Hey. I currently have a Polaris ScramblerX400. I am satisfied with that machine but the wife is giving it the eye. Soooo, that leaves me looking for ANOTHER ride. I like the looks and preformance reviews of the Cannibal and the Speed. I do a lot of trail riding, hill climbing and drag racing with my buddies. Also, I like to do "casual" trail riding with my Dad. I'm not a MotoCross racer. I like a versitale machine. So my request is to have input from actual Cannibal and Speed owners if these machines would be a fit for me. As a matter of fact, any input from anyone would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks.
Scott

 

I have a Cannibal, they have awesome performance, the engine pulls extremely hard. Cannondale has exceptional customer service, they really stand behind their product. You'll be very happy with a C'dale, whether it's the Cannibal or Speed.

 

They're great quads. Excellent power, good balance, and yes...GREAT customer service. I do not have a bad thing to say about them.

Now, how are you with maintence on the quads? This thing requires "special attention". It's nothing that's hard, just time consumping. The oil changes are alittle more difficult (drain both frame rails, engine case, and clean/replace filter) It has a seperate bay for the tranny fluid.(drain engine case, clean filter) You need to remove the front plastic to clean the air filter. Change the fuel filter every 10hrs. And all the plastic, gas tank, and 2 cross-member bars have to be removed to change a spark plug. And you will eventually have to change it more than likely. You can not touch the gas when you start the quad. Someone will end up doing this to you...
Go to the Cannondale website and read the maintence schedule for the quads. It explains alot in there. The whole thing is online.

Just some of the other 4 strokes out there are more of a ride,ride,ride machine without spending too much time wrenching. I for one, like to spend an evening in the garage, so it does not bother me at all. Just something to consider. The engine was built for racing, it's def. not a de-tuned bike engine that alot of the other quads have.

I do not regret selling my 400ex for a C-dale.

 

I was riding a HPD modded Scrambler 500 when I got my Speed. I always thought my Scrambler performed well, but the difference in the Speed is incredible. Not only is the acceleration much better, the handling difference is like night and day. The Scrambler now feels like a tank everytime I get on it ( which is rare ). As long as you can live without reverse and don't mind a little extra maintenance you will love the Cannondale.

 

I have a Speed, and can't say anything bad about it. JCV400ex is right about the extra "special attention" that it needs compare to other 4-strokes. This is no big deal to me because I race GNCC's so it standard maintance for me. But for someone that is a non-racer it might be an added hassle that may or may not be worth it. But the performance and handling is leaps and bounds ahead of the rest. If your looking for somthing with reverse I would get the new suzuki 400 or the 300ex. The 400ex has a made a huge mark in the 4-stroke class too. One other animal that no to many people know about is the new Gas Gas quads that are supposed to be here in a couple of months. Check out the sport forum on the details of these machines.

 

my wife has a scrambler 400/everytime i ride it it feels like im riding a brick with tires on it but...my wife loves it..oh well...to each his own
that being said the cannondales are a different breed all together
lightweight,tossable,jumpable
as for the maintenence issue...i have first hand knowledge of wrenching on a scrambler and the cannondale is MUCH more user friendly...trust me on this one
i hope you like to go fast cause your gonna!
enjoy!

 

It sounds like I do alot of the same kind of riding and the c-dale is the only real choice. I got my cannibal about 4 weeks ago. I love it. I do a lot of woods riding and the power in 1st and 2nd is awesome for that kind of riding. IF you can get a cannibal with ohlins shocks, the only different between this particular cannibal is tag two handlebars and 11600 rev limiter I think. The better but is the cannibal with ohlins shocks. The suspension is awesome and it feels very comfortable to ride at any speed.

 

Thank you for answering my forum posting. The kind of riding you are describing is the riding I do 90% of the time. Sounds like the C-dale will be exactly what I'm looking for. As for the special maintenance that a C-dale requires, not a problem for me. I enjoy working on my ride, whether it's changing the oil or replacing or rebuilding any of its components. My first quad was an 91 LT250R Quad Racer. I rebuilt everything on it possible. The machining work I have to have done, don't have the tools for those kinds of fixes. But I can take em apart and put em back together. Sure, there may be a few pieces left over but it still runs. hahahaha. By the way, what are some of the base prices paid for the Cannibal? I know it lists for $6999. Thanks for the response!!!

Scott

 

You answered one of the most important issues when deciding which quad to buy; Customer Service. I'm the same guy that posted the hard-to-steer problem on the Honda Rubicon. (Which, by the way, I have fixed--thanks to this forum.) When I had asked the dealer about the steering on the Rubicon, he said, "Oh, Rubicons are just tough to steer. It's NORMAL". This sounded a little too pat of an answer to me. And with the responses I got on the forum, I realized that the dealer was full of crap, to put it mildly. He got my money and he did not want to waste his time with me. Stupid move. The next time that I purchase a 4 wheeler, I can assure you that it will not be from that dealer.


Thanks.

Scott

 

Thanks for the response to my post. I will be sure to pay extra close attention to each of the items you described. If I have more questions, I know where to find the answers!!!

Thanks

Scott