Golf Cart Speed

[Lou Card]

I have a 2010 Club Car Electric. It is wide open at about 19 miles per hour. After driving it for two months, I love the cart but have found it to be the slowest cart on The Villages rather gas or elec. I talked to a Golf cart Repair guy who says I can change out the gears and motor for less than 500 dollars and get up to about 35 MPH. Now I certainly don't want 35 MPH on a golf cart, but thought maybe 25 or 26 MPH might be less of a nuisance to other cart drivers. When I get passed I get looks like I am a Sunday Driver trying to impose on their right to get where their going faster. I of course have lost the feeling in my right foot and leg trying to drive the pedal through the floor board in an attempt to get one more mile per hour out of my cart.

My question is, at what MAXIMUM speed can I get away with without fear of a ticket or are carts kind of exempt from speeding tickets?

[Bryan]

The maximum allowable speed for a golf cart is 20 MPH (actually something weird like 19.7 MPH but call it "20"). If it goes faster than that, it should be registered, have tags, seat belts, insurance, etc., just like a car (i.e. street legal). Yes, golf carts are ticketed for speeding. In addition, if the cart is not "street legal" you are ticketed for driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle, a lot more expensive fine. Does it happen a lot - NO! But it does happen!

[ajbrown]

I have a 2010 Club Car Electric. It is wide open at about 19 miles per hour. After driving it for two months, I love the cart but have found it to be the slowest cart on The Villages rather gas or elec. I talked to a Golf cart Repair guy who says I can change out the gears and motor for less than 500 dollars and get up to about 35 MPH. Now I certainly don't want 35 MPH on a golf cart, but thought maybe 25 or 26 MPH might be less of a nuisance to other cart drivers. When I get passed I get looks like I am a Sunday Driver trying to impose on their right to get where their going faster. I of course have lost the feeling in my right foot and leg trying to drive the pedal through the floor board in an attempt to get one more mile per hour out of my cart.

My question is, at what MAXIMUM speed can I get away with without fear of a ticket or are carts kind of exempt from speeding tickets?

Since you have a 2010, I would first see why it does not go 19.9 MPH. Then if you want to add a little juice, upgrade to 205-65-10 tires which should get you close to 22. If you think it wise to go faster than that be sure someone understands steering, suspension and braking systems.

BTW, once you are going 20 MPH, you are only a nuisance to illegal drivers. <soapbox avoided>

I have only heard rumors of people getting a speeding ticket on a golf cart, it has not happened to anyone I know, so I do not have any facts to answer your question "what speed can I get away with". In the rumors I heard the tickets were for driving an unregistered vehicle in excess of 20MPH and were BIG dollars.

If I was to do enforcement, I would look for carts traveling 25+ on the golf cart paths, so to answer your question I doubt anyone would get into trouble for traveling 22-23 MPH. This is of course just my opinion.

If folks are still tailgating and passing you at 21-22 MPH, just smile, shake your head and try to enjoy what was otherwise a delightful cart ride.

[Lou Card]

Since you have a 2010, I would first see why it does not go 19.9 MPH. Then if you want to add a little juice, upgrade to 205-65-10 tires which should get you close to 22. If you think it wise to go faster than that be sure someone understands steering, suspension and braking systems.

BTW, once you are going 20 MPH, you are only a nuisance to illegal drivers. <soapbox avoided>

I have only heard rumors of people getting a speeding ticket on a golf cart, it has not happened to anyone I know, so I do not have any facts to answer your question "what speed can I get away with". In the rumors I heard the tickets were for driving an unregistered vehicle in excess of 20MPH and were BIG dollars.

If I was to do enforcement, I would look for carts traveling 25+ on the golf cart paths, so to answer your question I doubt anyone would get into trouble for traveling 22-23 MPH. This is of course just my opinion.

If folks are still tailgating and passing you at 21-22 MPH, just smile, shake your head and try to enjoy what was otherwise a delightful cart ride.

I went by one of the side of the road speed checkers on Morris Blvd and it read 19 MPH for me so I may be going a little more or less.

The 205-65-10 sounds like the perfect solution for me. I have 205-50-10 right now (just went out and looked). If that would put me at 21 or 22 that would be great. Can I assume they will fit under my cart without rubbing or needing a lift kit? At even 21, I would blend in better. I have most carts go by me at maybe 2 or 3 mile per hour faster than me. Now some are breaking the sound barrier, but I want no part of that kind of speed for our cart.

Thanks for the great tip ajBrown.

:crap2:

[ajbrown]

The 205-65-10 sounds like the perfect solution for me. I have 205-50-10 right now (just went out and looked). If that would put me at 21 or 22 that would be great. Can I assume they will fit under my cart without rubbing or needing a lift kit?



I would not assume that and I personally do not know the answer for your cart. Keep in mind to see a speed increase you only need to do the back 2 tires. On many carts the rub occurs on the front end.

If you are lucky you will have a friend that has a set of 205-65-10s, which you can try changing out the tires and taking a spin. This will show you exactly how much speed you will gain.

You may also notice a slight difference in low end torque, but I suspect negligible.

[Lou Card]

I would not assume that and I personally do not know the answer for your cart. Keep in mind to see a speed increase you only need to do the back 2 tires. On many carts the rub occurs on the front end.

If you are lucky you will have a friend that has a set of 205-65-10s, which you can try changing out the tires and taking a spin. This will show you exactly how much speed you will gain.

You may also notice a slight difference in low end torque, but I suspect negligible.


Again, great tips. You must use your head for something other than a hat rack. I will use these tips.

[downeaster]

Again, great tips. You must use your head for something other than a hat rack. I will use these tips.

Check your insurance policy, Lou. Some have a clause that nullifies the policy if anything is done to the cart to increase its speed. This could include larger tires as well as gears, motors and governors. If yours has such a clause and you have an accident, regardless of fault, the first thing the insurance examiner is going to look for is tampering.

My cart still maxes out at 19.6 after eight plus years. If I was to increase the max to 22MPH I would get to Spanish Springs in 18 minutes instead of 20, maybe. Not worth the risk.

[Zass38]

What is the hurry??? You are retired --- right? So I get passed by someone, about twice per week ... big deal. Not worth risk -- traffic ticket or issues with insurance.

[Lou Card]

What is the hurry??? You are retired --- right? So I get passed by someone, about twice per week ... big deal. Not worth risk -- traffic ticket or issues with insurance.

I get passed by everyone everyday. I just want about 4 more MPH to be able to go the same speed. I feel like people think I am holding them up. My top speed is about 19 MPH and want to go maybe 22 or 23. I am going to look into the 205-65-10 to see if they will work on my cart without rubbing.

[JimJoe]

This thread is a perfect example of what is good on this message board. Issue raised, helpful information, issues to consider offered.
Thank you TOTV!

[Lou Card]

This thread is a perfect example of what is good on this message board. Issue raised, helpful information, issues to consider offered.
Thank you TOTV!

That is is fact jimjoe. I am from Parkersburg, Iowa. Where you you live.

[Shimpy]

I don't know how much it would help, but keeping your tire pressure to the max will make the rolling resistance less and the top speed and gas mileage better .
Also in todays or yesterdays paper it stated that law inforcement has no jurisdiction on golf paths, only on the roads.
There are tolerances on everything and I doubt that you'd get a ticket going 23mph. They have to allow for their radar error as well as what they built your cart to do, not your fault. Over 25, then you get into another world. From what I've read, street legal vehicles must be able to go 25mph, but not over 25mph. What does that mean? It would take the the National Bureau of Standards to determine what is exactly 25mph, not a police radar.

[JimJoe]

I have a 2010 Club Car Electric. It is wide open at about 19 miles per hour. After driving it for two months, I love the cart but have found it to be the slowest cart on The Villages rather gas or elec. I talked to a Golf cart Repair guy who says I can change out the gears and motor for less than 500 dollars and get up to about 35 MPH. Now I certainly don't want 35 MPH on a golf cart, but thought maybe 25 or 26 MPH might be less of a nuisance to other cart drivers. When I get passed I get looks like I am a Sunday Driver trying to impose on their right to get where their going faster. I of course have lost the feeling in my right foot and leg trying to drive the pedal through the floor board in an attempt to get one more mile per hour out of my cart.

My question is, at what MAXIMUM speed can I get away with without fear of a ticket or are carts kind of exempt from speeding tickets?

I am new to this stuff so here goes. Maybe the tires are undersized? Is there a governor that can be adjusted? If it is under warranty can you talk to the seller? I think your concern is fair... being passed constantly can present safety issues for you and everyone else. Good luck.

[beartrack]

I agree that this is a good thread, very informative. Now I have a question. None of these golf carts (as far as I have seen) come with speedometers. So how do all of you know how fast you are going? Speed in my opinion is not only a legal issue, it is also a safety issue. I researched the purchase and the installation of a speedometer for a very long time. Quality, as far as equipment is concerned, was not an issue. All the installers that I interviewed used only two options and both were acceptable. Quality of installation and price however, were all over the place. I finally found a gentleman that lives here in The Villages that does a great job and is 25 to 50% cheaper then everyone else that I interviewed. He fabricated a bracket for my particular cart that came with a speedometer and a light that goes on with my headlights. He calibrated the unit with the size my wheels and then checked my speed with a GPS. I would love to tell you all how to contact him but, I do not think the administrators allow that. You can do a search here on speedometers. His info is in there, or you can PM me.

[Ooper]

There is a governor you can adjust on gas carts but you'd only be gaining a little bit of speed as well as possibly over revving your engine to the point of damaging it. Another option for installing a speedometer is buying a bicycle speedometer at a bike shop and installing it yourself. You need to calibrate it for the tire size but no need to tap into the carts electrical system since it runs on batteries. There has been a number of posts about which brand is better if you do a search. Best thing to do to increase speed it to changes the gear ratio, but that can get a little pricey if you are on a budget.

[Bosoxfan]

I have a 2010 ez go electric that tops out @ 23.9 mph.It doesn't have a speedometer but I have a Garmin GPS fitness watch that tells me how fast I'm traveling whether I'm running,cycling or riding in my cart. Love both the cart & the watch.

[Hancle704]

If you are doing 19 and getting passed by "everybody" then maybe they are driving LSV's or NEV's. They can do 25 but are entirely different categories of vehicles. Did you happen to notice as they were all passing you, if they had FL license plates and had little signs on rear that said STREET LEGAL?

If they are in that class, then they will pass you and they have the added equipment (seat belts & brakes) that help them handle the higher speed. They also spend considerably more for insurance.

Now if you must drive faster, why not trade in your cart and buy one of them? In the meantime take your time and enjoy the ride.

PS. I wont ever pass you because my EZ-GO Electric Golf Cart wont go any faster than 19.6 MPH and it runs much slower going up any kind of incline.

I could care less about those who are always in a rush to get everywhere. I'm just happy to have the priviledge of using my golf cart instead of the car do go most places in TV.

[beartrack]

I agree Hancle, whats the hurry??? Bosoxfan, I am not sure that a watch or a hand held GPS is a good idea. You are taking one hand off the wheel and you are also looking down taking your eyes off the road. With the placement of the speedometer on the steering column, you have both hands on the wheel and you look straight ahead to view it. You also have an odometer and it is lit up at night. Plus it's a lot cheaper then a GPS.

[ajbrown]

I have a 2010 ez go electric that tops out @ 23.9 mph.It doesn't have a speedometer but I have a Garmin GPS fitness watch that tells me how fast I'm traveling whether I'm running,cycling or riding in my cart. Love both the cart & the watch.

Did you do anything to the cart or did it come from the dealer with the ability to go that speed?

I ask out of curiousity as I have always heard a dealer could get into big trouble selling carts that go > 19.9 MPH.

[memason]

With all the talk of hands on the wheel, eyes on the road, driving the speed limit [or less], proper lane usage, don't do this, don't do that...

Are you the same people that drag raced your '57 Chevy down Main Street on Friday and Saturday night ???

Just saying.... :loco:

[golfnut]

I believe that LSV and NEV's that are on multimodal paths are restricted to 19.9 MPH, anyone else heard whether this is true....gn

[Pats2010]

With all the talk of hands on the wheel, eyes on the road, driving the speed limit [or less], proper lane usage, don't do this, don't do that...

Are you the same people that drag raced your '57 Chevy down Main Street on Friday and Saturday night ???

Just saying.... :loco:

:a20: Have we all turned into old fuddy duddies? LOL

[zcaveman]

I believe that LSV and NEV's that are on multimodal paths are restricted to 19.9 MPH, anyone else heard whether this is true....gn

Why would they not be? 19.9 is the speed for golf carts. Nothing higher. With the walkers and bikers I would hope that they would at least obey the 19.9 speed or go slower.

[Bosoxfan]

Did you do anything to the cart or did it come from the dealer with the ability to go that speed?

I ask out of curiousity as I have always heard a dealer could get into big trouble selling carts that go > 19.9 MPH. Bought it that way.It's an EZ Go RXV .The best thing about it is it doesn't loose speed going up hills.Downside is it gets about 45 miles per charge.I was told it would get 60 when I bought it.I figure its because I live in Amelia which is one of the most hilly areas of the villages.

[ajbrown]

Bought it that way.It's an EZ Go RXV .The best thing about it is it doesn't loose speed going up hills.Downside is it gets about 45 miles per charge.I was told it would get 60 when I bought it.I figure its because I live in Amelia which is one of the most hilly areas of the villages.

Thanks for the info, I live right up the street in the hills of Mallory, I drive Odell all the time.

The RXV is a great cart, I test drove the RXV quite a bit two winters ago. I almost bought one, but was very leery of the 4-12V batteries and the AC was new I could not get myself to lay down the cash. I remember the 60 miles per charge claim, I could not get the dealer making that claim to commit to 40 never mind 60!

IMO, 45 miles per charge is really good, if they would have committed to that I likely would have one myself.