I just saw in ATV Connection a shoot out they did between the Honda EX and the Cannondale. To what purpose would this shoot out have? In the article they had to mod the Honda just to make it even and the Cannondale still killed it. Everyone knows that the Raptor can take the Honda straight out and that the shoot out between the Raptor and Cannondale was very close. I might be missing something here.

 

Do you mean 4-Wheel ATV Action magazine? Cause I didnt see any shoot out on the atv connection front page.

 

OOP's I'm sorry. You are right. I've been looking at too many magazines lately.

 

Plain and simple:
A shootout comparing a stock 400EX to a stock Cannondale seems like comparing apples to oranges, to you and me (the consumers). But the real purpose of this shootout is to send a message--to Honda in this case: To build a stock hi-perf. ATV capable of going up against the Raptors, Cannondales and Bombardiers. (clearly a stock 400EX can't do this).


This 'ploy' didn't work all thru the 90's, due to the gov. restricting the manufacturers from pouring $$$ into R&D for new Sport ATVs--but it may be happening now. If Kawi and Suzi come out with their new sport 400+cc quads, Honda just may retort with something new.

Have to agree with you though, you need a baseline of what one stock quad can do against another...the mags shouldn't go modding one of the quads, and then call it a stock shootout.

Although, a modded 400EX can give a Raptor and probably a Cannondale a really good run for their money in drags, but on the trails however, a modded 400EX can keep up with and take these quads. This would make for a great shootout...modded 400EX's against these other quads...

 

Put simply the Cannondale is the new quad on the block so the magazines want to keep everyone happy that keeps buying the same stale magazines to read about the grandiose "shootouts" that they come up with. I didn't read the article but I'll bet they said the Cannondale was the most awesome machine with the highest quality innovations yet known to man. Of course it beats every other quad by at least 1.5 miles per hour. After people buy them then you'll find out the hard way what was wrong with it from the start. And to top it all off there will be no improvements to the current model for at least 10 years. Ask your self... have I ever seen a shootout when the new quad didn't stack up to the other models it was up against? my experience is... never not even once. Take your magazines and throw them in the trash and save your money for some decent aftermarket parts for your quad. we all know the manufacturer won't ever make any.

 

Holyman, good point because the only reason I typically buy them is for the adds and products. Kind of like a wish book. I actually didn't buy that one this time, I only thumbed through it while in line at the supermarket. After looking at it, it appeared to be the same as last months and it covered similar articles as Dirtwheels, ei. the new quads for Honda and Yamaha and the mini test which someone did last month.