Nikko American Spirit?

[Gfunk]

Has anyone here had any past experience with this vehicle? It looks like a really good deal ($80 for a RTR kit including all batteries and charger), but I don't know if it would be considered junk. Thanks in advance for your help.

[R C racer]

Its ok for playing arond

[mortonj69]

i own it

i got it really cheap too

i bought it in europe

in europe it iss called the nikko rocket racer

goes about 30 kilometers/hour

you can buy a speed motor to take it to 40

goes on grass, dirt, jumps

really really fast and tough

to be honest it's the closest thing nikko produce to a real competition stadium truck

it's really great and good value for money

goes a lot faster than Nikko's other trucks and cars

i would love to see this in a race

a cheap high performance truck

[Patrick_]

I too am looking at this truck, it looks like an awesome deal, and pretty durable too.

Does it really go 30Km/H? And about how long does the battery last? Is it pretty durable? I just want some people's opinions before I buy it, especially from people who own it.

The one thing I hate about most of remote control car websites... they never advertise the speed (scale or actual) of the car/truck! That's pretty important, IMHO.

And can someone possibly suggest some fast (at least 15mph), equal to or below $80 electric car/trucks? Though this American Spirit looks like a pretty nice one.

Thanks! :)

[TueLe]

http://hobbyoutlets.com/duratrax/dtxd12.htm

its a true hobby-quality car but i think its discontinued though... :rolleyes:

[Patrick_]

Thanks. Well, I bought it, and I can't wait to receive it. Saw an awesome deal on eBay (about $25 cheaper than new, and it's in the box with battery and charger and only used once) and couldn't let it get away. I contacted HobbyTron about the max speed for the sucker, (which was what sold me) and it turns out it goes over 40 km/h (around 18MPH)... it goes 20MPH! That's not bad for a truck that costs $60. I'll tell you guys how it is. I'll be able to get some nice run time with it, however... I have 2 other 9.6 volt batteries, and with this one it makes three. :)

[Patrick_]

Agh. Just got it today, and I'm very disappointed. 20MPH? I don't think so. It's pretty sluggish, and about 10 of the 15 minutes, it goes at about half the speed. Plus, the top of it (the "chassi") is made of a pretty darn cheap and thin plastic. The range is horrible, and when I turn it, it often sticks and I have to turn the other way to get it back to normal. It can barely move in grass, etc. This is all on a full battery.

Even my MGA Land/Sea RC Truck (electric) went faster than this $80 thing. Whoever wants to buy it, don't expect it to be what it seems; it's more of a "show" truck, if you can say that.

I guess I'll have to save up for a nitro truck to have some real fun. :) Can anyone recommend me some durable, fast, reliable ones?

[TueLe]

patrick, what kind of crappy 'truck' did u buy? just wondering if i know it...

[Patrick_]

patrick, what kind of crappy 'truck' did u buy? just wondering if i know it...

I bought the Nikko American Spirit. (http://www.hobbytron.com/american_spirit_rc_monster_truck.html)

I'm looking at the Traxxas Revo and Jato... they look awesome! But, they're pretty darn expensive, and the problem for me is... one bad crash, and bam, that's $350+ down the trash. Aren't I right?

[smitty413]

Yeah but It takes a lot more to crash than that. I mean you are talking head on tree or pole crash wot. That is almost impossible if you know how to drive...

[savydad]

Nah, totally wrong on the crashing, unless you plan on jumping over houses with the revo or jato. I have an emaxx, and I've done everything to it, full blast into trees, my trucks wheels (Dodge ram w/33's) flipped over 100's of times on jumps, endless bashing and over the last 2 years, I've broke the back body mount and that's it. Just a little ca tonight, and it's fixed. I drove it with the broken body mount over the whole summer. If you do happen to break something, it's usually just a trip to the lhs, and under $20 to fix it. The only maintenance type thing I've had to do in 2 years with my emaxx was just this week. I got some IB3600's and they have more punch than my old cells, so I had to tighten the slipper clutch up a bit. First time I've had to do any wrenching on it. Traxxas makes some very durable trucks, and so does Losi.

Todd

[Patrick_]

You guys do have a point there.

Just took out the American Spirit on a 3/4 dead battery. Clocked it at about 6.81MPH (no radar gun... marked a 20 foot line, started it about 50 feet back to get it running full speed, and clocked it from beginning to end, and calculated from there). Going on that, on a full battery (1000mah), I'd say max speed it goes about 10MPH. I'm charging one as we speak, however, and in about 4 hours it should be ready, and I'll clock it like that.

Granted, where I clocked it it was on a slight incline (though slight it was), but on smooth pavement.

I'm thinking of getting the Stampede, but I'm not sure. I sure hope the dude I bought the American Spirit from will let me return it.

[TueLe]

just saw the car u bought. dude, its just a toy compared to a stampede and other hobby-quality car. dont expect it to do 20 mph out of box cause' these cars cant even go that fast. i hope they let u return it cause' u're much better off buying a more expensive car.

[Patrick_]

just saw the car u bought. dude, its just a toy compared to a stampede and other hobby-quality car. dont expect it to do 20 mph out of box cause' these cars cant even go that fast. i hope they let u return it cause' u're much better off buying a more expensive car.

I agree. I don't know what that guy was talking about when he told me 20MPH top speed. Maybe that's with an upgraded motor or something? I just clocked it on a totally fresh NiCD 1000mah. It took me about 15 tries to get it to go straight (the steering is _horrible_!), and when I finally got a good run, it clocked out at 11MPH. Sorry, that's not 20MPH.

I sure hope he let's me return it, too. I'm thinking about a Stampede or a Rustler... though I'm not sure. I've heard the Rustler is faster and better at jumping. Check out my other thread :)

[TueLe]

the Stampede has greater ground clearance, i think. but basically they're both the same, and they come with an esc too.