How much up keep is required to keep them in good shape im looking at the ds 650 and the 660 raptor canondale. How much maintence is needed and is it hard and what are the weak spots of the canondale like tie rod ends bearings. I hear you have to re torque stuff what do you have to re torque and is it hard. Thanks for reading

 

<< How much up keep is required to keep them in good shape im looking at the ds 650 and the 660 raptor canondale. How much maintence is needed and is it hard and what are the weak spots of the canondale like tie rod ends bearings. I hear you have to re torque stuff what do you have to re torque and is it hard. Thanks for reading >>



Best bet would be to go to: http://www.cannondale.com/motorsport...51-6001025.pdf

that gives you the maintence schedule. It's more time consuming than a regular 4 stroke, but it's a performance machine. The only thing I've found is the tie-rod ends are exposed and require grease after every ride. Ricky Stator is making tie-rod ends right now. Should be selling them by the end of the month or so. And my steering stem came loose on me. Oh, and the ITP stock rims do not take too much of a beating. They ding up very easy. I've since welded in aluminum rings, and it's solved the problem.

I'd rule out a DS if I where you. They're too wide to do any serious trail riding on. If your going to do fast trail riding on established trails...then I'd go with the Cannondale. If your looking to ride on fresh trails, then the Raptor would make more sense. With reverse and ease of riding, the Raptor would have an advantage. But flat out weaving through trees, jumping, skipping over obstacles, and riding wheelies....you can't beat the Cannondale. It's a fun machine to own.

 

I can tell you that it's a heck of a lot less maintenance than my race modified 400EX...

However, it's going to take a little more than a stock 400EX. Nothing major though.

It really amounts to things like air filter and oil changes taking a tad bit longer - but nothing excessive. The machine was designed with a lot fewer compromises than what the 400EX or Raptor has, and for this you pay a small price in the time it takes to do some tasks - but again, it's not as bad as some make it out to be...

Make your decision more on what your intended use is -- and if it's important to you to support a company that's American, involved in the sport of ATVing, and that's providing a product several levels above the competition.

 

I too was a little worried about the maintance but its not all that bad. Just takes a little longer

 

It's kind of like a high mantainance girlfriend! She will treat you right if you show some special attention to her. If you don't give her some TLC she will cause you problems....