Trailmaster xrx/xrs/ cheetah

[Craizie]

Hey Guys,
Super noob here. I'm interested in a winter project and saw some of these buggies around me in all kinds of conditions for all kinds of prices. I'm kind of at a loss on which direction I should take. These all seem to be based on a GY6, just bored and stroked to go from 200 to 300, but are the motors themselves interchangeable with ease? Could I find a cage only Cheetah and swap a 300 xrx engine into it?

I'm a bigger fella and I'm just not sure a 200 series would do it for me. I also probably need to find some to put *** in seat to make sure I fit. Do you guys have any thoughts on recommendations?

 

[Hellion]

I think many here would recommend an "industrial engine" and dispense with the reverse gear (and gizmos) that the GY6 offers. There's many such "Chinese Buggy" projects here that had a GY6 on it at one time but were switched to a larger displacement Predator and a CVT (largely because the original engine was roached and done-in and replacement GY6s are expensive).

I took a short peek at a "Trailmaster Cheetah" and to be honest, they are two seater buggies and should handle a bigger fella as long as you don't have a passenger. I've seen more than a few classic two seater go karts converted to single seat by moving the steering wheel to the center so it is not unheard of.... Tons of options. Don't look for "stretch your legs out" comfort with a kart/buggy anyway.

By the way, welcome!

 

[Hellion]

Just how big a boy are ya?

I'd look for maybe some photos of a 6'+ 300lbs gorilla riding one and judge from there...

 

[Craizie]

Thanks for the reply. I'm a 6'2" 270LB fella, lol. I'm sure I could go find some to test out near by. I'll see if i cant find the other threads you're talking about!. Ultimately, I'd like to get a buggy that's decently quick (have about 20 acres to play on, nothing crazy) but is also safe, and has an IRS so I dont wake up sore and stiff the next day. I was hoping to find something like a cheetah with a blown motor and replace that with a more powerful motor. I'm pretty handy, but I dont have any real fabrication skills, so I'm not sure how hard it would be to get a chassis and throw a predator on it. I'm not set on any particular brand, but it'd be nice to not have to hunt up consumable parts every time something needs replacin'.

Do you have any recommendations?

 

[Hellion]

My recommendations are... whatever you want. We're well into the information age and Youtube University, so you can learn to do just about anything you want to do. You got a garage or shed to store the thing in?

What is an IRS?

I'm about the same dimensions and I don't worry about fitting on a kart, I make do like this fella:

 

[Craizie]

Yea, I've got a garage and shed I can store it. IRS = independent rear suspension. Not really needed except for the comfort of my back.

I cant really seem to find any websites with tons of parts or "how-to's" for these types of vehicles. I guess I was hoping to post in here and someone be like oh, you should convert it to a X motor and use this conversion kit. Or something to those effects. I might just buy it, order parts and see what all lines up.

 

[Hellion]

For independent rear suspension you are upping the complexity because not even your Cheetah has that; it's a solid rear axle and/or a pivoting engine cradle. Only the fronts typically have fully independent suspension.

If you really wanted to go craizie you could do something like this:

I guess I was hoping to post in here and someone be like oh, you should convert it to a X motor and use this conversion kit.

Wonder where everyone is? We got a rowdy, nerdy crowd in here usually. Give 'em some time.

 

[Denny]

If you’re worried about your back and waking up sore maybe you need a new hobby? Knitting perhaps? IRS or not these things will beat you!

 

[Hellion]

I thought the same thing, Denny. Unless you stay on flat trails, pastures, parking lots or neighborhood streets (how rebellious) you’re gonna get pounded, Craizie. Do it anyways, YOLO.


Sorry but you’re not that big a fella to the point where a 150-200cc buggy can’t move you around without that exhilarating butterflies feeling in your stomach that everyone craves. Unfortunately most people get used to it and need more to regain that feeling, like a narcotic addiction. The smaller the buggy the more fun it will be (within reason). Seems we get a rash of noobs here who don’t understand the concept and want to lengthen and enlarge a kart frame “for comfort”.

 

[Craizie]

I thought the same thing, Denny. Unless you stay on flat trails, pastures, parking lots or neighborhood streets (how rebellious) you’re gonna get pounded, Craizie. Do it anyways, YOLO.


Sorry but you’re not that big a fella to the point where a 150-200cc buggy can’t move you around without that exhilarating butterflies feeling in your stomach that everyone craves. Unfortunately most people get used to it and need more to regain that feeling, like a narcotic addiction. The smaller the buggy the more fun it will be (within reason). Seems we get a rash of noobs here who don’t understand the concept and want to lengthen and enlarge a kart frame “for comfort”.

You know, that might be the best piece of advice so far. I have zero experience with these and just have all this "what-aboutisms" in my head. I'm trying to fix "problems" that I havent even encountered yet. I should just buy a damn go kart and see where that takes me.

 

[Craizie]

If you’re worried about your back and waking up sore maybe you need a new hobby? Knitting perhaps? IRS or not these things will beat you!

I've been doing competitive knitting for years! I'm trying to step it up a notch.

 

[panchothedog]

A kart ( any kart ) with suspension will be a lot easier on you than a ridged frame kart. No difference on asphalt, but once you leave the pavement it changes. I have seen my son ( about 240 ) and his overweight wife ( probably 190 + ) use one of my 2 seat karts powered by a hopped 212cc with a torque converter. When they got back they said " Dad, this thing is fast." Couldn't believe how easily it handled the weight.

 

[Hellion]

How shall we advise for a winter project purchase for a self admitted noob, gentlemen?

Chinese buggy that died an early death (many such cases) or a classic domestic (Yerf-Dog, Murray, Manco, Carter, etc) roller frame? Keep in mind I do recommend a Rotaderp or “Amazon special“ industrial engine for both types, not a finicky and expensive GY6. More options that way.

He’s leaning towards a Trailmaster style hence the title of this thread.