If you haven't read about the four new Cannondales, I think if I had alot of cash tied up in my 250r I be a little worried. I think these are gonna be more difficult to sell now that the new Cannons are coming out. This is not a bashing contest. See my signature, two were 295r's and two 250r's. Could this be the end of an era? So lets say Cannondale has all the bugs worked out w/ the new parts they have fixed on the earlier models. Me... I'm all about new technology and I am an American and prefer made in the USA. I think I'd spend 10k on a BRAND NEW quad that somebody hasn't been wrenching on for the last 12 yrs, rather then a fully decked out 250r. Your thoughts???????

 

The news about the new machines really took me by surprise and had me reconsidering my plans for my current ride (250R). However, I gave it some thought and came to the conclusion that my 250 with Elka shocks and a 310 kit will be good enough for me. The Cannondales are sure to be awesome right out of the box, and they will sell every one I'm sure. They will probably be better for some, not as good for others. I think that for suspensions to perform at their best, they are targeted for a certain weight and riding style. Well, I am always heavier than the 'average' rider so I think that for me, my best bet is to build my R. The good news is that the price on R's should fall. Possible a whole bunch of aftermarket race bikes on the market for cheap!

 

I agree with Ridzhard, in that I am a bigger rider also. I would also prefer a 250R over a Cannondale any day. I hope this drops the price of 250R's because I am in the market for one!!!

 

For me, the 250R is over!!I'd take a Cannondale over anything (except the shee that's in my garage[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]) because FINALLY some manufacturer comes with something new!! Aluminium frame, NEW engine (not a 10 year old thing) and already tough out of the box. I can't understand people don't appreciate for once a manufacturer doesn't take them for fools!!
Because I like this behavior from Cannondale, I'd get one...just like I'd get a Pryus to encourage Toyota in the "clean" cars (so the enviros let us ride quads where we want)...

Cheers to Cannondale!!

 

Well at least the era isn't over for 2-stroke only races...haha
I don't think the era is over actually. Many people prefer screamers over thumpers. BUT I DUNNO. The new technologies just amaze me and I'm liking em better than a Raptor...No need to go to an ATV shop for the products but rather the car shop with it's technologies.

 

the Cannondale looks nice..however saying the 250R is done with is ludicrous.

also, it remains to be seen how the aluminum frame on the Cannondale lasts to a couple years of abuse.

 

actually the cannondale havent been out for long so we cant really think about this... we'll have to wait for a while and see how they hold up and how they do in sales... hopefully this will get the major companies to wake up and start developing "race-ready" quads to sell

 

as far as 250r being a 10 year old thing zorro. so is the banshee that you want to keep so bad [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

Actually, the Banshee has been around since '87, and was only dominant in the engine dept. Everywhere else, the 'R' was much better. All of these "new" machines are trying to duplicate the geometry and balance that the old 'R' has. Stock for stock, the TRX is going to lose against any of the new Cannondales. One reason it has been with us so long is that it is easy to get power from and the handling is right on.

 

I have always felt the 250R was the hot quad for racing. A couple of weekends ago though, they were holding quad races on the mx track out where I ride.
They had separate heats for 2 stroke & 4 stroke quads. In the 2 stroke race there was 1 Banshee and 5 250Rs. The Banshee smoked all of the 250Rs. It out jumped them all and was obviously faster. I realize alot has to do with the racers ability but I was surprised the 250Rs didn't fare better.
I'm not slamming 250Rs, just making an observation.