No torque??
 

I have a Kandi GKM150cc buggy, and when I got it, it had the wrong belt, it was too long, and flapped everywhere, knocking around the inside of the case. Obviously, it ran like doodoo, despite the engine running like a champ. I ordered the right Gates PL belt (742-20-30) and just put it on, and replaced the variator while I was in there, and put new weights in it. (three 8g weights and three 10g weights)
This sucker is still stupid slow off the line. It maintains good RPM when going uphill, losing very little speed, but all the videos I see of these things, they're breaking traction in grass, and cuttin' donuts from a stand-still. I put my 14 year old daughter in there (who weighs maybe 85lbs) and she couldn't get it to break loose at all, even in gravel.
Air cleaner is new, carb is spotless, gas is ethanol free 89 octane, plug is new. Am I missing something? I don't want to change the rear sprocket, because I don't want to kill the top end. Is this just the nature of the beast? Any thoughts?

What sprocket does it have? How tall are the tires? Have the valves been adjusted?

No idea what sprocket, still has factory tires, and valves are set. Here's a picture, if that helps any.

http://i788.photobucket.com/albums/y...psmfczwfnm.jpg

that looks like a fairly new or almost new buggy. If it is I doubt somethings wrong, the 150s don't have a ton of power, and I believe the buggy you have is kinda on the heavy side. what is your current top speed?

Might want to run it on stands with the cvt cover off to see if something isn't right under there. sounds like the variator is not opening up letting the belt drop down into the low range -- or vice versa with the clutch

It's a 2013 model, and I did rev it in neutral without the cover, the variator fully closes, and clutch is opening too. Would putting in some 1k clutch springs benefit anything? Also, top speed is somewhere in the low 30mph range, judging by the seat-of-my-pants-ometer.

I have the same Buggy (Black). I did the mods in my sig below. I weight 200lbs and I can say I can easily do a dounut in gravel from a stand still. Check the spark plug gap. I can say the coil was a big difference. I have not re-jetted yet.

my honest opinion, is check the intake manifold after the carb, you will be surprised

Also, if you haven't do yet! Get engine oil and gear oil changed!!! I used Lucus, and the shipping stuff that came out is gross.

I was thinking about getting a 42mm uni-filter to mount straight to the carb. I have an open-header now, because I haven't welded a new muffler on yet, was going to pull the carb this weekend to see what jets I have in it. I'll check the gap while I'm out there, the plug looked good though. What's the "orange" coil? (I know what the coil is, just not sure what the reference is to the orange one.)

Engine oil was changed already, I didn't know there WAS any gear oil in this thing.

check all my posts and it will explain my mods.

Yes the gear oil needs to be changed also...if you want to call it gear oil

Check the intake manifold "curve" first before you mess with the carb.

No muffler will effect low end torque.

It was lacking torque before the muffler broke off, and being that the majority of the header pipe is still there, backpressure is unaffected.

Check intake, I stuck my finger inside of it, and was shocked. Alittle dremel work and the topend difference was huge.

Will do. I think I found the "orange" coil you mentioned on FleaBay. I hate that there are no local shops selling this stuff.

Check my post about the orange coil. I was surprised. Visually I could see a difference in spark energy. I think its not your issue though, couldnt hurt.

I noticed the most with the manifold fix and intake. Sliders were a big help also

news?

Replaced the coil, my intake tube wasn't restricted at all, and still no difference. Gonna change to 1k clutch springs next, just haven't picked up a 1.5" socket yet.

Yeah, I'd definitely take a look at the CVT. These buggy's stock are no rocket ships, but mine would do doughnuts stock, and I'm tipping 230lbs..

Clutch nut should be a 39mm.

You said you replaced the variator. Did you torque the nut down? If it is not tight enough, the variator can slip on the shaft.

Replaced clutch springs, not any snappier. I did re-torque everything. I'm getting to the point where I'm considering flipping the axle and putting my Warrior 350 engine on it.

its like wildbob said there not rocket ships, its only a 150cc. If your looking for more power you can do a top end kit which will wake it up.

That would be cool but I would check to see what sprocket it has first. If I remember correctly you want at least a 39 on the axle.

It won't be as fast as a 350 warrior motor, but I have seen a gear change increase low end without effecting top end.

And no muffler will hurt low end, even if all the pipe is still there.

Count the number of teeth on the drive and driven sprockets please.

And definitely get a muffler on that thing. You're not going to get good performance from an open header.

It has a muffler on it now, I'll try to get out there tomorrow to count teeth.

I completely forgot to count the sprocket teeth, but I went out and cleaned up the clutch (it was full of rubber dust from having the wrong belt on it when I got it) and it made a very noticeable difference in takeoff. I then welded a lawnmower muffler on it (the factory one was giving me constant issues) and the sucker runs like a champ now.

Nice.

...and someone offered me $750 for it, so now it's gone.

I'm the same way. BUT I do regret it every time I sell a buggy..lol

you said it was new...750 seems cheap

It's a 2013 model, not what I'd call "new." It was really clean and in great shape. I had less than $400 into it, so it was almost 100% profit.