Kite Buggy Seatbelts

Before attempting to use a seatbelt with a buggy, you will need to be competent with:

All Flatland buggy freestyle moves.

With freestyle buggying having the potential to be very dangerous safety is the number one priority. On this page you will find information about different seatbelts people are using, with pros and cons on each type.

The main purpose for why people use a seatbelt while buggying is to allow the pilot to jump the buggy and perform aerial tricks while attached to the buggy. For this you need a strong seatbelt which can handle the weight of the buggy without snapping on launch. Making the choice of seatbelt can be very hard but it often comes down to personal preference and which one suits your buggy the best.

However some people use the seatbelt to allow them to be able to hold down more power, adding around 15kg to your weight allows the pilot to fly slightly more overpowered for larger slides and more speed. Where as before when they would have taken the kite to the top and possibly lifted out of the buggy they will stay in the buggy seatbelt and hopefully stay on the ground with the buggy.

Hopefully on this page you will find information on different types of seatbelts to help you with your choice. If you have any questions about any of these or would like any advice on seatbelts then please get in contact with use here. We are aware that these will not be all the possible ways to make a seatbelt so if you know of another please can you get in contact with us here so we can get some information and pictures so that other riders can see it.

Never buggy alone when you are wearing a seatbelt, to be honest you should never buggy alone alone at all just incase but with a seatbelt on if you flip you are more likely to injure yourself so for your own safety don't take the risk and when ever strapped into your buggy make sure you wear safety gear and at a minimum a helmet!

Harness
Introduction :	This is possibly one of the most complicated seatbelts you will see. It is designed with 2 straps that come from the rear of the buggy to a quick release at the downtube. The great thing about this type is it gives loads of control of the buggy while in the air, or on the ground it is easy to lean and pop onto 2 wheels.
Adjustability :	This seatbelt can easily be adjusted by adjusting the lengths of the 2 straps while not starpped into buggy, however it can also be adjusted while strapped in using the cleat to change the how taught the straps are. This can easily be done and safely while buggying along. To stop the strap passing through the cleat a knot is tied in the end.
Pros :	More Control Of Buggy Does Not Get In Way Of Harness Comfortable Can Release From Buggy Easily Has Quick Release Strong
Cons :	Has to be put on before you launch kite as hard to get into while kite is in air. Expensive but worth it! Only fits on a few types of buggy Complicated to put together
Cost : (Roughly)	Webbing 5m £5 Metal Rings (2) £1.50 Diving Belt Adjusters £6 Cleat £6 Quick Release £30 Total £48.50
Overall :	This type of seatbelt is great, i personally find it give you more control over the buggy and feels allot more secure than others. As of the layout it does not get in the way of the harness. Even though compared to other types it is expensive but from using the others this one seems to be the most comfortable and controllable seatbelt.
Pictures :	More pictures can be found in gallery here.

Lap Strap
Introduction :	This is the standard type of seatbelt that you will see on most buggies. There are many types of variations with velcro or diving belts. It fits onto the side frames of each buggy and goes across the lap when strapped in.
Adjustability :	Once you have measured how much webbing you need and cut it to length, you should be right every time. If its winter and you have more layers on than usual, the belt should still have enough velcro on to be strong enough to hold the buggy. You can not really adjust it while buggying along, but i do find its best to get in buggy first, do seatbelt up and then launch kite. If the kite is in the air before you do seatbelt up, it doesn't do up tight enough because the kite is pulling your harness up!
Pros :	Can be adjusted while buggy along Cheaper Easy to put on while kite is in the air. Comfortable Fits on any buggy Easy to make
Cons :	Velcro Can Be come warn and needs to be replaced often. Can sometimes come on done while in air! Obstructs Harness
Cost : (Roughly)	Webbing 3m £3 Velcro £6 Total £9
Overall :	This type of seatbelt is great, you can easily release from buggy if you need to in an emergency however they don't last that long and the velcro does wear quite quickly if you use it on a beach. Apart from that it is a really nice type and relatively cheap, however if you use a harness with a spreader bar the strap can some times get in the way or not be comfortable.
Pictures :	More pictures can be found in gallery here.

Lap Strap Quick Release
Introduction :	This is another type of seatbelt, it is similar to the lap strap in position but is different in design. This one has a quick release to metal ring to keep it fastened, The picture shows a cheaper quick release, but we recommend a Wichard Release as this type shown can sometimes fail! If there is no load it opens fine but if you are trapped under it may not release.
Adjustability :	This type has to be adjusted and set up before strapping by adjusting the buckle. However once you have got it perfect you won't need to worry about having to readjust it. The downside is that you can not adjust it while buggying along.
Pros :	Can Release From Buggy Easily Has Quick Release Strong Fits on any buggy Won't come un done in air
Cons :	Can not be adjusted while strapped in Obstructs Harness
Cost : (Roughly)	Webbing 3m £3 Quick Release £30 Metal Hoop (1) £0.75 Total £33.75
Overall :	This type of seatbelt is great, it takes some time to get it set up perfectly but once set up is great. The added bonus is it has a quick release so you can easily release from buggy. Even though it is relatively expensive it is a nice belt, however if you use a harness with a spreader bar the strap can some times get in the way or not be comfortable.
Pictures :	More pictures can be found in gallery here.

(Kite-Buggiers.co.uk bares no responsibility for injury's sustained while following this guide)