I have a kite trike that I love and was wondering how much it would cost to make one with upgraded materials. I like the geometry and the width. it is rusting inside and outside on the rails so i dont know if I want to trust riding it. I get it remade I would like the back axle to take a 12 or 20 m. i was thinking it be 2 different sized double sided bolts with the axle side being 20mm. the main part i am worried about right now is the siderails where they attach to the axle. untill i can afford a new one I was thinking of just having the rails welded onto the axle

Thanks,
Shaggy

come on guys. I am just coming out of a very short relationship (need to learn to slow down emotionally) and just want to focus on me right now. I was thinking keep the front fork and neck for now and just upgrade the side rails and axle. I think I am going to want stainless. that way i dont have to worry about powder coat and it chipping later on. plus powder coat doesnt cover the inside of the tubing. kite trike is a good design but has bad steel.

I have limited buggy experience (I just bought my first one and yet to ride in it, and only a few rides in friends) and knowledge so take this for what you will...

I know that's among the lower end setups to start with, but if you're that comfortable... If looking to go economical I'd say get a stainless steel siderail setup welded for yourself, so you have a new #@%$#!pit that'll stay with you and seat for it. Then keep the front fork/neck for now and rear axle/tires, and look into upgrading those down the road.

If it's not a money limitation, I'd wonder given your XR+ buggy, why put the effort into the KiteTrike? If you're looking at welding something new out of stainless I can full understand that. But it seems your KiteTrike lived it's life, and putting money into it, seems like a waste, especially as the remaining parts are no doubt starting to rust out. Maybe find a new buggier/kid where it's rust isn't going to be a problem from reduced weight/use and let them learn on it for something cheap while you enjoy the XR.

the xr+ is a good buggy but i really like the trike. its rails are higher so its a bit more comfy, less butt drag. i want something I can have fun with. I know this sounds wierd but i i have no interest in race buggies. they are heavy and i feel like im riding on a train track as far as maneuverability goes. plus the trike has sentimental value and would like to upgrade it. what can i say. Im wierd. I need to make sure i find the trike comfortable to sit in but I know it is.

or maybe i can design a buggy or look at other designs, something about the same size as the trike but with higher rails for back support

Quote: Originally posted by shortlineflyer

or maybe i can design a buggy or look at other designs, something about the same size as the trike but with higher rails for back support

This was more inline with my thoughts ID go with designng something based on it / freestyle buggy with curved in high rails over a race buggy anyway. Plenty of designs out there

Quote: Originally posted by shortlineflyer

come on guys. I am just coming out of a very short relationship (need to learn to slow down emotionally) and just want to focus on me right now. I was thinking keep the front fork and neck for now and just upgrade the side rails and axle. I think I am going to want stainless. that way i dont have to worry about powder coat and it chipping later on. plus powder coat doesnt cover the inside of the tubing. kite trike is a good design but has bad steel.

Don't waste your money and the time of your fabricator.
There are many light weight buggies out there much much better than a kite trike!
No mater how much lipstick you put on a pig, it's still a pig. :piggy:
I had one, it was my first. I learned with it. I learned to buggy and I learned to fix it every time I rode it!
I also learned that on a scale of 1-10, 10 being best, the ride was a ..... maybe a 3.:o
Just wait a while and a good light weight buggy will appear here in for sale in the 3-400 $ range and get it.

Another short relationship you should end as well.

this is pbly stupid but here goes
what if you mixed up fiberglass/resin and poured it down the tubes
ok...flame

or just use a can of foam

run til it breaks, then ride XR , time will fix the rest

I might try the resin thing and cut off the ends and put slip joints on the axel like the PL

what are some good freestyle buggies that are well balanced

for trike like ease and flow , freestyle may feel pretty good for sure , tougher ! light and super easy handling, prolly even better. PL XR is freestyle

navaro has nice set up adjustable, seems premium.

the xr+ has such a low frame so there is no back support at all. I did see a xr+ that had a extra set of rails welded on to the standard rails to make it higher. thats one of the main reason i like the trike more than the xr +

I will check out other buggies at WBB and see what I like

didnt van used to make aftermarket rails for the xr+?

I am liking the look of the libre hardcore

I've always kind of like the look of the XXttreme Basixx ( http://www.xxtreme.nl/xxproducts/basixx-kitebuggy-freestyle/ ) but no personal experience with one and don't know anyone who has. I myself just bought (on here) a Sysmic S2, looking to be too heavy to do much freestyle on, but I'm going to try. Should make a good first buggy for my wife and I to share, until I finish the build I have going for one just for me.

I think Van still supplies some of the Vendors with the XR rail kit and it is 1000% worth the investment. You get LONGER, HIGHER side rails and a WAY more comfortable seat. It gives you much more room and much more comfort, so you can ride your bug longer with less back ache afterward.

Looky... old pic from 3 yrs ago, but you get the idea:


If freestyle is your plan, then I'd say go with a Flexi bug... all of the freestyle guys you see on the UK circuit are riding the Flexi bugs:... lighter and strong.

i dont plan on doing aerial freestyle, but i like 360 slides other stuff like that. how high are the flexi side rails. i would go with a bigger buggy but they are so heavy

flexi siderails are kinda butt level w/ original seat...makes for a clean obe

Heavy isn't always bad... it can translate into more forward motion rather than side pull... thats a debate for another day though.... IMHO if you want to do tricks like 360's, you can do that in a heavier buggy... I've seen them done in the big race buggies, but those are super skilled riders. I don't think you would go wrong to put the VTT rail kit on your XR+... it effectively makes the seat and rails bigger, more comfortable and more secure without a substantial weight gain in the bug... mine above looks a little bigger because I have a bigfoot (extra long) back axle on there too... makes a great cruiser of a bug. I use it as a tandem to lug the kids around in and also as my "light wind" buggy... I have a bigger heavier speed machine for when the wind is cranking.

I dont' make buggies anymore except for a few exceptions but I still make the XR+ upgrades when someone asks.

how much does the upgrade run? it comes with a seat right? are they stainless? i ride at the beach alot

I really wish i could afford a libre full race or hardcore