Riding position. NSF would be great for Wera minis but on a tight cart track the motard type bikes are much easier to toss around.
Would go ohvale or bucci over nsf. Chassis and suspension are much better. I believe you can keep the same chassis on ohvales and buccis and upgrade the engine as he grows into it. 110->160->190. You’ll need to double check this. The only reason I’d go with an NSF is if all the other kids in the race org are on those.
I don’t know what is most competitive at your local track, but after reading these numbers, I would not handicap him with the lower horsepower and heavier NSF. So, I was wrong before.
Ok I think I've settled on the GP-0 110 auto so I don't introduce track riding and shifting all at once. We can put in the manual 110 or the 160 when he's ready. Now I'm over here wondering if I'd fit on a GP-2 haha! It's a slippery slope. Either way I do need to get something I can follow him around on to help him learn, show him the line, etc. and who knows maybe I'll start racing them! Thanks for all the info guys. Also, I'm going to post to a few FB groups but where else might I be able to find some leathers for him?
I think the training you can do at a mini track, at a lower pace and less expensive tires is a much better value versus the big tracks. A couple years spent riding kart tracks will make both of you better riders.
I'm 6 foot and only made it a couple laps on the Ohvale. I had a 150r on 12s and that worked great with BBR springs. You might want to go straight to a 450 though as the kids have a tendency to destroy the dads in short order lol.
It's just a motor swap from 110 auto to 110 manual...then a 160cc. The 190 won't fit in that chassis...the 190 chassis has additional motor mount points I believe.
I echo voss555's sentiment. I'm 6'2" and I can do about 10 minutes max on a GP-0. Have not tried a GP-2, but I imagine that it would be better but not that much better. For me, it's always the bend in the knee that causes the discomfort. I too would suggest going straight to one of the race built KTM/Husky 450 supermotos (e.g., FS450, SMR450, etc.). The Ohvale's are cool, but they are useful to a point, and ultimately are a novelty for an adult rider. The 450 on the other hand is a useful tool for you and then eventually your son. This is actually how we got my wife riding. Started her on a 110 automatic, then a Grom (to learn shifting) and then onto an FS450. Given the performance envelope of the 450 she's able to continue progressing with it, but now she wants her own bike, but that's another story.
What’s your take on a 150 vs a 450 for kart tracks? For reference, the tracks closest to me are both about 1/2 mile. I was debating swapping out my 150 for a 450 but thought I’d do better and progress more quickly on the smaller bike. I’m actually sitting on a significant amount of parts ready to farkle it to death shortly. I’m 6’3 and about 1/2 ton at this point in the year
The 190 will mount up, just won't have support from the additional mount points, and the exhaust may not match the head well. They're all Honda 50 base mount pattern, some of the larger stud pattern motors opt for 'KLX110' style heads hence wanting slightly different exhausts. On the additional motor mounts for the 190, there are a fuckton of Daytona 190s getting the shit thrashed out of them in dirt chassis using just the base Honda 50 mount points, it'll be fine. Clutch swap is a case cover, clutch (you can buy just the basket if going for maximum savings) and a clutch cable, perch, lever. Personally, if racing, and not aiming specifically to learn clutch control... get a billet auto clutch basket to replace the cast piece that has a nasty habit of becoming a multiple part item when it's most inconvenient, then get someone to make a pattern from the clutch weights and get a set water cut from titanium. (Powroll back in the day made a kit, long since unavailable.) Raises the engagement RPM, bike will become a holeshot monster in it's class and shift with more authority.
I have heard a lot of "I'm ___ tall and can't ride the Ohvale" but rarely do they specify GP0 or GP2. The 2 doesn't seem that much bigger but longer reach and 5" higher seat could be all the difference you need. Impossible to tell without riding one though! 450s are not an option. Rules for the biggest bike class are 105cc water cooled 2 stroke, 165cc water cooled 4 stroke, air/oil cooled 4 stroke limit is 190cc for 4 valves and, 200cc for 2 valves (ex: Crf150r, 105SX, KX100, Ohvale/Bucci 190). In that case what's the hottest setup? Seems like a lot of the riders are on the crf150r.
The 150R is a potent, hard to beat package packing 85cc two stroke peak power with a bit wider spread of torque, a compact chassis, and the ability to effectively use 12in or 17in wheels depending on the size of the track. They've been around effectively unchanged for years so parts are well developed, plentiful and often cheap. On tighter tracks they can hang with or give 250s / 450s grief. It'll need to be a very sweepy, larger track for the Ohvale 190 to combat the 150R's power advantage with better roll speed.
Our local kart tracks are .8 and 1 mile so a mini gets a little strung out on the straights. The smaller track we had shut down 5 years ago but it was a blast on either bike. Your size though yeah 450 lol.
Keep forgetting the track class rules lol sorry. 150R set up- 12" mags, BBR springs, 450 dual piston caliper, SM brake pads. The only motor change I'd do is the cam. The stock one just doesn't wind out.
My vote is 450. I'm 6'2" 200lbs and our local kart track is 0.8 mile and the 450 is a hoot. For a 0.5 mile track I'd probably shorten the gearing to 13/48 (currently 13/45) or lower.
Getting mauled by 450s at Kartmoto definitely makes me want one. But I already own a Grom and its paid for lol
We ran an NSF against Ohvales for 2 years. The 110 did have legs on it on long straights, but on kart tracks it held it's own well, and did a good job teaching him how to make up ground under brakes and keeping corner speed up. When he got taller the larger size of the NSF helped. In the 2 years I did oil changes and valve adjustments and it started 1st kick every time. There are specific NSF things that aren't readily available, but engine wise it's just a CRF100 so parts and performance things are easy to get.
