I’m pulling the trigger on my first kart and am looking at the following with the goal of purchasing something tomorrow, Tuesday 7/29. They are: 2016 Margay L0206, new motor, 2017 Intrepid FK4,L0206, and a 2019 Comet Eagle L0206.
Background on me: 77 years old. Have raced off-road motorcycles since I was 20. Have won a few district and state enduro/hare scramble titles, the last in 2018 in Texas where I won the TSCEC 70 yo class. Since then I have had lumbar fusion surgery and can no longer safely ride a bike . I have also dabbled in my younger days in auto racing with a Triumph Spitfire. Two weeks ago, I went to a Texas race track,Harris Hill Raceway, and did a 9 lap run with a professional driver in the passenger seat in my own car. I was pushing 130 in the straights and the pro said I had good, smooth technique in the turns and braking. After that, with my brakes smoking I realized track days with my car would be brutal to the car. I have always thought karts could be fun and a terrific replacement for dirt bikes, so… here I am. Advise, help and opinions appreciated.
Those are some good options… what does your local kart track race? If you’re looking to be involved in the racing aspect, it would be good to make sure that the local track races LO206. If not, those would still be good options for turning laps and LO206 is a great place to start.
Having local support is important, especially when youre first starting out. If the local shop sells Margay, Intrepid, or Comet, then great. If not, you may want to speak to them to see if they have used karts since they will also carry the parts for them.
When looking at a used chassis, make sure that you cant spot any cracks. If there are welds, at least make sure they are of good quality and should only be for the seat struts at most. It is also a good idea to check to make sure the bottom of the frame at the front and cross bar is not flat-spotted, that can make it handle poorly.
Thanks for the reply. I believe all three have local support. I am joining a members track/association that has a L0206 racing class. My thought is to spend some time, a month or two, practicing and observing before I decide on racing.
David has excellent advice that mirrors most of mine.
Key question is where is home track? Motor and chassis choices should align with what is in your area. The Comet and Margay are popular in the midwest. The Intrepid, I am not sure where it has strong presence. You don’t have to follow the masses, but it helps with parts support if you don’t run a total outlier chassis.
Most places run LO206, but not all. It is the slowest category, but also the most popular across the US. It is also most economical and easiest on the body and on tires if you want to pound out lots of laps. LO206 also rewards a smooth driving technique and it is very much a momentum platform.
Check for cracks around the seat posts and seat tabs in particular. If you see weld repairs anywhere other than the seat post and tabs, do not purchase. Check for flat spots at the front and the waist of the chassis. Also look for dings on the frame behind the spindles. When you get hit in a wreck and the spindle gets slammed full lock it will make a mark on the back of the C and on the top of the frame. If you see this the kart has been wrecked and the steering geometry may be out. It can often be fixed, but as a new karter, steer clear.
Thanks. I am buying a membership at Hill Country Kart Club in New Braunfels, Texas. They support a L0206 series throughout the year. None of the karts I am looking at have local dealers or support. Not sure how big a problem that might be. I may be adding a 2018 Birel Art if the guy gets back to me. I believe. there is support for that brand.
Welcome to KartPulse! You’ve found a great community.
I’m 66 and am racing Ignites with my son out of the Toledo OH area. The rib protector will pay for itself the first time you get a little too aggressive over a curb or you slide off into a barrier or someone tries to pass a little too agressively… My son and I both have Bengio Bumper rib protectors. They work for us but as with anything racing, YMMV. There are lots of reputable brands out there. Check the fit before you buy if you can, each brand of protectors fit different body shapes differently. There’s threads here on Kartpulse about that very subject. This seems to be a good one and is fairly recent. What Rib Protector should I get?
If your question isn’t answered there, you can add a question and you should get some answers. Sometimes maybe too many answers.
Thanks. I am looking at protective gear as I type this. I have a lot of gear from off-road racing. 'Not sure any of it is transferrable. I have a carbon fiber Alpine Stars neck brace that might work, and a couple chest protectors that have rib protection. Not sure the chest protectors will translate. Several very expensive high tech helmets, and none of them are snell rated.
At 62 years old, I totally agree with need for rib protector. The Bengo seems to work best for me. I have a Praga 2 Cycle Kart I thru a LO206 on. Figured next season I can get a 4 cycle kart chassis.
Something to consider…All the options listed are older karts, so there is a chance that things might be worn out. So the condition would be my main concern. The 206 motor is very durable so new or a season or two old used probably doesn’t matter much, they will both run well.
I don’t have experience with most of the options you have listed but I do with the Birel and parts for the Birel can be expensive and unless you have local support you may be buying parts from PSL karting in Canada or even MondoKart in Italy.
I’m not familiar with any of those chassis outside of the Margay. We have had multiple drivers try these at our track, and they just don’t seem to be fast. If you look at the regional/national 206 racing, you won’t see many margay.
I believe the Comet is pretty good with a 206 on it, or at least they used to be.
Hi Jim. I’m a regular at Hill Country Kart Club, though I race Rotax and not 206, I’d be happy to answer any questions you have and hopefully will see you at the track soon! Feel free to send me a private message.
Hi Jim, I don’t have answers to you kart questions but good for you getting out there at 77!
I’m 65 and still racing MX, I raced karts when I was in my 20’s and now I have a couple of Rotax karts which I use just at practice days.
Unfortunately your mx chest protector is not going to work in the kart. Get yourself a proper kart specific protector, I personally use the Ribtec and have had no issues.
Good luck and have fun:)
Again, thanks to all. Yesterday I picked up the Comet Eagle. The seller wasn’t sure what year it was as he never rode it and didn’t ask the previous owner. I know a bit of a red flag, but having raced Offroad motorcycle for 50+ years, I have inspected a lot of bikes. The technology applied to one is very close to the other. Based on the pictures the seller sent me I was guessing a 2019, but now I’ not sure as there is a sticker on it for the Texas Kart Racing series with a 2017 date. So might be a bit older. The chassis serial number is 416100. If anyone knows or can point me in the right direction to see if this will give me the manufacture year it would be a great help. I’m probably going to call the manufacturer later today after I’ve more thoroughly gone over the kart. What I see is mostly cosmetic issues, and some surface rust on the bare metal components. The frame has no corrective welds, measures and rolls true. the bearings roll smoothly, no rough spots or wiggling when tested. As I get into it I’m sure I’ll have a lot of questions. I liked what I read about the Eagle in my research so I jumped in. I did order a K1 carbon fiber rib protector yesterday.
Andy, I’ll pm you later today. I’m going to call Hill Country later today to sign up, but it may be a week or two before I get up there. Getting exited to try it though.
The 4 means 4 cycle.
Then the 16 is the year.
It was the 100th chassis made that year.
I have been on Eagles for a long time. Ask away on questions. What axle does it have in it? Any markings? Or the inside wall of the axle painted any color?
Well, I was off by a few years, but talked to someone who races the Eagle who said he preferred the 2016 chassis over the 2019. As a nooby I wouldn’t know the difference anyway.
@jpeacock we race with quite a few of the HCKC folks at TSRS. They have a solid group there. 206 and Rotax seem to be what is thriving at that club. Main difference between their track and every other in our area will be tire pressure and grip. The concrete produces much less grip and will require much higher tire pressures than the recommendations you will see for any other track in our area. Everyone is always focused on freeing up the 206 karts in the high grip conditions, you will have much less of that to deal with there.
As for the helmet, most clubs will accept anything that meets SKUSA/USPKS rules. Below is current listing of acceptable certifications:
It has a 40mm rear axle. Based on what I’ve read is the preferred axle. Will have more questions as I get into it. Things I’m planning to do/look into: Pull wheels to check bearings, spindles, and wheel integrity, and also alignment and camber (what would be a good neutral setup). Rebuild carburetor and put in a new spark plug. Check and clean clutch, and fix if necessary. Check chain (what is the amount of chain deflection required). Check frame for cracks… and general inspection.
get a can of chain lube use it every time try not to run more then 15 mins between lubes.you will want to put a wrench on every nut and bolt about every hour and make sure they are tight,extra attention to anything connected to motor .run chain loose i like about 1/2 -3/4 inch i use the closed end of a 12 mm wrench and want the chain to move about that wide.
