man the z400 is slow
May 25, 2002 | 07:36 PM
#34
Pro Rider
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,407
Likes: 0
Copguy,
Displacement is not the only factor in power. I have seen small block Fords take Big block.
I wish everyone would think about the TOTAL PACKAGE, motor, gearing, suspension setup, tires, RIDER, these have huge effects on a race. The only thing displacment give you is potenial.
In quad terms my Cannondale 432cc can beat the Raptor 558cc (Not sure of actual displacement) no mods to no mods.
Now lets talk about upgrades, Raptor first, airbox, pipe, cams, carbs, head work, High Comp piston, on and on. That is the one TOTAL PACKAEGE.
My Cannondale Pipe, remap, That's my TOTAL PACKAGE.
Will my speed win? don't know, I've run against Raptors, DS, Banshees, 400EX, I win some I lose some.
Smitty
Displacement is not the only factor in power. I have seen small block Fords take Big block.
I wish everyone would think about the TOTAL PACKAGE, motor, gearing, suspension setup, tires, RIDER, these have huge effects on a race. The only thing displacment give you is potenial.
In quad terms my Cannondale 432cc can beat the Raptor 558cc (Not sure of actual displacement) no mods to no mods.
Now lets talk about upgrades, Raptor first, airbox, pipe, cams, carbs, head work, High Comp piston, on and on. That is the one TOTAL PACKAEGE.
My Cannondale Pipe, remap, That's my TOTAL PACKAGE.
Will my speed win? don't know, I've run against Raptors, DS, Banshees, 400EX, I win some I lose some.
Smitty
May 25, 2002 | 11:37 PM
#38
Pro Rider
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 783
Likes: 0
Honest opinion from someone who owns a Raptor and 2 400exs...
I just rode 2 Cannondale Speeds (different tire sizes) today at a demo day at a motocross track in PA. It is hard for me to remember what a stock Raptor felt like but I would say the Cannondale would beat it in a drag if you shifted properly. You really have to push the Cannondale hard before shifting. It almost has a flat spot that makes you think you should shift when you shouldn't.
On the flip side, I don't care about stock as much as I do about $$$. If you spend the difference in price between a Raptor and the Speed on a GYTR tip, jet kit, open the airbox, and properly jet it, the Raptor will take it in a drag in any condition without a doubt. For me, a timed drag with the same rider is how to make the comparison so you remove one variable.
On the MX track, it is a different story. I have sunk quite a bit into the Raptor's suspension with Elka triple rates front and rear with sag feature plus running Maxxis 20" tires up front (makes a huge handling improvement in my opinion) and 20" Holeshots in the rear. Without a doubt, the stock Speed will out handle my Raptor on an MX track and I have many more $$$ sunk into it than a Speed owner would. My Raptor sits pretty low to the ground too. You would think after 1+ years on the Raptor that I would be more comfortable but that isn't the case. I was running faster lap times on the Speed after only about 10 minutes practice.
If I were looking for a good drag machine, I wouldn't buy a Cannondale even if it could beat a stock Banshee, z400, or Raptor. These bikes are easily modified where the Cannondale would take some effort especially with the ignition mapping. Not impossible but definitely harder.
If trail riding and/or MX riding are your style then I definitely recommend taking a close look at the Cannondale. I plan to ride one again soon and make a final decision on my next purchase. A new z400, Speed, Blaze, or 250r is in the near future. I wanted to see some z400 in action but there was only one there and the guy was going really slow.
/NotuRaptor
I just rode 2 Cannondale Speeds (different tire sizes) today at a demo day at a motocross track in PA. It is hard for me to remember what a stock Raptor felt like but I would say the Cannondale would beat it in a drag if you shifted properly. You really have to push the Cannondale hard before shifting. It almost has a flat spot that makes you think you should shift when you shouldn't.
On the flip side, I don't care about stock as much as I do about $$$. If you spend the difference in price between a Raptor and the Speed on a GYTR tip, jet kit, open the airbox, and properly jet it, the Raptor will take it in a drag in any condition without a doubt. For me, a timed drag with the same rider is how to make the comparison so you remove one variable.
On the MX track, it is a different story. I have sunk quite a bit into the Raptor's suspension with Elka triple rates front and rear with sag feature plus running Maxxis 20" tires up front (makes a huge handling improvement in my opinion) and 20" Holeshots in the rear. Without a doubt, the stock Speed will out handle my Raptor on an MX track and I have many more $$$ sunk into it than a Speed owner would. My Raptor sits pretty low to the ground too. You would think after 1+ years on the Raptor that I would be more comfortable but that isn't the case. I was running faster lap times on the Speed after only about 10 minutes practice.
If I were looking for a good drag machine, I wouldn't buy a Cannondale even if it could beat a stock Banshee, z400, or Raptor. These bikes are easily modified where the Cannondale would take some effort especially with the ignition mapping. Not impossible but definitely harder.
If trail riding and/or MX riding are your style then I definitely recommend taking a close look at the Cannondale. I plan to ride one again soon and make a final decision on my next purchase. A new z400, Speed, Blaze, or 250r is in the near future. I wanted to see some z400 in action but there was only one there and the guy was going really slow.
/NotuRaptor
