Choosing the right go kart tyre depends on your class, racing body, track surface, tyre size, compound, weather and whether you are buying for competition, practice, endurance or social karting.
This placeholder guide has been published so new Dunlop tyre product pages can link to a useful tyre reference now. It will be expanded as Karting Solutions verifies further compound, regulation and product information.
This guide is live as a practical starting point. The compound matrix and regulation sections will be refined after further review with Martin and additional source verification. Always check current class rules, event supplementary regulations and tyre supplier guidance before purchasing tyres for competition use.
The right tyre is not only a product choice. It can be set by the racing body, class rules, state regulations, event supplementary regulations or the type of karting you are doing.
For Karting Australia, Karting NSW and other sprint racing formats, check the current class tyre requirement before buying.
Dirt Karting of Australia and Outlaw Karts Australia may use different tyre rules, including event or club-specific requirements.
If you are not buying a control tyre for a specific class, focus on size, compound, durability, track surface and value.
Tyre compounds are commonly discussed by relative softness and, where source-backed, hardness values such as Shore A or IRHD. This early matrix is a practical education aid only. It is not a race-eligibility table.
| Relative compound | Dunlop | LeCont | Maxxis | Vega | MG | Mojo / Komet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Very soft / qualifying | DESResearch seed | SVCInternational reference | —Verify | XMInternational reference | GreenSuper soft reference | K2MKomet reference |
| 2Soft | DEHResearch seed | —Verify | —Verify | XHInternational reference | YellowMG SM style reference | D5 / D4Mojo reference |
| 3Medium soft | DEMResearch seed | LOHHigh-performance reference | Sprint optionVerify | SL4Verify | —Verify | K1M / K3MKomet reference |
| 4Medium / control | DFMResearch seed | LH03KA context; verify final wording | Cadet-KAOfficial spec to verify | SL6International reference | RedControl-style reference | D2 / D3Mojo reference |
| 5Hard / endurance | DHHKNSW context; verify final wording | —Verify | Sport / 4SSAU context; verify final wording | H YellowKA 2027 watch | —Verify | C2 / K1D-MCadet / mini reference |
| 6Very hard / rental | SL1A / DF2Durability / hire reference | —Not applicable | RaptorResearch seed | SL8Research seed | —Not applicable | —Not applicable |
Different tyre brands use different compound names, construction methods, casings and control-tyre systems. This matrix is an early practical comparison aid for customer education and SEO coverage. It does not mean every tyre listed is stocked by Karting Solutions, available in Australia, legal for Australian racing or approved for your class.
Australian kart tyre rules can vary by national body, state association, class and event. Use this section to decide which rule set to check before buying.
Karting Australia classes use defined tyre rules. State regulations and event supplementary regulations can also matter. Check the current rulebook before assuming a tyre is legal.
Some Australian sprint racing contexts use different control tyres or tyre arrangements. Do not assume a Karting Australia tyre rule applies to every Australian kart race.
Dirt karting may use treaded tyres and different class rules. The tyre choice is not the same as bitumen sprint karting.
Outlaw kart tyre rules may be influenced by the rulebook, class and supplementary regulations. Always check the meeting documents.
Dunlop is a key focus for this page because Karting Solutions is building new Dunlop tyre product pages. The section below is written cautiously until Martin confirms exact commercial positioning and class wording.
Best treated for now as a hard, durable tyre reference for practice, endurance, social karting or class use where specifically allowed. Final customer wording is pending Martin review.
Review wordingDurability focusUseful for Australian tyre discussion because it appears in Karting NSW and related sprint contexts. We should verify exact current class and body wording before publishing stronger claims.
AU contextVerify class useThese belong in the broader compound reference layer. They help explain the Dunlop range from softer sprint compounds through medium-performance applications.
International referenceKart tyres are often searched and selected by size. Always confirm the front and rear sizes required for your kart, class and wheels before ordering.
Common front tyre size on many 5-inch kart wheel setups.
Common senior rear tyre size on many 5-inch kart wheel setups.
Cadet, rookie and novice classes may use different tyre sizes and class-specific compounds.
Wet tyres should be selected by weather, class rules and tyre size, not by the dry slick compound scale.
Cold tyre pressures are setup starting points only. In Australia, kart tyre pressure is commonly discussed in PSI, so this table shows PSI first with the original bar reference kept beside it.
| Dunlop tyre group | Examples | Cold pressure PSI | Cold pressure bar | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIK slicks | DFM / DFH style slicks | Approx. 5.8–10.2 PSI | Approx. 0.4–0.7 bar | Lower-pressure race slick style starting range. |
| KZ / higher-load sprint use | DFM / DFH style slicks | Approx. 7.3–11.6 PSI | Approx. 0.5–0.8 bar | Use only as a starting reference. |
| Wet tyres | KT14 / KT12 style wets | Approx. 14.5–21.8 PSI | Approx. 1.0–1.5 bar | Wet tyres are handled separately from dry compound comparison. |
| SL1 / SL1A | SL1A | Approx. 14.5–23.2 PSI | Approx. 1.0–1.6 bar | Supports positioning as a harder durability-style tyre reference. |
| Rental / hire kart | DF2 | Approx. 14.5–23.2 PSI | Approx. 1.0–1.6 bar | Commercial durability context. |
| 6-inch superkart slicks | DFS / DEM-DAU | Approx. 8.7–14.5 PSI | Approx. 0.6–1.0 bar | Specialist application; confirm tyre and class requirements. |
Dunlop pressure information is source-referenced in bar. PSI values are rounded from the conversion note that 1.0 bar is approximately 14.5 PSI. These are cold starting pressures only.
After using this guide, the next step is to choose the tyre, wheel, pressure gauge or setup product that matches your kart and use case.
Browse kart tyres for racing, practice, wet-weather and general karting use.
Shop Kart TyresShop Dunlop kart tyresView Dunlop kart tyres and related Dunlop tyre products available through Karting Solutions.
Shop Dunlop Kart TyresShop wet weather kart tyresFind wet-weather kart tyres for damp or rainy track conditions where suitable for your class.
Shop Wet Weather TyresShop tyres and wheelsFind kart tyres, wheels, rims, tyre accessories and related wheel hardware.
Shop Tyres & WheelsShop tyre toolsBrowse tyre tools for checking, changing and maintaining kart tyres at the workshop or track.
Shop Tyre ToolsShop tyre pressure gaugesUse an accurate tyre pressure gauge to make repeatable setup changes between sessions.
Shop Tyre Pressure GaugesRead the 50mm axle guideTyres and axles work together. Compare 50mm axle stiffness for setup direction.
View Axle GuideAsk Karting SolutionsNot sure which tyre suits your class, kart or track? Speak with the team first.
Contact Karting SolutionsBrand names including Dunlop, LeCont, Maxxis, Vega, MG, Mojo, Komet, Bridgestone, Hoosier and others are used descriptively to help customers understand common kart tyre compounds, sizes and racing terminology. This guide does not claim that every tyre listed is stocked, available in Australia, approved for Australian racing or legal for your class. Always check current rules before purchasing tyres for competition use.
If you are unsure which tyre suits your class, kart, tyre size, event rules or track conditions, contact Karting Solutions before ordering. The team can help narrow down the right tyre direction and related setup products.
Call Martin: 0417 297 602
Call Jeff: 0403 416 243
This page is provided as a practical tyre buying, comparison and setup reference only. It is being expanded as further compound, regulation and product information is verified.