Hey there Scott! Surprisingly nice to hear from you. Guys/Gals....this post is an excellent example of the Cannondale mentality. Chiming in with customers/potential customers and passing along a word of thanks is something another manufacturer would never attempt.
I like what I see in Cannondale......innovative, powerful quads......updating the products to take care of problems/potential problems.......trying to keep customers happy. Even though your atvs are in another league when compared to everything else, I think the long range success of Cannondale selling atv's will be through keeping their customers happy and giving them value for their dollar. A reasonable customer that is satisfied with the overall "experience" may purchase 10+ quads over the years from the same manufacturer.
When I make another atv purchase, there is no doubt I will take a hard look towards Cannondale because of the previously mentioned reasons.
Again, good to hear from you Scott. Feel free to post here often.

 

Scott,

As the others have said, it does credit to both yourself and your company to interact with the forum participants.

For obvious reasons, you have no e-mail address listed. I would like to ask you some questions directly, but for that reason I will post them here and I hope that you could e-mail me a reply of some sort, if you have time. Thank you in advance.

Here is a little bit of my background. I am currently a graduate student with the George Washington University doing research at the NASA-Langley Research Center (flight safety program). I am going full time towards a masters of science in aero and mech engineering. I already have an BS in mech engineering. I have also been riding and rebuilding ATVs for over 13 years.

My main question is this- how does someone in my position get involved in Cannondale's R&D department. I realize that your company has no posted openings, but work within the motorsports industry is greater than my interest in aerospace research (although no schools offer scholar programs for ATV/dirtbike research, that I'm aware of). Once I graduate (05/2003) I will be inquiring all the major players in the powersports industry, along with aerospace companies, as far as open positions for R&D. From my past experiences, I would definately rather work for a company that is smaller in size (smaller companies seem more focused and passionate). Any guidance and advice for what Cannondale looks for in prospective employees would be greatly appreciated.

Once again, thank you for your time.

Tom Rawlins
Vehicle Dynamics Branch
NASA-Langley Research Center
GWU- JIAFS program
t.d.rawlins@larc.nasa.gov

 

Mr. Montgomery,

You are to be commended for your taking the time to participate in this forum. I gambled and purchased a Speed and haven't looked back. Having been a 400ex supporter in the past, I took some ribbing from my friends when I bit the bullet and jumped ship. Why did I? I simply could not resist the incredible technically advanced ATV that your company had the foresight to develop. It puts a smile on my face everytime I look at it. To your RND, keep up the great work, I look foward to the next marvels to emerge.


----------------
02 Speed

 

don't let atv action review your cdales. if i had not come here i would have gotten a raptor. atv action lies, my cannibal raped a piped raptor and they said a stock raptor can beat a fx400.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img] don't let those magazines rip you off, it makes me very angry.

 

CornDog, everybody who had replied thus far(except you) has made nice, intelligent posts, while you have to bad mouth ATV Action and the Raptor. If you ask me, it isn't a good idea to say words like "raped" when you are replying to a post of a CEO of a major player in the ATV business. Now I know you meant well, and I am not trying to bad mouth you, just choose your words more carefully next time

Mr. Montgomery, First of all I want to say you have one excellent product, although I have never ridden a Cannondale quad, I have ridden a Cannondale Mountain bike and they are very well built, and lightweight competitive machines, so I'm sure the same goes for your Motorsports line-up. Like others have said, it is great that you take time to see what the consumer wants, instead of the old &quot;give <u>THEM</u> what <u>WE</u> like and what sells&quot;. You have taken a big risk venturing into this market, and if you ask me have succeeded and will continue to grow in this market. One last thing, you might have read a post which I started entitled something like &quot;how long will Cannondale last in this market&quot;. I just wanted other peoples opinions on what they think will happen to Cannondale in the near future, especially with people waiting for a quad that you already make, just under a different name. Thank you for listening to everyone on the forums and I am sure I speak for everyone when I say, Thank you!

 

Mr. Montgomery, the one thing i would like to ask you is. when are you going to start a few distributorships or dealerships in canada. i have talked to all the local dealers and they said they have been in touch and have inquired, but know one has ever return their call. i thought this was a bit funny, so i tried it my self. i had emailed cary and asked what was involved in setting up a dealership or distributorship. i got a reply saying that they would pass it on to their finance people. that was the last i ever heard from you guys.

not that i am upset about this as i am only one guy, not expecting you to offer me anything like a distributorship, but the local dealers sell all the other big names.

the point i am getting at is this, i would like to buy a cannondale but am not willing to drive 9 hours to buy one or even get it serviced.

sincerely

Patrick Pringle

 

Mr. Montgomery,

I'd like to thank you once again for participating in this forum. I have been riding ATV's for almost 20 years. Currently I ride my trusty 86ATC250R. When the time comes to move to a 4Wheeler I will choose a Cannondale. With that said I would like to ask you If and How Cannondale is working to keep OHV areas open to the public. I'm a California resident and have witnessed the effects of environmental groups on our OHV areas. Building great ATV's is good but helping to protect our right to ride should be a priority of any Off Highway Vehicle manufacture.

Thanks, Woodo (Orange County CA)

 

Mr. Montogomery,

I have about 50 questions for you are you ready? Just kidding, arent you glad you made the post? Thanks for the update on things and showing that you care about our opinions.

 

Scott,
I want to make you aware of one of your fellow Cannondale employees that has gone above and beyond in my book. He actually strengthened my belief in what I have read about Cannondale, the motorsports division more directly. His name is John Verhaagh, and he is some sort of &quot;higher up&quot; in the Northwest Region. I basically had a very bad experience with the local Polaris/Cannondale dealer and was surprised to have John call me at home, ask for my feedback, etc. He has done more for the Cannondale name in 4 phone calls than the local dealer will ever do in my opinion. I will never buy from this local dealer, ended up ordering my new Speed through a great dealer in Iowa. Sorry for the long post, just wanted to give John a pat on the back...you can give him a raise after you get my check for the Speed.....: ) Jim French, Anchorage, Alaska.......

 

Mr. Montgomery,

Thank you for joining our forum. I purchased the eighth quad off of your line, sight unseen. I have never been so pleased with a product and it's support. ATVing is my life and when something so uniquely satisfying comes along it makes one glad he is in the sport he's in. Perfect? No. Inspiring? Hell yes. My money's waiting. What do you have next?