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It is well known that Go Karts are the starting point for most full-size racing heros. It is the best school for racing because it is basically F1 in miniature; there is the same competition, mechanics and driving skill needed as in Formula 1. Legends such as Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton and the great Ayrton Senna all started off racing Karts at a very young age. Kyosho has given those of us that are a bit, umm, along in years, a chance to have that same thrill without the risk of bodily harm.
AT A GLANCE
WHO MAKES IT: Kyosho
WHO IT’S FOR: Everyone
HOW MUCH: $240
BUILD TYPE: RTR
FACTS
-Like its full size-counterpart, the R31-SE is very limited on suspension. The front is completely void while the back has a mildly adjustable t-bar setup. Turning the adjustment screw applies more or less flex to the rear of the Kart. There’s even tweak screws installed.
-The R31-SE comes with a full set or rubber tires. While the rear tires come with foam inserts, the fronts do not. This causes the Kart to push a little at higher speeds for better control. Low speed steering is still pretty good.
-The powerful, two-needle GZ15 engine is included with the R31-SE. Its pull-start design makes it a snap to power up and, coupled with the rear mounted pipe, has plenty of power…almost too much power! At higher speeds you could feel the Kart start to wiggle around due to the rear tires growing. This made for a fun little ride!
-Kyosho included their Perfex KT-6 radio system. This 27MHz setup has all the adjustments you need to radio-tune your ride; dual rate, EPA, and servo reversing. The 27MHz part bummed me out a bit but it still worked perfectly. You also get a pair of KS101BK servos for throttle and steering. These work great with plenty of torque and speed for the Kart.
-The Birel Kart is surrounded by large, plastic fairings. These act as bumpers and side protectors should you drive your Kart into something. The driver gets ‘snapped’ into place and looks cool as he bounces around the track. His moveable arms allow him to grip the steering wheel for dear life (especially when I’m driving!).
– Kyosho has included a quality glow igniter and charger to save you money and get you up and running quickly. Just add fuel (with the included fuel bottle) and your AA’s and you’re ready to rock and roll.
PROS
• Awesome looks
• Realistic handling
• GZ15 engine sports plenty of power
• Easy –fill 75cc tank provides close to 10 minutes of runtime
• Rear T-bar suspension allows minor tuning
• Rear axle disc braking system
CONS
• Engine is a little finicky to tune
• At high speeds, the rear tires tend to grow causing the handling to be a bit unstable
• 27MHz radio system
ON THE TRACK
Whether I’m at my secret test track or a local hot spot, more often than not when I take a car out for testing I attract a small crowd. People just want to see what all the hub-bub is about. The Birel Go Kart, however, made me feel like a rock star! This bad boy has some serious people-appeal! A few quick yanks on the pull-starter and the Birel was screaming around the track. Even though I could not get the tune perfect on the GZ15, it was still fast enough to wow the crowd of on-lookers.
Performance was good, too. Initial turn-in was a little lazy with no insert in the front tires. Slow down a bit (or tap the brakes) and the Birel was holding a tight line through the corner. Rolling the throttle out of the corners was required for a straight-line exit…ham-fisted drivers need not apply. The Kart has great rear traction but needs to be handled gently for the biggest fun-factor. Once you get a handle on that, the Birel flies around the track, smoke billowing from the pipe and skipping through the corners much like a full-scale Kart.
I had zero durability issues with the R31-SE. I did send the Kart flying a few times over some of the curbing but, thanks to its flat chassis design and huge bumper-like fairings, the Kart handled the landings with ease. There are some serious scratches and knicks on the bottom of the 3mm aluminum chassis, but that’s to be expected from a 30+ mph vehicle only millimeters from the ground!
THE LAST WORD
Kyosho’s Birel R31-SE Go Kart is a total blast. The look alone says ‘Check me out’, and add to that the sound of the GZ15 engine and smoke pouring out of the pipe and you have yourself a sure-fire way to get some attention. It would also be quite a bit of fun on a track with a few other Karts! If you’re looking for something a little different in scale and handling, give the Kyosho Birel Kart a look.
LINKS
Kyosho, www.kyoshoamerica.com, (949) 454-8854
MaxAmps, www.maxamps.com, (888) 654-4450
