the basics of vehicle maintenance and physics. But finding affordable go karts are becoming tough these days. It seems that their prices are going up every year. For example, brand new karts cost approximately £1900 or more. On the other hand, second-hand karts may cost around £1200.
Factors that contribute to the cost
There are several factors that contribute to the cost of kids go karts. Here are some of the factors that you need to keep in mind before buying:
1. Type of go kart
The type of go kart you choose usually decides the amount of money you finally have to pay. A few common models that you may come across are as follows:
● Pedal Go-Karts – Pedal go-karts typically have four wheels and a simple frame and can reach speeds of up to 15 miles per hour. They are ideal for kids between 4 and 12. Some models also have features like hand brakes and gearing, which allow the user to control their speed and direction more precisely.
● Off-Road Go-Karts – Off-road go-karts are a type of vehicle that is designed for use on rough terrain. It may be suitable for a teenager who has some experience in go karting. They have large tires and a more powerful engine than a standard go-kart, which allows them to handle the challenges of an off-road environment.
● Electric Go-Karts – Electric go-karts use an electric motor instead of a gas engine. They are reputed to be quieter, more environmentally friendly, and easier to maintain than gas-powered karts. Electric go-karts typically have a top speed of around 23 mph, making them well-suited for use on indoor tracks for kids or other short racing circuits for adults. Most electric go-karts use lead-acid batteries, although some newer models are powered by lithium-ion batteries. This is one of the reasons why the cost of these karts is more than their counterparts.
● Gasoline-Powered Go-Karts – Gas-powered go-karts are small, four-wheeled vehicles powered by gasoline engines. They are often used for racing and recreational driving. Go-karts vary in size and power, but most are able to reach speeds of up to 60 mph. They usually have two-stroke engines, which are lightweight and provide high power-to-weight ratios. However, four-stroke engines are becoming more common in go-karts due to their increased reliability and lower emissions and as a result, the prices of the karts are going up.
2. Purpose
Why are you buying a go kart in the first place? Is it for your kid’s recreational purposes, or do you want him to become a professional and race on go karting tracks? The answer will decide how much money you have to spend. Go-karts can be powered by a variety of engines, including gasoline-powered engines and electric motors. These models are quite expensive, and it would be better if you assess the features and functions of different models before buying. On the other hand, some go-karts have pedals, like a bicycle, which makes them environmentally friendly. These are for recreational purposes and don’t cost as much as an electric or gasoline-powered model.
3. Size
Go-Karts come in a variety of sizes to accommodate riders of all ages and sizes. The average go-kart is about five feet long and three feet wide, with a weight capacity of around 200 pounds. However, there are also mini go-karts that are just three feet long and two feet wide, with a weight capacity of around 100 pounds. These are ideal for small kids. And then there are larger go-karts that are six or seven feet long and four feet wide, with a weight capacity of around 300 pounds that are suitable for teenagers.
Needless to say, the bigger the size of the kart, the more you have to pay. Moreover, the type of engine also plays a crucial role. Make sure you consider the size and the type of engine because these two factors contribute heavily to the price of the kart.
4. Brakes
The brakes on a go-kart are essential for safety and performance. There are two main types of brakes used on go-karts: mechanical and hydraulic. Mechanical brakes are the most common type of brake used on go-karts. They work by using a friction material, such as pads or shoes, to create resistance when the brake is applied. This resistance slows down the wheels and eventually brings the kart to a stop.
Hydraulic brakes work in a similar way, but they use fluid pressure instead of friction to create resistance. As a result, hydraulic brakes are typically more effective than mechanical brakes and are often used on higher-performance go-karts. Karts with mechanical brakes are more affordable than the ones with hydraulic brakes.
5. Mileage
Go-karts are notoriously difficult to get an accurate mileage estimate for – many factors such as terrain, the weight of the driver, and tuning of the engine can affect how far the kart will go on a full tank of gas. However, it is possible to make some assumptions based on the size of the engine and the type of Go-kart. For example, a standard two-stroke engine that is 200cc will have a range of anywhere from 15 to 25 miles per gallon, while a four-stroke engine of the same size will have a range of 10 to 15 miles per gallon.
The type of Go-kart also makes a difference – off-road karts typically have shorter ranges due to their higher ground clearance and wider tires, which create more rolling resistance. Conversely, karts designed for racing tend to have longer ranges as they are tuned for higher speeds and usually have lighter bodies. But the bottom line is that the kart that provides the maximum mileage will have a higher price. If you want to invest in a go kart for racing purposes, you will have to spend on a model that has high mileage. This means you will end up spending much more than someone who buys a go kart for recreational needs.
Go karts are a great way for kids to have fun and get some exercise. If you’re in the market for a go kart for your kid, be sure to consider all of your options and remember to buy kids go karts from a reputable dealer. There are some great online suppliers with lower cost than stores.
