Go kart speeds are among the first sought after feature when users are on the search to buy a go kart. The reason why is because go karting is a classic form of racing. They have been around for many years, and the sport is still strong till this age. Go-kart racing can be done on either tracks or a straight stretch of road, which makes it appealing to drivers of all ages. If you prefer going off-road, plenty of rugged go-karts exist that can take a beating and equal hundreds of hours of fun under the sun!
In this article, we will dig into the different types of go-karts and the associated speeds they can reach. Also, a few safety tips and legal notices everyone should be familiar with.
Types Of Go-Karts
Racing Go-Karts
Go-karts for racing can reach speeds as high as 120 mph. The fastest go-karts have been modified from their original design, allowing them to achieve these speeds. While some may be tempted to modify a go-kart themselves, this is an unsafe practice that should only be attempted by highly experienced mechanics and drivers.
Drifting Go-Karts
Drifting go-karts are usually the fastest, and they’re used in the competition of “drifting.” These go-karts will usually top out at around 30-35mph.
Drifters have very little weight, a low center of gravity, and very little power. The weight of drifter go-karts is about 300 pounds (136 kilograms). This means that there is less force on the tires when driving around corners at high speeds—so you don’t get stuck as easily!
Go-karts used in drifting competitions typically have very little weight to them, with most of their weight placed at the bottom of their chassis. This gives them a very low center of gravity, which makes it easier for them to slide around corners and through turns without tipping over on a turn. These go-karts are also light, as compared to other types of racing go karts that may be heavier due to added safety features or large engines designed for speed rather than handling ability (like an oval track car).
“A normal go kart will have a top speed of 50mph”
A normal go kart will have a top speed of around 50mph. The best way to increase the speed of your go kart is by increasing the horsepower and gearing ratios. Engines with higher horsepower will be able to accelerate faster, but they also consume more fuel and produce more carbon dioxide emissions per mile than engines that are less powerful. Another way to make your go kart faster is by increasing its gear ratio or changing its tire size so it can take advantage of larger tires with fewer rotations per minute (RPM). This lowers how fast each revolution takes place, causing less friction as you drive down the road
Top Speed vs. Acceleration in Go-Karting
Most go-karts can reach a top speed of around 50 miles per hour. The acceleration of a go-kart depends on its engine power and gearing system, and it is usually measured in seconds to 60 mph.
For example, if an adult were to drive a standard kart at 40 mph for 100 feet (1/4 mile), he or she would have traveled 2040 feet in that time. As another example, if an adult were going 50 mph for 100 feet (1/4 mile), he or she would travel 2550 feet in that time
Electric Go-Kart Speed vs. Gas Go-Kart Speed
Electric go kart speeds are a matter of personal preference. Most people who have driven both gas and electric go-karts will tell you that the electric ones tend to be faster, but this depends on the manufacturer. Some manufacturers design their electric models to be more powerful than their gas counterparts, while others use a different gearing system for each type so that they can drive at similar speeds.
These go karts are electric and have better acceleration, handling and are generally more fun to drive. They’re also quieter than gas-powered models. Electric-powered go-karts are the fastest you can buy, but they require a lot of maintenance and preparation.
On average, however, it’s true that most electric go karts will go faster than their traditional counterparts—and with good reason: Electric vehicles (EVs) don’t require any kind of combustion engine or fuel tank in order to run. Instead of using gasoline as an energy source like gas-powered vehicles do, EVs use electricity from batteries instead. This means that EVs are generally much lighter than cars powered by fossil fuels and can thus accelerate faster; unlike with conventional cars which get slower over time as they burn through all their available fuel during an outing, EVs can continue accelerating indefinitely until their batteries run out of power and need recharging.
What is the fastest go kart speed?
The fastest go-karts in terms of speed are 250cc 2-stroke superkarts. The record for fastest kart was set at the inaugural Spanish F1 Grand Prix by John Surtees. He achieved a top speed of 186 mph (300 km/h). With that being said, if speed is what you are looking for, we highly recommend a performance go kart from any of the listed manufacturers on this list.
Gas-Powered Go-Kart Speeds
Gas-powered go karts can reach speeds of up to 70 miles per hour. This makes them the fastest, most popular go kart you can buy.
50cc Kart Speeds
50cc karts are the fastest and most popular. They are also the easiest to operate, making them great for beginners. Most 50cc karts can reach speeds of up to about 50 mph. The fastest ones can go as fast as 65 mph!
If you want a real adrenaline rush, then a 50cc go-kart is definitely the way to go!
100cc Kart Speeds
You can expect to reach speeds of up to 55 miles per hour in 100cc karts. This is great for adults and teenagers, but not so much for children.
125cc Kart Speeds
125cc karts are the fastest go karts and have a top speed of around 60mph. 125cc karts are also the most popular go kart size, making them a great choice for anyone who wants to buy their first go kart or upgrade from a smaller engine size.
The 125cc engine is one of the most powerful available on any type of small engine vehicle and can produce up to 15 horsepower depending on what model you buy. This makes these excellent performance vehicles that are perfect for racing against others at local tracks or even just riding around town in your backyard with friends!
How to Calculate Go Kart Speed.
The formula to calculate speed is: distance ÷ time.
Example: You went round the track 5 times in 20 minutes. The distance would be 25 km and the time would be 1/5 hour (3 minutes). The speed of your go kart would be 25 km/3 minutes = 8 km/minute.
Go Kart Speeds Conclusion
The bottom line is that electric go karts will always be faster than gas go karts. While there are a few exceptions to this rule, most of them have to do with the fact that electric go karts can have more torque than their gas counterparts. This means they can get off the line quicker and accelerate faster than a gas-powered one would. That being said, though – if you’re looking for something fun but affordable, then maybe consider getting yourself an entry level model instead of splurging on one of these expensive models!
Franco is a marketer by day and a go-kart rider by night. Since age 7, he's been driving BMX bikes, scooters, skateboards, and, you guessed it — go-karts! Fast forward to adulthood, he now managed this blog to share his love and passion for all things go-karts.