Gokart motor

Types of gokart motors

A go-kart is a small racing vehicle. The gokart motor is the power source of the go-kart. Generally, gokart motors can be divided into three types: gas go-kart engines, electric go-kart motors, and hybrid go-kart motors.

• Gas go-kart engines:

Gas go-kart engines are usually powered by gasoline. Their working principle is to convert the energy generated by the gasoline burning into mechanical power. This power pushes the go-kart forward. Gas go-kart engines have two-stroke and four-stroke options.

• Two-stroke gas go-kart engines:

The two-stroke gas go-kart engine completes the fuel-burning process in two movements. This characteristic allows the engine to produce more power in a shorter time, making the go-karts faster. Two-stroke gas go-kart engines are lighter and occupy less space. They can be installed on various types of go-karts. However, this kind of engine usually uses oil-mixed fuel, which may pollute the environment.

• Four-stroke gas go-kart engines:

The four-stroke gas go-kart engine needs to complete power generation in four movements: intake, compression, work, and exhaust. This engine type is more common in other vehicles. Four-stroke gas go-kart engines are more fuel-efficient than two-stroke ones. Their performance will remain stable for a longer time. In addition, the four-stroke gas go-kart engine produces less noise and has a more eco-friendly design. Therefore, they are usually suitable choices for outdoor racing occasions.

• Electric go-kart motors:

Electric go-kart motors directly convert electric energy into kinetic energy, pushing the go-kart forward. Their acceleration performance is outstanding compared with gas go-kart engines. Additionally, electric go-kart motors run quietly and are more environmentally friendly. For these reasons, they have become mainstream options for indoor go-karts. Nevertheless, the battery's capacity limits the distance electric go-kart motors can use.

• Hybrid go-kart motors:

Hybrid go-kart motors combine gas and electric power. They utilize a gasoline engine as the primary power source. Meanwhile, electric power assists the go-kart in accelerating. Some models may use gasoline generators to produce electricity. Hybrid go-kart motors can perform well both outdoors and indoors. Nonetheless, the design of hybrid go-kart motors is more complex. Moreover, the gasoline generator may make the overall system noisy.

Specifications and maintenance of gokart motor

Specifications

The following specifications are essential to understand for proper performance and functioning of the gokart motor.

• Horsepower

  The kawasaki go-kart motor HP (horsepower) denotes the power it generates. Higher horsepower means a more powerful engine that can accelerate the go-kart faster. For smaller gokarts meant for children, the horsepower is between 5 to 6. For standard 4-stroke gokarts, the horsepower can be between 9 to 13. More powerful 4-stroke gokarts can have horsepower of 20 to 25. For 2-stroke go-kart motors, the horsepower can range between 60 to 80. Super kart motors can go as high as 125 hp.

• Torque

  Torque refers to the engine's twisting force, which is responsible for acceleration. Higher torque numbers help the engine to accelerate more quickly. For go-kart motors, torque typically increases as the horsepower increases. Smaller go-kart motors usually have a torque of around 11 lbs. For 4-stroke motors, the torque can range from 14 to 18 lbs for standard models and can go up to 30 lbs for more powerful racing models. The 2-stroke go-kart motor torque is generally higher and can range from 30 to 40 lbs.

• Displacement

  The displacement of the go-kart motor is the space covered by the engine when it moves. The power of the go-kart is directly affected by the displacement. Smaller go-kart motors have a displacement of 50 to 80 cc. The standard 4-stroke go-kart motor has a displacement of around 270 cc. The 2-stroke go-kart motor displacement is usually higher and can range from 125 cc to 175 cc. Super kart motors can have even higher displacements.

• Diameter and Stroke

  The diameter of the cylinder in which the fuel burns, and the stroke length, which refers to the distance the piston moves is closely related to the displacement. For most go-kart motors, the diameter and stroke are roughly equal. For example, in some 2-stroke racing kart motors, the bore diameter can be 54 mm, and the stroke can be 54.5 mm.

Maintenance

Regular maintenance of the go-kart motor increases the lifespan of the vehicle and prevents huge repair costs. Here are some parts that need regular maintenance.

• Regular Oil Changes

  Like any other vehicle, the go-kart motor also needs regular oil changes for it to function smoothly. Depending on usage, the go-kart may require an oil change every 10 to 20 hours of use. If the kart is used in dusty environments, on worn-out tracks, or at high operating temperatures, it is better to change the oil more frequently. Directly after the kart's first 5 hours of operation, the oil should be changed. This initial break-in period is critical for removing contaminants from the engine.

• Regular Cleaning

  The go-kart motor should be regularly cleaned, especially after an outing. Cleaning prevents dirt and debris from getting into essential moving parts of the engine and causing harm. Thoroughly inspect and clean the air filter to remove any debris or bugs that may have entered during driving. Check for loose or damaged components and clean the radiators, oil coolers, and fuel vents. Engine and belt housing can be washed out with compressed air.

The power of the go-kart motor can decrease greatly if the spark plug is worn out or damaged. The kart driver should inspect the spark plug regularly and clean or replace it as needed. While cleaning the kart, the fuel injector or carburetor should also be checked for clogs and cleaned periodically. This should be done especially if the go-kart has been stored away for a while. Maintaining proper fuel injector or carburetor function prevents stalling and loss of power.

Scenarios of gokart motors

The scenarios for utilizing gokart motors are mainly in the field of entertainment. However, they also include applications in sports, teaching, team building, warehousing, and customized product creation.

• Driven by the boom in the global entertainment industry, the demand for gokart motors in the karting market is increasing significantly. Significantly, gokart motors serve as the primary power source for gokarts, directly affecting the speed and performance of the vehicles.
• Gokart motors have become a key player in the competitive sports industry. The rapid development of the competitive karting market shows that gokart motors are not only entertainment options but also serious sports tools.
• As more and more people join the ranks of golf karting, the demand for teaching startups is also increasing. Gokart motors provide a perfect development platform for teaching startups, allowing students to understand the basic principles of engines, power transmission systems, and vehicle dynamics and cultivate their hands-on ability and innovative thinking.
• Gokart motors can be applied in the form of team building activities by companies or organizations. Participants can form teams to customize their own gokarts together to enhance communication and cooperation among team members. In addition, some organizations may also use gokart racing as an competitive team building mode, which can cultivate the team spirit and competitive consciousness.
• Gokart motors play an irreplaceable role in the field of warehousing logistics. In the process of warehousing, the transportation of goods is significant, and the power source of the vehicle directly affects the efficiency of warehousing.
• By customizing the appearance and performance of the gokart motor, we can develop unique products that meet different market demands.

How to Choose Go-kart Motors

Choosing the right go-kart motor is crucial for optimal performance, compatibility, and, most importantly, the intended usage. When selecting a gokart motor, consider the following factors:

• Application and Type: The go-kart motor should be compatible with the go-kart in question. That is, the size and power should match the frame and weight of the go-kart. For example, smaller, less powerful go-kart motors may be suitable for kid go-karts, while more powerful ones are better suited for adult or racing go-karts.
• Oil Injection vs. Mixing: Some 2-stroke go-kart motors have an oil injection system that automatically mixes oil with fuel, while others require manual mixing. In this case, the oil and fuel need to be mixed before refueling. The former provides convenience, but the latter is generally more cost-effective.
• Manual vs. Torque Converter: A go-kart motor with a traditional transmission system, i.e., manual transmission, will require the driver to change gears physically with a clutch pedal. On the other hand, a go-kart motor with a torque converter requires little to no effort in shifting gears as it automatically adapts to the situation. The choice will largely depend on experience and preference.
• Cost: Consider the initial purchase cost and long-term expenses, such as maintenance and fuel costs. Selecting an appropriately sized go-kart motor for the application can help manage costs and avoid overspending on unnecessary power.

Gokart motor FAQ

Q1: What does CC mean in a gokart motor?

A1:CC is short for cubic centimeter, a common engine measurement. CC refers to the volume of the inner cylinder, where the piston moves in the gokart motor. Generally speaking, the higher the CCs, the more power the engine produces.

Q2: How many types of gokart motors are there?

A2: There are mainly two types of gokart motors: 4-stroke gokart motors and 2-stroke gokart motors. 4-stroke gokart motors are commonly used in karts and go-machine applications. They are more durable and practical. 2-stroke go-kart motors usually refer to the small and big 2-stroke go-kart motors. The small ones are more for beginner racers. The bigger ones can be pretty powerful.

Q3: How much horsepower does a gokart motor have?

A3:Most 4-stroke gokart motors produce approximately 5 to 20 horsepower. However, some more giant, more powerful ones used for more advanced racing can go above that.2-stroke gokart motors generally pack more power for their sizes. They can range from about 60 to 90 horsepower.