ok i got a question that has been bugging me for a while so i want some input from you guys

first i am comparing race quads only. as most here know my son races a moto 440 and the complaint i hear most from other racers about the moto is the cost, not realiabilty or of some of the other complaints you see here on the forum. it is always that they cost too much.

so i talked tonight to two guys we race with. one rides a 440 ex honda with almost every aftermarket part you can buy and the other rides the yz 426 framed quad i have spoken about before. i asked both how much money they have tied up in their quads. answers

440 ex $ 17,000
yz 426 about $ 20,000
so i dont understand how people can say the moto cost too much. for $ 12,500 you get a quad you can take home and put numbers on and go race and be competitive with these quads that cost thousands more
plus you have a warranty and a company
that is bending over backwards to please its customers. i just dont understand this. can someone enlighten me on this.

 

Not to start a bash here(not me lol) I have seen that those 17k to 20k quads are over inflated. Aftermarket shop will deal on quads. I rode a lonestarCRF450 yesterday that had everything 1st rate on it for around the price of a moto. This quad was better equipted than a moto. Now i read that this same quad is 17k -20k and the parts are the same?? WTF It still comes down to what you like. Cannondale has done great things in a short time. The only thing that i would like to see is the Custom Ordered Moto for 12.5k On that one you pick the shocks, wheels, tires and x amount of options.

Bottom line- I would like to see the actual check that was written by a indivigiial for 20k. Not saying people do not have the money, just do not think that they are paying that much. I would think 10-13k is the average price for the majority out there. That is where cannon thanks it is. After reading this i have confused myself to some extent. Bottom line- for 12.5 you can build a quad as good as cannon, but it TAKES MORE EFFORT AND SWEAT.

 

When discussing topics like this the only way to keep a level playing field is to deal with MSRP's. You might be able to get a smokin' deal on parts because of some relationship with a parts supplier but I might buy that exact same part and have to pay retail for it. We all don't get the same discounts. No offense to anyone but the only Lonestar product I'd own is their axles and definitely not their frames, swingarms or a-arms.

Go to Roll Design's website and check prices there. Their full Lobo chassis is $11,995. Right there you've nearly reached the entire cost of a Moto. In addition to that Lobo chassis you've still got to buy an engine and all related parts, an axle, front spindles, rear hubs, 4 rims and tires, plastic and some other odds and ends. Look at the CRF engine from servicehonda-$3200 and that doesn't include any of the wiring, carb, CDI, etc.

Lobo chassis= $11,995
CRF engine= $3200
Carb, boots, CDI, wiring= $1200+
Exhaust= ?
RPM axle= $375
Hubs= ?
Rims and tires= ?

You see where I'm going. It's very easy to chock up $20,000 in a full blown race quad.

 

lone star frame $2300
lonestar swingarm $650
lonestar a-arms $750
lone star axle $388
lonestar steering srem $270
lonestar axle carrier $200
LONE STAR FRONT HUBS $300
LONESTAR REAR HUBS $150
FULL BORE PLASTIC $500
RACE BEAD LOCK WHEELS AND TIRES $1200
SHOCKS $2100
BUMPERS AND NERF BARS $325
HANDLE BARS $160
CLUTCH PERCH $35
MASTER CYCLINDER $150
BRAKE LINES $150
CALIPERS $550
ROTORS $300
CHAIN AND SPROCKETS $130

TOTAL FROM ABOVE $11,000
SO FOR $11, OOO YOU CAN PUSH YOUR CUSTOM QUAD AROUND THE YARD.LOL I THINK THE UP FRONT IN YOUR FACE $12, 500 SCARES PEOPLE. IT'S EASIER TO BUY A CHEAPER QUAD AND BUILD ON IT FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

SEAT ????
RADIATOR ????
MOTOR ????
PIPE ???
CARB ????
ELECTRONICS ????
[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

i think the all at once 12,500 is the main problem too. most guys will buy a quad for 4000 or 5000 and add a little at a time. i bet some people dont even realize what they have invested in their quad. i know i sat down and figured up what we had in josh's blaster and it really suprised me. thats when i quickly figured out we were wasting our time building it. it would never be competetive with the dales, ex's and r's so we sold it.i did not intend to start a flame here, just didnt see how a moto was to much when serious racers have as much or more in their custom built quads.

 

I think its just the 12000 up front. I would love to have a moto but its just easier for a person like me to build on a quad over time. Im 17 so i dont exactly have anyway of coming up with $12000. 3500 for my ex was hard enough. In a few years, i plan on buying a speed and putting the moto parts over time. I know what you mean about the blaster, i had over $2000 in mine and i didnt even have anything major done to it. That was over a period of 3 years. I dont think the 12000 is too much for the moto. I definetly think it is well worth it, its just that most people cant see spending 12000 on a quad up front. I think if they made it customizable, it would be a lot more popular than it already is. I cant wait to get s c-dale. I was going to build up my 400 but now im just saving for a speed. Later, Anthony

 

I agree with the up-front cost as well. As I see it though, most dealers aren't trying to encourage people to buy the Motos or Blazes anyway. When I ask them about them, they say they are too expensive to have on the floor. IMO, I would FIND a way to buy one if it was sitting there staring at me everytime I went to the dealer! They also need to get some financing. It is a lot easier to stomach $200+ a month, than $12,500 up front. I'll bet most people are paying more than $200 a month for there race quads if they added up the quad payment plus the credit cards!

 

According to our local dealer Cannondale will stand behind the moto and blaze but you don't have an actual warranty because it's a race bike. 2 stroke dirtbikes 125/250 don't come with warranties either because they are considered race bikes. At least where I live that's the deal.

 

airtimehocutt,
Did you include the engine cost? Unless I'm blind I don't see it in your list.

 

airtimehocutt,
Sorry man I see it now it's not in the list it's in the sentence after. So I'm an idiot what do you want from me?