New but very slow Gokart

[marknir]

Hi all

I just got a new Chinese kart fitted with a lifan 6.5 hp clone. It’s a neat looking little unit but I find it very slow! Much slower top speed than the older mid which has a similar engine.
While trying to figure out why I noticed the gearing and wheels are different.
Gearing is 10/47 and the tire size is 18-9.5 on the rear.
Could this be the reason for it struggling and the motor feeling like is lacking power?

I’d appreciate any suggestions as the dealer can’t seem to help.

Thank you

 

[anickode]

Gearing is WAY too tall for 18" tires, unless the engine has a wet clutch and gear reducer mounted to it.

Almost sounds like it's geared to have a GY6 and someone slapped the clone on there.

Those Chinese buggies rarely have enough power for what they weigh to begin with, IMO.

 

[marknir]

Thanks for the reply, I was thinking about a 59 t rear sprocket?

Mark

 

[Solomonster212]

Thanks for the reply, I was thinking about a 59 t rear sprocket?

Mark

As far as I know they don't make a 59t sprocket... Even If they do, you should go with a 60t. The 60t is pretty common.

 

[itsid]

think about a 100T rear sprocket instead!

that clutch is likely toast by now anywys so get a new clutch as well..
or instead (which makes things easier) a series 30 knockoff TavKit instead

then you can get away with maybe 65T on the axle (I'd assume you still need 80 tbh).

'sid

PS if you can show us the kart or at least name it we maybe able to give you much better advice..
since frankly most chinese karts come with gy6es.. 150cc and those are NOT 6.5hp engines.
(and worse.. they have internal gear reduction.. so swapping to industrial 6.5 and keeping the chain ratio is just not going to happen )

 

[landuse]

60T is going to be too small. You are going to need at least 80-100T to get a decent gear ratio for wheels that size.

Like Alex said, maybe get a 30 series with maybe a 72T axle sprocket.

 

[marknir]

This is a new model, DF200GSA

 

[mckutzy]

Let see some pics???

 

[itsid]

well something's fishy I'm afraid

redfoxpowersports
saying that kart has 13" diameter wheels
calling the engine a 168cc but showing a 196cc clone (model 169F)

or Dongfang
the manufacturer.. saying that kart does NOT exists,
just the GKB that by sheer accident looks just like the GSA one..
and it DOES have not 18" but 20" wheels on the rear..
but a gy6 engine
(168cc, almost twice the horsepower and internally geared, and thus with a small axle sprocket)

My guess: some retailer removed the gy6 and added
a Lifan clone with a TC instead (much cheaper option),
and either forgot ot swap the wheels or the sprocket

since frankly, with that engine and that chain ratio on those wheels that kart is not going anywhere!
And there's nothing you can do about it but to adjust the gear ratio
(OR what I'd do.. return that stupid thing and demand a full refund!)

Oh, just out of personal curiosity..
would you mind to take a few pics of the enigne bay?
I'd love to know if the original gy6 mounting tabs are still present on the chassis..

'sid

[EDIT]
found another reseller for it.. under the name of Captain 200GSA..
nice thing: 196cc engine properly labelled,
19" fronts and 18" rears (huh??.. ah well IDC)
much more accurately labelled as well..
BUT the kart depicted CLEARLY has a much larger sprocket than 47T

that is your kart right?



And since I think I've seen a TavCase cover on it... I'd say yeah
that's a 60-65T sprocket IMHO

'sid

PS redfox DF200GSA for comparison
PPS it's marketed as Kid-size...
maybe it's a 110GKA based model then? IDK.. maybe indeed too new for their df-motor website
the 4x sprocket (IDK I thought 48T tbh) on the gy6 karts is MUCH smaller ...

 

[Solomonster212]

Are you looking for better acceleration or for a higher top speed???

You said it has a lower top speed than others, and then you say it feels like it is lacking power.

Smaller sprocket = higher top speed. Bigger sprocket = better acceleration.

 

[anickode]

Are you looking for better acceleration or for a higher top speed???

You said it has a lower top speed than others, and then you say it feels like it is lacking power.

Smaller sprocket = higher top speed. Bigger sprocket = better acceleration.

Have you read any of the other posts here? Or just smacking down a generic answer that's only half right and acting like the OP doesn't know what he's talking about?

To small of an axle sprocket will make the go kart barely or not move at all. No acceleration, no speed, no power. Just a ruined clutch.

 

[marknir]

How do I upload pictures from my phone please?

This is a real go kart the wheels are 8 inch with the aforementioned tire sizes.

 

[itsid]

detailed description on how to post pics
that also works from a phone..
but NOT with tapatalk... they sell their own hosting crap instead.

if you insist on using tapatalk.. use imgbb.com for example to upload
then grab the direct image link and put them in
[img]<imagelink>[/img] tags

'sid

 

[Solomonster212]

He never even stated what kind of clutch setup he had...

Either way, O.P. needs to get some stuff checked and done