I am wanting to buy a new quad soon, i want either an FX400 or a 400ex. I will be riding mostly on an mx track and trails, i also hillclimb. Which quad would be the best for these riding habits? any help appreciated. BTW, i weigh 145 lbs. and im 5'11", so either quad would fit well.

 

They aren't even on the same level - no comparison. It's like ... a 300EX vs the new 450r ... or a Blaster vs the YFZ450

 

that didnt tell me anything

 

I'm sorry...

The Cannondale has about twice as much HP (not joking), has an aluminum frame, EFI, etc etc etc ... for the price they are selling for now there is no comparison between them. Any Cannondale will make a 400EX look slow. A 440EX is better competition but I don't think many of those can compete either.

 

NP, but from what im told, the cannondales are a mechanical nightmare, not my words, but another guys, i know theyre both great on the mx track, i know a cannondale is better, but, i wouldnt want to have to hunt for the internal engine parts, thats my biggest concern, ex. piston, rings, etc. unless they dont even intend on blowing a piston, im not worried. ive been doing some research on finding parts like at www.cdaleparts.com, with a load of parts but nothing like pistons and such. when or if a cannondale breaks down, what is the part that ussually breaks? that would help alot with finding the parts. thanks for the replies. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

You can get anything you need fixed. Other than the updates the biggest problem is usually the crank. Many of the cranks were sent out crudely balanced. The best bet if you get one is to send your crank to Big Winky at www.diamondracingatv.com who will balance your crank, put a nice Carillo rod on there, and upgrade all of the bearings for just over $600 - it is worth it's weight in gold. After that you shouldn't have any more mechanical trouble. I've never heard of a balanced crank going out. With a balanced crank and the updates one should be solid. Thats my plans and hopes for mine at least.

 

THANK YOU, thats what i wanted to hear. is all the cannondales crank unbalanced or just the 01 models? Im just glad it can be fixed. Ive wanted a cannondale for so long its killing me lol. But say if the crank did screw up, is there a place that you can buy it? thanks.

 

I wouldn't trust a crank in any of them. Big Winky posted recently that about 1 out of 15 that he has seen is good enough to not cause big problems. I'd balance any of them. You can also buy new Falicon cranks that are supposed to be balanced from ATK, I think they are also $600. I'd just want the changed bearings etc thats why I would recommend Big Winky.

 

I guess thats what ill do, my dads buyin me a $2500 dale since im going to work for him building a house, and with the $1200 i have saved up, ill hand the engine to Big Winky, get the good stuff and forget about it. Where do they put the bearings in it (trying to learn as much as possible about the engine, etc)? I suppose your getting yours sent to him to get the rebuild too. 1 more question, Do you know anymore sites having to do with engine work, or is cdaleparts.com and diamondracingatv.com the best ones? thanks for the help

 

The bearings are replacements on the rod, crank, etc. Best place to learn about this stuff is Cannondaleriders.com and Cannondaler.com where all of us owners hang out.

Yes, I plan on getting my crank done by him. And also probably a 450 kit from www.championmotorsports.net another place that does this kinda work.