Quality Go Karts? Do they even exist?

[nafterclifen]

I'm looking to purchase a gas-powered go kart for my kids to ride around the yard and cleared woods. Has to be a two-seater, preferably with adjustable controls and a governor. Don't need electric start or lights. Reverse I'm undecided about. Do any quality, american made go karts exist these days?

I haven't searched too long or hard yet but everything I see is made in China. I have some experience with a 50cc Chinese scooter and I do not want any more Chinese-made junk in my life.

 

[Budget GoKart]

Well buy a used yerfdog they are American made and pretty tough just slap on a predator 212 and your gtg

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

Sorry, but there are very few karts made in the US nowadays. GoPowerSports sells a one seater, minimal suspension kart kit, but you want an off road 2 seater.
You might check out the American Sportworks Black Widow, made in the US, independent front suspension, and 2 seats.
Otherwise your only options are Chinese junk buggies, or buy used.

 

[950speed]

Manco also has good quality made in the U.S. go kart/buggies that have suspension
I personally have both a manco buggy and a yerf dog and feel the manco is better built. Neither company is in business anymore but there are pleanty of parts for you to use if you buy one used.

 

[Hellion]

USA made go karts (a basic frame, wheels, seat and an engine) exist of course, but as used or "previously owned".

Most everything that is new is made in China and that includes a few basic go kart style rides but the rest are ATV/buggies and predominate...



Manco still exists (under the new name American Landmaster) and they are still manufacturing but they are nothing like their glory days. I don't think they currently make anything resembling a fun kart or a buggy.

Cheapest thing I could find was a 300 series Utility Vehicle starting at $5,299.

 

[Kartorbust]

Nothing like that really exists anymore. Most of the Made in the USA as far as Go karts are concerned are mostly just premade kits. Azusa Engineering and Go Kart Alley/GoPowerSports are the only US made kits. Kartfab has a 2 seater go kart plans for free, just a 1 wheel drive go kart.

You'll have to search Facebook market place, Craigslist, eBay to find any go karts.

Go Kart Alley kit: https://www.gopowersports.com/go-kart-kits/vintage-kart-frame-kits/

Azusa Engineering: https://azusaeng.com/product/go-kart-kits/

Kartfab free plans: https://kartfab.com/go-kart-plans

 

[Budget GoKart]

Search letgo, offerup, craigslist, facebook marketplace for two seaters at different ranges in price
Search : go kart go cart two seater go kart manco yerfdog

 

[nafterclifen]

Thanks for all of the info guys!

Any opinions on either of these carts?

https://americanlandmaster.com/fun-karts/

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

I'd go Black Widow, I just think it looks more aesthetic.

 

[Karttekk]

American Landmaster offers the Marauder Fun Kart and the Black Widow Fun Kart. They've discontinued their Carbide buggy and are now focusing on UTV's. Dunham Sports was carrying both at one time.

https://americanlandmaster.com/fun-karts/black-widow/

https://americanlandmaster.com/fun-karts/marauder/

https://www.dunhamssports.com/product/marauder_go-kart/W0000046740.html

https://www.dunhamssports.com/product/black_widow_go-kart/W0000046741.html

 

[BigWes]

If you don't mind overhauling an old pre-owned kart Ken-Bar built some tough heavy duty frames. They were very rugged and somewhat overbuilt American karts with a very American look.

I am personally biased towards the old beasts myself. You can do a lot with one.

 

[Hellion]

Can we confirm or deny that American Landmaster (aka Manco) actually manufactured those Black Widow, Marauder, Carbide, Zircon, etc., etc., fun buggies in the US of A?

If so, they would be the exception to the rule of basically every USA maker going belly up (or ceasing production) in the late 1990s/early 2000s.

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

At the bottom of the American Landmaster website it says made in the USA with global parts.
So they could be essentially Chinese mini buggies with higher assembly quality, IDK.

 

[Texan]

Can we confirm or deny that American Landmaster (aka Manco) actually manufactured those Black Widow, Marauder, Carbide, Zircon, etc., etc., fun buggies in the US of A?

If so, they would be the exception to the rule of basically every USA maker going belly up (or ceasing production) in the late 1990s/early 2000s.

If you scroll to the bottom of the American Landmaster website it says" BUILT IN THE USA" and right underneath "with Global parts"

All the parts probably come from China. Bet some of these are even sub-assembled, then A.L. just throws in a few nuts and bolts and claim Built In the USofA.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDrfE9I8_hs

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

We posted about the same time.

 

[Texan]

At the bottom of the phone format American Landmaster website it says made in the USA with global parts.
So they could be essentially Chinese mini buggies with higher assembly quality, IDK.

You beat me to it JT, but it says BUILT not MADE, probably for good reason.

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

Yeah, I don't have much faith in the modern "kart" industry.
Ahh, if only we still had Rupp, Bird Eng, and Manco, then things wouldn't be quite so dreary.

 

[Kartorbust]

If fabrication isnt that big of a deal for people, there's a plethora of plans to buy online from everywhere. Granted a lot of times they are made with metric measurements and converting those over is usually a huge pain. You can still source a lot of US made parts, if your willing to pay though. I will not buy a kart, buggy, or mini bike that is Chinese fabricated, I don't trust their judgment when it comes to QA/QC departments. I'll take my own chances with my own welds and my better judgment.

Spidercarts has some pretty good plans, as does The Edge Products (Australian company). Badlands Buggy, as well as the others I've mentioned before.

 

[BigWes]

If fabrication isnt that big of a deal for people, there's a plethora of plans to buy online from everywhere. Granted a lot of times they are made with metric measurements and converting those over is usually a huge pain. You can still source a lot of US made parts, if your willing to pay though. I will not buy a kart, buggy, or mini bike that is Chinese fabricated, I don't trust their judgment when it comes to QA/QC departments. I'll take my own chances with my own welds and my better judgment.

Spidercarts has some pretty good plans, as does The Edge Products (Australian company). Badlands Buggy, as well as the others I've mentioned before.

Agree on the personal fabrication part. I believe a guy with a little bit of of welding knowledge and some imagination can do a lot right in his back yard or garage or tool shed. And I believe you can build a dang good quality product if you put your mind to it. A pencil, some paper, some ideas, even look at other karts! Steal some ideas, copy some! After you start welding it's gonna be yours in the end. Just use good sense, good parts, good judgement! Most of it you can fabricate yourself! I bet you can build your own axles, yes? Get a shaft from an old car, turn it down...easy peasy and good metal too...bearings...yea, I would buy those and wheels and tires but you have so many options for quality parts you just have to be able to look around and think outside of that little box you've trapped yourself in! Yes, YOU CAN DO IT!!!

 

[Hellion]

There’s photos on their site that are purportedly their manufacturing and assembly line, plus they have current job openings for welders....(oooooh) leading one to think they design and manufacture everything with their name on it.

I think Texan is right on the money. Those buggies/fun karts came 95% assembled and just required a few minor doodads added on and out the door they went.

Oh well.