How Fast Is A 200cc Go Kart: Is really Fast?
A 200cc go kart is a speed demon on the race track. The engine in these vehicles can reach amazing speeds, making them one of the fastest go-karts around. If you want to know how fast a 200cc go kart will get up to, this article might be for you!
So How Fast is a 200cc go kart? The top speed of a 200cc go-kart is based on the engine. A 2-stroke engine will reach 120mph, while a 4-stroke engine’s top speed reaches 75 mph.
It is a well-known and common fact that 2-stroke engines are faster than 4-stroke engines. But Why is that? This is because the design of a 2 stroke engine allows for more power. In addition, there are other factors involved in go kart top speeds such as weight distribution, gearing ratio, tire size.
2-stroke vs. 4-stroke: A Cohensive Critique?
You might not want to get your hopes up that a 200cc go kart has the same potential speed as, say, an engine on a motorcycle. A 2-stroke 200cc go-kart is too lightweight for this type of engine and will have trouble reaching anywhere close to 80 mph.
This usually means that the weight-speed balance is thrown off on a sprint kart that has been modified with a motorcycle engine. Lower displacement engines, such as 100cc or 125ccs are popular, but usually only for fun categories.
Now, for what reason do 2 stroke engines generate a lot more power? You need to look at the engine’s interior pieces.
A 2-stroke engine (also termed a “2 stroke”) can output power much faster than a 4-stroke Engine, due to its two cylinder design. Single piston engines are more responsive and lightweight, making them well-suited for racing purposes.
Compared to the four-stroke engine, two-stroke engines do not have an output that is as smooth. The benefits of a 4-stroke overhead cam (OHC) engine are notably more reliable than the 2-strokes design since power is produced across multiple cylinders. Speed then also becomes a factor of OHC operation rather than RPMs for
The 4-stroke vs. the 2-stroke can be boiled down to this: lower top speeds but more consistent run time and a longer engine life.
A 200cc engine is the highest you’ll see on most racing karts, making it more powerful and less likely to shunt because of its lighter weight.
If you’re looking to get into kart racing, you’ll need a 4-stroke engine that can handle 200cc of displacement.
The company has no plans to produce a 200cc go kart because of the difficulties in balancing weight and formulating an engine that will work for every driver.
Examples Of 200cc Engine Go Karts
There are generally four classes of go-karts, but the 200cc category is a much smaller one. This is because if you don’t make the weight right for racing karts, there will be too much power and it won’t work.
Most racing go-karts are in the 4-stroke category and some of the most popular for this reason include Briggs & Stratton’s World Series engine package. They are cheap to enter but with added cost burdens such as maintenance.
A go kart is a motorized vehicle designed to drive on tight, flat surfaces so it does not look like much more than one wheel with the driver’s seat in the middle.
- CRG Road Rebel, modified Lifan 200cc 5 Speed (Shifter) Engine – 115mph
- Tony-Kart Racer 401R, Honda GC2009 Engine – 110mph
The speeds of the go-karts depends on what engine is installed. The 2-stroke Lifan 200cc and Honda GC2009 engines are modified for racing while other motors are not.
This is why the 4-stroke engine variety have been favored and most today are at least 125cc even if they’re not as fast as some of the other engines that you’ll find on a go kart.
When considering the starting line, it can be easy to see why lower displacement or a 4-stroke engine is often chosen for better performance on acceleration.
What To Expect In A 200cc Go Kart?
A 200cc 2-stroke go-kart is not able to be used for any other purpose than your own personal enjoyment. I’ll move onto what you should be searching for in 4-stroke 200cc go karts, and it holds true when buying any kind of go-kart!
Chassis for 200cc go-karts are rare, and detailed information about chassis can’t be found on most manufacturers websites. You should speak with a kart track to make sure that the type of racing is appropriate for this size class before buying one.
The Birel Art 4-stroke chassis is a durable machine, but as any racer knows – when the parts start wearing down you have to rely on local dealers and kart tracks that carry unique parts.
Of the two-stroke and engine classifications, a four-stroke is by far the more common type. The average weight bearing capacity for a go kart is 300 pounds, but there are more robust models on offer which can carry as much as 450 pounds.
If you’re buying a used kart, make sure to assess the wear plates. The chassis of go-karts are made of tubing and not much else, meaning wear plate is one of its most important features.
Structurally sound go karts will have a good plate underneath, while ones with bad plates might need tubes replaced.
Don’t Forget these tips while purchasing a 200cc kart and you’ll select the best kart in no time!
Which Kart Should I get?
All of my kart racing experience has been with 2-stroke engine Classifications, in 125cc or lower. (I tested out a friend’s LO206 as a teenager for the first time too!)
I don’t have any hesitation in picking the one kart I would select from a selection of these models.
The Birel Art AM29-S11 chassis is designed to fit 4 stroke engines and the materials are mixture of steel for stability and aluminum for speed. Designed by a reputable company, Birel Art has Formula 1 drivers that endorse their karts as racers.
Whether you want to tweak the kart or not, achieving a top speed of over 54.45 miles per hour is possible without much difficulty.
The World Series is a great way for newcomers to get into karting as it’s one of the most affordable racing series out there. A 200cc go kart is super fast and delivers a fun time with no need for big expenses.
Conclusion!
For those looking for speed, there are two main categories in go karts. They are 4-stroke and 2-stroke engines. The takeaway from this article is that too much acceleration can often be a bad thing in 200cc go karts, but it’s not just the displacement with four stroke categories like the World Series you can still have fun.