Finding the Best Go-Kart for Your Kid

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Go-karts are open-wheeled racing cars. Art Ingels first created them in 1956, and just a year later, in Rose Bowl, California, people have already started to use them for racing.

Go-karts can either be motorized or non-motorized. The non-motorized go-karts use pedal power or gravity to propel. Some models even come with a two- or four-stroke engine. And these highly powered go-karts are usually a better choice for competition since it gives you more control. So if you want to go kart racing for kids, you should consider an electric go-kart as it’s especially suitable for indoor racing.

All the best go-karts for kids also have a lithium polymer battery or hydrogen fuel cells. Plus, to enhance safety, electric models have remote-controlled speed limiters to protect your child from accidents.

The toy is fitted with a lithium polymer battery or hydrogen fuel cells. To enhance safety, electric go-karts feature remote-controlled speed limiters, so your kids can have fun without risking injuries.

Are Go-Karts Safe?

As long as you take safety precautions, go-karting is pretty safe. So it’s always important to follow a couple of safety rules:

• Check that your kids wear a helmet
• Don’t allow your kids to go-kart with long or flowy hair and loose clothing
• Check all equipment for faults
• Always ensure your kids wear seat belts
• Choose a proper driving area with no obstacles

What Protective Gear Should I Get My Child?

Whether it’s an electric pedal-powered go kart or a gas-powered go-kart, you should always ensure your kids wear protective gear:

• Gloves
• Helmet
• Overalls
• Rib protector
• Boots
• Fire-resistant underwear
• Neckbrace

How Fast Do Go Karts Go?

On average, a gas-powered 4 wheeler go-kart can reach a speed of 40, while the fast go carts for kids can even go 50 or 60 mph. However, while creating our go-karts for kids reviews, we’ve found out that it’s best not to allow your child to go too fast, for safety reasons. And in most situations, the maximum speed go-karts for kids should be about 30 to 40 mph.

There are several types of go-karts for kids you can choose depending on factors like terrain, power source, and age groups:

By Power Source

Electric Go Karts for Kids

Electric go-karts for kids are the most popular models since they are more stable and allow for better control. Because of that, they would be a perfect option for younger kids. Thus, if you’re looking for, let’s say, go-karting for 5-year-olds, consider electric versions; these are quiet and don’t need gasoline to run.

Pros	Cons
Instant torque Require low maintenance No emissions More stable hence safety	High cost Recharging takes a while

Gas Go Karts for Kids

A gas-powered go kart for kids requires fuel to run. It comes with transmission and generally has more moving parts than an electric go kart. On the other hand, gas-go karts for kids contain many greasy parts that can easily break. So in the long run, these might cost more than an electric go kart for kids.

Pros	Cons
Cheaper Quick refueling Lightweight	Too many moving parts Higher maintenance cost Not eco-friendly due to gas emissions Gas is flammable, posing a safety risk

Pedal Go Karts for Kids

The other category of two-seater go karts for kids includes pedal go karts, which require manual input to move. A manually operated go-kart puts gives the kiddo more control, thus helping them improve concentration and motor skills.

Pros	Cons
No emissions Easy to maintain Lightweight configuration Cheap to acquire and maintain Easy to assemble	Doesn’t work well on gravel or grass

By Age Groups

Little Kids (3-8)

You could also buy the best go-karts for kids based on age. And if you’re looking for the right buggy for kids aged 3 to 8, it’s best to look for stabilizing casters and an improved steering mechanism. Other than that, pneumatic front tires with anti-grip front caster wheels will prevent tipping, which would be ideal for your kiddo’s safety. Finally, look for models where speed decreases after taking food off the pedal – it would offer good safety and will allow the kid to learn how to navigate without worrying about many controls.

Pros	Cons
Comfortable back seats Easy to grip handles Easy to use Rubber wheels and bucket seats for the safety	Hard to pedal on hills or grass

Tweens (10-12)

Most of the go-karts for tweens have knobby pneumatic tires that ensure a smooth ride even on tough terrain. Moreover, they are very simple to use and very safe, making them a perfect gift for a 12-year-old boy or girl. However, when you look for the best-go cart for tweens, you need to make sure that the machine has some useful features, such as a sturdy steel tube frame that will offer protection against crashes. Finally, to ensure comfort and safety, even the mini go-carts for kids must have a seat bucket for easy adjustability to fit the height of your kiddo.

Pros	Cons
Durable Comfortable seats Safety features	Can be difficult to drive on grass

Teenagers

Go-karts for teenager would have a few differences from the ones you would buy for a younger child. For instance, with these, you can go for a bit more power and a steady frame. Also, the seating should be adjustable to accommodate the kid as they grow quickly throughout teenage years. Despite the power, the best go-kart must have excellent braking for safety. Also, you should consider stability and the general build of the frame.

Pros	Cons
Excellent braking Steady frame More power Adjustable seating	A bit powerful, so could be challenging for some

Finding the right go kart for kids does not mean you need to spend a fortune. There are many cheap go karts for kids you can buy to offer safety, power, durability, and efficiency.

Safety Features

While creating our go-karts for kids reviews, we’ve determined that when you want to choose a good option among the top-rated go karts, you need to pay attention to safety, including stability. Also, ensure that the machine has excellent braking, is made of lightweight material, and has a strong frame. While go karts are fun for your kids, they will likely not focus on other aspects. Therefore, you have to think about their safety and make the right decisions. The best go-kart is one with many safety measures. Also, check for shoulder straps, bumpers, safety belts, a well-built frame, and more.

On-Road Vs Off-Road

Where will your kids be driving the go-kart? Because the terrain is an important factor when choosing a buggy. If you’ll need more time off-road, then a go-kart with good suspension and ground clearance is a perfect choice. Rubber tires allow efficient racing when driving on the road. Also, the go-kart should have a 3-point steering wheel – it will help with maneuverability.

For improved racing on the road, consider having the same-size rear and front wheels, but this might not work if the kids are driving off the road. And if you want an off-road go-kart for your kids, consider buggies with strong rear suspensions and large pneumatic tires. Remember – greater traction on the tires gives better control on off-road terrain.

Single Vs Double-Seated

How many kids do you have at home? If your answer is more than one, then you might need to purchase a double-seated go-kart or get a single-seater go-kart for each kid. Sometimes, younger siblings love being the passenger while the older kiddo drives the kart. So a double-seated go kart would help them play together and bond even further. You also need to consider your child’s friends when getting a go-kart. When they come over, they can share or take turns driving the go-kart. A two-seater can easily accommodate both your kid and a friend, ensuring they both enjoy the ride.

Pedal Powered vs Gas/Electric

When choosing between pedal-powered and gas or electric go-karts, there are pros and cons to consider. For instance, an electric go-kart is quiet and is ideal for driving in town. But you must keep it fully charged when on such trips as their range is limited. In contrast, a gas-powered go-kart will drive for further distances and is suitable for off-road driving. However, it’s noisy and is not suitable for driving in town. Finally, a pedal-powered go-kart can be good for having fun around home, but it requires a bit more physical input.

To further enhance the safety of your little one, you can also look up some important accessories, such as:

• Roll cages: These are made of steel and encompass the top of the go-kart. Roll cages ensure that if the go-kart rolls over, the impact goes to the cage, and not the child.
• Sideguards: These are the panels that prevent injuries when a collision happens. Safeguards minimize the side impact the driver experiences.
• Speed limiter: The limiter throttles speed to prevent your kids from going too fast. And that’s pretty handy, given that it could protect your child from many accidents.
• Horns and headlights: Audible and visibility are essential parts of driving a go-kart, especially in places where people don’t expect a moving vehicle. Thus, it protects both your kiddo and the people around from collision.

• Wear a helmet: When helmets are essential even for adults, do we really need to remind that kids especially need them? A helmet will protect your child’s head in the event of a collision. It will also reduce head injuries if there will be some accidents when your kid drives a go-kart.
• No loose clothing: Ensure your kids don’t wear anything that can get caught in spinning shafts. They should not ride with loose clothing or with their long hair down.
• Seat belt: A seat belt holds your child in place, ensuring they don’t get hurt or fly off if an impact occurs. There are many benefits of wearing a seatbelt, and the most obvious one is that it restrains parts of the body and spreads out the force in case of a collision.
• Proper driving areas: Most kid’s go-kart accidents happen due to choosing a bad driving area. Thus, you need to find a proper and safe area to ensure that your kids cannot collide with parked vehicles or other obstacles.

And that’s all we wanted to share on the best go-karts for kids! As you can see, choosing a good model is a lot easier when you understand the features to consider. A good go-kart must ensure your child’s safety, provide comfortable seating, and be powerful enough to navigate on different terrain. You can also consider getting some essential safety go cart features, such as side guard, speed-limiter, and headlights. Finally, don’t forget about a helmet, seatbelts, and overall go kart safety rules.

So keep all this in mind, and you will not only find the right model among the best go-karts for kids 2021 but also ensure that your kiddo’s driving would be safe and enjoyable!