I think about buying my first kart and would like to hear what you guys think would be a good starting point.
About my background: have been karting in rentals for a good 30 years, with decent success until I got too tall and fat but I still usually win against guys my size. I’ve rented single-speed race karts about a half dozen times before (Max Senior and X30 Senior), and while I of course would still have a ton to learn (and speed to gain) in those, I didn’t feel… overwhelmed? And I think that is what I want, I want to be challenged, maybe even a bit scared, and have a ton of headroom to grow.
So should I go straight into KZ? Has anyone here done this? I’m strong but not very fit - will the g-forces beat me up too much? I’m aware the cost is quite a bit more than single-speeds, but I could afford it.
I don’t plan on racing competitively, just want to spend the odd weekend hour in nice weather out at the track, working on set-up and lap-time, and get a good workout in. I only have basic mechanical knowledge, but my local track has a kart shop that can help. I’d also store the kart there.
If I do go down the shifter route… should I go R1? I don’t care about 1 or 2hp more or less, but I read it’s easier to set up than a 10C or 10B? Is it more reliable, does it have longer service intervals?
Conventional wisdom typically is to start slower and work your way faster as your skills develop. It will absolutely be overwhelming and it will beat you up, and as a result it will be more difficult to grow into and develop your skills with. That said, given that you stated that it would primarily be a weekend toy that won’t be raced competitively, then developing skills might be a secondary goal of yours. If your main objective is to simply get thrashed around and abused, then I say get the toy you really want - a KZ will most certainly do all of that and then some.
I don’t have any experience with the older TM KZ iterations so others can correct me if I’m wrong, but I suspect at the level you’d be jumping in at finding the difference in performance, tuning, and maintenance between any of them might be splitting hairs. You might be better served figuring out what your local kart shop has experience working with and going from there. Also not sure what other non-KZ or KZ-derived/detuned shifter engine options might be available where you are, but that might be worth inquiring with your local shop about too as other gearbox kart engines with not-quite-KZ-level-but-still-fast performance and longer maintenance intervals do exist, but support and availability might vary depending on location.
After my second or third session with the Rotax/IAME I just didn’t feel that ‘kick’ anymore. I was still beat up after 15-20 minutes, but I had the inkling that it might get a bit boring for me, two or three years down the road - and I need something thrilling to lure me out of the city to the track
I didn’t mention previously that TM is generally best supported in my country (well, in any country really apart from Italy, where you can get parts and service for all makes easily), so there really isn’t a point in looking into other, potentially more user-friendly engines; but I appreciate the thought.
Sounds like the goal is more about the intensity of the driving experience than vs honing the driving craft. Which is fine of course, and you’ll still hone your craft in a gearbox kart.
I agree with Tanguy here, an electric start TM would be a good way to go. If you are a real masochist go for the 175 model. If you’re on a budget and don’t care about having electric start, grab an older model TM and fully rebuild it.
Thanks, Jake. Yes, I would say the experience has priority for me, but I hope I can’t avoid getting a little better along the way
Hmm, electric start sure is comfortable but the used market seems tiny for that on the shifter side, apart from DD2.
I don’t think my mechanical knowledge would suffice to rebuild anything, but I also don’t want to invest the time for that. Weekends are short enough already with all my other commitments and hobbies; I want to rock up to the track, put fuel in, check tire pressure, warm up the engine, and head out. Playing with the set-up and try different tires will probably be as far as I’ll go.
