I have noticed a shocking similarity between cannondales and the imfamous Delorean . Both were using new technology such as electrinoc fuel injection , exotic chassis materials, they had a distictive look, people gather around them wherever they are,thought to be over priced , had lots of problems and recalls the first year and the magazines just ripped them for it.serious managment problems, and one heck of a lot of owners who loved them any way. Even if they are not made anymore lets hope the future will be as bright as the delorean. You can still get almost every factory part for them except the main frame and now the market for used and restored ones is booming.I test drove one that was restored with over 200,000 miles on it and it was a remarkable experience. I hate to see people talking trash about such a unique peice of machinery. I thought dales were a joke until I looked at all the neat features and care that went into the design . I was dead set on getting a raptor until my dealer had both of them sitting side by side and then the test ride sold me on the dale.By the way the raptor and the speed were the same price. $6,500. I have hundreds of miles on my dale now and cant figure out why it hasnt broken down each and every time I ride it like the bashers all said it would. From the looks of it the parts issue for the engine is being addressed by the aftermarket . Im sure problems will eventually arise as it seems every new quad design has like the z400 raptors gas gas v force have all have had their share of problems but like all of us atv owners we will work through them with or without factory support which is what these forums are all about.

 

Good post Wistech!!! :0 [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Those quads were definately leading edge which should be pushing the Japanese makers into getting with the times. From the sound of your post it seems like whoever purchased the company is not going to continue making them.

 

I hope you dont think I know something about the bankrupcy because I dont . Unless its a pegasus press release dont beleve any rumors you hear on these forums about what the latest info is . I was just trying to say that I am going to keep my dale no matter what happens . If I cant get a part from the after market ,salvage yards ,ebay or the new owner then I have the capability to custom make certain engine parts to keep this legend alive . For a price anything can be made. I have found that many engine parts like the tranny gears and clutches,camshafts,and pistons, have become available through the aftermarket and the complete fuel injection is totally available from optimum so I dont see why everybody is worried that they will be out in the cold if some little thing wears out on their quad. I wonder what the guy who paid $28,000 for a delorean and sold it one month later for $10,000 because he was in fear he couldnt get parts for it would say right now when a fully restored one goes for over $50,000. I dont know the future but I will have to deal with it and I will. Now where are my riding boots.

 

I'm keeping mine! Gonna make her my trailer queen for special occasions maybe. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] I like the idea of it being worth something someday 15-20 years from now. I got 250! near trouble free hours out of my red FX400 and fell in love. Now that I've got her ALL reconditioned and rippin again, I'm going to keep her that way. It's good to have a backup bike [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] The trouble is I don't want to ride anything else. c'mon Honda! I don't think the 'dale will be made again, but as you say wistech, for a price anything can be made, and that price will probably get real high on cranks and cartridge plates. Parts are available.

Cannondale has surely left a mark on the ATV world. From OEM race support, to fuel injection, to openly sharing of technical data with owners, to an aluminum frame that has proved itself unmatched, Cannondale broke new ground and the big oems are already stepping up! They should have modeled their warranty after yamaha's though. The company would be well in the black selling us parts to fix their mistakes. LOL

 

I agree Ryan, the Cannondale set the bar way higher for other quad manufacturuers to achieve. I think its going to be at least a few years before they do, or longer.. Too bad too!

 

Yeah I can see the similarities but what if it hits 88mph, will it take me back in time?

 

That a good one. To go back in time just jump on the competition. I wonder how many years it will be before we are having to listen to or kids asking what it was like to ride a wheeler made of metal not composite and running a gasoline engine instead of fuel cell power. That change has already started in the automotive industry. Try to find a racing bycycle made of steel . Heck even alluminum alloy bikes are switching over to carbon fiber and titanium. I bet there will be chat rooms where people are arguing over whether battery power or fuell cell power is better just like 2 strokes and 4 strokes are now. One thing is certain , change is a comin whether we like it or not. Ride the wave or suck the wake. Cannondale just gave us a sample of the future and will always be the first in history with a factory fuel injected alloy framed quad. Too bad it didnt work out.

 

Jay Leno is a collector. What would he rather have a 250r, 84 Quadsport, a Crankenstein quad, Predator, or a truly unique design a Cannondale??? I'd say he'd take the first aluminum framed, EFI, reversed cylinder, computerized quad.. Suzuki started the Quads and Cannondale broke the mold. A Dale will be worth alot 20 yrs from now, because it is the only American quad ever made..