Any love for gas RXV?

1970buick

I searched around a while and there isn't a lot of threads on gas RXV carts. Anyone have an opinion on them, or own one and want to share what they have done? Are the Kawasaki engines pretty easy to work on?

BGW

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BrewCityMusic

The Kawasaki drivetrain is notoriously plagued with issues, many of which haven't even been ironed out in the 7-8 years they've been around. The Clutches were recalled as they had a tendency to literally blow apart (they would wobble and wear at the C-clip that held them together until the clip failed and the clutch itself blew apart under the spring pressure) - the factory came up with an add-on balancer for the driven clutch that postponed the inevitable but didn't solve the issue (and what's worse is it looks goofy and blatantly added-on so most resellers remove them prior to resale, also many Fleet companies remove them to put on the new carts as the factory no longer issues them) ... number two, the internals for the Governor assembly are plastic, which atr factory-governed speeds of 10-12mph isn't a problem - defeat the governor or set it too high and it's not a matter of IF but WHEN those gears will grenade in the rear end. locking it up.

There *is* a solution for the clutch issues available for around $500 from EZGO, namely the TEAM replacement Clutch set, but I have used them and can personally attest to the fact that they have one of the WORST power curves I have seen in a golf cart. They *do* provide more power to the ground than the stock clutches, but they are horrible in daily use, slow starts, reduced power at all but the highest RPM's, etc - basically You can "Downgrade" to the TEAM setup for $500, or wait until your stock clutch blows apart, or if You want to go over 12mph, wait for your rear end to implode and lock up. A good friend who is does Field Service for EZGO confided to me that the repair rate on the Kawi drivetrains runs as high as 60% or more, THAT isn't my idea of good odds ...

The final major issue (which I learned the hard way a couple of times) is the design of the plastic fan/engine shroud - on an unlifted cart it is easy for a branch to kick up and shatter it, and even a lifted cart leaves it hanging in the breeze waiting to be smashed ... Granted, that's a 15min / $78 fix, but without a fabbed shroud protector or ? it's likely to just keep happening if the cart is used offroad at all.

On the upside, the engine makes decent power and being a close cousin to the FE-series engines should be reliable. I personally hate the feel and sound of a big one-lunger (the 295/350 Robins Engines have a better powerband and are FAR smoother and quieter) but that's a matter of taste, to me though the 1cyl Kawi's feel too "Go-Kart-Like" for my taste. Then again, it's a similar reason that makes me not like Club Cars, if I were to pick any single-cylinder cart it would be a Yamaha - Yes, it has that same "thumper" feel to it, but the power is there in spades and it's a bulletproof drivetrain (as well as very easily upgraded with actual RESULTS) ... All in all, the 295/350 is still my powerplant of choice.

Podnuh

I like mine a lot. Sorta stiff legged, but solid handling. Way better than my hoopty spray can specials. Went from 12 mph to 17 mph just by adjusting the cable, and I could go more if I wanted to. Aftermarket wheels are in the pic and I later added custom seats.

He who has the fastest cart never has a bad lie.

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BrewCityMusic

That's what I was referring to with the Governors - they *can* be adjusted to go faster than the factory setting, but unfortunately if they're run like that for extended periods they are known to blow up the plastic gears in the rear end and then You've got an expensive mess on your hands ... Might not happen in one season, but it WILL eventually happen, especially if You like to drive fast

1970buick

Brew, holy cow that's the worst review ever! OK, so here is my question... Is there a replacement or newer rear end with metal governor gears? Is there any new wonder clutch that doesn't grenade? I am looking at an 09 that is supposed to have a broken valve, but after reading your post I have to think it is something else ALOT more complicated.

BrewCityMusic

As to the Governor gears, no replacement - I'm sure if You had the ability and the better part of a day to pull and disassemble the rear end You could likely just remove the gears and eliminate the issue (which also is a lot better than just crossing your fingers and waiting for the inevitable, LOL because You'll be doing it anyhow) ... And like I said, the TEAM clutches at $500 a pop are not prone to failing, they're a pretty decent design, actually - I just personally hate the power curve they give, slow takeoffs and slow to get to speed, but at high RPM's on a hill or ? then they dig in nicely - it's a tradeoff. If You don't mind the cart revving a lot more than it should and anemic performance in day to day driving, the extra pulling and hill-climbing power isn't so bad - again though, I'm not a big fan of having to spend $500 and tear the rear end of a cart apart before it's even reliable or safe to drive, as a rule.

1970buick

The one I am looking at the seller is asking $750 for an 09. I wonder if I could put some cash into it and have something nice. I am sure I could take apart the rear to get the plastic out. It just seems like the parts are so plentiful and cheap for these carts (I am more used to buying things for my precedent & G29)

BrewCityMusic

at $750 You definitely *could* afford to take some time and put some effort into it ... If You watch the sales on shopezgo.com the TEAM setup can be had for around $400 several times a year, at that point You've got barely over a grand into an 09 which isn't bad at all (as long as the broken valve is really as simple as a broken valve)

If I found another Kawi at that price I'd actually probably pick it up just to SEE what could be done to remedy the issues and see what it could be made to do - if You watch the budget and shop wisely I can't see how You couldn't end up with a decent lifted cart for around $2k, if You don't mind tearing the rear end apart and can figure out something with the clutches it might actually be a fun project. Personally, I'd skip the TEAM setup right away though and see if You can't come up with some sort of fix for the factory driven clutch - but that's me.

1970buick

I am with you on the clutch. I might have to figure something out. As far as the rear goes I have taken so many of those apart and put back together (not RXV though) that I am not scared to tear into it. Maybe I could throw a set of the high speed gears in there. I live at sea level and I have heard people talk about "hills" but have yet to see one! So the trade in torque for speed would be ok for me.

BrewCityMusic

When You see one of the Kawi clutches You'll see the issue almost immediately (I haven't seen one yet that didn't show some sign of wear once pulled from the cart) - the casting breaks at the groove for the retaining clip from the vibration and wear ... If You could machine the end of the clutch shaft up to the groove You could maybe press on some sort of bushing that would take the force instead of the casting itself - I'd bet that would go a long way in if not totally alleviating at least seriously delaying any issue (although I could be way off, LOL - my "eyeball engineering" skills are generally a lot better than the real-world application associated with them)

Keep us posted on the progress, PM if there's anything of use I can contribute !!!!