All ATV sports are on the rise, and off road go karts are no different. Most people associate go-carts with children and while off road go karts are much safer than other ATV equipment, they are not designed for children.
While mini-bikes, pocket rockets and other ATV’s leave the rider exposed (even with protective gear), off-road go karts protect a rider with roll bars and other safer features. A typical off-road go-kart allows a person to sit inside of it, rather than outside and straddling a seat. This allows for better control and balance of the vehicle.
They also offer steering wheels rather than handle bars which allows for better steering control. Most off-road go-karts have four wheels, which offers more stability. Some, however, only have three wheels, which is still safer than two wheels like motorbikes have. Also, off-road go-karts have large wheels and are lower to the ground, which lowers their chances of rolling.
Due to the terrain they are meant for, off-road go-karts have great suspension in both the front and back to help absorb shock from bumps. Other ATVs have suspension and shock absorbers, too, but not ones as strong and sturdy as the ones offered on off-road go-karts. Off-road go-karts also offer padded seats for added comfort. Other safety features include seat belts, mirrors, turn signals and headlights.
Off Road Go Karts vs. Kid Friendly Karts
While they are generally safer due to their structure, it’s important to remember that off-road go-karts, like all ATVs, are not toys. These machines are powerful and best used by adults due to their speed. For a child, it’s best to look into a go-cart like the kind that is raced on controlled go-cart tracks. The off-road go-karts made for adults look more like dune buggies than traditional go-carts.
Off-road go-karts are generally powered by 150 cc (cubic centimeters) or 250 cc engines. These types of engines are mostly found in motorcycles and federal law prohibits anyone under the age of 16 from operating an ATV with an engine larger than 90 cc. That is just more proof that off-road go-karts are meant for adults. These engines can get as fast as 50 miles per hour.
The Great Go Anywhere Alternative That is Off Road Go Karts
Another great thing about off-road go-karts is they are not limited to go-cart tracks, smooth terrain or private lots. While most states have laws that prohibit off-road go-karts from being driven on main thoroughfares and side streets, off-road go-karts can go places other ATVs and children’s go-carts can’t. Due to where they are meant to be driven, it’s best to not let a child drive them unless an adult is in the vehicle with them.
Off-road go-karts can be more expensive than regular go-carts and smaller kids ATVs, but for an adult they can be a wonderful, cheap alternative to more expensive motorcycles, dirt bikes and other ATVs. As the popularity of off-road go-karts grow, the competitiveness between manufacturers will push prices of these vehicles even lower. For the real off-road go-kart enthusiast, plans on how to build the rough-terrain vehicles can be found online. Building your own off road go karts can save you even more money and can be a fun hobby.