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: