MY SPEED, man does this thing rock. After I picked it up I just kept looking in my rear view mirror and grinnin ear to ear.

Since my dealer had already broke in my bike (weird I know, but they do it), I headed straight for the trails. This bike is very different from anything I have ever rode, I was used to my 400ex where you can lug it around in 2nd all day long, with the dale you are lucky to get out of first on tight trails. It just revs and revs and pulls and pulls. It will definitely take some getting used to but I think I am gonna be VERY happy.

I also did a little dragging with my buddy on his 416ex on the road. We had to do rolling starts cuz I couldn't keep the front down :-) Hard to pull in the clutch when your pinned back on your quad holding on for dear life... He would do very well in 1-3 gear but as soon as I hit 4 and 5th ....bye bye. I did hit the rev limiter in 5th and it acted like it still wanted to pull. 18" tire might help with this or gearing?

Another thing I noticed is I don't fell as cramped on my speed, I always felt I was a little big for my ex but my dale feels just right.

I also got the square silencer, looks a little weird but I will probably get a fmf in couple of months anyway. I also already bent the rim on a two hour ride, I wasn't even ridin in or by rocks..........oh well, might get omf rings or something.

Well thats my thoughts, going ridin again tomorrow if it don't rain.
-Josh

BTW, I got a new 5x8 trailer with used tires, T frame w/ tilt, mesh floor, 14" tires, for $485, best deal I found. Thanks for the advice on my other post about this.

 

Congrats Josh. They're pretty awesome, huh!!! I just love the way that thing takes off and all ya see is sky.

Try a few 2nd gear starts and that will help keep the front down. You're gonna be suprised at how fast you can get used to it. I'll tell you another secret if you like it now wait till it really breaks in. The shocks work better and the thing even gets quicker.

 

Welcome to the Cannondale family! I picked up my Speed almost a month ago and I don't miss my 400EX one bit. I have had a couple of 4 hour MX track sessions lately and this quad jumps like second nature. I thought my 400EX was sweet in the air, the Cannondale is just as predictable if not better. The power is incredible too, great quad..........JIM

 

congratulations Josh! I know what you mean, grinnin ear to ear! I feel the same way about my cannondale. good luck! ride safe!

 

dex, how big of a guy are u? I am looking at getting a cannondale speed once I sell my 400ex, and I was wondering how it compared to the 400 in size? I am 6ft. or so and 220 lbs. will it feel small? thanx for the input, jon has anybody had any dealings with the cannondale dealer at little sahara? are they a good dealership, and do they know what they are doing?

 

jon1,

I tip the scales at 230 and 6'. I feel great on my speed, traded my 400 for it. The feeling of size and weight are about the same, egos about the same, HP big differance.

Hope this helps.

Smitty

 

Jon,

Im 5'11 and 235 all suited up (damn football)... There is a noticable difference in the room you have on a speed, not that it is bigger, its just you feel like you have a little more room, not as cramped. Also another thing I notice is the speed is MUCH faster than the 400, but cuz it is still a 4 stroke it is very managable. Can't wait for the pipe and remap.

-Josh