I noticed on these boards that everyone is always slamming other quads. I'd like to do the opposite.
Let me start of by saying I own a 2000 DS650, which I love. However I think Cannondale is currently the big dog when it comes to the sport ATV's. During the last test that one of those ATV magazines did the Cannondale was by far the best quad of the bunch and should have won.
Here are the reasons I chose the DS over the Cannondale.

I'm 6'1 220. The Bomb was made for big guys

The Bomb seemed to be a little more reliable than the Cannondale. I love the Rotex motor.


Having said that,in the future if Bombardier doesn't make a lighter quad might think about the Cannondale. Anyway you guys should feel lucky that you have one of the best quads ever built.

 

You are correct, too many people often bash other brands. All quads have their good points and all quads have bad points, some more than others. All us C'dale owners took a gamble when we bought ours. I'm on my second C'dale, it was alot of money to spend on something that was not proven. The one huge thing C'dale has going for it is they are 100% behind the product and it appears they want to do whatever it takes to keep their customers happy. You can't ask for much more than that.

 

cdales don't get nearly the credit they deserve.

 

Yea, they do actually. Every time someone says something bad about C-Dale, they are actually giving them credit because they are jealous of the quad. Why do you think nobody but a Cannondale owner(or want to be owner[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/img]) talks good about them, because the people on Rap. Ban. DS. and EX's are all afraid that if too many people get these machines, they're going to have to try and sell there quad just to get up to date.

 

I think both quads are excelent quads. If you own one and take care of it the quad will last a lifetime. C-dale does get bashed on alot. I am guilty of that. I used to think they were unreliable but they fixed all of their problems. Now they are awsome machines. Me personaly I have no clue which one I would buy. It would be a toss up. Buzzdem I think you were right for choosing the Bomd cause you are tall. Oh and I think you spell it Rotax.

 

I love the C-Dales and I am a Raptor owner, but by this time next year I won't be [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] So I guess that makes me a wanna be C-Dale owner also. I chose the Raptor because I wanted to see the C-Dales get a little more time in and prove themselves a little bit more, but I have seen enough to know that either the Speed or Blaze will be my next ride. It all comes down to finances next spring.

 

any time you get to ride is better than working,period.
i dont think it matters if you built it of leftover parts or if its the latest and greatest thing out there
just a short 4 years ago we didnt even have the 400ex,ds650,cannondale and who knows whats coming...

 

One of the things Cannondale should do to answer alot of the reliability questions is:

1. Show how many hours a frame was fatigued before failure.
2. Show how many hours a motor was run at full trottle without failure.
3. Explain the Welding and heattreating process so everyday joe's could get an idea of whats involved.
4. Explain what went into the design and manufacturing of the componets.

All of the reliability testing I'm sure they did and could set up on their web site. This would help settle any of those questions.

Later

Smitty

 

yea Smitty that would be great. But you don't see any other OEM's putting out that info. Even if they did the doubters wouldn't believe the numbers anyway. The reliability question is valid on any new vehicle, by any manufacturer. Even more with a company new to motorsports. Some people are early adopters of new technology and sometimes pay a price for that. Most people have to see the proof first. Can't blame 'em. I just couldn't wait for Honda any longer.

 

im 6'3" 200lbs and i ride a honda 250R. i dont think its too small at all. i feel very comfortable with it and all i have on it to accomidate my height is a +1 steering stem and weight is never a problem when you got any brand of performance shock. i think you guys who think you too big for a bike should try it out before yousay your too big.