Here's a question for anyone who has raced their C'dale in a harescrambles or GNCC race. How was your start? I have been dead last in my first two starts. All the 400EX's, Warriors, and kick-start quads have been able to start faster than me. It takes a lot longer to start the C'dale than any of the other bikes. I've tried starting in gear and in neutral, and although it seems a little quicker in neutral, it's still slower than everyone else. How have you other racers fared? Does anyone have any tips to get the bike to start faster? Thanks.

-Dave

 

I dont have a cdale but was thinking a more powerful battery might help if one is available.. get it to turn over quicker.

 

I usually leave mine running for a while before the start 30 mins plus...Make sure it is hot not just warmed up. Start in Nuetral, because it is easier it seems...It usually fires right up on a tap of the button. The couple of races I have been in it started quick and I was up towards the front in no time.

 

Yeah, Cannondale knows this is a concern. They're giving out 2 batteries now with the sale of a Blaze.

 

Why does the Blaze need 2 batteries? Charging system not keep the battery charged enough for fast cranking action?

 

I was at the Plant City, FL hare scramble about 3 weeks ago and a guy on a Blaze didn't even leave the line until everyone else was already through the first turn (about 100 yards away!). However, he went on to win and even passed the 2 stroke A class riders that started a few minutes ahead of him! Maybe Cannondale is handicapping themselves because the bikes are so fast...

 

Dave,

I know exactly how you feel. I have been the last one to leave the line many times. I always hook up the battery tender the night before the race and as stated above let the quad warm up as long as you can. I have found that if you rev the quad and shut it down before it idles down the whole way it will leave enough gas in the chamber and help start quicker at least it worked for me. My new Speed has all the latest updates and it always starts easy but the older ones I have raced had to crank more before starting.

I was looking into the set up that the guys on the Nacs/Cannondale team have; it is adding another battery and supplying 24 volts to the starter only. It is a complex set up so don't just hook up another battery in series to try this because you will be putting 24 volts to everything and fry the ECU.
Cannondale said they may offer this as a kit if there is a demand for it.

Good Luck,
Mike

 

Yeah, they aren't the best at getting off the line as fast as others, but if you put the engine in gear and rock it till the piston gets to the top[takes practice], it will start much faster. But still not as fast as a 400EX for instance.

 

They're giving you 2 batteries now for the extra juice. The engine has to turn at a pretty high rate of speed to fire up. That's what the guys where saying down at the factory anyway....Guy from Nac's and Terry Marcum where talking about it.

 

<< I was looking into the set up that the guys on the Nacs/Cannondale team have; it is adding another battery and >>

Hummmmm....I am sure the guys love the extra weight of another heavy battery. Thumbs down.