UK Karting - Notice Board (2-Stroke Karting) : re: TKM tag?

Notice Board (2-Stroke Karting)

re: TKM tag?
Posted by 'davidmc' on 17 Feb 2012 @ 13:40

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davidmcJoined: April 2003
Total Posts: 2
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You have to compare like with like though. If TKM were now the most popular class, costs to compete in it would increase dramatically.

The only difference to be competitive in either class is now the tyres and engine. In terms of tyres, outside of cadets, everybody will bolt on new tyres every race meeting. So that leaves the engine.

In my experience, the new Rotax engines are competitive out of the box. TKM engines aren't always, but Ł200 or so will make at as good as most. The initial cost of a Rotax engine is obviously more than TKM.

In terms of maintenance, the Rotax engine itself is low maintenance, as is the TKM. Rebuild intervals for the TKM are lower, but the cost of a rebuild is cheaper so things even out.

The Rotax carb costs nothing to rebuild whereas the TKM carb costs Ł5. The Rotax starter is now extremely reliable and takes no maintenance, the clutch takes no maintenance (short of cleaning the drum and greasing the bearing), the fuel pump needs rebuilding but not as regularly as the Walbro carb. The Rotax exhaust, especially in the senior classes, does need repacking.

I would say, fundamentally, the Rotax is marginally more expensive to maintain to the standard required to win. The cost of winning stems from the amount of testing the front runners do. They are out 2-4 days per week, all year round. If those same competitors suddenly jumped ship, TKM would very quickly become just as expensive.

Regarding the "caravan with an engine", if you were spending 2-4 days per week at a kart circuit, you would most likely realise the value of one too. Further, they are often the more economical option once the costs are amortised over the course of several years.

Finally, the fact that someone was stupid enough to spend fortunes on engines doesn't mean you have to spend fortunes on engines to be competitive. The cost of getting a decent engine seems to be inversely proportionally to the competitors age.

I'd still stand by TKM as the best option (if grids are available) for someone looking to race karts at a low cost, but that's because I find them closer to the form of karting I fell in love with and it will generally consist of competitors of the same mindset (turn up, have a great race, and go home).

Message Thread:

TKM TAG? by 'poddy' (16 Feb 2012 @ 18:37)

re: tkm tag? by 'Traxtar' (16 Feb 2012 @ 18:53)

re: tkm tag? by 'SammyB' (17 Feb 2012 @ 8:57)

Why not Junior Max? by 'Josh77' (16 Feb 2012 @ 19:26)

Re: Why not Junior Max? by 'poddy' (16 Feb 2012 @ 20:43)

Re: Why not Junior Max? by 'Josh77' (16 Feb 2012 @ 21:35)

re: TKM tag? by 'itpro' (16 Feb 2012 @ 21:53)

re: TKM tag? by 'rotaxvet' (16 Feb 2012 @ 22:03)

re: TKM tag? by 'Traxtar' (16 Feb 2012 @ 23:12)

re: TKM tag? by 'rotaxvet' (16 Feb 2012 @ 23:15)

re: TKM tag? by 'itpro' (17 Feb 2012 @ 10:07)

re: TKM tag? by 'garyfindlay' (17 Feb 2012 @ 13:27)

re: gary by 'iant' (17 Feb 2012 @ 15:02)

re: TKM tag? by 'davidmc' << You are here!

re: TKM tag? by 'poddy' (17 Feb 2012 @ 17:45)

re: TKM tag? by 'Traxtar' (17 Feb 2012 @ 18:09)

re: TKM tag? by 'dynamax' (17 Feb 2012 @ 22:41)

re: TKM tag? by 'Adstomko' (18 Feb 2012 @ 10:00)

re: TKM tag? by 'Adstomko' (18 Feb 2012 @ 10:13)

re: TKM tag? by 'davidmc' (18 Feb 2012 @ 11:06)

re: TKM tag? by 'Josh77' (18 Feb 2012 @ 13:05)

re: Josh77 by 'buzzinrussell' (18 Feb 2012 @ 14:46)

re: Josh77 by 'chriskasch' (18 Feb 2012 @ 15:02)

re: Josh77 by 'itpro' (18 Feb 2012 @ 17:28)

re: Josh77 by 'davidmc' (18 Feb 2012 @ 18:34)

re: Josh77 by 'PaulMRotax' (18 Feb 2012 @ 19:26)

re: Josh77 by 'itpro' (19 Feb 2012 @ 1:54)

Whatever do you mean Ian? by 'John' (19 Feb 2012 @ 9:56)

re: Josh77 by 'PaulMRotax' (20 Feb 2012 @ 10:54)

re: buzzinrussell by 'ste26' (18 Feb 2012 @ 22:02)

re: Josh77 by 'PaulGarnerTKM' (19 Feb 2012 @ 10:48)

re: Josh77 by 'DavyBoy' (19 Feb 2012 @ 19:39)

re: Fast is fast.............. by 'dth07' (20 Feb 2012 @ 12:50)

re: buzzinrussell by 'Josh77' (20 Feb 2012 @ 23:04)

re: buzzinrussell by 'kz125' (22 Feb 2012 @ 18:21)

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