Cannondale X440 vs CRF450

[mdecesari]

I was going to purchase a 03 CRF450 until I saw a 03 Cannondale X440 on my local dealers floor. Parts and pieces look good, Ohlin fork/shock, hyd clutch, stainless brake/clutch lines, fuel injection and electric start. I can't find a good review of the Cannondales enywhere. I have ridden a CRF450 and liked it. Anyone have experience with the Cannondales or an opinion. I will race some Vet beginner motocross and mostly fast trail rides in Arizona. I am an expert off-road racer and new to motocross.

Thanks

Mark

 

[fatty_k]

www.cannondaler.com is a cool site. I have only ridden a CRF, but from what Ive heard, the Dales are supposed to be pretty powerful. The only thing I can think of is the weight difference between the two. The CRF is about 20 lbs lighter then the Dale. But the e start is worth it IMO.

 

[woodsy]

IMHO, I would stay with Honda! My expereinces with NON MAIN STREAM bikes have not been real positive ones. For an example, I just parted company with a 2000 VOR 400MX that was one really cool bike. The problem was I couldnt get parts "on demand" for it. The guy that I got it from (thankfully I didnt have to eat full depreciation on it) lost the a major Harescramble event when he owned the bike because he had the same problem!! One of the really nice things about "main stream" bikes are the main stream shops that sellthem - THERE ARE LOTS OF THEM!! Once you buy a non mainstream you are at the dealerships mercy!
Not only that but the CRF is truely a magical machine!!!!!!!!!!
I want one of my own real bad :)))))))
Woodsy

 

[truespode]

Drop a PM to Bruce McCrarry and check out the Made in America forum.

Bruce owns a Cannondale and works at a dealer that sells Cannondale. He can help you out a little with some good info.

From what I have heard Cannondale has made an aggressive attempt to provide quality customer service. Some of the things I have heard have blown my mind in regards to how they treat the customer so well.

Try one. Don't worry about parts if you have a good dealer in your area and make a decision on how the bike fits your style of riding.

Ivan

 

[maui]

If your an off road expert then you should know better than to buy a cannondale. Try a crf, or yzf and you wont be sorry in a motocross race.Any bike that weighs 20 more pounds than these wont be competive especially when its down on power. There are no good reviews on cannondale because every other bike in the same class is better.

 

[Hawaii-Rider]

Both are great bikes....
You are spot on with the "standards" on the Dale...hyd clutch, Ohlins suspension, Talon hubs, ECU controls etc.
Some people like that kind of stuff, some dont. The computer control allows you to tune the power delivery to whatever you want...and if you dont like it, then change...bout 15 seconds to connect the ol laptop to it and a few keystrokes....
Parts are no issue, and part to part, cheaper than their "Mainstream" counterpart.

I have owned and raced just about every bike out there. IMO today, kind of hard to go wrong with any of the modern bikes, just kind of gets down to what fits you best and what allows you to go fastest. Add rider skill in that and well, anything can win, or put smiles on your face. ;)
My smiles are larger and last longer on the Dale than any bike I have ever owned, period. Add that to the dealer and factory support I have both personally experianced, and witnessed, the 'Dale cant be touched.
I give up no power to anything out there except oh...a husaberg 650....
to say they are underpowered, is well, at best uninformed. Ask my best bud on his YZ 426 what he says about the Dale being underpowered...
To say that everything out there is simply better, is well not backed up and if you talk to owners, and guys that win locally on them, off road and MX, simply untrue.
Ride one if you get the chance, you may like it...just leave the checkbook at home... I didnt...and well.....I got one in my garage!
And no, you cant have it!
also check out
www.thumpertalk.com for a bit more Cannondale info and reviews.

HR
:cool: