I really don't like these types of topics, but here it goes. Talked to two guys who demo rode the cannondale, the one guys response was that it's faster than a Raptor he just jetted (think he wrenches for the dealer). He did not go into details on the Raptor ie. pipe or whatever. Any help with this.........I almost bought one before the chapter 11 deal and would like to see an American company make it in this industry. But I have a hard time believing the Cannon is faster than the dinosaur.

 

This depends on which cdale was ridden. Cannibals are somewhat faster than a stock raptor. The speed, glamis, blaze and moto are all progressively faster than both the cannibal and raptor. Most cdale owners get a higher efi mapping from the dealership before they even pick up their quads, so that makes them faster.

 

Unless the cannondale is free, i would pass. I think stock a cannon is faster than a stock raptor. piped the raptor and say goodbye to the dale.

 

but... pipe the raptor and pipe the dale and who wins? I dragged a dale that had exhaust after i had my exhaust. We went back and forth at who won. I got sick of my raptor breaking, and flipping because of the horrible weight balancing in the raptor. I would go cannondale, but them going out of business kind of sucks. Oh yeah, jetting a raptor blows. EFI would be so nice. I hope honda's new quad will be EFI.

 

We should be looking at the Gas Gas 450 4 stroke. Claimed rw hp of 45+ stock, with upgraded fuel mapping optional. Price will be about the same as a cdale, at about 8200 msrp. One would hope that the next gen Yamaha or Honda 450 would be EFI, but I dont think we'll see that, at least any time soon. Im sure there are too many companies who would like to keep making money on jets and carbs[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

The same people also told me Bombardier bought Cdale.

 

Im pretty sure no one bought c-dale, I believe no one made the min bid on the 22nd. So they are jsut going to sell off all the stuff. Thats the news on the cannondale forums anyways.

 

After riding the C-dale Speed at the dunes last summer... I'd definately go for the Raptor... but that is for dune riding.. I have no opinion for other types of riding... but the C-dale needed a bunch of setup changes to even make it rideable. Great suspension however, and very shiney price tag too...

It would make me nervous not knowing if I could get parts or not..

Just my $.02

 

Buying a Dale without even possibly getting support or parts? Are you looking for punishment or have something against yourself?

 

My brother and I were throughly spanked by a C-Dale up Utah's Sand Mtn 18 months ago on our fully piped and jetted Raptors. We were in disbelief... Boths quads have crappy front suspension. One to hard and the other to soft. The Dale has Superior rear suspension and handleing.. Parts for Dales is a big question right now..