ATVSport says production starts in NOV.

 

I am not sure I agree with all the comments about the Cannondale quad not being a good bet or that Cannondale needs to improve the motor first. I read several reviews of the Cannondale bike and the editors did find several areas that the Cannondale lacks compared to the competition. But, the motocross bike has numerous production 250cc 2 strokes and several big 4 strokes to compete against. These motocross bikes get the latest technology added each year to make the bikes the best they can be. Now, back to the Cannondale quad - what production hi-performance quad do we have to compare it to? I would say none, some may argue about the Raptor, but it weighs too much, is top heavy, narrow, and wasn't designed to race. The 400EX is another trail quad that can be turned into a good racer, but only after several thousand dollars spent on the motor and chassis. The only true comparison is the venerable 250R which of course hasn't been produced for 11 years! The engine in the Cannondale 400FX is borrowed directly from the engine they are using in the motocross bike. The 400EX uses a trail bike motor and Yamaha was afraid to develop a quad using the YZ426F motor. So even though the dirt bike mags can find fault with the new effort from Cannondale, I still consider it a revolution in the ATV world. I have yet to even lay eyes on one other than in pictures, but I will be the first one in line when they are available.

 

If they use the engine that's in the MX400...watch out!!! I wouldn't buy a bike who's engine dies if you open the throttle to fast...I won't repeat myself about all the monstruous (almost looks like a parody of a sucking company that wants to be the best) errors the 400MX has. Go see "I won't be waiting for the cannondale quad" in the yamaha forum. What I posted is a shorter version of a mag test. When you see those things, man am I scared!!!
If they have the whole injection resetted (which is beeing done at the moment), then I may look at it.
What's the deal "it's the only sport ATV"...if it sucks, it sucks, and that's it.
I must admit though that if cannondale gets that injection to work properly, I could be a good machine, there will probably be errors...and there's one I already think of. The engine is the wrong way, with exhaust behind and intake in front. Right? Then how will they have a minimum torque with such a short pipe??? I also hope the battery will be stronger than the 400MX's.
I'm just hoping cannondale will jump back in the right trail, but I'm afraid it will be real tough!

BTW. Cannondale is a specialist of delayed productions...so, you might know it's on sale the day it's at your dealer.