Helmets for go-karts?

[Will]

My son just bought a go-kart. It has a solid roll cage, no seat belt, and right now he has no helmet. The go-kart looks very safe to me, I don't see anything that his head could hit against or any way that you could get knocked out of it. Still I thought I'd check and see if anyone of you with more experience have different opinions.

And if anyone wants to tell me how to deal with a loose chain, I'd appreciate that too. After a few years on a Kubota with no problems ever, his go-kart is starting to look like a high maintenance item.

Thanks,
Will

 

[Michael_S]

I'd put some type of protective lid on his head, even if it is only a bicycle type helmet. A full face helmet helmet can be purchased at wallyworld for as little as 30 bucks. Make it mandatory. Remember, safety first. As a former off road motorcycle racer with skills better than most, I never operate a dirtbike or atv without a helmet, even if it is only for a short test ride after performing maintainence. Sometimes putting on a helmet can be a hassle. But I need to set an example for my kids. If I always wear it, the message reinforced that they should to. There is an old saying at the race track "Got a $10 head, buy a $10 helmet."
What is the cost of dental work, CT scans, or worse. Be safe, not sorry.
Sorry to preach. Just my opinion.

 

[gator]

Will,
To adjust the chain on my kids go-kart, I had to loosen the 4 engine mount bolts and slide the engine forward in the elongated holes, check to make sure the sprockets and chain were lined up, then tighten the engine bolts. I also had them wear their bicycle helmets any time they were on the go-kart.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Hi,

With or without a seatbelt, your son's head could still strike something pretty hard. Even the roll cage!

It seems prudent to me to have him wear a helmet. I would.

Now if it is something that goes so slow...like maybe five MPH...if you know what I mean...that would be different. My guess it is something than can go faster than that and might run into a tree or wall...be nice to be wearing a helmet if that happened!

With or without a seat belt, it's wise to wear a helmet.

Bill in Pgh, PA

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Roll cage and NO seat belt, what's wrong with this picture? Looks a lot like a manufacturer knows this contraption can roll, and is looking to limit his liability when it does.
Definitely stuff the kid into a brain bucket, and even better yet, install a seat belt too.
If the kid is young enough, you can pscyc him into using both by sitting him in front of TV watching NASCAR, and just pointing out how all race drivers wear protection.
The odds are, even if your kid doesn't wear appropriate protection, you won't be hanging around the emergency department explaining what happened to the police, but, protective equipment is probably cheaper than the co-pay for an Emergency visit.
Any way you look at it, it's better to teach a kid good protective equipment and safe working practices.

 

[ScottAR]

"My guess it is something than can go faster than that and might run into a tree or wall"</font color=blue>

It definately happens... I've got a go cart left at a rental with the front wheel ripped off... I dunno the story but it's definately seen better days...

 

[gws]

Is it a real function roll cage ment to handle a rollover or a metal cage to look cool? The fact that the cart doesnt have seat belts would leave me to beleive its not functional. If it is function, GET A SEAT BELT installed. A roll bar isnt much good if your thrown from the cart.


A helment would also be good.

 

[RanchMan]

Helmets are the cheapest insurance you can buy, and when you compare it to the cost of the kart itself, a tiny percentage of the cost. Get it, and make him wear it. He may not want to, but if you put down the rule "No helmet - no driving - and first time I catch you driving without it on, you won't be driving it for a month" I suspect you'll see results. The last thing you want is to have your kids brains splattered all over a rock, a piece of pavement, etc. (when a human skull meets an immoveable object at 30+ mph - the speed of a go-kart - some pretty nasty things can happen.)

The seat belt is also kindof an interesting thing. Looking back at all the safety posts regarding ROPS/Seatbelts on tractors, the best piece of advice seems to be if it has a ROPS, wear your seatbelt, if it doesn't, don't. I don't see why that doesn't apply to the go-kart scenario as well.

Go-karts are great fun, and in my opinion, a great thing for a kid to have. But, as with anything else in life, a few ounces of prevention are worth a pound of cure.

Take care-

 

[Steven]

Go with a full face helmet to teach him right. If he rolled it for some unknown reason his head would have plenty to bang agianst. Maybe you should install seat belts also. cheap price to pay for the safety of your child.

Is it possible to put a spring loaded chain tensioner on it, similar to the ones on a dirt bike swing arm.

 

[Will]

I wanted to thank all of you for giving the same consistent advice. I had my son read them all, and he's definitely more convinced by your opinions than mine. Hayseed, I could tell that your comment, "Got a $10 head, buy a $10 helmet," coming from a former off road motorcycle racer really sunk in.Thanks again, Will