I am going to be buying a new sport quad soon. I have a raptor and it is ok, it will become the wifes bike. I was debating the banshee, but it is way outdated and I sat on one today and it was not very comfy. I also sat on a new cannibal. I liked the feel of that. It is very nice and had a solid feel.

I am debating either the new DS Baja 650 or the cannibal. They are both the same price so money is not an issue. I want a real quality peice. I want or need a lot of power. I am power hungry.

So, is the cannibal or speed pretty much only for racers, or will they do good as an all around trail and dune machine?

I ride alot at the sand dunes, and I was at little sahara Utah last weekend and never saw one cannondale. I was a little disapointed, I wanted to see how they do on the hills, compared to a banshee.

I am also a very big guy and the rating on the baja is a little more, I think the cannibal is 245 max weight and the baja is 275.

I do like the fact that the cannondale is so light.

I heard someone say that the engine oil is cirulated through the frame. Is this correct? If so, has anyone had a problem say with putting a crack in the frame and losing engine oil?

I am sorry to ask so many questions, but I am very interested in this quad and could buy one very soon if I feel comfortable with it.

Any information you guys can provide would be appreciated. Also, if you have raced raptors and DS's with pretty equal riders please post and please be honest. I am looking for good solid info.

Thanks
Bat

 

Batoutahell, I've never been on any DS before (I'm only 5'5" at 138lbs) I don't think I could muscle it around. I think it is safe to say though that you won't be disapointed with the Cannibal. I did see a new Baja 650 at the track last weekend, I didnt get a real close look but from what I saw it looked sweet. The guy never realy rode it hard from what I could tell so I can't say anything about how it performed. I havn't been on a Cannibal either but they are almost exactly the same as my FX, with that being said the Cannibal is a very exciting quad. I only MX race my FX and thats it. I don't trail, joy ride, or dune ride. I do think it would be as good as or better in the dunes. Better in the trails and if you like to joy ride well, There is pretty much 1 speed in my opinion and that speed is FAST! So, how big a boy are ya? I have a friend who loves my FX and I would say he is around 230lbs. Yes the oil is circulated through the frame. I have never heard of anyone having any frame problems. I have raced Raptors and Banshees but no DS 650's. The Raptors are just to narrow and tall (STOCK VS STOCK) and tip up very easily in the corners. The Cannondales will also but it isn't an almost every corner thing. Banshees as you know have no low end and are hard to stay in the power on a short SX style track. As far as drags I do that also (Cant resist, I've yet to ask anyone though they always ask me). If I talk about the drags I've done in this forum I'll catch so much crap from other brand riders that it wouldnt even be funny. So I'll leave it at.. I still havn't been beat. I know I havn't come across the right quad or maybe even rider yet but there have been two that quads that should have smoked me. Let us know what you decide o.k.

 

Thanks for the info, you could email me if you like about the drag races. I have not seen any cannondales out on the trails or dunes yet. I have heard a few stories, but never seen one.

Anyway, I am about 6'2"-6'3" and right now am about 300 pounds, I am normally about 260-270. I have been laying off the gym a little and not watching my diet.

I love to ride and mostly it is trails and dunes. I do not race and probably never will, I am an old fart compared to most on here I am sure. I do love going fast and that is my only vice anymore. I try to do it mostly off road.

Well, anyone else want to give me some info.

Also, I know they are water cooled, but do they have a fan or just rely on the air being forced past the radiator.

OH, one more thing (I am just full of questions) I understand that you have to remove the engine from the chasis to adjust the valves. Are there any other etreme things you have to do to do regular maintenance?

Thanks for all the help
Bat

 

Yes, they do have a radiator fan. They don't have any warning light however. Ive never overheated mine so the system seems to be good. Ive never had it in any serious mud either so I don't know. Hee! Hee! the maintenance on the C-dales may be concidered hard and time consuming, but I have always keep a close eye on all my quads and spent alot of time doing maintenance chores even when I knew they probably didn't need to be done at the time. So to me the maintenance isn't that bad at all. I havn't had to change a plug yet but you do have to take off all the plastic,seat,and gas tank to do it. I'm leaving the valves up to my dealer until I get a service manual with all the specs. Don't let the maintenace scare you away. It aint no Honda, but the same goes for the POWER if you know what I mean.

 

hey bat i work at a dealership we handle yamaha sea doo (ds 650) polaris and cannondale and i have been racing the fx for about seven months and havent had any trouble the normal maintance isnt bad the valves do require the engine to be dropped but as far as speed it will out run the ds and raptor pretty easily if i can be any help just drop me a line see ya

 

Hey thumper,
Thanks for the info, I guess I am wondering how reliable and fun to ride these are. I am not a racer, although I like play racing and do my share of dragging. I would like the bike to excell at hillclimbing while still being able to run the trails and dunes with ease. I want something that can out run most bikes and yet still put along on the trails.

Also, working at a dealer I guess you would know. Does the efi adjust itself for different altitudes or do you have to do something to adjust it. I ride in very different elevations, anywhere from 500 feet up to 8000 feet.

Thanks for any help you can give me
Bat

 

the efi adjusts it self you can adjust the mapping and fuel ratio if you change the pipe and so on to get more performance

 

Batoutahell From what you have described it seems that you would be more comfortable on a ds650 with your size I think that you would be a little uncomfortable on a cannondale. I think that you would be happier. Nothing against the cannibal I am getting one in janurary. The cannondale is meant be a racer it requires constant maintance, The ds650 does to but not as much because it wasn't meant to be a racer and was made for trail riding and duning, which is why batoutahell should take this into consideration.

 

I do appreciate the info and honest comments. I am probably going to do the DS Baja 650, for several reasons.

1. I do not race (except for fun) no mx or things like that.

2. I am a big guy and the DS felt more comfortable.

3. I am going to build the engine up next year and will most likely do a pami 703 kit. It puts out like 66 hp and 48 ft/lbs of torque.

4. I like the longer travel suspension, I hear they soak up most bumps with ease.

5. I mostly ride open desert trails and dunes and this quad was built for these conditions.

6. I believe some of the maintenance of the cannibal is a little more involved then I want to be. I do not want to remove the engine to adjust valves.

Overall, I wish I could buy both. I just can't. I think that the Baja will fit my needs more and be a nice all around quad.

I appreciate all the info you guys have given me on here and thanks for being upfront.

Bat

 

I own a cannondale cannbal my sproket bolt got loose and went into my axel carrer "hole now in it" do you think that should be a warrenty?