XRT vs Kraton 8s | Honest Pros & Cons

[@KUDRARACING]

VIDEO UPDATE: If you watch my bashing videos with the KRATON 8s EXB, it is a BEAST for durability. More fun, less parts breaking. However the XRT is really fun to drive but in my experience has been really finicky with the plastics... less driving more parts breaking... I own both so not bias in either direction but the KRATON takes the win... Out of the box you can't beat it! Both are works of art

[@SOMNIOHM]

_Hands down the best video to watch if your on the fence about purchasing either of these! This one was very much appreciated!_

[@johnscotlinksl]

You've mentioned plastics cracking a lot on traxxas models, However plastic has give and flexes and usually goes back to place, its also cheaper to fix if it does break. I prefer plastic over Aluminum, Aluminum will bend, and not easily bend back

[@NightmareXDYT]

both are works of art

[@joshhuffman7783]

I went into the rc shop to purchase either the xrt or xmaxx.. I walked out with a kraton

[@coreycash3016]

Smart

[@KUDRARACING]

@@coreycash3016 Yep

[@WowoodogPlays]

I am guessing price

[@krispy7kremeyummy130]

The Kraton is definitely for me, simply because its worth more of your money than the XRT. I live in Australia so things are generally a lot more expensive here than in Canada or USA. For reference: Kraton is about $1650 AUD while the XRT is about $1950 AUD. You're paying a lot more for an RC that is mostly plastic and has sh*tty electronics. I'm not poor but I'm not rich either.

[@FahmiSani-q6l]

In Malaysia the xrt and kraton is even more expensive,the xrt cost 8050 RM and the kraton is 5000rm it's Hella expensive so for me I'm just gonna take the kraton too

[@Doug_Morgan]

I sort of did the same as you to my red XRT. I added every single part that comes with the Ultimate right down to the titanium shock shafts, wheelie bar wheels, etc....everything. I don't want to add up what all the parts cost me. It was well above the cost of buying an Ultimate, but I wanted a red one. I also changed the gears to the machined hardened ones. I ended up with 20/46 in it with the stock motor/esc. Originally I put the 2085X servo in it like the Ultimate but since went with the newer 2085R. I have since picked up the Kraton 6s EXB and love it. I love how it handles on the ground and in the air.

[@gaffle-411]

That red ❌RT is an absolute beauty!

[@spenn2007]

You have to have both, i HATE traxxas, however, this is their best product IMO. The shit you can do with the XRT is crazy, Traxxas needs to focus more on this platform.

[@keldonator]

I'm with you there, the xrt is the only appealing Traxxas rc out there to me

[@DaSilverback06]

Awesome video! Great information and breakdown on these 2 great RCs. Do you think you would have had to spend as much in upgrades on the XRT, if you would have started with an Ultimate? I'm asking because I'm new to this hobby and to my understanding the EXB is equivalent to an Ultimate, as far as the more robust parts.

[@donniemarks94]

I love arrma and traxxas so this is a tough decision for me but I’m leaning towards the XRT

[@jagergerg9771]

That XRT looks so damn good. I dropped lots on upgrading my Xmaxx just like your XRT. I also spent a decent amount on my Outcast. Going I make it a Mega Outcast. You should do that to the Kraton

[@Joe-h1e]

I just bought both the Arrma Kraton 8s BLX EXB & the Traxxas XRT😊

[@Joe-h1e]

Hey, I just happened to stumble on your channel, and I'm glad I did. I'm new to the hobby, and I'm a new subscriber of your channel. I like the way you break the RC's down play by play so even a novice like me could understand. I heard what you were saying about the steering blocks for the Arrma Kraton, and I was wondering what you thought about the Hot Racing Arrma Kraton 8S Triple Bearing Support Steering Blocks?

[@VegarHenriksen]

Which one do you prefer?

[@deadeyedetailing1057]

Next video is a Max4 and a 800KV motor. Having to buy some Vitavon hubs for the XRT so may as well order some 8s Krayton parts at the same time! I need some Kudra racing parts for my 8s!

[@prefono]

Great video!

[@IMGONEIN60]

Totally love my XRT Ultimate…. It’s a BEAST👍🏽👍🏽

[@10krms54]

Whats the xrt weight now with all the aluminum vs stock.

[@jjonwards]

Just love ur channel, great insight, excellent info

[@user-blackbirdbcoming]

Just wondering why didn't you buy the fully upgraded XRT?

[@clairecooper3848]

Ain’t that the truth 👌 Great comparison vid 🤛 If the XRT came as a roller that would be epic

[@echo-hotel]

I only have Traxxas. But the Kraton is on sale for for $850 until Sept 3rd… I have three days to make up my mind… Funny thing is I’m thinking of the Kraton or getting a crawler lol. That’s a hard decision right?

[@KUDRARACING]

K8 all day baby!

[@PhilipLansdown]

If I was going to buy the kraton 8s I would just bind my new dx6 rugged to it and put the speed gear in it and go run it these arma cars run so much better when everything is spectrum but that's just my opinion

[@mmanalisisenespanol]

Good interesting things about those trucks! Nice video!

[@jjonwards]

Excellent video, ur channel deserves more viewership and recognition

[@KUDRARACING]

Glad you think so!

[@JmanRc]

There both sick I want them both and I don't understand on the site for them the xrt is 31.4in length and wide is 23.4 and the kraton is 30.35 length and wide is 23.7 so why is the xrt a 1/6 and the kraton is a 1/5 ?

[@alejandrodanielsanchezdomi9652]

I stripped the stock 13 thooth pinion gear on my 2nd day with the kraton 6s exb, also, the cables of the fans disconnected, the batteries disconnect too suddenly and it turns off... The screws of the wing are done, lost nowhere to be found....

[@Facts-R-Real]

Massive price difference in upgrading the XRT. U definitely get way more for your money with the Kraton. Only thing I like better on the XRT is the clipless system. Also the body is better stock than that of a Kraton. HOWEVER, For $30 u can have a clipless system on the Kraton and that advantage is gone. Plus go with basher body and you are golden.

[@KUDRARACING]

Agreed!

[@Facts-R-Real]

It was the cost of upgrading the upper and lower bulkheads and the gearing for me. It literally put me past another $1000 just for that. Already had $2500 in it and was on its way to being a $4000 wanna be 1:5 scale car that still needed money. lol. I will say that once u get the XRT to that point, where u can actually run it on 12s, it’s a very, very good car.

[@DaSilverback06]

Where can I get the clipless body for the Kraton?

[@bsevinc4066]

Both car are awesome. In Germany is traxxas great with support spareparts. Horizonhobby is sh... with spareparts .

[@code3mobiledetailing190]

Kudra, you're the man!! Keep up the great work. I just bought a Losi DBXLE and converted it to 12s. Im learning that 5th and 6th scale trucks are very expensive. My arrma mojave 8s is currently a paper weight because the spectrum esc is trash. I have more fun with the wltoys RCs and my 18th and 24 scale vehicles than any 8th

[@micqn2]

I have both of these trucks,If I were to pick one I’d say the XRT,Kraton is expensive to maintain the metal chassis cost arm and d1ck😂 My XRT’s Motor is junk seized with in first 15 minutes ,Kraton electronics are much better.

[@lDIMAl]

Great review of both trucks. I appreciate you spending so much of your time and effort to explain the difference between the two brands.💪💪👍👍 SEND IT!!!

[@GreatLakesRC]

Great comparison. I had an Xmaxx, sold it. I have a Kraton 8s and an Outcast 8s. The Outcast 8s with the shorter chassis is more durable and would be my pick if I could only have one. I also have a DBXLE which I would not recommend for big bashing 👍

[@KUDRARACING]

I just did a video on the K8… bashed the crap out of it… really impressed me. The Outcast 8S might be a step up like your saying

[@pathfindercod4638]

Plastic flexes, metal bends. Great video my man, banging vehicles.

[@Improvise_Adapt_0vercome]

Glad somebody understands...

[@FLPatrick1095]

If you run it hard enough to bend a 7075 chassis you'll likely crack a plastic chassis from the same impact.

[@Improvise_Adapt_0vercome]

@FLPatrick1095 Possibly... but Traxxas plastic is better and if by chance it does crack, it's so much cheaper to repair than driving a bent taco

[@djacobs9658]

​@FLPatrick1095 your right BUT if it's the FACTORY 7075 it will bend faster and or easier than a m2c chassis. That's my opinion on that

[@djacobs9658]

Also plastic are less weight too

[@Facts-R-Real]

GREAT VIDEO!!!

[@WowoodogPlays]

traxxas used to have better plastics, the chassis on the original x-maxx's were almost indestructible but on the new vehicles its not that strong. thanks for the video though, I think I will buy an original x-maxx 8s (second hand)over an xrt.

[@rjwilliams1697]

Will your m5 plate esc mount be for sale?

[@Hungrybird474]

I had my first problem with a k6s the other day . Flashing green light on esc . Got too hot ? Doesn’t do the start up sequence but fans are running and steering is present . So it’s either the motor or esc ?

[@KUDRARACING]

Most likely the esc - max 6 helps a lot 👌

[@Hungrybird474]

@@KUDRARACINGyeah bro 👏. It’s here but I haven’t installed it yet . Got to the soldering though and that ec5 cap went on good with a female end and a Vice . I couldn’t do it by hand and got pissed until I figured it out . I have to say a damp rag kept the heat from traveling down the wire pretty good after soldering heat . Have a good weekend

[@djacobs9658]

As you say this I've had my typhon blx 6s mabe 4-5 years or more and I've NEVER EVER HEARD my esc make any noise at all NONE.

[@TRAVELER197]

I love them both, so I bought both!😊

[@TRAVELER197]

Traxxas should replicate the Sledge body clip system in all of their vehicles! It doesn't come off as much!

[@triv7252]

Traxxas XRT is the one to go for if you're looking to save money in the long term

[@Hungrybird474]

What makes the whining noise when a kraton does a wheelie ? Thanks

[@Hungrybird474]

I seen a dude put xmaxx shocks on the xrt and limit the shock travel with silicone tubing , 1/2” long inside the shock and 1/2 long on the bottom of the rod had that pup standing tall and landing nice 👍. Stuff we do , lol

[@dirtydave82]

On the traxxas cry and xmaxx. You can ad for very inexpensive axle extenders. Sitting the wheels out and very easy to change wheels than.

[@JVGmidi]

I have bought to traxxas cars the bandit the first one was in 2001 the second one in 2022 a vxl. I had 8scale cars in the past, I invented 8scale electric in 2008 and now i am back with a corally Kronos and the Losi 8ight. And there the best. The Losi is a serieus racing buggy. I use a traxxas radio system in my Kronos because my old spectrum radio died. So I get it out the bandit.

[@michaelkrammRC]

getting spare parts => clear winner => TRAXXAS

[@KUDRARACING]

Facts

[@bigjay369369]

For the tire problem pull out the dremmel a shave the hub down a smidgen. $teel City Pittsburgh in dis bitch

[@sambo6591]

I don't know I've had my Traxxas x-maxx ultimate for quite a while I have never had a problem with the ESC haven't broke anything on it either and a skatepark bash I'm not a fan loyal person I do want an xrt and a kraton I am going to get both eventually

[@henningkristensen7446]

Please drive both stock😆 (do you have a friend with stock xrt?😅) You will have problems with rear arms on K8 and t2t brace, but that's it. XRT problems: gears, stearing, shocks, esc🤡, upper bulkheads.. However YOUR XRT its a monster and will run so nice! (I own them both😉). Cheap upgrades on K8: Carbon fiber tube (t2t brace) and m2c/vitavon rod end, m2c pistons.. Love your channel. greetings from Norway.

[@popcorn8199]

I'm a traxxas guy, but I don't think you can wrong with either one.

[@kennethmoore737]

But the metal bends so easy.... like id rather have plastic imo you keep mentioning plastic breaking over metal when you hit 1 ramp with matal and your chassis is toast

[@floydblue1783]

Well, modified models are not stock and I think any comparisons must be done with stock models to be realistic 🤨

[@keldonator]

I want a Typhon 8s

[@ISIAH_STL]

The front end on traxxas vehicles have way more slop and play at high speeds they have the death wobble

[@itzjoeylo4501]

$3000 SRT vs. $1500 ARRMA

[@donniemarks94]

Most others say the XRT is the better truck stock for stock, the kraton will most likely break first when sending them big just like Kevin talbot showed us

[@spike--]

My kraton 8s is my buyers remorse RC!

[@decayer6710]

My kraton 8s exb constantly breaks

[@KUDRARACING]

@@decayer6710 What breaks the most? Or what's the common issues you have found?

[@itzjoeylo4501]

@@KUDRARACING I break my wing mount quite often.

[@jtjtrs8806]

Traxxas uses metal in places where it matters , plastics where it needs to flexx !!! I prefer the traxxas all day !!

[@BenjiiJackson]

i think id rather buy the XRT & Upgrade It After Watching Your Video Anything From Factory Is Not Good Enough Including Your Real Car, Factory = Good Enough To Sell It To U... Computers Cars Houses Speakers ect Once U Upgrade Them They Become Better & If They Sell It To U Upgraded They Gon Bust Ur Wallet Wide Open Pick Ur Poison

[@KUDRARACING]

Agreed!

[@TMIVRC]

Kraton all day Traxxas is over priced and arrma from an upgrade stand point won’t be needed to the average ripper or basher is not gonna break the 8s the power system is pretty good too

[@hydroboy35th]

XRT!

[@bradandmarksrcgarage4940]

You realise that spektrum esc is a rebranded max 6

[@KUDRARACING]

Really? How do you know that... I would be very curious to dig into that... Hobbywing I almost never have problems with but the Spectrum stuff is ... meh

[@bradandmarksrcgarage4940]

@@KUDRARACING it is 100% hobbywing sometimes with a few less programming features, plug your hobbywing card in and you will see

[@deadeyedetailing1057]

Arms seem to be much better on the 8s.

[@kennethmoore737]

Xrt is the best!

[@randyb4105]

Well done, Arrma IS way more value for your money.

[@ohannes939]

What's the $$$ difference?

[@KUDRARACING]

To much 😅

[@JVGmidi]

Everything is hobbywing, spectrum, corraly etc.

[@idksomecarguy]

I'd rather break a $20 chassis than buy a $100 stiffener

[@Ryder626]

Hands down, XRT !!! I bought the green ultimate and upgraded to aluminum bulkheads. max6 esc. And a couple other small aluminum parts. It runs fantastic. I love it.

[@GeddyRC]

Great comparison video man. Personally I don’t have the space for this scale at the moment but the 6S line is definitely something I’ve considered. That being said I’ve thought about these two trucks a lot and I go back and fourth a lot. Ultimately it looks like the Arrma is a better buy overall (meaning you got your money’s worth) is where I land on it. But it really depends on the driver and what they plan to do with it.

[@KUDRARACING]

Totally agree

[@kennethmoore737]

Xrt handles batter on ground and in air

[@martinmang1]

I disagree go watch thunder rc with his xrt at the skate park and then ask him why he doesn’t own aarma rc trucks anymore. Yes he now added some GPM parts but his XRT is bullet proof now. Yes I admit I’m a Traxxas fan( I own a maxx slash, UDR, Sledge, E-Revo, x-Maxx, ultimate slash, drag slash, trx-4 & trx-4m) but i feel the xmaxx/XRT platform is best out there right now.

[@josephocarez2925]

Kraton all the way...

[@victorevan7893]

Xrt all stock is the way to go, few upgrades, trash that monkey metal gears it comes with, mod 1 harden steel gears, bell crank and cush drive cover to aluminum, and just that brace on bottom either gpm or m2c, and one big thing I did is made my xrt to a xmaxx stance, changed upper and lower arms and drive shaft to an XMAXX, I had the kraton exb that thing was a disappointment, always breaking down. This xrt/xmaxx is a beast. Never failed yet knock on wood,😂

[@chasecutshair]

so you spend a few hundred bucks more to make it compare against the kraton?

[@victorevan7893]

@chasecutshair maybe a little over a hundred ot less. It's a beast. Check it out on 907 yuuks

[@coreycash3016]

Lmao bro a few extra bucks the xrt is 1500 I’d 1 gears all said and done 300 bash bar 150-200 dang bro that crazy go k8 and leave it lol

[@coreycash3016]

The k8 easy

[@KUDRARACING]

Agreed - super badass right out of the box!

[@XxTrustNoOnexX]

Arrma best!

[@claudiomasiero6054]

A mio avviso complessivamente meglio arma!! Estetica leggermente meglio traxxas!! Ma arma è cresciuta molto in qualità è estetica Traxxas sempre li Saluti a tutti

[@michaelmorey7544]

Traxxas is like an iPhone and arrma is like an android phone

[@djacobs9658]

Oh heck no 🤣🤣

[@fernandodavis5143]

Every jump with EXB you hope you don't bend the chassis

[@KUDRARACING]

So far so good 🤞

[@garyparietti5124]

Idk wtf ur talking about plastic being worse as a frame.. plastic frame is better than a metal one hands down.. metal bends and stays bent.. plastic has give.. flexes and bounces back.. certain things should be plastic.. certain things shouldn’t be metal.. the frame especially the way traxxas does it is better off being plastic..

[@jameswright5572]

Arrma all day. I love Traxxas vehicals, hate the company, and it's BS litigious stance. Traxxas did not invint lay down suspension for starts.

[@bolitapelona]

Plastic for me. Its way easier to replace. Once metal bends, its a wrap. Plastic is also lighter.