Initial Thoughts on the Kyosho Dirt Master 2WD Off Road Buggy

[@florabee9283]

I plan to print the parts tree tree pages from the PDF in order to not have to flip the manual pages, instead will have the printed pages separate for reference.

[@KaiCityRC]

That would certainly save time! Constantly having to flip back to the reference diagram gets old real quick! 😅

[@lutzmowinski9781]

Good that I found this video of yours, i'm getting the kit soon and now know that I need some extra parts :)

[@KaiCityRC]

Thank you! Glad my video was of use. 👍

[@theoagrc]

Great to share your initial thoughts with us David. Looks like a few pennies pinched to get the kit to the same price point at the Genova. Why wouldn’t they include oil for the shocks???

[@KaiCityRC]

I was surprised too!

[@SleeplessInDallas]

Just for the bearings, I will buy myself a Genova, thanks for the info.

[@KaiCityRC]

Glad you found the video useful. 👍 Good luck with the Genova!

[@andyrobinsonrc2480]

Brilliant heads up David , appreciate that :) I’ve ordered one sone d of March I think there due here in the UK , definitely not liking the look of that manual , so I’m glad you pointed those thing out . Cheers and can’t wait to see yours built

[@KaiCityRC]

Glad it was helpful. 👍

[@matusknives]

It looks like it was designed to a budget and I would not prick it if I were planning any serious upgrades, because one would probably replace most of the parts. I don't have this one too high on my list - but the decisive part would be how is it going to drive. Still - at least for now - I am more excited about the upcoming Tamiya BBX. I am very much looking forward to your driving video.

[@KaiCityRC]

Thanks for commenting. I won't be able to finish the build until the weekend, but as I'll try and get a running video up as soon as possible. I'm sure it will drive really well, but for any serious track work you'd probably want to spend a lot of upgrades. (mostly for durability).

[@matusknives]

@@KaiCityRC no hurry from my side, good things take time :) Yes indeed, this is not a basher oriented buggy (is there one that does not look like a space ship?)

[@Toystheyrenot]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. It does seem like there’s a lot of plastic on this Ultima SB.. Will probably end up costing a whole lot more than the original rb5 if one plans on upgrading. It should be a fantastic drive tho and I can’t wait to see it take on the Genova.👍😊

[@KaiCityRC]

Yeah, I was a little surprised by how far Kyosho went in replacing metal parts with plastic ones. The only other buggy I can recall that uses plastic nuts is the Grasshopper! Despite this, the DM looks like it will be a real performer!

[@AddamsPlayground]

I am not sure if I have ever seen plastic parts trees without number parts on them before. Maybe a single small one with very distinct parts on it but not a whole kit. Good thing to know going into it. I really don't understand the reasoning behind doing that, it breaks every traditional rule of model building! LOL! the shock oil thing is odd as well since this is a lower end kit it would make more sense to offer it with oil in there instead of a new or newer builder trying to figure out what oil to go get. Not a big deal for me as I have bottles of it sitting here. I can certainly see where you are confused and concerned as the things done don't really make sense, especially the unlabeled parts trees. The shock oil I can somewhat understand even though it is very abnormal for a lower end kit to not have some. Thanks for the heads up of what to expect

[@KaiCityRC]

Agreed! On a high end buggy you'd expect to have to purchase tires and possibly wheels separately. But no shock oil on an "intermediate level " machine? Most of us who have been in the hobby a while are likely to have some lying around, but I suspect it will still catch a few people out!

[@mattiasrc]

Thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts on this kit, it sure looks interesting even if its mostly plastic parts. Will have to see what the price will be here when its available before i decide on buying one or not.

[@madsrcbuggy]

That's nice to watch! I think you are, as with the Genova, one of the first to put out videos with this one. Looks like a nice build, except for the manual and a few non-supplied parts, though... Yeah, I had a 13.5 in my TRF201 and it wheelied on carpet with proper carpet tyres, I took down the punch, but only afterwards I thought of releasing the slipper... Maybe 17.5 is more beginner friendly? And like you said, might make for a more fair comparison to the Genova. I am confident you will find somewhere to put that 13.5, ha ha! Enjoy the rest of the build! I am guessing, by now, you have already driven it...

[@KaiCityRC]

Thanks! I'm thinking 13.5T on 2s might be a little fast (with stock gearing) for the Dirt Master. So to begin with (and to make for a fairer comparison with the Genova) I'll put something in that's a little slower. For my YZ-2 I initially ran a 13.5T, but with a pretty small pinion. Now running the stock class 17.5T with a larger pinion. I fell 17.5T is ok, a lot depends on the length of the circuit, jumps etc.

[@jkieselhorst7297]

i guess for a real ultima fan as i am..- its a kind of must have. for everyone else who just looking for a reasonable priced good buggy and is a beginner in r/c- might better get something else? Have to wait on my purchase..

[@KaiCityRC]

If you're a fan of the Ultima series, I think it's (almost) a must have. 😀 But for a complete beginner, the Genova comes partially pre-assembled and was a lot easier to put together. (Even if all the instructions are in Japanese!)

[@hyster16t]

Can't wait to get mine

[@eaxnitro]

Really helpful video. Awesome

[@Tamiyastef]

Thank you for warning about the missing numbers on the part trees, very nice to know up front to take real notice of the parts used in the manual and to double check all dimensions before putting them on the kit. The chart you show at 6:00, is that from the Dirt master specific? Is it included in the kit or where did you get it as I may ask?

[@KaiCityRC]

It's from the Dirt Master kit. 😊

[@lo2713]

Cheers for this video, strange that they didnt incude shock oil ? Dont think ive had a kit that hasnt 🤔 cant wait to get mine. Looks like there is scope to upgrade ? I guess its like you say, made at a price point to go against the genova 🤔

[@KaiCityRC]

I do get a sense the kit was built to a budget and that they wanted the retail price to compete with the Genova. Lack of shock oil and a few other things (like using as much plastic as possible) appear to be the way in which they achieved that price point. There is definitely a lot of scope to upgrade the DM. The manual lists some option parts, but curiously very few "alloy upgrades". I have no experience with the Ultima RB5, but I think a lot of parts will work. I believe Gav over at RC Kicks has a few parts he plans to try and fit to the DM when it arrives in the UK. Something else I noticed: "Made in Tokyo" is displayed prominently on the box.

[@lo2713]

@@KaiCityRC yeah i seen gavs vid, i was gonna get a few upgrades, but. Im going to put it head to head with my genova on the track, so there both going to be as kit. Will get a set of tyres more suited to grass for them. And see who wins 😎 at the price its at its still better than a lot of tamiya’s so cant be all bad 😁

[@Chunky246]

I think most beginners wouldn't buy this kit obviously.... So most people that buy it might choose their own oil anyway or have stacks of it lying around. But it is a departure from the stuff that Kyosho usually include.

[@jkieselhorst7297]

i think if you get a kit of a Brand like Kyosho this is a no go. If there weren't any bearings -i was used to, but a missing silver can motor for an entry level kit or things like oil / tread lock or grease i would never expect. My guess is they send differently versions to countries?

[@KaiCityRC]

This is the first kit I've come across that did not include shock oil. Not a major deal breaker, but unexpected! 😯 All of the other Legendary Series buggies do not come with a motor here in Japan. I believe the kits are the same elsewhere. Tamiya like to give everyone outside Japan an ESC in their kits, but us locals are made to buy one separately. I don't think Kyosho will alter the specs for markets outside of Japan, but it is possible.

[@32993771243475]

I am still trying to decide between the dirt master and Genova. How do you think stack up in terms of parts quality? Maybe durability? As bashed, I would probably throw in BBX into the mix to complicate things a little more ...

[@KaiCityRC]

I've just about completed the chassis build of the Dirt Master and have been sat here comparing the Genova to the DM to answer that very question. The plastics on both are excellent, some of the nicest I've ever come across. But if I had to choose, I think the DM edges it out. In some areas the DM is superior - the Genova uses screw pins for uprights/C Hubs, but the DM does not. The DM uses ball adjusters, which can be removed easily (both intentionally and in a crash). The Genova has bigger bore shocks, but both the Genoa and DM shocks are all plastic. The Genova uses Philips screws, but the DM is all hex. And finally, the Genova has several things the DM does not - metal gears, universals, bearings in the steering and shock oil. My main criticism of the DM so far is the length at which Kyosho went to make every part out of plastic. All the bushings and spacers are plastic. Fair enough. But plastic nuts to hold the dampers on?

[@32993771243475]

@@KaiCityRC thanks for the detailed answer. Seems like I am still at square one, still don’t know which one to choose. 😅

[@alerossi8564]

Have you change the plastic parts with metal bearings? Also the flanged bearings?

[@KaiCityRC]

I replaced all the bearings in the steering, except for the flanged ones. I didn't have any to hand, but I have them on order.

[@alerossi8564]

The flanged bearings are also for the servo?

[@KaiCityRC]

@@alerossi8564 The flanged bearings are for the steering centre link. (Page 13 of the manual).

[@jefftroxell4923]

What's the actual size of that 3x6 flanged bearing?? Most bearings have 3 numbers

[@KaiCityRC]

I honestly don’t know! I’ve never seen the full specs for them written anywhere. That includes all the Legendary series buggies too. . Kyosho or third party manufacturers always just list them as 3 x 6 flanged bearings. Usually the code is UT019.

[@muddfoot69]

If you download the RB5 manual it is more helpful, and basically the same car

[@muddfoot69]

Do you know the part number for the alum steering?

[@KaiCityRC]

I haven't upgraded the steering to aluminum (wasn't aware an upgrade is available?!) so can't help with any part numbers. If you want to replace the plastic bushings, you'll need BRG002 and BRG007F. 👍

[@muddfoot69]

@@KaiCityRC I was thinking there might be an RB5 option

[@KaiCityRC]

I've not seen anything yet. So far the kit setup (plus bearings) has proved very reliable.

[@jkhippie5929]

What is the weight when assembled ?

[@KaiCityRC]

Mine's 1,173g with electronics.

[@jkhippie5929]

Thanks that is very helpful, I believe this is close to my vintage car, which is what I wanted. :)

[@jamesmcdonald2680]

It's too bad that G15 motor is out of stock everywhere.

[@KaiCityRC]

I just checked Kyosho's Japanese homepage. The G15 is now discontinued. 😥