New to go karts

[bcort]

Decided to get a go kart (or utv according to @Hellion ) that my kids could drive around the yard and up our street. Currently ordered a Trailmaster Cheetah 8. Sat in it, and I was still able to fit (6'2", 220 lbs). Still small enough my young kids will be driving it within a year or two. Don't ever plan to take it on trails or push it.

Saw a couple threads about it and figured I'd join to keep reading about go karts and have an account if I need help in the future.

 

[Grizzlymi]

Welcome to the site. That's awesome man! Be sure to post some pic's when you get it.

 

[Hellion]

Currently ordered a Trailmaster Cheetah 8.

You should do an un-boxing and first impressions review when it arrives. I know I’m a stickler for terms but I think I prefer “buggy” in this case. A UTV is a glorified adult golf cart with off-road capabilities.


For most people here, the fun vehicles they get are already falling apart and “ran when parked”.

 

[Denny]

Welcome!

 

[panchothedog]

Welcome to the forum. From your post, I assume it's brand new. Probably has lots of features and capabilities, and plenty of wiring. From past experiences ( not mine ) but reading about problems from others, keep the kart out of the weather when not in use, and when cleaning it, use dry rags. MANY horror stories on here about failed wiring connections. Weather and moisture seem to be the main culprit. Also it is a fantastic way to spend time with your kids. They will remember it many years from now. Put some blocks or extensions on those pedals and get them driving now.

 

[pinkpanda3310]

Nice looking kart. I expect it'll be great fun for the family

 

[bcort]

You should do an un-boxing and first impressions review when it arrives. I know I’m a stickler for terms but I think I prefer “buggy” in this case. A UTV is a glorified adult golf cart with off-road capabilities.


For most people here, the fun vehicles they get are already falling apart and “ran when parked”.

I'll try to take some pictures. There is a lack of YouTube videos and even discussion on it. (Probably because it's filling an odd space, it's not a go kart but not really useful as a UTV for adults.)

Welcome to the forum. From your post, I assume it's brand new. Probably has lots of features and capabilities, and plenty of wiring. From past experiences ( not mine ) but reading about problems from others, keep the kart out of the weather when not in use, and when cleaning it, use dry rags. MANY horror stories on here about failed wiring connections. Weather and moisture seem to be the main culprit. Also it is a fantastic way to spend time with your kids. They will remember it many years from now. Put some blocks or extensions on those pedals and get them driving now.

Yes, new. Used ones around here were either broken for $700+ or semi-running for $1200+. Still had the problem of finding the right size that could accommodate an adult and young kids.

It'll get stopped in a barn. I have read about wiping down and not hosing off. It'll feel weird knowing I hose off my mower but not the thing "designed" to go in mud and trails. Thanks, that's the plan. Some blocks and maybe a cushion on the back.

 

[Hellion]

(Probably because it's filling an odd space, it's not a go kart but not really useful as a UTV for adults.)

I better research this machine. When you said you sat in it but were not perfectly comfortable, I figured it was a “kart", “buggy" or *ATV* which these low-to-the-ground but well equipped with key start, full lighting, F-N-R machines are turning into. Kind of blurs the lines on how you identify them. You can very well call them a UTV I guess.

Aha, found the Cheetah 8:



Versus a “Manco” (American Landmaster) UTV N6 [click to embiggen]



I often say if you are serious about go karts, then you should adapt yourself to the small size. Have to keep reminding people that they are that small for a reason and designed by men, for men. You’re good 2 go at 220 lbs but there are other guys who are much heavier and can no longer tie their shoes or contort themselves to get behind the wheel (belly is in the way). Maybe karting should be the incentive to get in shape?

 

[bcort]

I better research this machine. When you said you sat in it but were not perfectly comfortable, I figured it was a “kart", “buggy" or *ATV* which these low-to-the-ground but well equipped with key start, full lighting, F-N-R machines are turning into. Kind of blurs the lines on how you identify them. You can very well call them a UTV I guess.

Aha, found the Cheetah 8:

View attachment 163278

Versus a “Manco” (American Landmaster) UTV N6 [click to embiggen]

View attachment 163279

Yep, it's got the UTV form factor, but I say it isn't really useful as an UTV because it doesn't have a bed to store things (it does have a little cargo rack), wouldn't try to tow a while lot of weight with it, and is much smaller than the N6. If you're really looking for a UTV to do utility things, I don't think the Cheetah 8 is it (maybe the Cheetah 300 is the appropriate Chinese knock off).

I very uncomfortably sat in the trailmaster mid XRX. The Cheetah 8 probably has 6" more room than that, and it felt like my kids fit it about the same (maybe an inch bigger than the XRX when seats moved forward). That works for having space for an adult while getting the kids to drive it around sooner than a full size go kart.

So yeah, call it a kids UTV. Makes sense.