Transition from Moto to Shifter Karts - has anyone done this?

Madmax31
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Madmax31 11/14/2013 11:33am
11/14/2013 11:33am
I tried it for a few years, and thought it was ok. I actually like the 4-cycle dirt karts the best. Close racing, lots of competition, and could race it about anywhere. The shifter classes around here are fewer and far between. Plus it seemed like you'd have different tire and gas rules from track to track. Pain in the a$$.

The Rotax karts seem like a really good option if they are running them in your area.

This may sound weird, but a lot of friends/family made fun of kart racing. It got to where I was embarrassed to bring up that I did it. I would even make up stuff that I was doing instead of admitting I was kart racing that weekend.
IWreckALot
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IWreckALot 11/14/2013 11:39am
11/14/2013 11:39am
Have you considered UTV racing? Who knows, it could be more expensive than shifter cart racing and riding areas probably aren't easy to come by. But it looks like a ton of fun.
Grieby54
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Grieby54 11/14/2013 11:56am
11/14/2013 11:56am
The Rock wrote:
Grieby54-I can relate to where you're coming from. I think a lot of us have gone through having our passion for MX ebb and flow over...
Grieby54-I can relate to where you're coming from. I think a lot of us have gone through having our passion for MX ebb and flow over the years and if you're not feeling it at the moment then follow your heart.

I haven't made the transition but have my sights set on it in the years to come. I did drive two different karts last year in Germany that are BRP Rotax based. These are kart specific chainless two speed 125 cc two stroke motors that are an absolute blast to drive. Here are my responses based on my limited experience.

Was it enough? YES!
How did it compare? Definitely fulfilled my need for adrenaline. Being a newbie I found myself glad I wasn't driving anything bigger than a 125 as it definitely pushed my capabilities to the limit.
Where did you start? BRP Rotax test track
What do you wish you had known before you made the transition? Wish I had driven a kart a long time ago.

BRP Rotaxx has their Grand Final on the US mainland for the first time in its 14 year history in beautiful New Orleans this weekend. Over 300 racers from all over the world have qualified to come race this spec series with sealed motors that puts ALL of the emphasis on the driver. BRP Rotax's racing series provides a path for youngsters to develop through the ranks plus have classes for the more mature driver. Key factor is all these series use the same motor with the junior classes having restrictors on intake and exhausts to keep the HP down and the reliability up.

First thing I would do is investigate if there are any BRP Rotax races in your area. BTW F1 pilots Jenson Button and Kiki Raikomen (sp) both started with BRP Rotax engines.
I don't think it's a matter of "not feeling it" - it's just kinda hard to be as into it as I once was. Especially knowing that I'll probably never huck a triple again. I really appreciate your input and it's very encouraging! The kart pictures you posted are totally bitchin!
Grieby54
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Grieby54 11/14/2013 11:57am
11/14/2013 11:57am Edited Date/Time 11/14/2013 11:59am
Madmax31 wrote:
I tried it for a few years, and thought it was ok. I actually like the 4-cycle dirt karts the best. Close racing, lots of competition...
I tried it for a few years, and thought it was ok. I actually like the 4-cycle dirt karts the best. Close racing, lots of competition, and could race it about anywhere. The shifter classes around here are fewer and far between. Plus it seemed like you'd have different tire and gas rules from track to track. Pain in the a$$.

The Rotax karts seem like a really good option if they are running them in your area.

This may sound weird, but a lot of friends/family made fun of kart racing. It got to where I was embarrassed to bring up that I did it. I would even make up stuff that I was doing instead of admitting I was kart racing that weekend.
If Rotax is 2 speed, that seems like it would be more interesting than the standard TAG. Might be a happy medium. I guess it depends on if people are racing them here.

I also hear you on the embarrassment piece. It's tough to go from a sport that everyone thinks you're a badass for competing in to sport that people think of putt-putt go carts when you mention it. It's hard to convey just how cool it is (F1 is the next step), or how good you have to be.

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gotwings
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gotwings 11/14/2013 11:59am
11/14/2013 11:59am
I know a guy who did that same thing and he's "over the moon", whatever that means.
Coincidentally, he also bought a quad and came out of the closet the same week, so food for thought.
Does your wife know???
Grieby54
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Grieby54 11/14/2013 12:00pm
11/14/2013 12:00pm
IWreckALot wrote:
Have you considered UTV racing? Who knows, it could be more expensive than shifter cart racing and riding areas probably aren't easy to come by. But...
Have you considered UTV racing? Who knows, it could be more expensive than shifter cart racing and riding areas probably aren't easy to come by. But it looks like a ton of fun.
Waaaay more expensive and the races just aren't there. I have my truck set up for offroading, so I don't need another 4 wheeled off roader.

Grieby54
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Grieby54 11/14/2013 12:01pm
11/14/2013 12:01pm
gotwings wrote:
I know a guy who did that same thing and he's "over the moon", whatever that means. Coincidentally, he also bought a quad and came out...
I know a guy who did that same thing and he's "over the moon", whatever that means.
Coincidentally, he also bought a quad and came out of the closet the same week, so food for thought.
Does your wife know???
Laughing
The Rock
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The Rock 11/14/2013 12:34pm
11/14/2013 12:34pm Edited Date/Time 11/14/2013 12:45pm
Madmax31 wrote:
I tried it for a few years, and thought it was ok. I actually like the 4-cycle dirt karts the best. Close racing, lots of competition...
I tried it for a few years, and thought it was ok. I actually like the 4-cycle dirt karts the best. Close racing, lots of competition, and could race it about anywhere. The shifter classes around here are fewer and far between. Plus it seemed like you'd have different tire and gas rules from track to track. Pain in the a$$.

The Rotax karts seem like a really good option if they are running them in your area.

This may sound weird, but a lot of friends/family made fun of kart racing. It got to where I was embarrassed to bring up that I did it. I would even make up stuff that I was doing instead of admitting I was kart racing that weekend.
Grieby54 wrote:
If Rotax is 2 speed, that seems like it would be more interesting than the standard TAG. Might be a happy medium. I guess it depends...
If Rotax is 2 speed, that seems like it would be more interesting than the standard TAG. Might be a happy medium. I guess it depends on if people are racing them here.

I also hear you on the embarrassment piece. It's tough to go from a sport that everyone thinks you're a badass for competing in to sport that people think of putt-putt go carts when you mention it. It's hard to convey just how cool it is (F1 is the next step), or how good you have to be.
For people with families the Rotax karts make a lot of sense since the motor can be easily changed for more power by removing the intake and exhaust restrictions. Somewhat akin to getting your kid a 250F but having the motor detuned until his or her skill level warrants the increase in power. Hmmm.

Regarding the poo poo-ers "they are so far behind they think they're in the lead" applies here. I would have invited them to go with you and see first hand just how "easy" it is.......not.
Tim507
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Tim507 11/14/2013 12:38pm
11/14/2013 12:38pm
Had an Italia Kart for two seasons and it was a ton of fun but expensive and you can only ride it a track (race or track days). I always needed help with it and it was a hassle compared to dirt cycles......got rid of the shifter kart and back on dirt cyclesSmile
151
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151 11/14/2013 12:47pm
11/14/2013 12:47pm Edited Date/Time 11/14/2013 12:51pm
https://youtu.be/A5ypvI0UyFU

This is cheap and fun. Karts in and of themselves are not expensive. Racing a kart is. My entire family built shifters of various shapes and sizes a few years ago when I was hurt and couldn't ride, it was A LOT of fun.

The blue kart in this video is mine. It was a 2004 SKM shifter chassi with a '05 KX250 two stroke engine. It is almost certainlt the quickest thing I have ever been on. However, on this track I almost always got beat by a smaller kart that ran a honda 200cc aircooled 4stroke engine. the 250 kart was quicker than my two R1's, but when you take away the traction, everything changes. Drifting around corners and trying not to spin out or lose traction on dirt straights was really awesome.

One day when I am too old or otherwise cannot race bikes any more, I will be trying to start a dirt kart series.

Unless you can do that for me now!
skidmarkz
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skidmarkz 11/14/2013 1:09pm
11/14/2013 1:09pm
I got into 125 shifters after getting hurt badly on my cr250 years ago. Was in the same boat about giving up the sport I loved so much growing up. We have a karting club locally and went to a few races as a spectator, met lots of people to get an idea of what was involved and finally joined the club. I purchased an older SKM "roller" for 1500 and a brand new cr125 motor package with everything included; pipe,carb, radiator, motor mount, fuel pump, plumbing, all brackets, etc for another 3200. I had already made up my mind that I was just going to do it for fun and not go overboard about racing. I did lots of practice days, and days where I was the only guy there and was able to test without distractions. I would get hand me down tires from some of the local pros to practice with. I also joined a local autocross club to compete occasionally against the full sized cars. Many times the 125 shifters would set fast time of the day. (actually enjoyed that more than going to the kart track!) It still does require time and money just like a bike but depending on how far you want to take it will dictate the expense. The other issue as mentioned above is a place to drive/practice. Luckily I live close to our club track...others have to come a long way to just to have a place to drive. If that wasnt the case I'd be SOL.
Socket946
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Socket946 11/14/2013 7:25pm
11/14/2013 7:25pm
I had a buddy do it.

6 months in, he sold everything, and went back to MX.

The tire cost, motor cost, fuel cost, track day cost...

Good god.
Bigoldbeef 11/14/2013 7:48pm
11/14/2013 7:48pm
Grieby54 wrote:
Waaaay more expensive and the races just aren't there. I have my truck set up for offroading, so I don't need another 4 wheeled off roader...
Waaaay more expensive and the races just aren't there. I have my truck set up for offroading, so I don't need another 4 wheeled off roader.

You ever try downhill mountain biking? Closest thing to moto in my opinion.
adamdf
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adamdf 11/14/2013 8:10pm
11/14/2013 8:10pm
I've always contemplated getting into karting. So im interested in what you guys are saying too. However while I have driven 100cc karts, I've never driven the shifters. What I can say though is, If you really still love moto, I don't think that getting into Karting or any other sport will replace that for you. Sure it would be a great thing to do, but personally, I would need an extra set of Cash to invest into karting and it won't be coming from selling my bike. But that's just me.
Jack mehoff
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Jack mehoff 11/14/2013 9:11pm
11/14/2013 9:11pm
Grieby54 wrote:
After years of unyielding passion for all things motocross, I've finally started to resign to the fact that I'll probably never get back into the sport...
After years of unyielding passion for all things motocross, I've finally started to resign to the fact that I'll probably never get back into the sport again. I moved up to B class a few years ago and shorty after wadded up pretty bad practicing for a LL regional qualifier. I decided that I would "take a step back for a bit" and then jump back in full force within a year or so. Track days became fewer and further in between and then stopped all together when I had to sell the bike to pay for a honey moon.

I still watch the races, but they're starting to lose the luster that they once had to me. I used to soak up EVERY second of the broadcast, and now I find myself fast forwarding through the filler stuff and even most of the LCQ's (unless I see a big moment happen, in which case I'll rewind and watch it). I can't even bring myself to watch arenacross.

Maybe some day I can talk my wife into letting our kid(s) ride (if/when we have one), but she has expressed her disapproval with me getting back into it so I don't have very high hopes for her allowing our kid(s) getting into it. I still have a huge passion for the sport and I know I will never walk away from it all together, but I think I've known for a while that it just won't ever be what it was before and now I'm just finally allowing myself to admit it.

So, with all of that being said, I still need my adrenaline fix. I've done a few track days at shifter kart tracks with their rentals. The rentals aren't the high end shifters by any means, but they'll still do about 50 mph and they're a blast to drive. I was wondering if anyone else has made the jump from moto to karts, and how it went. Was it enough? How did it compare? Where did you start? What do you wish you had known before you made the transition?

I appreciate anyone's input.
I went into nasa/ Scca racing in a class called spec Miata , you can get a starter car for under 10 k , the biggest cost off any asphalt racing is tires / tire program you can get quite a few weekends out off 600 dollar set off tires , some guys run them down to the cords , 2nd factory mazda supports the sport you send in pics to mazda you get a account with Mazda with true factory pricing free shipping to your door , 3 you will be worn out by the end off the weekend between shifting. Braking , the G forces that your body goes through , the mental aspect and the side by side racing ,will have your adrenaline pumping just like mx but the best part is no broken bones . 4 the facilities are usually top notch showers , real bathrooms 5 the people in that class are always willing to help you out, It is not uncommon to see 10 people swarming around a car that wrecked or broke down during a race being repaired by the folks you just raced so you can get back out on the track next session .
The only real draw back is the lack off tracks , I am pretty lucky with having 3 with in 2 hrs but have found that it's such a drug that I will haul it right past them to get on the best tracks in the country ,
Jack mehoff
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Jack mehoff 11/14/2013 9:46pm
11/14/2013 9:46pm






The red one I just sold for $ 7500 I bought it 4 yrs ago for 10k
The blue one is my newly acquired one
Jack mehoff
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Jack mehoff 11/14/2013 10:03pm
11/14/2013 10:03pm
This is a in car from a go pro for a guy that was having a hard time selling his car because it had no history , I got a 4 th in it and he sold it the next Monday for 9 k

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=s5fti5fi7nw

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dboivin
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dboivin 11/14/2013 10:10pm
11/14/2013 10:10pm
I went out and got into snowmobiling. satisfied me. bought a couple sleds and hammer deep powder. i wish i lived where you do. Smile

watch vid (not me) but can't deny the fun factor.
barkbustn33
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barkbustn33 11/14/2013 11:13pm
11/14/2013 11:13pm
Since the winters are cold here and we arent able to ride our diet scooters, my dad and i have raced dirt oval r/c cars. We also have a lot of friends that have raed karts or full scale dirt oval. It seems that the more more you spend the more competitive you are. I dont think it the discipline of racing matters. In dirt oval r/c i know of guys who have spent more money than racing full size cars.i also cab understand the people who have been teased because they race karts. Ive had a lot of people give me a hard time because i race "toy cars" its not until they try it that they realize how competitive it is. Its possible to spend more in an r/c season than a full season of hare scrambles.
40Plus_922mx
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40Plus_922mx 11/15/2013 12:13am
11/15/2013 12:13am
I went carting for a while. Just got depressed. Wished I was as fast on my mx scoot.
mx757
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mx757 11/15/2013 1:37am
11/15/2013 1:37am
Bytor wrote:
http://www.elpasocountyspeedway.com/
http://www.i25speedway.com/

http://cosprings.craigslist.org/cto/4121439356.html
If youre wanting to get into budget racing, this would be my vote as well. I raced moto up until I got hurt 6 years ago when I blew up my ankle. I lost my spark for the bikes, so I bought a circle track car to go play with. I started in the low level, economical (as far as racing goes anyway) hornet class, and this year I moved up to the mini stock class. At I-25 speedway I usually run anywhere from 12-14 nights a season, and in the Hornet class you can run dirt or pavement tracks with very few changes to the car. for less than 2 grand you can run for a championship in the hornet class without a problem.
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Canerat 11/15/2013 1:44am
11/15/2013 1:44am
Alan_Jullien wrote:
Stop this madness at once. Get yourself banned from all karting venues statewide & go buy a new 450.
Hey old fruit...shifter carts are lekker. Motocross is still the best but we don't bounce anymore. Never once got hurt in a shifter cart. Did the Pinetown street race once.....felt like I was racing in Monaco.

Just had a thought....drop a 450 moto into a kart chassis...ek se maar net.

Regards from Africa.
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Walter 11/15/2013 4:13am
11/15/2013 4:13am
I have raced mx and desert on bikes and a variety of cars (Class 10 off road, formula cars, production sports cars, alcohol dragsters) and done the shifter kart thing as well. Shifter karts are incredible and more fun than many types of full sized cars on a road course. I did both sprint course and long course road racing in them. I have lapped faster on some full size road courses in my shifter than in some types of sports cars I raced.

Start with a TAG of some sort to get your feet wet. There are a lot of things to get used to and racecraft to learn. It is easier in a TAG...shifter karts keep you very busy, especially on a sprint course.

Tires are a big expense and drama in karting (TAG or shifter) so find a class with a spec tire to minimize the different types you have to have for different track conditions. Many classes have a harder spec tire that lasts.

Prepare for some crashes. I broke more bones in karts than on bikes!

Here in Tucson we have a local sprint track and one can just head out for practice days and have a lot of fun. Many folks do that and do not participate in races.
GeorgiePorgie 11/15/2013 7:31am
11/15/2013 7:31am
Super moto might be cheaper. And gives you the option to swap wheels and get a moto fix if need be.
BobPA
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BobPA 11/15/2013 8:16am
11/15/2013 8:16am
A few years ago I hopped in my friends karts, he had a single speed 100cc Yami (forget the class) and a 125 shifter with a full Pavesi big motor setup. They were and absolute blast. But they were still no where near Moto. The tracks are always the same (relatively speaking) and where I am you have to travel 4-5 hours to even be able to run the shifter.

The most fun I have had on 4 wheels was driving a 600 micro sprint. Fast, exciting, and tons of competition. They are an absolute blast to drive, and no more expensive than any other racing hobby
Bytor
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Bytor 11/15/2013 8:32am
11/15/2013 8:32am
Mini and micro springs are cool as hell but more expensive than shifter carts.
Jman277
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Jman277 11/15/2013 9:01am
11/15/2013 9:01am
I actually just went through this process myself a few months back. I ended up selling my bike for 2k, and got a smoking deal on a 2011 kart fully setup for TAG for 2k. I have been to a few practice days and I tried to race but I had mechanical problems (chain kept falling off because I bent my sprocket carrier). So far im really enjoying it and partly because im not thinking about getting hurt, which I did on the bike. Im just your average novice rider as well. .
My local kart track is about 12 miles from my house and is open anytime you want to go practice once you pay your yearly membership, which I dont think most tracks are like, but makes it super easy to go practice when you want. Race entry fee is 50 bucks and the local kart shop said ill need to replace my tires about every 4 races, which would be about 250 bucks for dunlops. Im not sure what tracks you have around you but ours is fairly short (approximately 28 second lap times), which could be why our tires might last longer then other bigger tracks.
Honestly I would stay away from shifters right off the bat. I read too many people getting into it and being overwhelmed because there is so much going on, hence why I went with a TAG kart for now. Just my .02.
BobPA
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BobPA 11/15/2013 9:09am
11/15/2013 9:09am
Bytor wrote:
Mini and micro springs are cool as hell but more expensive than shifter carts.
I'm not so sure about that, my friend is very competitive locally here and does pretty damn good at the big events and he has 3 seasons on the same motor. Needs a right rear every 2-4 races, left rear every 4-8. But the big equalizer is we have 3 tracks within 45 minutes, opposed to one shifter track 4 hours away.
LocDawg
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LocDawg 11/15/2013 9:33am
11/15/2013 9:33am
cant believe no one mentioned road racing??

id imagine its just as expensive as shifter kart racing and just as fun

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