Kids off road go karts
Discussion
My little boy (4) has a little 6v electric car that I’ve converted to run on and 18v drill battery - it’s great, he loves it and he’s turning into a proper little driver.
He’s getting frustrated now, it’s 1 wheel drive with hard plastic tyres which have worn smooth so there’s no traction.
We’ve got an old quarry which would be ideal for off road karting, it’s his birthday coming up so we were thinking of upgrading!
I’d rather stay electric so as not to annoy the neighbours - I was thinking something like this
https://quadbikes4kids.co.uk/collections/electric-...
Does anyone have any experience of them or other suggestions? (Backed up my direct experience please, it’s a lot of money to spend!)
Thanks all
He’s getting frustrated now, it’s 1 wheel drive with hard plastic tyres which have worn smooth so there’s no traction.
We’ve got an old quarry which would be ideal for off road karting, it’s his birthday coming up so we were thinking of upgrading!
I’d rather stay electric so as not to annoy the neighbours - I was thinking something like this
https://quadbikes4kids.co.uk/collections/electric-...
Does anyone have any experience of them or other suggestions? (Backed up my direct experience please, it’s a lot of money to spend!)
Thanks all
I’ve no experience of the off road karts, but an alternative could be an electric trials bike. Similar pace as the kart linked, plenty of new and used options out there (Oset, TRS) and good parts supply as the nature of their use means they sometimes need TLC. A quarry sounds like the perfect environment to learn the skills and there’s probably the option for some local competition if littl’un is so inclined. Then dad can get a bike and join in the fun too!
Edited by foggy on Monday 9th June 07:33
Go petrol. 4-stroke are really pretty quiet.
We use a funbike 'shark' - pedal box is adjustable so you can move it out as legs get longer.
https://www.funbikes.co.uk/p3847_kids-off-road-bug...
they started aged 4yrs. Now at 9yrs, my daughter is in need of the next size up - the funbike funkart.
they're occasionally on ebay. Ours has taken some SERIOUS abuse, but they love it. 5-point harness and roll cage has been essential and did its job - grazed arm was the result of a crash that would have put them both in hospital had they not had either.
Big disappointment is that I don't fit in it. I usually cycle alongside when they're out in it.
We use a funbike 'shark' - pedal box is adjustable so you can move it out as legs get longer.
https://www.funbikes.co.uk/p3847_kids-off-road-bug...
they started aged 4yrs. Now at 9yrs, my daughter is in need of the next size up - the funbike funkart.
they're occasionally on ebay. Ours has taken some SERIOUS abuse, but they love it. 5-point harness and roll cage has been essential and did its job - grazed arm was the result of a crash that would have put them both in hospital had they not had either.
Big disappointment is that I don't fit in it. I usually cycle alongside when they're out in it.
foggy said:
I ve no experience of the off road karts, but an alternative could be an electric trials bike. Similar pace as the kart linked, plenty of new and used options out there (Oset, TRS) and good parts supply as the nature of their use means they sometimes need TLC. A quarry sounds like the perfect environment to learn the skills and there s probably the option for some local competition if littl un is so inclined. Then dad can get a bike and join in the fun too!
Thanks Foggy but definitely 4 wheels for us! Edited by foggy on Monday 9th June 07:33
Mr MXT said:
That does look good - why would say petrol over EV? EV seems less hassle with carbs and fuel and all that stuff
I like petrol as you can start to teach them basic engine maintenance - checking fuel levels, changing a spark plug and air filter, topping up the oil. I have no experience on kids off-road EV's so can't pass any judgement - other than I guess when the battery runs out the fun is over.
Tri_Doc said:
Go petrol. 4-stroke are really pretty quiet.
We use a funbike 'shark' - pedal box is adjustable so you can move it out as legs get longer.
https://www.funbikes.co.uk/p3847_kids-off-road-bug...
That looks brilliant, and not too expensive either for something so substantial!We use a funbike 'shark' - pedal box is adjustable so you can move it out as legs get longer.
https://www.funbikes.co.uk/p3847_kids-off-road-bug...
Tri_Doc said:
Go petrol. 4-stroke are really pretty quiet.
We use a funbike 'shark' - pedal box is adjustable so you can move it out as legs get longer.
https://www.funbikes.co.uk/p3847_kids-off-road-bug...
they started aged 4yrs. Now at 9yrs, my daughter is in need of the next size up - the funbike funkart.
they're occasionally on ebay. Ours has taken some SERIOUS abuse, but they love it. 5-point harness and roll cage has been essential and did its job - grazed arm was the result of a crash that would have put them both in hospital had they not had either.
Big disappointment is that I don't fit in it. I usually cycle alongside when they're out in it.
Yup way to go here is ours. Blue obvs for the boys We use a funbike 'shark' - pedal box is adjustable so you can move it out as legs get longer.
https://www.funbikes.co.uk/p3847_kids-off-road-bug...
they started aged 4yrs. Now at 9yrs, my daughter is in need of the next size up - the funbike funkart.
they're occasionally on ebay. Ours has taken some SERIOUS abuse, but they love it. 5-point harness and roll cage has been essential and did its job - grazed arm was the result of a crash that would have put them both in hospital had they not had either.
Big disappointment is that I don't fit in it. I usually cycle alongside when they're out in it.
4 stroke Honda engine out of a Wacker Plate, electric start, automatic transmission. It gets hammered up hill and down dale by my grandkids, and yes grown ups don’t fit! You can bugger cycling alongside I would be knackered in minutes. I ride around on my quad. Ours has been upside down at least 3 times but the harnesses, cage and helmet have done their job. Light grazing only. Ours cost £800 which I don’t think is too bad for how much fun they get out of it.Way safer than a quad bike at this age. My kids had an LT80 quad when they were young which created a few nervous moments to put it mildly. I am quite surprised that all 3 of my boys actually made it to adulthood. You can have a much bigger crash on a quad than on a buggy. I will upgrade the grandkids to a quad but only once they are a bit older.
Tri_Doc said:
Go petrol. 4-stroke are really pretty quiet.
We use a funbike 'shark' - pedal box is adjustable so you can move it out as legs get longer.
https://www.funbikes.co.uk/p3847_kids-off-road-bug...
they started aged 4yrs. Now at 9yrs, my daughter is in need of the next size up - the funbike funkart.
they're occasionally on ebay. Ours has taken some SERIOUS abuse, but they love it. 5-point harness and roll cage has been essential and did its job - grazed arm was the result of a crash that would have put them both in hospital had they not had either.
Big disappointment is that I don't fit in it. I usually cycle alongside when they're out in it.
I've ordered one of these, just waiting for it to be delivered. He's going to love it! (Hopefully!)We use a funbike 'shark' - pedal box is adjustable so you can move it out as legs get longer.
https://www.funbikes.co.uk/p3847_kids-off-road-bug...
they started aged 4yrs. Now at 9yrs, my daughter is in need of the next size up - the funbike funkart.
they're occasionally on ebay. Ours has taken some SERIOUS abuse, but they love it. 5-point harness and roll cage has been essential and did its job - grazed arm was the result of a crash that would have put them both in hospital had they not had either.
Big disappointment is that I don't fit in it. I usually cycle alongside when they're out in it.
Ref. Engine fettling/maintenance - don't worry, the typical Honda/other ~5hp motors are from horticultural/building equipment and correspondingly tough, low maintenance and designed not to aggravate neighbours at 3pm on a Sunday afternoon.
It's the sort of hardware that's been the same since I had a kart 25 years ago, millions sold and refined / parred-back to the Nth - 33hp/lt, pushrod, carb with almost no adjustments, if it gets low on oil it stops (and won't restart), all that...
It's the sort of hardware that's been the same since I had a kart 25 years ago, millions sold and refined / parred-back to the Nth - 33hp/lt, pushrod, carb with almost no adjustments, if it gets low on oil it stops (and won't restart), all that...
Thanks everyone - he’s picked it up really quick and I’ve told him when he starts using the brakes I’ll let him have a bit more throttle!
Does anyone know if the shocks adjust so I can soften the rear a bit?
Also, fuel cut off tap - mine doesn’t seem to do anything regardless of the position?
Does anyone know if the shocks adjust so I can soften the rear a bit?
Also, fuel cut off tap - mine doesn’t seem to do anything regardless of the position?
Thought I'd update on this now we're 6 months in.
He absolutely loves it! I made an addition so lack of light doesn't spoil the fun.
It s full on RAC Rally as he comes haring toward me out of the darkness. He has mastered the brakes now and throttle modulation which is good.
It s not been without incident though - he s taken a bit too much apex on a DONT CUT! corner and rolled it upside down, and put it on its side while doing donuts..
Both without injury, although I am looking at some kind of netting to keep his arms inside should it go over again.
The kart is holding up well (ish) considering the abuse. Catching the open front wheel on hidden rocks or stumps is a favourite. We've bent both steering arms (straightened with some heat and a hammer). The brake pedal bracket isn't very strong so that s bent with the force of pressing the pedal. The roll cage got bent in the roll, fixed with a hammer.
It's currently off the road after another shunt which has shifted the steering rack and bent the column. I'm planning to add some box section to act as a front bumper to try to protect the suspension a bit.
He's definitely an mx5 racer in the making!
He absolutely loves it! I made an addition so lack of light doesn't spoil the fun.
It s full on RAC Rally as he comes haring toward me out of the darkness. He has mastered the brakes now and throttle modulation which is good.
It s not been without incident though - he s taken a bit too much apex on a DONT CUT! corner and rolled it upside down, and put it on its side while doing donuts..
Both without injury, although I am looking at some kind of netting to keep his arms inside should it go over again.
The kart is holding up well (ish) considering the abuse. Catching the open front wheel on hidden rocks or stumps is a favourite. We've bent both steering arms (straightened with some heat and a hammer). The brake pedal bracket isn't very strong so that s bent with the force of pressing the pedal. The roll cage got bent in the roll, fixed with a hammer.
It's currently off the road after another shunt which has shifted the steering rack and bent the column. I'm planning to add some box section to act as a front bumper to try to protect the suspension a bit.
He's definitely an mx5 racer in the making!
Edited by Mr MXT on Monday 15th December 14:31
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