Razor Ground Force Drifter Go-Kart Review

The Razor Ground Force Drifter is an exciting drifter kart that’s extremely fun to ride. This go-kart is powered by a 24 volt electric motor that has an output of 250 watts. As this motor may be a little on the lower end of the output range for electric karts, it’s very safe for kids and youths, but can also be enjoyed by adults.

With a top speed of 12 mph (19.3 km/h) it’s around 4 to 5 times faster than the average walking speed. The great thing about this drifter kart is that the rear wheels are made of a polyoxymethylene (POM) material, which allows you to drift when turning the steering wheel sharply. 

The battery is adequately sized, allowing a run-time of about 40 minutes per full charge. The speed controller allows for variable speed and the thumb-trigger acceleration controls are mounted directly onto the steering wheel.

All things considered, the Razor Ground Force Drifter is a fun drifting go-kart that not only appeals to younger kids but also to teenagers, youths and even adults. However, take note that the max load for this go-kart is 140 lbs (63.5 kg).


Features

  • Electric motor with good power delivery
  • Capable of high torques
  • Entirely hand operated go-kart

Pros

  • Very easy to operate
  • Lightweight construction
  • Extremely quick assembly
  • Fun for drifting and racing
  • Upgradable motor and battery

Cons

  • Battery may need to be upgraded
  • No seat adjustments
  • Required minor assembly

Build Quality

The build quality of the Razor Ground Force Drifter is very decent. It features a sturdy steel frame that holds together all of the parts that make up this go-kart. There are two molded front wheels that are made of solid rubber, while the back wheels are made of a polyoxymethylene (POM) material, which enables easy and smooth drifting.

The U-shaped steering wheel features a thumb-operated accelerator and a handbrake as found on a typical bicycle. The rear axles have been upgraded from previous versions and now offer a little more maneuverability. However, it’s also been noted that the components aren’t as rigid as before.

A small bucket seat is attached to the frame firmly and the seat belt ensures that the driver is well strapped in. The motor and battery are found to the rear of the go-kart and are attached and secured via mounts.

Overall, the Razor Ground Force Drifter is built relatively well, taking into account that it was designed with drifting in mind. That means that it’s required to be lightweight, at the same time providing the driver with increased maneuverability and safety. While one could make a case that certain parts aren’t of the highest quality, they’re easily replaceable and should be more than suitable for regular usage.

Specifications

Brand: Razor
Model: Ground Force Drifter
Type: Drifter Go-Kart
Colors: Blue & White
Motor: 250 W Electric Motor (24 V)
Battery: Lead Acid Battery x 2 (24 V)
Top Speed: 12 mph (19.3 km/h)
Ages: 8+

Power

This go-kart is powered by a 24 volt electric motor that is mounted at the rear of the vehicle. It has an output of 250 watts, which is adequate for a lightweight drifter kart. If you wish to increase the output of this go-kart or if you plan for it to take a little more load, you can easily upgrade the engine to a higher wattage. Keep in mind to match the voltage for it to operate without issues.

The electric motor is chain driven, which means that it’s connected to the rear axle via a drive chain. The chain is #25 and has 28 links. If you decide to update to a larger engine, ensure that you know how to adjust the chains size accordingly.

Batteries

The Razor Ground Force Drifter features two batteries which are mounted at the rear of the go-kart and are covered by a plastic cover. These lead acid batteries are rechargeable and are rated at 7Ah. This allows the go-kart to be operated up to 40 minutes after a full charge. A battery charger is also included and a full charge is achieved in about 12 hours.

These lead acid batteries have been known not to be the longest lasting. However, they can easily be replaced with a new pair or even upgraded to about 9Ah, which would last around 20% longer than the stock batteries.

Steering

The steering column is mounted directly onto the steel frame and feels relatively sturdy. Steering is done via a U-shaped steering wheel. After having tested the kart, it was noticeable that the position of the steering wheel was almost parallel to the frame. This means that for larger riders, it could be a little uncomfortable.

The left side of the steering wheel is equipped with a hand brake, which looks and functions like a regular bicycle brake. On the right side of the steering wheel is a thumb-operated accelerator. To accelerate, you’ll simply need to push down a button and your kart will move forward.

The steering and maneuverability is easy to get used to and intuitive. Drifting is achieved by accelerating and turning the steering wheel sharply to either side. It may take a few attempts to get used to the steering and drifting mechanism, but after a few tries it’s very easy to get the hang of it. While the operating position is high, it would have been better to have an adjustable steering position.

Comfort

Being a drifter kart, it’s understandable that the aim is to make the vehicle as light and as safe as possible. While the bucket seats help to keep the body firm in position, it’s not the most comfortable seat, but it does its job well.

As go-karts generally don’t have suspensions, the Razor Ground Force Drifter offers a relatively stiff ride. The rubber front tires help to absorb a bit of the shock, while the rear tires are a bit firmer, in order to drift. Comfort on this go-kart is definitely not the emphasis, which is understandable for a drifter kart. One wouldn’t deem the ride as uncomfortable, but instead rather stiffer than usual.

Safety

Due to its controlled maximum speed of 12 mph, the risk of this go-kart flipping or causing injury is extremely low. However, riders should still wear a bicycle helmet when riding. The bucket seats help to keep the rider in the center of the go-kart, when drifting. This is important, as the centrifugal force naturally tries to push the rider outward.

As an additional safety step, there is a seat belt that is attached to the back of the seat, which goes around the front of the driver. This three-point seat belt secures via a buckle system on the right side and ensures that the rider is firmly secured against the seat.

The acceleration of the Razor Ground Force Drifter also stops immediately, once the thumb is no longer pressed on the accelerator button. If the need arises for an immediate stop, the driver can simply engage the hand-operated brake that is located on the left side of the steering wheel.

Fun

Here is where the Razor Ground Force Drifter really shines. This go-kart is absolutely fun for drifting. The great thing about it is that the steering becomes intuitive after a few attempts and it’s very easy to get a hold of the drifting techniques.

There are two types of drifts that you’re able to pull off with this kart. The first technique involves accelerating through a corner, then turning in the steering wheel to one side. This causes the rear wheels to swing out and your kart to move sideways around the counter. By using countersteering techniques you’ll be able to drift smoothly across the entire corner and align back onto a straight line. 

The second technique revolves around fully locking in your steering wheel to one side. This causes your go-kart to do a 180 degree spin and you can then accelerate into the other direction.

Operating the Razor Ground Force Drifter is really easy and can be done by kids, youths and adults. Therefore, it’s not only fun for individuals, but it can also be enjoyed as a family activity.

Assembly

Assembling this drifter kart is extremely easy and only requires a few minutes. The go-kart comes with two 5mm Allen wrenches that you’ll need for the assembly. You’re only required to install the steering wheel, the seat, the seat belt and you’re ready to go.

It’s really that simple and if you still require some help, you can take a look at the installation manual and the owner’s guide that it comes with.

Design

The design of the Razor Ground Force Drifter is kept very simple, in order to serve its function well. Being a drifter kart, which is powered by an electric motor, the goal of the design is to keep the kart as light as possible and to centralize the weight toward the back.

This go-kart is available in a blue or white frame color, whereby all other components are the same color across both variants.

Image Gallery

Razor Ground Force Drifter Go-Kart
Razor Ground Force Drifter Go-Kart
Razor Ground Force Drifter Go-Kart
Razor Ground Force Drifter Go-Kart
Razor Ground Force Drifter Go-Kart

Final Thoughts

The Razor Ground Force Drifter is a great drifter kart that can be enjoyed by kids aged 8 years and above, as well as teenagers, youths and even adults. After reviewing and all things considered, it features a relatively good build quality, with great maneuverability. While its most obvious weak point is the battery’s longevity, it’s recommended to either replace them eventually, or to simply upgrade them to a larger and longer-lasting unit.

Nevertheless, this drifter karts doesn’t disappoint in the amount of fun it delivers. Maneuvering and drifting with the go-kart are intuitive and even kids are able to get the hang of it only after a few tries.

While this go-kart is a fun activity for individuals, it’s much more enjoyable when done as a family activity. It’s controlled speed, seat belt and bucket seat system ensure that it’s safe for kids to operate. Nevertheless, it’s always recommended to wear a bicycle helmet when riding.


Features

  • Electric motor with good power delivery
  • Capable of high torques
  • Entirely hand operated go-kart

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About Gerrit

Owner, Researcher, Writer & Editor at GoKartGuide.com

Hi, I'm Gerrit. I have been racing go-karts competitively and recreationally for the past 20 years. Apart from actively growing local karting communities, I run GoKartGuide and write comprehensive articles, guides & reviews about go-kart racing. I race, build, mod, & discuss go-karts whenever I find the time. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the read!

1 thought on “Razor Ground Force Drifter Go-Kart Review”

  1. Plastic covering does not have easy access to inspect motor chain and or battery. How long does it generally take to charge the battery to get forty minutes of use.how long number of years does the battery live generally since no miles are equated while using electric motor helps with price comparison

    Reply

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