Power Kite Forum - Which buggy to buy and where ?

Which buggy to buy and where ?

DAKITEZ - 8-1-2008 at 04:56 PM

I NEED a new buggy!! The one I have is ok for cruzing and such, but I need some performance. all I know about buggies is I wish popeythewelder was my neighbor. He makes some killer buggies. I also know c3h5 made a killer buggy .... again why couldn't he live down the street. Other than that HELP !! I may be interested in making my own down the road, but right now I just want to buy it and ride. What buggy do you recommend and where do I get it. Thanks

elkiter - 8-1-2008 at 05:12 PM

Dino,

Sorry I should have sent you a U2U, but anyway. I know someone selling a buggy that is relatively in good condition. It's similar to my Libre Fullrace, but NOT stainless steel. I can contact him and put the buggy on hold for you if you're interested. The buggy comes with bunch of extras, such as extra tires, extra brand new seat and so on. It used to be blue, but powdercoated in yellow now. I believe, he's asking $500.00. (The buggy is 800.00 new)

Here's a pic of the buggy: (Sorry No close up shot)
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/elkiter/VinceBuggy.j...

It's very similar to mine, except non-stainless:
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/elkiter/_MG_7874copy...

Send me a U2U if you're interested so I can contact the guy.

Late,
e

Bladerunner - 8-1-2008 at 05:18 PM

I think you need to decide what you want the buggy to do.
What type of terrain you will be on and what style you will ride. You should post that to help those with more knowledge that will help you.
From my limited experience you want to look at 3 Brands. Flexifoil - I would suggest they are the #1 choice for freestyle / jumping. Strong and light weight
Peter lynn- I would call them the all rounder with choices from collapsable to bigfoot buggies. Lots of aftermarket stuff.
Libra- I would venture to call them #1 in the race buggies. Heavier built and more after market parts than the others. ( it seems )

For Libra JEllis from here / kitebuggyspeedshop.
Peter Lynn : Pablo or ripsessionkites from here or possibly Jake at windflowsports.com for U.S. also maybe Powerzone
I'm not sure who supports Flexi in the States .Maybe Eli ???

I think if I had space and only one buggy I would go for bigfoot tires over barrows. You can ride bigfoots in the park ( and do less damage ) but you can't take barrows into the dunes. I don't have space so my flexi on barrows fits under the bed. Fortunately Pab's is good about lending out Bigfoot Betty !

DAKITEZ - 8-1-2008 at 05:36 PM

I want to go fast and stand it on 2 wheels. Terrain will be mostly flat smooth grass.

Elkiter I think I saw that bug on CL it has to be the same one. I don't know that I can afford it, but I will definately think about it. I think thats probably going to be the buggy I end up wanting.

elkiter - 8-1-2008 at 05:43 PM

Yep, that's the one on CL alright.
The nice thing is that he lives close by (Menlo Park), perhaps you can arrange to meet him halfway to avoid shipping cost, if you decide to buy it.

Late,
e

PS - If you want speed, then this is the buggy for you, but it would take alot of effort to put this buggy on 2 wheels.

DAKITEZ - 8-1-2008 at 05:45 PM

I just thought that after I typed it speed and 2 wheels probably don't go good together:wow:

DAKITEZ - 8-1-2008 at 05:48 PM

Menlo Park isn't that far. Do you know what condition this buggy thats for sale is in? I was kinda nervous because of all the extra parts. I was afraid maybe it was worn down.

elkiter - 8-1-2008 at 06:05 PM

It's 4 or 5 years old, so it's still relatively in good condition. Only used on weekends.
I believe it was taken to the desert twice. It has chips on the powder coating, but that's normal. I know the original owner very well, and he took good care of that buggy. The tires and seat installed on the buggy now are used, but the extra tires (2 sets I think) are new and the brand new seat is customized with leather lining that was recently purchased before he decided to sell his gears. Once you install the new tires and new seat, you have a pretty darn killer buggy. The size of the seat is medium, other than that, its same config as mine. My seat size is small. (I'm 155 lbs.)

Hope that helps,

e

DAKITEZ - 8-1-2008 at 06:08 PM

Thanks for the info. I'm 220 lbs will I fit in a medium ? When your my weight nothing comes in medium :smilegrin:

Bladerunner - 8-1-2008 at 06:46 PM

I think $500 is the bottom price for the 3 that I mentioned new + or - a bit.
Sounds Pre-Pimped to me. That sounded like your #1 desire , then speed, then 2 wheels. A quality 2 out of 3 is pretty good I'ld say. No shipping is worth something for sure ! Those look like the kind of tires that would please the Sod owner as well :thumbup:

barnes - 8-1-2008 at 07:30 PM

If shipping wasn't upsurd, I'd take your 4-wheeler off your hands.

Scudley - 8-1-2008 at 07:43 PM

500 for a used Libre is a good deal. Do not let the non stainless scare you. The girl friends libre special is powder coated galvanized steel. It has been on tidal sand flats a few times. It shows less corrosion than my stainless PL. Forming and joining processes and grade selection can have huge effects on the performance of stainless in salt water. In the case of the PL, there appears to a galvanic problem between the threaded rear axle bushings and the rear axle tube or caused by the weld.
Powder coated galvanized material used by may actually perform better, lasting longer, than the thin wall stainless used in the PL.
If you are going near seawater, stay away from chrome plated steel. Any scratches in the chrome plate you will perforation of the tube in no time.
As for chrome plating aluminum, I have no idea if possible but there is no need: aluminum develops a passive oxide layer that is almost as corrosion resistant the passive layer that chrome develops. So why go through the toxic chrome plating process.

S

zloty - 9-1-2008 at 12:32 AM

Give a call to Live2kite they have Flexifoil buggy in California. I know Flexi was backordered on seats and should get them this month back in stock. Make sure to give them my name for 10 % off.
Cheers

ripsessionkites - 9-1-2008 at 02:42 AM

we have PL XR+ instock. however we're in canada. you're better off contacting the USA PL Distributor and finding a dealer in your area.

if you want a buggy just to drive around the park I would go: PL Comp ST / XR+, Flexi, Libre Special

IMO, the buggy Elkiter has for you sounds like the best bang for the buck, its big, looks like a libre fullrace, and stable at high speeds.

got more money to spend, Libre Hardcore / Fullrace

and even more money, PTW Buggy / XXTreme ApeXX / Libre Protask

DAKITEZ - 9-1-2008 at 09:44 AM

barnes thanks for the offer, but I haven't given up on the 4 wheeler yet. I think it will be my rough terrain buggy. Its just not built for speed and I have the NEED 4 SPEED. I can see having 2 -3 buggys for different conditions and locations. Its just like having different size kites for different conditions. elkiter is kind enough to talk to his friend for me and hopefully I can round up some funds. Buy some kites you guys so I can get this buggy :smilegrin:

art_lessing - 10-1-2008 at 01:50 PM

I know how to make one like mine....it was ony about 200 bucks total...but I had to design and weld it together
.....

DAKITEZ - 10-1-2008 at 02:18 PM

I think I'm going to get elkiters friends buggy. We are going to meet up this weekend. Possible trade for a kite and I can have a libre race buggy. I'm pumped. Its just a matter of if each of us likes what the other has to trade :thumbup:

Thanks artlessing for the offer. ( I took it as a offer even if it wasn't :smilegrin:

) I plan to build my own buggy also, but I want something I can get out and ride right now . Then I can work on my own creation at my own pace.

DAKITEZ - 15-1-2008 at 08:40 PM

Ok here it is ... my options ...
used libre full race
new flexi
new PL Comp XR
new PL ST

I'm a beginner buggier and I'm looking for something comfortable, stable and sturdy. I'm leaning toward the libre, but I wanted some other opions, also does anyone know if you can put bigfoots on the libre. Thanks

Deadhead - 15-1-2008 at 11:25 PM

IMO, go for the Libre. It should more than meet your three requirements, and you can't beat the price........

kitemaker4 - 16-1-2008 at 10:11 AM

Go for the Libre buggy and you will not regret getting it. You can put big tires on the plastic rims they are then called big foot lights. For the front wheel you will need to get another fork that is wider to accomodate the wider tire.

Good luck.
Susan

ripsessionkites - 17-1-2008 at 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dlish89
used libre full race - $400

my vote.

the XR+ is good too, but its $400 to start ... than you add from there. 120cm rear axle, kinked downtube, extended side rails. all that just to get what you can from a Libre.

like kitemaker said, plastics take a BF Light. no need for anything bigger.
can a Libre front fork take a midi tire (extra wide wheel)?

USA_Eli_A - 17-1-2008 at 04:22 PM

get the libre. If you can score one for $400, what are you thinking about. hands down the most durable, long lasting, comfortable ride anywhere.

As soon as i can I'm grabbing Ellis's fully pimped bigfoot! I have ridden dozens of buggies, my favorites are the Libre buggies!

you only have to buy it once, you can add on for so many configurations.

shaka zulu in the house!

Sthrasher38 - 19-1-2008 at 11:36 AM

I am excited for u dlish. I can wait to see your new buggy. :thumbup:

DAKITEZ - 19-1-2008 at 04:22 PM

Got the Libre :thumbup:

DAKITEZ - 20-1-2008 at 08:45 AM

I had a chance to look at everything I got. It came with 8 extra new barrow tires, 7 new bearings, extra seat ( needs some repair ) , extra rail covers, extra axle bolts, 2 inner tubes, and touch up paint. I got it all for $375 :thumbup:

I can't wait to get out and try it. Is there a new buggy curse just like the new kite curse ?:wow:

Bladerunner - 20-1-2008 at 09:53 AM

:wow:

I think you win the prize for the best deal I have heard of on a Libra ! GREAT CHOICE !!! :cool2:

elkiter - 20-1-2008 at 05:39 PM

What can I say...

You got it even cheaper that previously advertised plus you got all the extras.

Congrats!!! I'm happy for you :thumbup:

DAKITEZ - 20-1-2008 at 06:23 PM

elkiter
Actually, I didn't get a better price than originally, because he kept the new seat. He all of a sudden wanted a extra $100 for the new seat. So he still has a seat if you need one. Even though I'm still happy .... with the buggy.

BeamerBob - 21-1-2008 at 08:27 AM

I'm really jealous. You were lucky to get the buggy alone for that money. Plus all the extras. That choice was a no brainer. It'll be great to use when you try out that 12m ace!:evil:

elkiter - 21-1-2008 at 08:56 AM

It's still a great deal nontheless. It could have been better with the brand new seat included, but hey - the semi new seat that came with it is repairable right?

I like the leather lining on the new seat, but it would take a lot of pies for me to fit into a size large :lol:

DAKITEZ - 21-1-2008 at 10:15 AM

The seat is definately repairable. It will be fixed by this weekend. I'm glad you can't use the seat ... I hope he is stuck with that seat till the seams rot out of it. :P