I am new to karting and would like to keep the cost of my first kart low and see if I want to get into the hobby.

Thepartsguy

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Buy the cheapest mostly complete kart you can find and start there. IF you start from scratch and throw cheap out the window. I just built a mini bike frame out of pipes but the welding wire sprocket hub your Gonna need chain etc.. it still cost me around 80$E24F9F18-FD69-4F71-871C-490FE6BA5D13.png
 

BaconBitRacing

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:welcome2:
The most important thing to understand is that karts aren't cheap. What kind of tools do you have access to? A nice looking, fast, live axle yard kart with a Predator 212 can cost $800-$1000. If you don't have experience then the cheapest is going to be what Thepartsguy said, get the most complete kart you can. But, one thing you can and should do is plan. Proper planning can save lots and lots of money, and make the project go smoother. Another thing, build it right the first time. It'll cost a lot more in the long run if you have to change out poor-quality parts after just a few rides. Best of luck! Stick around here and you'll pick up a lot of knowledge.
 

electraglide

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That my friend is a loaded question ..... ( You did say make a go kart ... as in build .. ? ) so many variables ... budget, access to materials ( I get my metal needs from the local metal recycling plant ), skills ...ie ... equipment ... ie welder, tube bender, metal cutting tool ... ( better to have precision tools rather than something like an angle grinder with a cuttoff wheel ) .... skills, imagination ( convert a junked riding lawnmower to a go kart or use as a donor for parts ) My suggestion is first see if you like riding a kart and have access to places where you can ride it. Many good deals on Offerup and Craigslist. $300 is a decent and realistic deal. Try it out .. If you don't like it ... sell it .....but if you do and want to upgrade ... sell it and build your kart if you have the means ...
 

electraglide

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Carter Tallon Go Kart.jpg


I'm working on getting this one ....... needs wheel repair .... Prob a $150 fix .... rare good deal but they'r out there
 
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redflash

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Bacon is right......you don.t want to buy cheap E-bay used parts....they'll break and need to be replaced often....that's major aggravation.
Buy your parts at the established go Kart suppliers....go power sports...OMB...BMI, and others. Google "Go Kart PARTS" A find one near you if possible, because shipping may be cheaper. Some say to build a solid, reliable kart you need to learn how to weld. You need good tools.
you need the local hardware store. and you need plenty of time. In that regard you may notice that the majority of us here on this forum are over 70 years old. Listen to us ! We will steer you toward safety, and fun.
Regarding cost.....bacon is right that unless you invest upward of $1,000 ( Ive got about $1,800 into mine)......you will most likely NOT have a Kart that's either reliable or safe.
Choose asphalt or dirt.....no Kart is going to be compatible with both. In spite of what you may think. If money is hard to come by....still buy the best parts......and take the long view of your project. It's better to have safe and reliable...than quick. You'll be happier in the long run.

Da redflash
 

KinPer

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Bacon is right......you don.t want to buy cheap E-bay used parts....they'll break and need to be replaced often....that's major aggravation.
Buy your parts at the established go Kart suppliers....go power sports...OMB...BMI, and others. Google "Go Kart PARTS" A find one near you if possible, because shipping may be cheaper. Some say to build a solid, reliable kart you need to learn how to weld. You need good tools.
you need the local hardware store. and you need plenty of time. In that regard you may notice that the majority of us here on this forum are over 70 years old. Listen to us ! We will steer you toward safety, and fun.
Regarding cost.....bacon is right that unless you invest upward of $1,000 ( Ive got about $1,800 into mine)......you will most likely NOT have a Kart that's either reliable or safe.
Choose asphalt or dirt.....no Kart is going to be compatible with both. In spite of what you may think. If money is hard to come by....still buy the best parts......and take the long view of your project. It's better to have safe and reliable...than quick. You'll be happier in the long run.

It's not a very large amount for the map. It's even embarrassing to spend that kind of money on some low deposit casino. I tried playing with 4 euros at the casino I chose here. I didn't win anything. I'd rather spend the money on go-karting.

Da redflash
I guess I should avoid Chinese manufacturers? Or are there some good ones among the Chinese?
 
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BaconBitRacing

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I guess I should avoid Chinese manufacturers? Or are there some good ones among the Chinese?
I personally avoid them at all costs. They are kinda money puts, but some around here are experts on ‘em. If you want to get in the hobby with an upgradable, fast, easy to work on kart, something like this will work.IMG_6693.jpegthe key features you would look for is no suspension, live axle, and classic, American made. Sometimes they have cages, other times no.
 

Idkw much 👍

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Ya i mean i bought my kart used for 200$ and it was with an engine,
ok it didn't run but still...
Unless you are planning to compete with it it really shouldn't be that costly
Also people have already said this but before getting into it, make sure that you have places to ride it
i personally live in a very crowded area, not much open space, and i always have to go to thesmae place everytime and it gets anoying, so if there are no places to go near you then you can prob transport it in a pickup or if its not too big in a van. also i recomend getting an off-road stylke kart or a vintage stle one like the one in my profile cause they 're good for both asphalt and slight dirt.
Also make sure you fit in it.
i speak from experience, mine is getting a little bit TOO short
 

panchothedog

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BaconBitRacing. Are you still refurbishing your kart, or are you up and running.
The reason I ask is because of your recommendation to avoid a kart with suspension. Go ride off road for a couple of hours in a ridged frame and you might just change your mind. Where I live street use is very limited, ( a couple of hot laps now and then for testing ) . All of our riding is in the desert. 3 of my karts have suspension front and rear. The 4th front end only. I just doubled the foam rubber padding on the seat, because even the younger kids ( 9 & 11 ) were complaining about having the snot beat out of them.
 

BaconBitRacing

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BaconBitRacing. Are you still refurbishing your kart, or are you up and running.
The reason I ask is because of your recommendation to avoid a kart with suspension. Go ride off road for a couple of hours in a ridged frame and you might just change your mind. Where I live street use is very limited, ( a couple of hot laps now and then for testing ) . All of our riding is in the desert. 3 of my karts have suspension front and rear. The 4th front end only. I just doubled the foam rubber padding on the seat, because even the younger kids ( 9 & 11 ) were complaining about having the snot beat out of them.
It’s still in the works. He said cheap, not comfortable. I know these beat the heck out of ya. Simplicity if you know nothing and are on a budget is your best friend. But I don’t have to tell you this, you already know. At this point unfortunately I doubt we’ll ever see the OP again so my post probably went useless to him. If you want a rideable kart, especially at the age of most members here, suspension is almost necessary.
 

Idkw much 👍

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Ya I'm gonna have to go with panchothedog on this one, definitely get one with suspension,
it doesn't have to be really sophisticated or fancy just something that you can work on and keep the ride generally smooth in case of road bumps, or also because if you have one with suspension you have the option of riding it off-road (comfortably) if you so desire.
 

G.W

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Just get a cheap rolling chassis and build it with a 212. Just about any kart will cost you a couple hundred. Don't do what I did and get a full suspension kart and try to make it perfect and like a competitive buggy.
 
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