GoKart Electric Trolley

[Mandofred]

In fairness, having one might have prevented me damaging my trolley, as I think I may have turned the roller too far and it set off like a rocket!

I do find that this is one of the things that ironically has kind of stayed the same. I was tired of my Motocaddy deciding on its own what speed it wanted when hitting the button....the same thing happens at times with the GK. I think it's my fault though....I just graze the roller with my finger and don't notice I'm doing it and then when I click it back on sometimes it wants to go like heck.

 

[chico]

I do find that this is one of the things that ironically has kind of stayed the same. I was tired of my Motocaddy deciding on its own what speed it wanted when hitting the button....the same thing happens at times with the GK. I think it's my fault though....I just graze the roller with my finger and don't notice I'm doing it and then when I click it back on sometimes it wants to go like heck.

I am on auto pilot with my GK, when I stop I click it off and roll it back automatically. I didn't even realise I do it until after reading this thread and playing at the weekend. It must have been a reaction to it shooting off at some point in the past.

 

[sjw]

I used one very briefly the other day, with the auto control. It's really intuitive.

One of my playing partners has got one now. I have a feeling he might be borrowing it from someone. He thinks it looks a bit "Toytown" but I think it looks alright

 

[Oops!]

Cheers mate. I'm assuming if you were ever to replace your mk1 you'd then go for the downhill braking auto model?

Where did you find *THAT* one ?

On the GK Homepage I only found
- the standard model,
- the automaic model and
- the *standard* model with electrinoc downhill breaking
(see https://www.gokart.co.uk/product-category/gokart_trolleys) !?

As far as I understand the technical aspect, there is no need for downhill breaking with automatic speed control !?

 

[Robster59]

Just another example of GoKart customer service. At the weekend, I broke the latch that locks my handle in place. Totally my fault, I was pleasantly surprised at how thick the plastic catch was.
I took some photos and sent an email to GoKart. They rang me this morning to say that they hadn't received the photos so I sent them over again.
They called me straight back, advised it was easy to replace, explained how to do it, took my order on the phone and are posting the item today. Price £9.60.
Now that is what I call service.
View attachment 58995View attachment 58996

New part arrived today. GoKart says it is easy to replace. I certainly hope so!

 

[Robster59]

New part arrived today. GoKart says it is easy to replace. I certainly hope so!

Changed it. Literally a 5 minute job.

 

[Crazyface]

My wife's had a MK1 for about 15 years, upgraded to auto several years back. It's been great. Used to go through lead acid batteries quickly, but the lithium one she bought a long while ago is still going strong. Customer service - when required - is first class.

My only gripe is that it's a really inconvenient shape when folded up. Doesn't sensibly fit in a car boot in any orientation. Is the MK2 any better?

i can get two in mine, dead easy. The wheels slip inside each other. Simple!

 

[Crazyface]

Thanks @Robster59 that's a great review.

What do you do to manage the side hills?

Side hills? Lift the front end of GK up so it's on two back wheels. It will go straight across the side of a hill. Simple.

 

[Crazyface]

I'm replying to @TigerBear about the Gokart so I hope there are no crossed wires .

I agree, I don't find mine heavy either

The batteries are heavy. Maybe that's it? But I bought a lithium for my two MK1's, £90, three years ago. VROOOOOOOM !!!! And dead light.

 

[TigerBear]

I had a cheap upgrade to the auto a long time ago when I had a service and I've never regretted it.

Once you get used to it you just set off and it is part of the way you walk - no need to mess around with the speed control anymore - it just adjusts to your input on the handle.

Thanks mate. The general feedback is good to hear, that it's intuitive, you get a feeling for it straight away, etc.

I think I'm convinced to go for the auto (WITH the downhill braking ).

 

[Mandofred]

Thanks mate. The general feedback is good to hear, that it's intuitive, you get a feeling for it straight away, etc.

I think I'm convinced to go for the auto (WITH the downhill braking ).

I'm actually wishing I had gone the with the auto handle speed control. I do a LOT of small adjustments to speed with the roller. It's not hard, but I am constantly doing it. My Motocaddy tended to maintain speed at whatever it was set at....the GK really slows down going up hill so I'm constantly adjusting the speed.

 

[Oops!]

(…) I think I'm convinced to go for the auto (WITH the downhill braking ).

Make it +1!

Currently, I am just waiting for a reply from someone who advertised a GoKart in the classified ads, however, apart from the brand, did not provide any details about it.

However, given the asking price (EUR 180.00), I think that it is an MK1 or MK2 model with manual speed control, or that the trolley is defective - or already sold ! Unfortunately, there is a growing trend of not deleting ads once the items have been sold and not responding to any inquiries.

BTW: Thank you very much for your threads (you seem to have been looking for a while now )! IMVHO, they have highlighted the advantages and disadvantages of the various trolleys very well, and this thread in particular seems to be quite up-to-date.

But let’s be honest: The GoKart is ugly as sin !

On the other hand, when I read how long a GoKart works reliably and how satisfied its users are, the argument “form follows function” becomes much more important, especially when the competitors are many times more expensive (usually starting at around EUR 2,500,00) or cannot match the quality standards of GoKart (MotoCaddy, Powacaddy, etc.).

Ultimately, it's a question of character : Are you strong enough to show up on the course with what @Pants called (see #2!) a “plastic pig” ...?

But if your game is as poorly as mine currently, you definitely have other problems and worries...!

 

[Pants]

From what I see, most people walk with their hand on the trolley handle. This is where the auto function is integrated so whatever speed you are walking at, the trolley responds. If you want to go faster/slower, walk faster/slower. Really, the only downside with the GK is as some people have noted that the centre of gravity is a bit high so steep side slopes can be a tad awkward at times (as can other makes). The product itself isn't very heavy, the lithium battery is light and of course your heavy club heads are at the highest point so it's no surprise really.

I'm pretty sure that my Mk 1 will see me out but should it fail then I would buy another GK without hesitation.

 

[chrisd]

Just wanted to add a story from Thursday.

I was playing an away club match and the front wheel bearings on my Go kart trolley started to cause the front wheel to wobble. I phoned GoKart yesterday morning (Friday) and Chris (the owner) agreed that I needed replacement bearings, and took my order, given that I could fit them myself. 10am this morning the postman popped the parcel through my letterbox.

I've had my Go Kart for about 12 years and am not only delighted with it's ability to carry a great lump of golf bag something like 6 miles, 2 or 3 times a week but the backup service is second to none !

 

[D-S]

From what I read on this and earlier threads Gokarts are excellent value, cheaper than major competition, reliable, lightweight, have extremely good functionality and have best in class customer service. For these reasons they have built up a very loyal customer base who sing their praises whenever possible - all of this appears to be indisputable.

So why on earth do they have, apparently, such a tiny percentage of the market and their market share does not seem to have grown? Is it just poor marketing? Surely given all these positives they must be able to gain better traction and sell more. There are so many more media streams these days that are far more cost effective and targeted than 10 or more years ago.

 

[Oops!]

I've been wondering the same thing !

In fact, I had never heard of the brand before ! Motocaddy, Powacaddy, okay, but other than the trolleys costing EUR 2,500.00 and upwards ?

Just for fun: Try searching for “best electric trolley 2025” on Google – the results are as astonishing as they are frustrating...!

One reason for this could be distribution: in the UK, they can apparently only be purchased directly from the manufacturer, and outside the UK, there seems to be exactly one (1) distributor based in the Netherlands, operating under various names (?!?).

And there, the GoKarts are currently “out of stock“ … !

And the option of ordering directly from the manufacturer in the UK from the continent is not an option, even taking into account the costs incurred for customs, taxes, etc. : They do not deliver to the continent (thanks, Brexit! ) and refer to the distributor in the Netherlands.

Under these circumstances, it is hardly surprising that the brand is so little known, isn't it ?

P. S.: Just to be clear : I realize that direct sales are more cost-effective. However, it must also be possible to do this from abroad somehow...!

 

[chrisd]

From what I read on this and earlier threads Gokarts are excellent value, cheaper than major competition, reliable, lightweight, have extremely good functionality and have best in class customer service. For these reasons they have built up a very loyal customer base who sing their praises whenever possible - all of this appears to be indisputable.

So why on earth do they have, apparently, such a tiny percentage of the market and their market share does not seem to have grown? Is it just poor marketing? Surely given all these positives they must be able to gain better traction and sell more. There are so many more media streams these days that are far more cost effective and targeted than 10 or more years ago.

I can't answer but their service is really second to none. I've had my GoKart for about 12 years and had it serviced a few times by them. I do live fairly close to their depot and have popped their occasionally for things. They are privately owned and maybe they have to work within their means but whatever is said they are selling a fairly priced golf trolley with great back up - in my opinion of course !

 

[Backache]

I've had a hill billy for about 12-13 years which has been very reliable, with just one replacement switch.
Will probably replace it with the Go Kart when the battery gives out as they are no longer made.
My wife is very happy with her Go Kart.