OK, here goes...the perennial question! I've narrowed my choices down to Husky TE450, KTM 400exc and the Cannondale e440. I'm 6ft, 210# riding weight, ride mx/sx tracks at mid/fast vet pace but don't actually race and will be doing a fair amount of trail rides/sand dunes hence the enduro choices. I've had a 91 KTM 300exc (2stroke) before and loved it so I also thought about the KTM 520exc but think it may be too powerful(?). I want a lighter, better handling bike and even considered the wf250f but I hear it can be a bear to start and you have to wring it's neck to find the power! To me low end torque is really important. Also my KTM was faultless. I have no brand loyalty but I don't want Japanese!! And hey, my friend is buying a wr426f so I need to beat him! I like being outside the mainstream!!
Any thoughts would be welcome........

andrew youve narrowed it down to some good bikes,all seem to be getting a good reputation, the question bike is the husky te450? fey meyer said only special order,which makes me wonder about parts availability?is there another dealer up there? who is the cannodale dealer up there?and have you thought about the ktm mxc400? possibly lower priced than the exc & larger tank to boot!!!just some thoughts!!! thumpers or nuthin !!!! alan

Hello Andrew-Go with the known commodity...KTM!as far as the power goes,you control it,you know? I would love to endorse the Husky,but with imports being next to nothing,you don't want that kind of mess.It's possible that they might bring in more next year.I live in Jersey and this shop that's way into Euro bike said that they were'nt going to bring any Husky 450's.Good luck.

Andrew, you should look into the Cannondale x440s, its retail price is 5999$ it has a taller seat height, and you can make it enduro ready by putting in the bigger stator( which makes it start and run better anyway), then you can add your own lights or whatever and have some cool choices,on all the aftermarket lights out there, and save some money+ its American

You have a good point Pete,the 'Dale has a good price,etc.But it is largely unproven,sad to say.I really wanted to get one,but...If Andrew was to get one,he should make sure that there is a good shop that's into dirt bikes.There is'nt ant aftermarket for it either.Buying American would be the really cool though.

I had my mind set on the KTM 400exc so it's interesting to hear what you think. But I have a problem with anything orange you can't eat!! I did not realise the Husky was 'to order' only and yes that could be really bad on parts. I was thinking of the 400 over the 520 KTM because I remember having so much fun on my, now ex's, XR200 and smoking so many people on it since it was lighter and more manouverable than their XR500s and YZ490s. Of course in the open they smoked me but it sure was fun hearing them curse me in the tight stuff!!! I think the 400 may be plenty fun and less tiring over a day's ride. Any thoughts on that? I would like to buy American (even though I'm a Brit) and there's a Cannondale dealer in Sterling Colorado about 80 miles from me. Their first year sounded not good at all but I also hear they have improved the bikes a lot. The M/XC sounds worth a second look so thanks for the heads-up on that. Perhaps the most persuasive factor is that Roger at Elite Motors in Laramie Wyoming is so helpful and sells KTM.
Gott go on a call see ya

I rolled the dice and bought the 'dale. I hope this doesn't become misplaced patriotism. I have heard and witnessed Cannondale's early trouble. The way the factory stands behind their product is very rare. Cannondale paid the shipping both ways and completely rebuilt my friends bike. It's the 400 with the early injection and it ran like crap. You had to slip the clutch to the extreme to keep it get it moving from a stand still. If you didn't do it right it stalled. Once it was moving it was great. The stock suspension was way better than the big 4 in Japan ever dreamed of. I have only one ride on my bike so the durability question is far from answered. My first impression is: great components, very high tech, throttle responce like lightning, not main stream, and made in the USA.
Best of luck with your choices,

Kevin

You can follow my post about being a new Cannondale owner. I just gave my first impression and I'll update regularly. Especially once my season starts in Jan. I'll be pounding this thing for 2 hours at a time so I'll be testing the durability questions.

So far I love it. I would put it on top of your list and look at it hard. Nothing can touch it for $5995 and they will discount that. The suspension ALONE is worth about $3000.

Gotta run.

Andrew,

I suggest that you talk to Rodger at Elite about Husabergs as well since I know that he does sell them. I have ridden plenty of FE400's thrue the years and they are in my opinion still the best as far as handling/weight/power if you have set your mind on exactly 400cc that is. I now ride an FC470 and think that it's the best model of all Husabergs this year, it's got even less weight and have the same stroke as the 400cc so it turns super easy and it has the 100mm piston and the big cylinder head just as the 550/650 which gives it A LOT of power and would definately accelerate more than your friends YZ426's. Some people would say "what about parts and reliabillity ?" well Husaberg have started a separate import company in the states and they have improved parts avail. and tech related issues. The factory have also improved when it comes to reliabillity.

Just my thoughts.

Thanks everyone -I really appreciate the info....I like the idea of the Cannondale x440s especially at that price-amazing. But the KTM is a 'known' quantity! Life is just so tough!!! Decisions decisions! Thanks again and ride safe!

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Hey, don'y buy the C-Dale. They are a pain in the butt. Changing the spark plug is as complicated as changing a top end...its buried in there, you must even remove part of the frame. The power is on or off. The seat sux, its tall and doesn't turn good. The airfilter gets dirty very fast cause its behind the front number plate. The throttle also has a very light pull...too light. At times it feels like its stuck wide open. Go with the KTM, the 400 & 520 weigh they same. Good luck...don't buy the american!!!!

Canadianbeast,
1. How often do you need to change a plug in a fuel injected 4 stroke?

2."The power is on or off". Your point was ??????

3. The seat is no worse than my XR650R. It turns so quick that I ground looped it @ Saddleback MX.

4. I have 3 rides on my 'dale, the filters are fine.

5.The throttle is light and incredibly responsive. It takes some getting used to. Never has felt like it's wide open unless I twist it there.

6. Sure, buy a KTM, they build good machines. Better hope your local or any dealer stocks what you need 'cause there ain't no US wharehouse. If the Aussies are on their 2 month holiday you are a spectator.

7. What 'dale do/did you own and what type of riding do/did you do?

Kevin '02 X440s

[ January 03, 2002: Message edited by: gtms34 ]

canadianbeast, throttle is light, it's unbelievable, when you twist the throttle you actually go somewhere. Unlike japanese bikes and KTM where you spend more time adjusting your jetting in the garage than actually riding. I'll take the spot throttle respose at any elevation, any temperature and any climate than tinkering with jets and needles every time i want to ride. As for the spark plug, you do not have to take apart the frame to change it. Just remove the seat. Did I mention that all you have to do to get full access to the engine is take of the left cover. Don't talk before you know 'eh'!

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What did my Dad always say......
Dont fight a bear in his own cave.....?

Another Drive-By Posting from an Un-informed Marplot

HR

To Canadianbeast, I have to step in here and challenge your incredible statements against the Cannondale. I have one (do you?) an X440s, and it is exactly opposite of what you have listed against it. In fact, I bet I can get to my spark plug faster than you can get to yours! Though it may seem barried the one thing you have not taken into account is that the bike takes down VERY easily, allowing complete and uninhibited access to the engine, shock, battery, etc.! In a matter of minutes (2) I can strip the bike down to full and complete access to all of the above mentioned. That includes removing the tank! I had a DRZ400E prior to this bike and the spark plug for it was much harder to get too. As for the handling, PLEASE, go ride one. I won't even make you report back to us all on how well it corners and carves. Just a couple of things to remember with the Cannondale. You are dealing with a Racing Level high-performace machine. There will be a few quirks you'll have to get used to. It is not like any other bike made; period. Frankly it's better, and better in many ways. I spent more money on my DRZ400E trying to get it to punch off the line, handle better, tune better, get lighter, and look cooler, than I did when purchasing my X440s! ($1000s+++ on Ti Exhausts, Carbon parts, graphics kits, throttle wheels and parts, you name it!) The Cannondale simply gives you more of everything than any other bike you can buy; save perhaps a BBR bike. Oh, and the S model is a LOT less than the others in it's class. Oh and one other thing "Eh," BUY AMERICAN AND BUY THE BEST!

hey guys, im not trying to start a heated argument hear or side with people, but i rode with candian beast when i lived in pittsburgh, i still keep in touch with him and have heard all the horror storys of his cannondale, he raced it at the gncc and from everthing i saw, it made me switch my decsion, i think his number one problem was stators blowing up and the bike not starting on the line, just my opinion though, would hate to see a huge argument out of this and someone get booted, maybe he just had a freak case on his model

He should have sent his bike in to Cannondale. They would have made all the 2002 updates and fixed his problems. C'dale stands behind their products 100%, motorbikes and mtn. bikes. Looks like he just had a bad experience that C'dale most likely would have tried to fix given the chance.

Matt,
I hear what you are saying. My buddy was done with Cannondale even though they shipped and fixed his bike. I didn't go through the frustration he did. I saw it from the point of,
"no other bike maker would but this much effort into customer service" but I still had a usable bike and his was gone. All us 'Dale owners are hoping for the best. I'm ridding mine twice a week, if it has any hidden problems they will show up soon.