To understand why the GTS Platinum™‘s Nitrogen gas shocks are simply the best and the most safety-conscious, we’ll need to review some basic vehicular suspension anatomy and concepts. The whole idea behind the shock absorption system is exactly that: keep the passengers as insulated from rough road conditions as possible while keeping all four wheels in contact with the road. This was especially important when the roads in question were little more than what we would now consider off-road trails. The first iteration of suspension were simple carriage springs or leaf springs. If you’ve ever seen a carriage, any car from before the 70’s, or any large commercial vehicle, you’ve seen them. They are layers of metal, each called a leaf, attached to the axle. Leaf springs are great for very heavy vehicles that will always be carrying a load because they can evenly distribute the weight. However, they will never make the ride more comfortable for the passengers which, you think, might not be a problem with a vehicle designed for off-road use. But with a dry weight of 515 lbs, they are just not an option for the GTS Platinum™. The main problem with leaf springs in smaller vehicles is their variability. They work best under a specific set of conditions and not well otherwise. Leaf springs are completely at the mercy of changes in load, use, and temperature, and struggle to accommodate uneven terrain. Any change in conditions will result in poor performance and an even rougher ride.
Leisure vehicle manufacturers threw out the dry friction system in favor of a fluid friction system. Instead of the leaf layers squishing together, oil was forced through a tiny hole to allowing for pressurized and controlled shock absorption. But the problem with oil is that it requires maintenance and is at risk of momentary loss of effectiveness. Especially with lots of heavy use at high temperatures, oil can degrade and create little air bubbles. Those air bubbles will rapidly dissipate but for the time when they’re in the oil, they severely limit the effectiveness of the shock. This is not particularly worrying when all you do is drive on well-maintained roads. But it is certainly not ideal for your Hammerhead Off-Road Go-Kart that you bought because you want to play hard off-road.
So what is the top-of-the-line and all-around best shock system for an off-road vehicle? Nitrogen gas shocks. The use of Nitrogen gas over traditional oil makes for a much more controlled suspension system. With Nitrogen, you can escape the variability of the leaf springs and the possible heavy use, high-temperature failure of oil. This ensures a smoother, more uniform ride. Right now you may be thinking, but I’m not going to buy a GTS Platinum™ Go-Kart for a smooth ride! Of course, much of the fun of driving a Go-Kart comes from being low to the ground and feeling the trail. Rest assured, Nitrogen gas shock absorbers will make that experience way more fun and also safer! A controlled suspension system does not mean that the GTS Platinum™’s ride will feel like you’re on an interstate. Having Nitrogen gas shocks means that you will find it easier to keep your GTS Platinum™’s tires on the trail than with any other Go-Kart. Each Nitrogen gas shock with its reservoir allows the connected tire to travel farther than most oil systems. On bumpy, uneven off-road terrain, this means that the shock can stretch to allow its tire to remain on the ground. So in addition for a smoother ride, Nitrogen gas shocks help you stay safe while cruising around in your GTS Platinum™. Buy your top-of-the-line GTS Platinum™ from Hammerhead Off-Road today!