I’m trying to get my first go-kart for racing on an outdoor track. I noticed that I can’t find much of stuff online, and the only company I found to buy something from online is FactoryKarts. Although I haven’t seen bad things about them, their karts are quite expensive. Is it that I need to find a local in person dealer ship to look for a kart? Or if anyone knows where online to purchase a kart/parts for around 2-5k usd that would be nice too. Also, once I get started in this, what safety gear will I need, and where can i go to get them. Things like racing suit, gloves, shoes, things to protect my neck and torso if necessary. Thanks.
Welcome.
Step one would be to let us know where you are located and your age. Karting is very regional so what kind of kart you would want is going to depend a lot on where you are and what classes and brands are supported locally.
Local tracks and shops will also have used equipment and can point you in the right direction in terms of classes that are run at local tracks, provide some setup info and sell spare parts.
You’re buying a racecar essentially, so there will need to be some tailoring to you specifically, like mounting the seat correctly, setting it up to handle reasonably well etc. which is why there isn’t a lot of shops just selling full karts online. It’s best to go look in person and talk to the dealer. And if you’re buying used (which you should when starting out) you’ll want to inspect the kart for damage or wear on the frame.
For safety gear it’ll vary by where you want to race, but you’ll need a properly rated helmet, race suit (some places allow jeans and jacket), gloves, and possibly a neck brace and rib protector (highly recommended, karting is brutal on your ribs). Once we know where you’ll be running we can check the rulebook for specifics.
Your budget should be fine for starting out and getting what you need, but remember that you will have other fees like pit passes each time you go to the track, fuel, tires and other consumables, tools if you don’t have them, a kart stand, transportation etc.
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So is this your budget? If it is, you are going to be looking at used karts, which is fine, or can be fine. A used kart is how most start in this hobby but there are some risks. New karts can be purchased online but likely the best way to buy a new kart is from a local source near your track as they will know what you will be looking for. Used karts can be a little tricky, some sellers may pass off a kart that has damage or is bent. Your local source may have used karts or leads to find one. Facebook can be a source but without knowing what you are looking at you might end up with a less-than-ideal situation. Talking with other karters at your local track might give you some leads too and hopefully, someone would be willing to help you in looking at used karts. You could also share it here as well.
As for equipment, local sources will allow you to try things on whereas online stuff that can be a hassle. While there are karting specific helmets, you could also use a motorcycle helmet or automotive helmet. Some people will wear wrestling shoes or even sneakers and while a karting suit is something you will likely want you can start with jeans and a durable jacket. A neck brace is usually optional for adults and is a preference but a rib vest while also optional is going to be something you want.
If you’re in the Midwest, the biggest karting convention around is on Feb 1st:
@Bokeno_Racing wow! I wish my area had a karting trade show and swap meet. That is really cool.
@bouffantalloy87 2-5k is fine to get you started. I spent $3700 on my first kart (engine included) and it lasted me about two years of practice ans racing, although I don’t race as often as some here. I bought my kart on FB marketplace. Safety gear can be found there too. But like Robert was saying, you shouldn’t buy anything just yet. When I was brand new, I went to my local track and asked their parts guy to explain all the different series and engine classes that raced at the track. This made it easy to determine which series (local club race) and class (KA100) were right for me. I then knew what kart to look for. I bought a particular brand of chassis that I knew my local track was dealing. They sell all the spare parts I need and if I break something at the track, I just go to the parts counter and swipe my credit card.
Finding a racing go-kart can be tough online since most dealers operate locally. Your best bet is to check local kart shops, Facebook Marketplace, or forums like eKartingNews and KartPulse for used karts. If buying new, brands like CRG, Birel, and Tony Kart sell through dealers, though they can be pricey like FactoryKarts.
For safety gear, you’ll need a Snell-rated helmet (K2020 or SA2020), a CIK-FIA approved suit, gloves, racing shoes, and a neck protector. A rib protector is also recommended. You can find these at kart shops or online at Comet Kart Sales, K1 Race Gear, and Summit Racing.
Where are you located?
Facebook groups associated with local karting clubs/organizations tend to be the best place to find used. So start at the local clubs and tracks, find out where they communicate online, and go from there.
If you don’t personally know the seller or don’t know the seller is associated with the local karting scene, then be very very wary.
Everyone will say the kart is strait. If they races serious, it has probable been straitened at some point. Check the bottom of the tubes for flat ground down spots, if severe, pass it will affect the flex of the frame. Ask them to put a Sniper on the front, then swing the steering with a ruler sitting up vertical between the foot posts. Compare where the beams hit and if they are more than a couple 2-3mm off then it means the C hubs are twisted. If you don’t have access to a sniper, set the chassis on the ground and sweep the front wheel from one side to the other and measure the amount of rock diagonal in the kart. If it has a big difference from once direction to the other, then it is bent.
On the safety gear, look for a Snell rated helmet, FIA suit and gloves, and some racing shoes. Some series require kneck brace, some do not. Also highly recommend quality rib protection.
Check out Driven Racing for OMP and Bell products. We don’t have the Bell helmets, but we run the OMP suits and gloves and love them.
Don’t go out and buy the cheap K1 or foreign import safety gear. It doesn’t hold up well and doesn’t afford the same level of protection of CIK-FIA approved gear. We did that early on.
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Not a fan of their rib protector but gloves are decent and very inexpensive. A good suit that isn’t expensive is the Sparco Kerb but also look at sales on manu sites for clearance items.
Our gloves didn’t last 2 full race seasons. They were good for about 15-20 race weekends plus lots of practice laps, then the stitching gave out.
The rib protector is awful. We bought one of them first, after some cracked ribs on the kid we went Bengio and haven’t looked back.
Shoes have been Alpinestars that have held up well but are due for replacement. Next set will be OMP.
Gloves we have had K1, Alpine, and OMP. The OMP were the best, Alpine second, K1 a distant 3rd.
Suits have been K1 and Alpine. The K1 is still in use, donated to a college club. It actually held up reasonably well for what it was…an entry level suit. The Alpinestars suit has holes all over it and 40+ race weekends. The fit was much better on it, but I would have liked to see it hold up longer. Next suit will be a custom job from OMP. Last suit his sponsor (dad) will buy him. 
Well same for minus 273. The sale ones at 40ish bucks are a very good buy.
I have restiched my gloves ham handedly and that works, too.