this is kind of interesting!
kinda long but worth reading!

"How better to take to the track or the woods than with one of Cannondale's all-American four-strokers, including the MX400, the bike that as one industry magazine wrote "would pinch the collective asses of motorcycling's dominant makers." These aren't simply 400-class bikes that are pumped up with a few extra cc; they're all-new efforts that break traditional motocross design rules. Showcasing brilliant innovation, our motorcycles represent the kind of radical thinking and outside-the-box engineering principles that are hallmarks of Cannondale products.



The results are powerful creations that have been bred to retain the agile chassis of a two-stroke with the tractable power delivery of a four-stroke. This potent mix of characteristics becomes especially important on race day. Race-readiness is instantly evident in the line's aggressive spec: High-end suspension front and rear and Nissin brakes are just some of the high-level components gracing these bikes. We've even put wide footpegs on them for better control. This translates to a hassle-free setup. Uncrate a Cannondale at the track and throw a leg over it, without needing to replace OEM components that can't take the heat of competition.



But don't just take our word for it. Stop by one of our authorized motorcycle dealers for a striking revelation in dirt bike design. You'll find power and beauty, wrapped into innovative packages unmatched by other 400-class bikes. You'll find that we've gone beyond merely pinching the sport's dominant manufacturers we've spanked them. Hard.



Rule-breaking innovation has always been the cornerstone of Cannondale's design philosophy. This ability to redefine current design trends requires a willingness to upend traditional concepts. Charged with this difficult task, Cannondale engineers think creatively, coming up with unusual solutions to everyday problems. They start with advanced software applications and turn these ideals into workable, rideable prototypes, using the flexible manufacturing process at our Pennsylvania factory. And before these machines ever see the 'light of day' they're subjected to relentless fatigue testing in which actual hard-core riding loads (recorded by dozens of tiny strain gauges during field tests) are duplicated and repeatedly inflicted on frames by sophisticated, automated hydraulic fixtures. The end result? Highly-tested bikes that are spilling over with innovation.



Before we prove to you that our motorcycles are the best on the market, we prove it to ourselves. Using sophisticated dynamometers, our team diligently measures the durability and power output of the Cannondale-designed engine at our manufacturing facility in Bedford, Pennsylvania. The engineers then combine the data from these dyno tests with ride testing. Rider impressions are as important to us as laboratory tests, and are used to create an engine that's not only impressive on the dyno, but also in the real world test of competition.



We're not sure why there hasn't been a motocrosser manufactured in the U.S. for two decades, but we do know this: It's time for that sad fact to change. No one knows more about motocross than Americans, no other country fields more top riders, and no other country anywhere has workers that are more skilled than U.S. craftsmen (and women). Case in point: The artisans at our Bedford, Pennsylvania factory, who produce our state-of-the-art, lightweight motorcycle frames. We have more than 15 years of experience working with aluminum. From butting and swaging, to CNC-machining and laser-cutting, to welding and heat-treating, we are masters at creatively manipulating aluminum to extract from it every possible ounce of performance.



You can't design true competition-caliber motorcycles without the input of professional racers. Keith Johnson, Cannondale's MX test rider, is an 11-time NESC champ. Additionally, Cannondale's motorcycle frame engineer, Chris D'Alusio, was a 250 cc road racer and took 2nd at the A.M.A. National Grand Prix Championships in 1991, 1992, and 1993. Sharing our passion for speed, refinement, and constant improvement, our racer's impressions are vital to forging prototypes into finished Cannondale designs."
-Cannondale's website