Ax8 vs late model chassis

David Weber · Joined: 02 Jan 2013 Posts: 9

Question from a newbee. What is the difference between a chassis from 2003, for example an AX8, and the newest ones like an X1 or X2? Is there a big advancement in each successive model?

What am I giving up by going with an older chassis? Lap time? Parts availability? Are parts like hubs and spindles available to purchase on older model karts or maybe interchangeable with currently available parts.

I'm hooked and looking for my first shifter kart. Just figured your collective knowledge might help me find the right first shifter. I will just be racing it at the local track in some club races, but don't want to purchase something that I'm not going to be happy with.

Thanks

mal crosher · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 3:36 am Post subject:

general consensus suggest with arrow shifterkart range the X1 & 2 have not lived up to the ax8 . But this is here and shifterkart is small market here. They may have and probably do have a separate usa market as now we can order any custom chassis combo from arrow. At a cost of course.

Against newer rival brands ? Ax8 being few years old maybe not , but nothing is saying those manufacturers didn't have same issue as above.

Too many variants and I suggest you either get as many drives in friends karts to compare or simply pick a colour.

Michael R Johnson · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 6:44 pm Post subject:

Hey David,
I actually have ran all the Arrow shifter karts you mentioned!! Recently I ran a used AX8 against some fast guys on new equipment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gD2MF8GR5QY&sns=em

There have been some upgrades in the equipment on the newer Arrows, self adjusting brakes, cam height adjustment, better bodywork, steering wheels, different tubing/geometry and other miscellaneous kit. Read:everything! The new karts are much nicer. MANY of the components have stayed the same, so a steering shaft is a steering shaft which makes it much easier to find components for a used Arrow.

However at the end of the day the $800, 10 year old, AX8 was within half a second of the brand new chassis. The AX8 is all 32mm chassis so it is quite stiff and not very compliant over curbs, etc. whereas the new X1s or X2s use a combination of 30/32 so they go straight over curbs and can make better use of a high grip situation.

No matter which way you go I feel a if you can't go wrong with an Arrow. Incredible well build chassis with a lot of attention to detail.

Hope this helps!

Ken Schilling · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 1341

David,

My only concern for you is that to the best of my knowledge Arrow no longer makes shifter chassis (someone please correct me if I'm wrong). So if you get started on an Arrow, and the general consensus is that they are very good chassis wise as well as componentry, quality & innovation, is that you may end up getting disappointed if there isn't a newer shifter chassis to move up to.

Addition: All that being said, I just checked Arrow's website and it looks like a KZ chassis is on the way!!!

http://www.arrowkarts.com/index.php/2012-07-24-03-06-18/arrow-x2-31kz
_________________
Ken Schilling
#21x / S4 / ProKart Challenge (PKC)
SKUSA Data Administrator

Good luck is where preparation and opportunity meet!!!

The opinions I express are mine alone and do not reflect those of any organization of which I am a member.

mal crosher · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 9:46 pm Post subject:

ken
The new x models , cik models come as shifter. Just the ax8-125 had more time dedicated to it solely as a shifter in development. As I said with such a small market in shifters here , and something the euro don't do is developed it with moto in mind also. Not just icc/kz .

This model clean swept cik icc/kz at the time over a few years. No cik and icc/kz in the change of model period meant no real upgrades. Yea it got the new brakes, bearing carriers all the others did but it is still a tag equivalent kart with front brakes.

Now cik has returned here, no one has really taken the gamble and stayed euro. The top arrow driver in series went back to ax8 before eventually going cog to win.

David Weber · Joined: 02 Jan 2013 Posts: 9

I appreciate the responses. Sounds like a couple generations old isn't to much of a disadvantage. I'm not partial to Arrow. Having never been involved with karts, I don't have a favorite brand.

I was involved in superbike racing for quite a while, but have been dormant for years. They recently opened Atlanta Motorsports Park here and a buddy of mine took me out there on some recently acquired Birel karts with TM's. Well, I'm hooked... And looking for my own ride. Here in the south east there isn't much available in the way of shifters. I have a line on an AX8 in nice condition with a Pavesi.... Good price and am considering it. Or I could spend about twice as much and go with a much newer Tony kart or Energy chassis with sweedtech honda's.

I only plan to race our local races which might have 6 shifters I'm guessing. I might head to one of the tracks in FL or NC for a little better competition, but nothing serious. I will say that my racing background won't want my equipment keeping me from laptime.

Do you think I'll be happier spending twice as much (albeit not alot) on a newer kart? What about Pavesi for sprint track vs. stock honda? Thanks again...

mal crosher · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2013 2:53 am Post subject:

david,
As long as it's straight, been looked after et the ax8 should be fine. Doesn't have brake up grades but the dent system on ax8 is pretty good anyway. Master cylinders with bias adjuster imo probably one best on market. You can get side pod bars that will let you bolt new plastics also.

Engine ? Can of worms on icc v moto and thems be fighting words in this place . Personally I'd rather sit down to piss before going honda over icc/kz anyday . But always check local scene first

.

Enzo Iadevaia · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2013 5:19 am Post subject:

Ken Schilling · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 1341

Regarding engines... as stated above, the most important thing is to check out the local racing scene (sprint or road racing) to see which engine package (ICC or Spec Honda) to go with. ICC is still pretty strong in the Midwest and East.

In Florida a Spec Honda series is starting this year and if the SKUSA Western race series' are any barometer with the huge Spec Honda success then you may see it explode in the East too...

http://ekartingnews.com/news_info.php?n=21522
_________________
Ken Schilling
#21x / S4 / ProKart Challenge (PKC)
SKUSA Data Administrator

Good luck is where preparation and opportunity meet!!!

The opinions I express are mine alone and do not reflect those of any organization of which I am a member.