Ok Guys, I'm finally going to buy the Cannondale. Which one do you guys suggest?

If money wasn't an issue I would get the Speed, I'm really looking for the best bang for the buck!!!

FX400 - $5500 (returned by unsatisfied customer. Supposed low hours < 10. Has nerfs)
Cannibal - $6995 (has upgraded Shocks & Alum rims)
Speed - $7995 The real deal!!!Text

 

I think if you look up the term "bang for the buck" in the dictionary there is a picture of a Cannibal ... You are indeed a fortunate individual...Can't wait till I am able to go down to my dealer and pick one up.... Check out RSperformance.com and look at all the extras you get (and at a discount ,if I remember) You go Buddy!

 

The Speed is an FX400 just has new color and on-the-fly programable fuel injection and most likely tamed a bit out of the box. The early model Cannibals are just anf FX400 in red. If I had it to do over again I woulda saved a $1,000 and got one of the early Cannibals, $5,500 for a used FX seems like a good price though. Would you use the programable mapping the Speed has? Most people won't but since it's the same price I paid for my FX400 I would have got it.

Moto24
'01 FX400
'98 Kaw ZX-9R(NEW!! 79mm kit(998cc),Muzzy full titanium header and oval silencer, slotted cam sprockets and Factory jet kit)
'90 Kaw ZX-7(Superbike racer)
'84 Honda VF750R
'80 Kaw KZ650

 

If I had that choice and I wanted the best for the money I would get the FX and then spend the other $2500 on hop ups and then you will have the more performance for the same price.

 

Well, I picked up the Cannibal today. Very nice. Some differences to note.

Cannibal has better idle than FX400. No need to keep on the gas till it warms up.

Cannibal has 10.6 rev limiter. The FX400 and Speed have 11.6. (This is an $800 upgrade if you were to change the rev limiter. Not sure why it's so much.)

Speed has a better seat, more contoured

Speed has different computer. The one I got has same as FX400. No on the fly programming by hooking up to laptop.

Speed has hydrolic clutch, although the Cannibal seems to work fine.

Speed has larger battery. Apparantly, the Cannibal and FX400 is rather small and does need to be charged.

Speed has Aluminum handlebars.

That's quite a bit of stuff for $1K, but can't get one yet so decided to get the Cannibal!!

 

Hey, really good report sparky! Please let us know how that machine works out for you and any impressions of it you care to share. I'm still undecided which to get and appreciate your experience.
Hey better change that signature!

 

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I've had my Cannibal for couple of weeks now and the first thing I noticed was how light it was. I wasn't too thrilled with the noisy motor, but it does have good power. it is a lot faster then the stock raptor on the take off (400ex also, but 400 catches up and passes me slowly in the 5th on the strait away, oh after about 1/4 of mile, 400ex has high compression piston, high lift cam, K&N filter, pipe, opened up air box). I was hitting the rev limiter in ever gear including the 5th, so I ordered and installed 14 tooth counter sprocket (13 is stock). It helps but I still hit it on flat strait-away in 5th. I have 1 mile race course laid out in a open field with several sharp corners and couple of 1/4 mile strait sections, but what I've found out is that I have to be careful when I'm coming out of corners, have to move up on the seat a bit so to keep the front end down, otherwise I'm riding the wheelie through 4th gear! Can't steer if you don't have the wheels on the ground you know.
Haven't done very much jumping with the C-dale yet as we are in the process of rebuiling our 60ft table top and other doubles and triples after recent heavy rains. C-dale does have good balance as I can bicycle on two wheels as long as I like.

02 Cannibal
01 Raptor
99 400ex
97 300ex
98 Recon
96 wolverine (435 kit engine just blew the engine!!)

 

So would you buy it again crash? Any unusual probs with loose connectors? or other problems?
I'm going to look at a Cannibal tomorrow. Interested to hear this noisy motor myself. Thanks for the post.

 

Ryanstone, I like the Cannibal, but if you have the $$ and time it might be worthwhile to look at Speed with its various upgrades, especially the higher R's, 10.6 v 11.5. I just do not like to hit the rev. limiter all the time! But having had said that, I like the power of the motor. I like it a LOT better then other machines I have, Banshee, 400ex (modded), Raptor( stock). C-dale engine really is responsive and quick, due to fuel injection I suspect. Here are several irritating points about the machine though. (1) terrible way to check the oil- pain in the neck, the guy who designed this set up should be fired!! It's worse then the Banshee's infamous air box and chain tension set up. I like to check the oil level regularly but this set up really really discourage one from doing so. I don't know what the C-dale design team were doing when they approved this .... anyhow you get the idea.

(2) sure could use a nutral light.

(3) could have used the reserve valve the other day- I was riding hard and ran out of gas, so I reached down for the petcock, but wait, no, it can't be!! oh yes it can be. A nice long walk...

(4) checked out the price for oil filter, $32.00 said the partsman, you gotta be kidding said I, I guess I'll clean the 'filter' and reuse it.

(5) you gotta hang on the handle bar extra tight as the front end like to go wherever it wants to go without warning. My next purchase is going to be a steering stabilizer.

All in all a good machine, got some faults and quirks, but oh what power! Nothing, nothing like it,and it's bone stock.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I agree with the power and the twitchy front end. Has anybody installed the steering stabilizer and does it help? Also, what is the difference between a steering stabilizer and a steering dampner?