Biggest tires you put on a race kart?

[shifter kart on 20s]

I just converted a race cart to electric and want to ride it more places thatn just asphalt. I was wondering if anyone has experimented with large wheels on a shifter cart? If so how big and wht was your experience?

 

[Hellion]

You will (likey) be the first. Everyone with a race kart wants it low and on pavement (or packed dirt track).

Largest most folks go here is probably 20” tires, usually on the rear, and smaller tires up front for easier steering. I like the way you think though…

 

[shifter kart on 20s]

You will (likey) be the first. Everyone with a race kart wants it low and on pavement (or packed dirt track).

Largest most folks go here is probably 20” tires, usually on the rear, and smaller tires up front for easier steering. I like the way you think though…

I just ordered some 145/70-6 tires. I think they are about 14" dia. They are supposed to be delivered today so i will let you know how they work out.

I just wanted some extra clearance. With the factory 10" tires, i hardly have 1" of ground clearance.

I looked all over the internet trying to find someone who has done this and rather it woked out ok with no luck ag all. I was hoping to get some kind of validation before spending the money but oh well, haha.

 

[shifter kart on 20s]

You will (likey) be the first. Everyone with a race kart wants it low and on pavement (or packed dirt track).

Largest most folks go here is probably 20” tires, usually on the rear, and smaller tires up front for easier steering. I like the way you think though…

It should have any trouble spinning them with around 40,000kw haha.

And the other cart im building is going to be extrem overkill at 124,000kw (approx. 166hp)

 

[Hellion]

14” tires? Pfft. Those aren’t very big. What exactly did you order (tire, brand, style)?

You will likely have tire fitment issues around the side sponsons which will likely have to be removed(?).

 

[Edwin Spangler]

And the other cart im building is going to be extrem overkill at 124,000kw (approx. 166hp)

What type of frame is it going in?

 

[Sparkwizard]

Why not leave that one alone and terrorize the Wal Mart parking lot and build your other frame with the intent to use big tires off road?

 

[Hellion]

Why not leave that one alone and terrorize the Wal Mart parking lot and build your other frame with the intent to use big tires off road?

Because it hasn't been done! He wants the best of both worlds, brother, and he might end up being the trailblazer in this area.

 

[Functional Artist]

Kool!
I love electric karts (I have designed & built a few)
...& would like to "see & hear" more about the traction system

IMO if you wanted to "run" a kart "off-road"
...it may have been a better idea to convert a chassis
...that has more ground clearance

Basically, your trying to modify a Corvette
...into a Jeep (or pic your truck/SUV)
&
Although...it can be done
...there are many other considerations

Like,
1.)"running off-road
...without some kinda suspension
...is going to & will "beat the crap" out of you
...& the kart too

2.) The design of that chassis
...& the materials that it is made out of
...are "based on" the intended use (smooth track)
&
Dramatically changing the "use"
...can &/or will affect the chassis (stress &/or failure)

3.) I'm not sure the 145/70-6 tires you bought
...will fit onto those racing rims

4.) Changing tire size
...more than a few inches
...will affect the "current" GR (gear ratio) your "running"
...which "will" affect performance (either acceleration or top speed)

Not trying to be negative (-)
...addin' just my 2 cents

 

[Hellion]

Like,
1.)"running off-road
...without some kinda suspension
...is going to & will "beat the crap" out of you
...& the kart too

Always a secondary consideration to me. Some of us may be old in years but "young in body" and enjoy a good rough time ... even full long travel suspension beats you up (single-track dirtbike rider here). It's all a trade off and I direct you to the earliest off-road karts that had no suspension, had some suspension in low psi "balloon" tires, or had some rudimentary coil spring "suspension" on the front/front spindles only. Manco Dingoes and Honda Odyssey FL250s come immediately to mind on the latter.

 

[shifter kart on 20s]

Why not leave that one alone and terrorize the Wal Mart parking lot and build your other frame with the intent to use big tires off road?

My goal is to make them both simular so i have en extra cart for a friend to ride. I figure if i have 2 go carts ill never have a problem finding someone who wants to ride.

 

[shifter kart on 20s]

Kool!
I love electric karts (I have designed & built a few)
...& would like to "see & hear" more about the traction system

IMO if you wanted to "run" a kart "off-road"
...it may have been a better idea to convert a chassis
...that has more ground clearance

Basically, your trying to modify a Corvette
...into a Jeep (or pic your truck/SUV)
&
Although...it can be done
...there are many other considerations

Like,
1.)"running off-road
...without some kinda suspension
...is going to & will "beat the crap" out of you
...& the kart too

2.) The design of that chassis
...& the materials that it is made out of
...are "based on" the intended use (smooth track)
&
Dramatically changing the "use"
...can &/or will affect the chassis (stress &/or failure)

3.) I'm not sure the 145/70-6 tires you bought
...will fit onto those racing rims

4.) Changing tire size
...more than a few inches
...will affect the "current" GR (gear ratio) your "running"
...which "will" affect performance (either acceleration or top speed)

Not trying to be negative (-)
...addin' just my 2 cents

Its going to be mainly an on-road cart. But the problem is with the 10" tires i literally have leff that 1" ground clearance. Its just not practical if you want to actully go out and ride instead of spending all get pushing the thing becase you got high centered on an ant hill lol.

 

[shifter kart on 20s]

Kool!
I love electric karts (I have designed & built a few)
...& would like to "see & hear" more about the traction system

IMO if you wanted to "run" a kart "off-road"
...it may have been a better idea to convert a chassis
...that has more ground clearance

Basically, your trying to modify a Corvette
...into a Jeep (or pic your truck/SUV)
&
Although...it can be done
...there are many other considerations

Like,
1.)"running off-road
...without some kinda suspension
...is going to & will "beat the crap" out of you
...& the kart too

2.) The design of that chassis
...& the materials that it is made out of
...are "based on" the intended use (smooth track)
&
Dramatically changing the "use"
...can &/or will affect the chassis (stress &/or failure)

3.) I'm not sure the 145/70-6 tires you bought
...will fit onto those racing rims

4.) Changing tire size
...more than a few inches
...will affect the "current" GR (gear ratio) your "running"
...which "will" affect performance (either acceleration or top speed)

Not trying to be negative (-)
...addin' just my 2 cents

These are my first go cart builds but i build a bike last summer. Its a yz 85 converted to electric. Its a blast to ride on and off road.

 

[Edwin Spangler]

These are my first go cart builds but i build a bike last summer. Its a yz 85 converted to electric. Its a blast to ride on and off road.

Prove it!

 

[Functional Artist]

Prove it!

I second the motion!

FYI:
Here is my ElDingo (2016)

 

[Hellion]

Here is my ElDingo (2016)

Those twin headers give it an extra 100MPH

 

[Hellion]

if you want to actully go out and ride instead of spending all get pushing the thing becase you got high centered on an ant hill

This whole thing is not a bad idea. 14" tires will be fine because it doesn't have to be super huge tires, just slightly taller than stock. Even if you're on asphalt and off, there's open fields, gravel roads, fire roads (that are maintained to be passable for trucks and crew) and stuff. Such places might be perfectly viable for a non-suspension race kart, but like you said, you'd get high centered on an anthill, a natural rut or washout from erosion.

You want to be able to go over the occasional rut and dip where the kart would normally bottom out and the front of the kart will start scooping dirt like a shovel, and that's no bueno.

Show us what the kart looks like with the 14 inchers on it.

 

[Functional Artist]

My Hell-raiser kart has (13 x 6.50/6) smooth/slick Zero Turn Lawnmower tires

Here is a video of it...in action

* The "DUDE" at the end...always makes me...giggle

 

[shifter kart on 20s]

Im swapping the orange cart first so i can race it against the twin motor setup when its finished before taring into that cart. But anyway I'm in a hurry today so enjoy the photos. Let me know if you have any questions or want to any anything up close.


.

 

[shifter kart on 20s]

Few more photos