First of all, for anyone who didn't read the "First Cannondale E440 Review" you'll want to get the info on that post as this is just a brief update...

CANNONDALE FUEL ECONOMY
(you ain't gonna believe this)

I realize a lot of people (especially in my old state of CA) may be concerned with the CANNONDALE E440's fuel economy; reason being it only has a 2.6 gallon tank and it may be a while before an aftermarket tank is available. The good news is that based on our first ride it looks like the CANNONDALE get's approximately

38mpg

Not hard to believe considering it's fuel injected. This means we should be able to conservatively go 90 MILES on a tank. Not bad at all. Around here (Prescott AZ) we rarely do 90 miles rides. Come visit us and you'll see why!

GOOD NEWS

I will be getting my own CANNONDALE E440 tomorrow... I'll be posting after every ride and keeping everyone up to speed. It may be awhile before I can really ride it hard as I'm still recovering from some injuries from last sunday 1/13/02 (the broken rib thing is messing up my sleep).

SPECIAL NOTE TO ANYONE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING A CANNONDALE E440

I'm so excited about these bikes that I've made a special arrangement with my local dealer to broker them. The CANNONDALE E440 normally retails for $7500 and I believe it's a steal at that. Here's why:

Just the OHLINS Suspension, TALLON Hubs and Sprockets, D.I.D. Rims with heavy duty Spokes, IMS Style footpegs, HD CR TYPE Chain Guide, PANORAM Enduro Computer, MAGURA Bars and Hydraulic Clutch and ACERBIS Handguards would run us well over $5,000 if purchased separately...

This is truly a bike that you can ride at "race pace" right out of the crate. It needs nothing. It's as top notch as it gets. Not only that, I think we can all agree that it looks like a Black and Silver Warlord. Definitely the best looking Enduro in the history of the sport. Click the link below to see for yourself. This is one bike that actually looks better "in person" than in the brochure; a true exception!

http://www.cannondal...e440_model.html

Best of all (unlike a KTM or HUSABERG) it comes with NOT ONLY handguards but a SKID PLATE too!

(NOTE: Can you imagine paying $9,000 out the door for a KTM 520EXC and NOT getting a skid plate or even handguards? That's what my friend paid in CA after driving 4 hours! Maybe they leave them off as it would add 5lbs to the total weight of the bike?)

With the CANNONDALE E440 we get handguards and a skid plate and it still only weighs 249lbs... with electric start AND fuel injection!

Unfortunately, because of CANNONDALES marketing, you probably won't see dealers bending on the price (this is if you can even find a dealer). In fact, we may find (like with KTM) that many dealers (because of the demand) will actually increase the price through inflated shipping and set up fees.

The arrangement I have made is a good price along with the added benefit that if you are out of state you may be able to avoid over $600 in sales tax. Anyone whose interested can email me below for more info. Thanks.

Jay Peters
JP70@CableOne.net

[ January 15, 2002: Message edited by: jpeters ]

[ January 15, 2002: Message edited by: jpeters ]

[ January 15, 2002: Message edited by: jpeters ]

[ January 15, 2002: Message edited by: jpeters ]

[ January 15, 2002: Message edited by: jpeters ]

[ January 15, 2002: Message edited by: jpeters ]

Thanks for all the great reporting.

I would love a new 'dale but I might go Husky 450. Most of it comes down to price. The Husky is $6,599 and I can probably get it out the door for $7,000 including a license plate. I like the six speed tranny and e-start and my Husky dealer is top notch.

The Cannondale scores high with EFI, and flat out coolness. Being made in the USA is also a big plus. The cost might be the killer though. Most dealers in the Seattle are charging $500+ for freight and assembly. Add 8.9% sales tax and I am looking at $8,500. I can't afford that kind of money but I am still tempted.

One big question, how loud are the EC's? Could you compare it to a stock DRZ. I don't want or need DRZ quiet, but YZ loud is not acceptable either.

Greg M

Quote

Good question. The CANNONDALE E440's are quiet. Not like a stock DRZ with the baffle in but definitely not as loud as a YZ.

The exhaust note sounds just like a 2002 KTM 520EXC which is very mild in my opinion.

My 2001 XR650R has a WB E-Series exhaust with 12 discs and tests out at 95db's at 3250rpm (USFS STANDARDS). I can attest that the CANNONDALE E440 is definitely quieter...

If you are seriously considering and E440 you may want to email me directly. I'll be negotiating some pricing with my dealer friend tomorrow in addition to picking mine up tomorrow 1-16-02.

jay

JP70@CableOne.net

[ January 15, 2002: Message edited by: jpeters ]

Greg M.
I see you are interesed in the Husky 450. Here's something you ought to know. Husky and Feracchi are offering a very limited deal for this year on the new 4strokes. Ask your dealer about the racer support package. It is a limited offer to racers only to help promote the new bikes. It is by special order only and reduces the price of the bike to somewhere around 5200. Quite a break if you ask me. Just thought you might like to know. Ask your dealer if he knows anything about it. He may not have been offered the package.

Poorboy,

Thanks for the great tip. I am far from a racer, but I will ask my dealer anyway. They always knock $500 off the price of the bike and never charge more than $200 for freight and assembly. I will see what they say.

Greg M