We Need Feed Back

[BenBurKart]

We are Kirkwood High School students that are a part of a Capstone Project Lead the Way class. We are looking to get feed back on Go Kart design. Our goal is to build a safer Go Kart, but really were just want to build go karts at school. So it would be awesome if you guys would fill out our survey because we have to present our problem statement to a panel of local engineers and we have to prove that building a safer go kart is important.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SZDBN5H

 

[cOw]

Done. Best of luck to ya. IMO, all you really need is a helmet and some good good padding. Most karts could break a few bones, but nothing more. A broken bone is often a good lesson. A roll cage is great for off road karts, but if you are implying that they should be put on racing karts, then I disagree. Either way, props for getting you school to let you do a project about carts.

 

[jandj]

General safety rules:
Helmets and collars for all karts
Belts, netting, and restraints are ok if you have a cage.
No cage, no belts.

You need to define what you mean by "safer". To make a "safe kart" you may end up with something no one wants to ride.
Good luck with your project!

 

[Doc Sprocket]

This implies that go karts are unsafe... While this may to some slight degree be true, crossing the road can be unsafe, too.

Honestly, a properly built go kart being driven responsibly, isn't going to get much safer, short of ABS, traction control, and airbags.

I know this helps you not one bit... Sorry.

 

[cOw]

Driving go karts isnt safe in the same that riding motorcycles isnt safe. Sure it dangerous, but thats part of the fun. If there is some brilliant way to make go karts safer without major modification, then Im all for it. However adding roll cages, seatbelts, and air bags to most go karts would be very heavy and impractical.

 

[OzFab]

Done

I'm with these guys: due to the simplicity of go karts, there's only so much you can do as far as safety is concerned

 

[Amped]

There is a safety line that once crossed starts to reduce the fun. Not just in karts. Most of the people I know make changes that increase the fun sometime at a cost of reduced safety. You know, like a more powerful engine . But the safety line goes both ways. Most accidents are a result of operator error ( stupidity ) or equipment failure due to being used in the extreme . My friends 5 yr old son has a coolster buggy that he drives like bat man on dirt roads. It has every safety feature I can imagine including a remote kill switch so his dad can kill the engine if he gets to wild. I'm just wondering what type of kart you are trying to make safer? Are we talking yard kart , race kart , buggy. off road, on road etc. There are hundreds of types of kart and thousands and thousands of people and companies over decades that have been coming up with ways to make them better and safer. Make a safer kart compared to what? Safer than the safest kart on the market ? What is the frame of reference?

 

[bighead]

A Concession kart is what an insurance company would consider safe. I think anyway.

A padded steering wheel like a concession kart has comes to mind. Also a remote kill switch that your teachers can hold. Lame but might be the just what the DR. ordered school wise.

 

[jandj]

Not to be a downer but the only way I see your project working is go pick one specific type of "Kart", research what types of accidents and injuries are most common to them and go from there. That in itself may take more time than you have. As has been said before, many Kart accidents are the result of what in my neck of the woods is called "Eat up with the dumbass" and you can't fix stupid. The safest Kart ever built is worthless if there's a loose nut between the seat and the steering wheel.

 

[Aladinbama]

Good Luck!

 

[landuse]

^^^^^ What they said

 

[DeathStarr89]

The safest Kart ever built is worthless if there's a loose nut between the seat and the steering wheel.

Sigworthy quote right there.


I've driven all types of karts, personally i feel the safest in a real race kart. Nice and low, wide stance and a well built frame.

I rolled an off-road kart with a cage about 15 yrs ago, not fun. It probably wouldn't have rolled if the cage wasn't there.

 

[BenBurKart]

Thank You for all the replies and honestly we don't care about the safety thing it is just the loop hole we are using to use school resources to build the go-karts.

 

[jandj]

If it were me, here's how I would approach it (hoping the people who review the proposal aren't all that familiar with karts and won't see through my BS):
I would use an older Manco yard Kart (single seat, one wheel drive, scrub brakes and no cage) as my example.
I would postulate that the stock length, width, and ride height combined with the general lack of any appreciable caster, camber, and Ackerman may lead to accidents (due mainly to drivers like myself going far too fast and cornering much harder than the Kart was designed for, but I'd leave that part out!).
I would then submit that a longer, wider Kart with improved steering geometry, a lower center of gravity and better brakes would be safer and could be built without making the Kart too expensive for recreational use.
But that's just me....

 

[Nodroz]

I filled in the survey and submitted it. Goodluck and I agree with that all of you above me said about it. ^^

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Thank You for all the replies and honestly we don't care about the safety thing it is just the loop hole we are using to use school resources to build the go-karts.

That's the spirit!
*aham*... Umm, I mean, "Safety Is Paramount"... Or something...

 

[landuse]

Thank You for all the replies and honestly we don't care about the safety thing it is just the loop hole we are using to use school resources to build the go-karts.

LOL. And here we thought you were all serious about safety

 

[beansdaddy78]

If it were me, here's how I would approach it (hoping the people who review the proposal aren't all that familiar with karts and won't see through my BS):
I would use an older Manco yard Kart (single seat, one wheel drive, scrub brakes and no cage) as my example.
I would postulate that the stock length, width, and ride height combined with the general lack of any appreciable caster, camber, and Ackerman may lead to accidents (due mainly to drivers like myself going far too fast and cornering much harder than the Kart was designed for, but I'd leave that part out!).
I would then submit that a longer, wider Kart with improved steering geometry, a lower center of gravity and better brakes would be safer and could be built without making the Kart too expensive for recreational use.
But that's just me....

if you wanna do what JandJ is asking, i could donate a frame just like the one mentioned by JandJ. only difference is i think its supposed to be a small two seater, everything else is exactly what JandJ described. i dont see how two would fit but i dont know i dont actually have the seat back, i forgot to pick it back up in the stl area last time i was there.

Kirkwood? what state are you in?

 

[BenBurKart]

if you wanna do what JandJ is asking, i could donate a frame just like the one mentioned by JandJ. only difference is i think its supposed to be a small two seater, everything else is exactly what JandJ described. i dont see how two would fit but i dont know i dont actually have the seat back, i forgot to pick it back up in the stl area last time i was there.

Kirkwood? what state are you in?

Were in Kirkwood, Missouri...just outside of St. Louis actually.