Over the last couple of years, I have received quite a few emails from people thanking me for inspiring them to have a go at making a buggy themselves, you have no idea how this makes me feel...really quite humbled, these folks, with just photos (no plans) off my site have made there own versions on my buggies, which I think is a fantastic feat, and I have the utmost respect for these guys.

take a look at their remarkable creations


My Copied Buggies

Have you found an optimum weight distribution? Or put another way, how do you determine where the rider should sit between the back and the front?

I ask because I ride a PL monster and had to have the down tube replaced (they were very thin walled originally). Now the front end is really heavy and I wear out a front tire sooner than my back ones. I can still slide out the back end when I wnat to, but at speed on the playa the front tire slides quite a bit. Makes steering kinda hard sometimes..."turn, darn it, turn"

I am pretty sure AWOC's "Ivanpah" buggy is inspired by you creations ?

Kent should send you some photos.

Yes, the Ivanpah is inspired by Popeye's buggies, every buggy sports a flashy metallic sticker on the rear axle that states this fact. The Ivanpah was created with a lot of conversation and insight from Popeye and his awesome designs. Popeye's creativity and insight on what makes an awesome buggy is an invaluable asset to this sport and everyone in it.

I believe that Popeye already has pictures of our buggy, if not then I will need to send some more over to him to post.

Looking forward to NABX. Hopefully we will have yet another creation to show off.

Quote:

Originally posted by geokite Have you found an optimum weight distribution? Or put another way, how do you determine where the rider should sit between the back and the front? I ask because I ride a PL monster and had to have the down tube replaced (they were very thin walled originally). Now the front end is really heavy and I wear out a front tire sooner than my back ones. I can still slide out the back end when I wnat to, but at speed on the playa the front tire slides quite a bit. Makes steering kinda hard sometimes..."turn, darn it, turn"

You need more weight on the front to stop it sliding, I weighed the Dominator 2 the other day, I put three bathroom scales one under each wheel....the front weighed 29kg, and both the rears weighed 19kgs each, making a total of 67kgs.

or try moving the seat forward to alter your tow point on the buggy

And yes the brilliant Ivanpah buggy has a page all of its own, because it is a special buggy, a cross of the Superbug and Cougar


The Ivanpah Buggy, Built in the USA for the USA Buggiers

"Now the front end is really heavy and I wear out a front tire sooner than my back ones."

"...try moving the seat forward to alter your tow point on the buggy"

Don't you mean to move the seat back a little? :tumble:

If you are plowing the front wheel forward and sliding it - causing it to wear out then Popeye is correct, moving your weight forward will help plant the front wheel - giving it bite in the turns instead of plowing - which will reduce the wear on the tire.

The weight on the tire won't really cause it to wear out quickly, it is the sliding across the playa that tears it up.

When your weight is properly distributed, the buggy will slide less (unless you throw it around and force a slide) - which will cause less wear on your tires and give you better grip.

Just my opinion anyways....depends on how you like to ride really....

"depends on how you like to ride really.... "

Kent, you nailed it. How you expect your buggy to perform is most dependent on what type of riding you expect to do.

Example:If you are looking for a buggy that can handle lots of power, especially upwind, then a balanced buggy is what you want. All tires slide at the same time when over powered. Maybe the back breaks away just before the front. (Symetrical)

If you want a trick buggy, generally having the rear tires break away way before the front this will aid tremendously in 180s and 360s. (Asymetrical)

They're awesome ... that Dominator looks incredible!