Does anyone know if Yamaha plans to produce one of these, or a YZ 400 based quad in 2001? I am very interested in either one of these or a new Kawasaki KX250 quad for racing next year, but have heard that Kawasaki has no intention of producing theirs. How about Yamaha?

 

I would bet my last donut that they will. Otherwise Cannondale will jump out to a huge lead. The Japanese know especially well...it is much tougher and much more expensive to win back market share than to grab it and keep it from the beginning. Let the fight begin.

 

Where did you hear that Kawi won't be producing their 250? I was hoping to get this quad when it was available.

If I can't get the Kawi, I might have to get the 4-stroke 400/426 then I guess I better hang on to my Banshee then for that 2-stroke excitement.

87 Banshee
99 Banshee

 

Hear-say is it will be the YZ400 instead. I have heard many things about the Kawi, but I still think it's coming, even though we have been left wishing about many other sport quads.

My opinion is that they both may have to go back to the drawing board. I think the Cannondale is going to be faster anyway. (EFI 400cc, reversed piston, rumored 50 HP at the wheels, 350 LBS...hard to compete with) And don't forget the Gas-Gas 300 2-stroke.

I'll giv'em a run for their money, and if I lose..new quad 4 me. lol!!!

 

I actually read that on this site under the Kawasaki forum.

 

I heard the Cannondale is actually 432cc and may possibly be bumped up to 460cc, not 400cc and as of right now it is tuned to about 40hp. The release date was said to be Fall 2001.

 

I would be reluctant to buy a machine from a new manufacturer such as Cannondale. This is a new motor, so it is therefore untested in the real world, and who knows how long they have tested it. Their dirtbike is delayed for unknown reasons, so I personally wait for some time before buying a Cannondale...

I think it is awesome that the high performance sport quad scene is opening up. I missed the first go around, I wont be missing this one!

RoostKing 99 Banshee. Stock for now...

 

Check out the news about Yamaha's new quad on the ATV Connection main page; not a whole lot of info, but states that it "will not" be based on the YZ426F engine.

 

Just a quick question...sorry I couldnt resist...
Duster why would anyone put a torque stuffer in a engine that modified???

 

I don't really see how it could be much else than a 400 based quad. I don't think they'd manufacture a special engine for it when they have so much already. And on top of that, the yz is what everyone seems to want. I don't see Yamaha selling something to a small, specific sect of consumers like the DS650 will do. I hope it is. They said it wasn't gonna be a 426, but they still make the WR400F also. I guess we'll see.

Later,

jason