How To Drive A Shifter Kart-The Basics!

[@MrVacation-kj8wm]

Thank you I always had questions about shifter carts and you pretty much did a101 on them.

[@cv1ra]

You can count on it! Just to play you have to remember how dangerous they can be without the basics - Mine always had a problem with the front brake drum (always dripping oil) - that was the time I forgot to check and almost hit the wall at 110 km/h . Like those fighter pilots - always check your gear.... I know it sounds stupid but for me even at Rentall i have my check lists - Wheel, Tires, Brakes, throttle cable and brake cable. Very cool video!

[@RKSiler]

Thanks for watching and I could not agree with you more...there is always the chance that things can go wrong, so at least get control of the things that you can influence (like wheels, tires, brakes, throttle return springs, etc) and take those out of the safety equation!

[@terrier53]

Great video. Thanks for posting and sharing this information.

[@RKSiler]

Thanks so much for watching, I am so glad to hear that you found the information helpful!

[@forcedinduction2918]

Very interesting video

[@RKSiler]

Thanks so much for watching! At some stage, once I have somewhat gotten a handle on the new driving technique that I am working on that caused me to do the half spin you see me do in this video, I will do a video on this technique and see if I can adequately explain it. As of right now....I still don't have it down (nowhere close!).

[@shofarsogood7504]

I assume you can shift into neutral with engine running? Just shift to first pull on clutch and half pull up?

[@RKSiler]

Thanks for watching and thanks for your question-sorry for my slow response! I struggle with the starts on these karts, so I am not sure I am the best guy to answer your question. But, since you asked...I put the kart in neutral on the starting line, then I pull in the clutch lever and push the gear lever forward to engage first gear. Then, when the race is almost ready to start, I go to full throttle and then very slowly begin easing the clutch lever out until the clutch is almost "biting"...when the green flag comes out, I am, of course, feeding in the clutch while staying on the throttle...when you get it right, the acceleration is amazing! It's a real thrill when you get it right, but when you get it wrong, which is usually the case for me, it is very frustrating. Hope this helps you!

[@shofarsogood7504]

@@RKSiler thanks for you reply! Sounds like most likely we can shift into neutral with engine running.

[@RKSiler]

@@shofarsogood7504 Yes, absolutely!

[@SOLDOZER]

Its just a CR125 motocross bike engine. Same thing.

[@F1Grouch]

no trailbraking on shifters? seriously?

[@RKSiler]

Well, let me qualify that. Remember, this video is for somebody who is absolutely new to driving a shifter kart, and so for them, I would not recommend trying to trail brake into a corner. I personally have found that for me and my somewhat shoddy driving technique that trail braking just induces more understeer on corner entry and is thus slower, but for a really top driver, I have no doubt that they are trail braking to some extent into certain corners whether they are doing it consciously or not. Great question-thanks for watching!

[@mikeskidmore6754]

Doing things you could not afford to do when you were young.

[@beginagain8101]

Hi Mike, thanks for watching this video! Normally, I would agree with you but when I was in my late 20's I actually raced Formula Ford and won a championship but it took pretty much every nickel I had to do it. I never made the next step up the ladder to IndyCar after that as I ran out of talent and money at pretty much the same time!