Newbie…is Rmax right for me?

[Mike Jansen]

GP5 still available…
I might be bringing it to the club race this weekend, I have to get a couple of brackets to carry two karts…
and yes, i have a box of goodies that go along with it…

[Rick Schmidt]

Ktm,

If you’re not actually going to race this year but just get seat time. Most any non boost port motor package would work. The Rotax is extremely dependable and offers a lot of options if you do decide to compete. The engine package requires some finesse to drive fast at first, but nothing you can’t handle and every new Rotax driver dosen’t go through. To run at it’s highest performance levels also requires some tuning ability as the motor is over carbed but there is a lot of help out there and you wouldn’t need to have it on the edge. We ran a Rotax for 2 years without a rebuild and were still competitive. Not that I would advocate that far past reccomended interval.

We have also been very happy with our Motori and there are a lot of Leopards out there as well. Depending on your size, a used Biland package would be pretty hands off for your first year and has torque to pull weight.

Buy something that is resalable and supported in our area. You will need spares even if you’re just getting seat time.

Not sure an arrive and drive would be pratical as a practice option for the year. At very high levels of the sport, it might be an option but a well tuned unit is what you’ll get and will pay respectively.

If it’s not in the cards this year, go rent at the different tracks and get your seat time as you can afford. This is not a cheap hobby in general but for racing it’s pretty good bang for the buck. I know people that spend more on golfing, model airplanes etc…

And despite what some feel may be on this forum at times, it’s some of the best people you and your family could hang with.

Later.

[Rick Schmidt]

Also Ktm,

You may want to consider buying a complete used package. You will more than likely get some spares and there is always incidentals when peicing a kart together. It may also be sorted out to some degree.

Rick

[Anonymous]

@Rick Schmidt wrote:

Also Ktm,

You may want to consider buying a complete used package. You will more than likely get some spares and there is always incidentals when peicing a kart together. It may also be sorted out to some degree.

Rick

I would go one step further and strongly recommend this approach.

After driving a buddies (old and not set up at all) TaG, I went out and bought Charles Gordons machine. After a session in my new toy, my buddy said “Oh, THAT’S what it’s supposed to feel like”.
Even with a well set up machine, the learning curve is pretty steep. I can’t imagine buying brand new kit then having to figure out where to mount the seat, what ride height to run, what alignment settings work best and a whole bunch of other adjustments that I have not figured out yet.

Good Luck

[Rick Schmidt]

Yes Graeme,

This goes along with my point. Even if you have to change seats in your new kart, get help. A mis positioned seat will never let the kart work right and won’t be fun to drive.

And the little incidendals when putting something together add up. We have great sources for complete previously owned units.

Rick

[Jon Romenesko]

Speaking from experience, I wouldnt buy something overly new/nice when you’re first starting out. Chances are, you’ll beat it up fairly well, and why bother beating up something nice new and shiny (and expensive), especially if you’re not really planning to race the first year?

A good used package is the way to go for a noob, but not too old and in decent shape (duh). Also, make sure you have a pretty good idea of how many hours are on a given engine you’ll buy, could come back and bite you if you don’t (once again, speaking from experience. but like Rick pointed out, the Rotax is a fantastically durable engine). The learning curve is very steep at first, but it’l flatten out eventually. Just asking questions is one of the best things you can do. And it’s racing, so you’ll probably get frustrated with it at times, but just stick with it….it’s worth it. 8)

There’s just so very, very much to learn in this sport. Hell, i’ve been in it for about a year and a half, and i still haven’t graduated from the noob school yet. 😛

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