sorry guys, but I have been thinking for a long time about going back to 4 strokes after I sold my highly moded R last year. I tried once and shortly owned a 400ex when they first came out and was vary dissapointed in the hp non 2-stroke characteristics. Now that the hp bar and machines have apparently come a long way since the initial 400ex and there apparently are more models to choose from, there is only one thing coming between me and a new sport quad... Price!!! Sorry, but I can not see forking out more than $8,000.00 when all said and done with accessories for a nice loaded Cannondale. When I can get a used raptor with mods already on it for $5,000.00 and even have enough money left to also purchase a nice used 250r again. I can't see forking out over $200.00 a month for just one quad. No Way! espially when I need two for the faimly soon. Looks like I may just be getting a Raptor instead. I hope cannondale is listening, because their prices are way to high, unless they are targeting only the rich, or sponsored pro/semi pro riders out there. Sorry but many of us got a morgage and car payments to make each month. Cannondale I hope your listening, don't forget us!!

 

So buy the used Raptor then, your comparing the price of a new FX400 vs. a used Raptor. Also for the umptenth time, with a C-dale your buying state of the art fuel injection, an alluminum frame and wheels, Ohlins suspension(rebuildible),Holeshot tires,an FMF pipe and many inovations. Whats it cost for an after market alluminum frame or fuel injection?

Do you think everyone buys C-dale bicycles? No, because the are hand made and very expensive.

I'm not rich, I have a family to support, I have a morgage, ok I payed my car off a couple years ago. I budgeted for all my toys, if it doesn't fit yours find something that will or find a way to budget a C-dale if you want one. I wish I could afford a Ferrari, maybe they will hear me and bring the price down where I could afford one.

Moto24
'01 FX400
'98 Kawi ZX-9R
'90 Kawi ZX-7 (superbike)
'84 VF750R
'80 Kawi KZ650

 

I was told that the Raptor fells like a 2 stroke!!!!!!!!!!
But I would save about 1000 Dollors and buy a 2002 Tras.
I think some one said it will be on sell this october!!!!!
And some one said it was only $500.00 but I would keep $1000.00 handy just in case!!!!!!!
Then also only a hand full had trans. probs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Moto24 I'm not saying your a liar or anything, but your response is unwaranted. You can in no way compare ...lets say a ferrari to a Z28 or Mustang as being the same ball park as a raptor to a Cannondale. The difference between a used 5,000.00 Raptor and a 8,000 new Cannondale FX is not even close to a $100,000+ ferrari to a $20-30,000 stang or Commaro. Do you no how rediculous that sounds? And second of all if your play list really consist of the following:

'01 FX400
'98 Kawi ZX-9R
'90 Kawi ZX-7 (superbike)
'84 VF750R
'80 Kawi KZ650

.... then you either have vary wealthy parents were given most of your toys or your banking youreslf. So before you start getting cocky on my response, this was not intended for people like you. Matter of fact I also own a 98zx9. And you must have a lot of money set aside each month towards your hobbies espially if you are making a payment on the zx9 and the FX. Because unless you bought the zx9 at a 3 year plan, you should still be paying on it. And if your not then you have obviously make more than enough to pay alot more than your minimal payment each month on your zx9 to also afford the payment on the FX as well. If you payed cash for either or, well fine that further supports that you are not the audience I'm describing. I know only one rider that makes enough money to pay cash for anything that he wants, and I know alot of riders x-pro and local riders that feel like I do. Most of them ride hopped up older R's or moded 400ex's because they can not find a reason to justify the cost of a new Cannondale. So again, I'm talking about those that want a high performance ATV or maybe two at a reasonable price and that can not afford the upfront cash down price, beacuse of other obligations. I think you would deffinately be hard pressed to try and argue that most people could validate forking out $8,000.00 for any quad. Do you know how much $8,000.00 on at 60 months would cost you. Can you say a car payment?

So I would appreciate it if you could bite your lip on this one. This may not be your ball park!

 

cctman, I also own an FX400 and I'll tell you what it was not an issue to fork out $8,000.00 for this bike, for the reason by the time you put all the mods on a raptor ( except the turbo chip ) the cannondale will still rock it's world. I Know Because my friend has a raptor loaded. If you have good credit the bike will only cost you around 150.00-160.00 a month so it would probably be in your best interest to think about this desicion for a little while longer. Then you may find that the cannondale is NOT the way to go, but don't be pissed off in the long run when you can't touch a cannondale. Cannondale also is coming out with a cheaper version of the FX400, No ohlin shocks and it will have Dunlop tires on it with no ITP rims, so I think you should think about it a little longer, and by no means strap yourself for cash.

 

How in the world would Cannondale charge less for their quads? A stock Raptors MSRP is $6499, and Cannibal retails for $6999. It has a hand welded aluminum frame that ways almost 40#'s less than the Raptors, has an awesome 432cc fuel injected power plant that produces more horsepower than the Raptors, and is back by Cannondale like only a Yamaha owner could dream of. If you dont think the Cannibal is worth $500 more than the Raptor than fine, dont buy one.

I also have all the same bills you mention minus the car payment. The way I look at I cant afford to not buy the Cannondale, its more bike for the money. You think you could get a Raptor like the Cannondale for that $500 you saved, I seriously doubt it. Maybe you could find a used Cannodale that would run the same price as the used Raptors (I doubt you'll find many for sale).

Maybe you should listen rather than Cannondale. Are they supposed to cut into their profit margin for you? None of the other manufacturers do, why the hell should they? You cant make chicken soup out of chicken ****. If it doesnt fit your bill than you can ride another quad, in the long run you'll spend more for less I imagine but thats your choice.

 

You can also take a good look at the cannibal. It goes for $6995 I believe, and you can always put aluminum rims/tires and shocks on it in due time. I ride a two stroke now, but I would like to buy a new state of the art machine in a year or so. I am waiting to see what every manufacturer is gonna through in the ring, but if I were buying now I would get the new Speed or the Cannibal.

 

cctman,Im not going to bash on any quad,or person, but the facts are facts.Every quad his its goods and bads. The Cannondale (in my eyes) just has alot more goods than others. The place where I got mine also sold Raptors but for only $1,500.00 less. So lets see...Cannondale- ITP rims and tires, Olhins shocks (rebuildable), FMF pipe, Arens heavy duty steering stem, Plastic gas tank (with quick disconnect), Wide foot pegs, Stainless steel front brake lines, Aluminum shift leaver that folds back, Aluminum rear break pedal, Aluminum (removeable grab bar), Quick change clutch cover, CASSETTE STYLE TRANSMISSION, Removable lower frame tubes, and oh I almost forgot EFI, ALL aluminum frame,light weight,and Big hp in a 400 4-stroke. Im racing so tracks that have enough people may have a 400 or 440 4-stroke class I can race in,and I will not have to compete against big bore R's and Banshees like a Raptor owner may have to in the open class. Now lets see... Raptor 660 4-stroke, Easier to ride, Good shocks,and???? I dont know of anything else thats as good as or better on the Raptor compared to the C-Dale. BY the way cctman Im in no way RICH I could probably make more money working in fast food than what I make now. I look at it this way If a person owns a 250R and has $8,000.00 in it he has alot more money than I do,because while my $8,000.00 is being finnanced his is not. That person paid cash for almost every thing,or charged it to a credit card(high intrest usualy).And Moto24 wasnt getting cocky he was just giving his opinions,and reasons for buying one the same as I am. One more thing cctman If you have owned 2-strokes and like them as I bet you do then you should love the way the C-Dale feels. Everyone that has ridden mine that owns 2-Strokes does anyway. Have you tried one out yet?

 

Well atleast there are a few people with a little sense, cctman you are so off base. I could have just come out and said your a whinner because you can't or don't choose to afford the C-dale so you want them to drop the price to satisfy you. C-dale will never be in the #'s game for building ATV's or motorcycles as the BIG FOUR.

Maybe my Ferrari example was a strech and sounded ridiculous but that was my point, to whine about something that YOU feel is too expensive and feel that the price should fit YOUR budget and the manufacturer should adjust the price accordingly sounds ridiculous. If you said "man I wish I could afford one of those C-dales, they sure look like a great ATV" I could see your point, there are alot of things I wish I could have.

You obviously didn't read my post very well either, I'm not rich or wealthy neither are my parents. In fact I didn't have a hell of alot growing up. Have you heard of "working hard", I would think you have considering you have a morgage and a family to support, as I do. I made choices and decided I wanted something so I worked my *** off to get it, I also gave up some things I used to do. I used to be a roadracer, it cost quite a bit to do this, I also lived in an apartment. Well I decided I wanted a house so I gave up racing so I could afford a house. I really don't need to explain this but my point is if you want something you have to work for it and make sacrifices sometimes, either that or win the lottery, which I still havn't done.

Btw I payed off my ZX-9 early,(read "hard work&quot and doing some mods to it now.

If you can get a moded Raptor for cheaper than a C-dale go for it, a new Raptor with mods would cost the same or more than the C-dale and it still wouldn't have an alluminum frame, fuel injection a cassette tranny.

If you want the C-dale, put it on your wish list or go out and work for it like I did and I guess most of the other 600 and some other FX and Cannibal owners.

 

Hey ..listen OK so maybe I got a little hot-headed for a little bit. But its not the individual owners that I'm frustrated with as much as the dealers that can actually validate charging as much as they do. And I know it is a money game between the manufactures, but in the late 80's just 10 years ago. The new 250R's ran about 2,600.00 So explain to me how a manufacture can validate almost trippling the cost of an ATV in just 10 years. You didn't see the cost of vehicles tripple in the last 10-15 years, and they went through the same changes essentialy. I just don't get it, and further more how people keep feeding the mouths of these money hungary dealers. So don't take it personal I just think the whole thing is rediculous. Geez I'm afraid to see how expensive ATV's will be in another 10 years. What $15,000-20,000.00 like the Ducati bikes? Most of my friends can not afford to fork out this kind of money.