Razor GF Go Kart Razor Dune Buggy
Razor Ground Force Go Kart and Dune Buggy Compared
This is my fully independent review of these 2 very popular battery operated vehicles manufactured by the Razor company.
Although there are some notable similarities between these vehicles, there are some very important differences that you need to consider when choosing which one to buy for your child.
But, before I run through the differences between them, let’s look at some of the great features shared by both products.
4 Similarities Between the Razor Go Kart and Dune Buggy
The 4 most obvious similarities are:
#1 Age Suitability
Both vehicles have a recommended minimum user age of 8 years+.
#2 Variable Speed Throttle & Hand Brake
Unlike some electric ride toys, both of these machines come with variable speed throttles instead of the more basic “full on / full off” type throttle. The throttle is hand-operated as is the brake mechanism. You use your right hand to adjust the speed of the vehicle and your left hand to operate the lever brake to slow it down more quickly or bring it to a complete stop.
Although these toys are not entirely silent, their motors are pretty quiet – so they shouldn’t upset your neighbours too much!
#3 Usage Time Per Charge
Both vehicles have a similar usage time of about 40 – 45 minutes per charge (40 minutes for Dune Buggy and 45 minutes for Go Kart).
This is long enough for your child to get about 7-8 miles out of either vehicle before needing to recharge the battery.
#4 Steel Frame
When you are spending this sort of money on a kids electric vehicle, you will want it to last.
Fortunately, both of these products come with durable steel frames to help them survive the sort of vibrations, bumps and scrapes that you would expect with normal usage.
The Dune Buggy comes with a fuller side roll cage, which makes sense given that it is designed for off-road use.
6 Big Differences Between the Razor Go Kart and Dune Buggy
The 6 biggest differences are:
#1 Price
At the time of writing this post, the Razor Ground Force Go Kart costs about $240.
The Razor Dune Buggy costs about $330.
So, the ability to go off-road in the Dune Buggy will cost you an extra $90 or so.
#2 Maximum User Weight
There is a 20 lb difference in the maximum user weight limits on these vehicles.
The Go Kart is designed for use up to 140 lbs, but the Dune Buggy is only suitable for use up to 120 lbs.
This is certainly something to consider carefully if your child is on the heavy side and will have an effect on how long they will be able to use the vehicle for.
#3 Off-Road Vs On-Road
As the names of the vehicles suggests, the Go Kart is designed for use on flat surfaces, whereas the Dune Buggy is adapted to go off-road.
In order to make the Dune Buggy suitable for off-road conditions, it comes fitted with 8 inch pneumatic knobby tires on the front and rear, and also a reduction drive mechanism that allows for low torque climbing as well as high torque gearing on level ground.
The Go Kart is fitted with a high torque motor for greater speed on the flat that the Dune Buggy.
#4 Top Speed
The Razor Go Kart’s top speed is about 3 miles per hour faster than the Dune Buggy.
The Go Kart can reach speeds of 12 miles per hour and the Dune Buggy can get up to about 9 miles per hour.
Despite the relatively low top speeds of these vehicles, I would always advise you to ensure that your child wears a safety helmet. It doesn’t have to be a racing-car style helmet – a bike or scooter helmet will be sufficient to protect the most vulnerable parts of their head.
#5 Tires
The tires on the 2 vehicles are very different, as you would expect when you consider that the Go Kart is designed solely for use on flat surfaces, whereas the Dune Buggy is primarily designed for driving off-road on grass and dirt.
The Go Kart is fitted with solid rubber slick tires and the Dune Buggy is fitted with pneumatic knobby tires for extra grip off-road.
It is worth pointing out that the Dune Buggy can be used on-road as well, but this will obviously have a negative effect on the lifespan of its tires.
#6 Battery Charging Times
There is a very big difference between the charging times between uses of these 2 vehicles.
The Dune Buggy takes about 12 hours to recharge the batteries, whereas the Go Kart only takes 4-6 hours.
This means that, unless you buy an extra set of batteries, the Go Kart can be used more than once per day, whereas the Dune Buggy can probably only be used once.
Be sure to check the manufacturers full charging instructions that are contained within the User Manual – the first charge, for example, needs to be longer than normal.
Videos of the Razor Go Kart & Dune Buggy in Action!
Talk is cheap – let’s see what these vehicles are actually capable of.
The Razor Ground Force Go Kart Videos:
The Razor Dune Buggy Videos:
Where to Buy Razor Go Kart / Razor Dune Buggy
Razor Electric Go Kart
Check Best Price of the Ground Force Electric Go Kart
Dune Buggy
Check Best Price of the Razor Dune Buggy
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Our razor dune buggy runs throughout the day because we charge it immediately when kids take a break. At the stable, 3 -4 kids manage to wring out runtime from noon to 6 pm, with immediate charging. Guessing they played 15-20 minutes at a time with no one over 70lbs. Uneven terrain, up a few hills, and around paddock area. We don’t do full speed the whole time, but plenty of zip to keep amused and not startle the horses. Again, breaks occur for snacks, drinks, etc, but keep it charged and you might be pleasantly surprised how often it will keep kids entertained on a long day out. As a bonus, fits nicely in the back of a mini van. Planning to take it and an electric dirtbike EVERYWHERE this summer. Portable, no smelly gas, and LIGHT enough for kids to haul with a little adult help. LOVE our dune buggy!