I went down to one of the local shops in Austin today and was looking to get rid of a '99 KX125. I also had my '00 YZ426 loaded up with me and next thing I know we're talking about trading both bikes for a new Cannondale. Hmmmm, this is starting to sound pretty interesting. Original #'s came up both my bikes plus $950. Naw, I'll just keep mine, I don't want to pay any money and I just bought the 426 less than a week ago. Apparantly Cannondale REALLY wants to move these bikes. So I just kept holding out and the next thing I know they are giving me $3300 for the 426 and $2200 for the KX and discounting the price of the X440s to $5495. Way cool. I ended up writing them a check for $250 for freight/prep and a small doc. fee. Now the really cool thing is I only paid $1700 for the KX and $3000 for the 426 and just walked out with an '02 Cannondale X440s for a total of $4950. Wooooo Hooooo. I go pick it up at 3:00 today. I can't wait to go riding on Sunday.

That sounds like a great deal!! I'm trying to sell my 01 Sportrax 400ex so I can get back into bikes. Does the 440s have Ohlins shock and forks? I know they say the 's' model is the entry-level model but I can't see any differences on the spec sheets on the Cannondale website! I'd be interested to know what you think of it. My choices are KTM 400exc, Husky TE450, and one of the Cannondales. Have fun out there and Happy New Year!!

Andrew,
Yes it has Ohlins F&R. I just got back from Saddleback MX with mine. This bike is awesome. When I stall it, hit the button and I running again. It feels very light (I came from an XR650R, everything feels light). I am very impressed and releaved. I took a big ($6000) chance buying the 'dale. It looks like it will pay off. I'll know more once I get more rides on it.

Happy New Year,

Kevin

i can tell you EXACTLY what the bike is like.
i just helped EMARacing break the bike in.
in my yard no less.
he did the first 10 minute break in.
i did the second.
he did the first 15 minute break in.
i did the second.

1) the motor makes a lot of noise.
i have no idea why, but it is quite busy sounding.

2) EFI with electric start -> WAY COOL!!!!!!!!!!!!

3) seat height is too much for my short legs, but the magic button sort of makes up for this.

4) the ride is very nice. it will take a bit to break in the shock. the forks were starting to get nice, but the shock is still a little stiff.

5) seat foam. did they get it from ktm or gasgas?
jezzz, it is stiff and square!

6) front brakes are good. the rear either needs bleeding or something. very vauge feeling.

7) weight, a bit much from what i'm used to.

8) motor is good and very smooth! i really like it. no 426 hit. no bog, no stumble, no quirks.
twist and GO! gotta love that

overall i've got to say that *THIS* bike totally has changed my thinking on Cannondale.

it needs a bolt on damper post from SCOTTS and it REALLY needs a skid plate. otherwise i'd race it in stock form with cycra barkbusters and 3clamp mounts.

this bike -> X440S is one of the best secrets and bikes around!

SUnruh,
The motor noise is caused by the camshaft gear drive.

Kevin

I rode Scot Sheapard's (sp?) MX400 S/N #28 a while back. Awesome motor! The seat felt like a ktm. The valve train noise is much like my KLX300.

[ December 29, 2001: Message edited by: KLeeneX300 ]

Thanks Steve, for both letting me break in my bike in your yard and for the review. Here's my initial review after breakin.

1) Motor is very busy sounding. You don't hear it when your riding, just sitting at an idle.

2) EFI with electric start = WAY COOL!!! There is a little drill (if you can call it that) to get it started when cold. But I don't consider pushing a green button 3 times "a drill"!!!

3) Seat height is tall. But I'm 6'2" so I was very comfy on it. I'm sure it will settle a little once the suspension is broke in.

4) I think the suspension is going to be awesome. As good stock as my $650 revalved 426 suspension which I loved. The forks started getting nice after only an hour, but the shock was still a little harsh. But with 38 clicks of adjustment on both ends and the stock settings are 14 out there is still plenty of room to get it dialed in just right. I'm going to an mx track today to help that break in some more.

5) Seat is hard. Has a full gripper seat cover stock. But I did sit on Robbie Reynards Cannondale at the VP 4 stroke national and his was super soft. He said it was stock, just takes some time to break the foam in. I called Robbie's a Vet class seat it felt so good.

6) Both brakes were weak on the first ride. The front started feeling strong and the rear was getting a little better, but still vauge. It may need bleeding or a peddle adjustment or maybe just some more time on it. I'll find that out today.

7) Weighs 242 with EFI and electric start. A few pounds more than I would like, but it carries the weight down low. It feels lighter than my 426 when riding.

8) Motor is very smooth. Not the hit of a 426 but it puts the power to the ground awesome. Deceivingly fast. I was going into corners faster than I thought I was. CRF motor maybe? I race in a 2 hour class so the smooth power is welcome.

9) Does this thing carve! I was super confident in my corners from the beginning. Power sliding through that gravel corner was pretty fun Steve.

10) Shifting was awesome to me. There is a definite click when shifted, but very easy and a very positive feel. Shifting did start going away on Steve's last ride, but I think that was due to contaminated tranny oil from breakin.

11) Clutch was a little stiff. A little more pull than my 426, but the dealer's race bike was as easy as my 426. It's a lady that races it and she said it gets easier as the bike breaks in. But the way I was lugging the motor I don't think I'll be touching the clutch much.

12) Oil and tranny oil are seperate like the Honda which is cool. But the oil/tranny change process is a pain. It took me 1.5 hours last night to do it. But I also changed the plug (a very major pain), fuel filter, air filters, and it was my first time. I think I can get it down to about 30 mins once I get used to it. There is only one filter/screen that is hard to get to.

Overall I love the bike. Cannondale wasn't my first choice, but for the price I couldn't pass it up. After riding it I'm super happy I bought it and it's on the top of my list now. Like Steve said, it's the best kept secret out there and one of the best bikes out there.

I'm going to add oversized bars, Scott's dampner, hand guards, and an over sized tank when they get it out (they are making it now), and will race the bike stock other than that.

Another cool thing with the programmable EFI you can change the motor setting to the cross country or enduro setting with a palm pilot or lap top. The dealer has the settings now, and soon Cannondale will have them on their web site to download at home. That's like having 3 different motors at your leisure.

I'll give more updates later. Gotta get ready to go to the track.

EMAR: Congrats on the new ride!
Definitely sounds sweet!.....waiting to see what you think with a few rides on it....long term thoughts etc.....

Question: Up here in the NW we have some tight, nasty single track...that is well suited for XR250s, KDX200 etc...my WR250 is sweet for it....well...its my sons bike now....
If you ride in really tight slow snotty stuff, would be interested in what you think of it....the smooth power is inviting from your write ups!

AGain....congrats on the new ride...

HR

just in from riding .. rode Johns Cannondale... pretty nice bike... starting was a snap even took less effort than my 450F ..

not wanting to wad up a new bike i rode at about 60-75% normal pace & rolled a triple ..

front forks good, rear a bit stiff still... but this was 1st visit to moto track for it ...

power is smooth yet builds pretty fast ... the bike is geared lower than my 450 it seems.. at least 1st & 2nd ( which you dont need much anyway for mx on a thumper) Seat was a bit hard but seems to be the norm for bikes nowadays...

seems to turn pretty well but sits up higher than my 450 which felt alittle odd ... but the bike is skinny ...

Brakes felt good..

seems pretty neutral in the air much like my honda ...

I could feel the weight diff comming off my 450 though

All in all a pretty nice bike.. considering 2 yrs of bashing...

I guess if i had 2 gripes it would be weight & it sits high in corners it seems ( yet turns well thou.. strange).. minor issues... Maybe once the suspension brakes in that will change some ...

Thanks for the ride john ... nice bike...

takes me a bit longer to get home than Loopout does. boy that was fun, riding with a X440 and a CRF450. my poor Blue Midget Racer has to spin a few more rpm's to keep up! side by side with Loopout on the left hand sweeper was fun, later bar to bar with John and his Cdale. those big bore bikes sure have an advantage coming out of a turn into a LONG run. 13,500 rpm and 5th is not enough to make up the torque difference.

the X440s is a real wolf in sheeps clothing. 1 week ago i would have *NEVER* considered the bike for ownership, today i would be proud to *OWN* one. ya gotta LOVE that swing arm sticker ->

MADE IN USA (with a flag too!)

maybe if you could get it in different colors that would be even better. say, red front fender, white shrouds and a blue rear fender. i mean WHY NOT?!!!

2 thumbs up to Cannondale for turning their dirtbike program around and finally producing a NICE bike!

I just got back from my first full day of riding. WOW, this is an awesome, awesome bike.

HR, a lot of our series is slow and tight. It only gets sloppy in a mud race. I think this bike is going to be a dream in the woods. Very smooth power that puts the power to the ground. The suspension is out of this world, and it handles super. I used to hate rutted corners and today I was hitting them on purpose because I could. It has a lot of flywheel effect and stalling is not an issue. Like LOOPOUT said it seems to be geared low.

LOOPOUT, your just jealous . Really though, I really liked your bike too and felt comforatable on it and up to speed very quickly. Yours felt faster in the midrange, but that could have some to do with the BBR exhaust. I didn't like the suspension as much, but hey, I've got to pick on something. I wouldn't hesitate to own a 450F. I didn't notice the weight difference when riding, but it was my first day and I only did about 4 laps on your bike. I will say the Cannondal carries its weight very well (read: low) and feels a lot lighter than my 426.

I will not say the Cannondale is a better bike than the 450F, but I will say it stands right next to it. 3 out of 4 people that rode our bikes back to back liked the Cannondale better. They said the suspension was better and that it turned better. One was even on the short side and loved the way it carved even though it feels tall. Of course LOOPOUT didn't like it better but he's biased. (insert smiley face here) Of course so am I! (big grin here)

People, don't overlook this bike. Its and awesome bike for an awsome price. It comes with a 6 month warranty and Cannondale is standing behind the bikes 200%, even after warranty. They are doing anything and everything they can to get people on them and keep them happy.

No, that's not thunder you just heard, it was a Cannon.

Quote

Thanks again Steve. I know if it can pass your an*l retentive Inspector 12 test it must be a pretty nice bike.

LOL... inspector 12 haha

I dont think i would have noticed the weight had i still had my 426...

The BBR muffler did add a lil bit more spunk to the honda... without it the power was much like the cannondale smooth & linear... now it has a good midrange surge...

That lil green button is gonna be nice in the woods!

I look forward to a follow up ride once the suspension breaks in

EMAR: but honestly....
tell us....do you like the bike?

HR

Just got back from my first ride in the woods. Sweeeet. There is plenty of flywheel effect and stock gearing is low enough for the tight stuff. I only stalled it once during a panic braking move when I overshot a corner. Green button, bye. Suspension is still breaking in, but I did back out 4 clicks of compression on both ends and immediately felt a difference. That Ohlins stuff is trick. Best suspension I've ever ridden on. Even better than the pricey aftermarket stuff. Smooth power delivery makes it really tracktable in the tight stuff and wet snotty stuff (which there was a little of today). One of our series pro's rode it today (he rides a KTM 400 SX) and came away very impressed. He thought it cornered better, had better power, and better suspension than his bike. I rode his too and I have to agree.

Hey guys, keep this great cannondale information coming! I am really considering buying one for heavy duty trail riding around Las Vegas. I am really interested in no-start conditions that I have read about with these motorcycles. I want to make sure they got the bugs out, or how you get around it, if in fact it is true. A no start a moto-cross track is one thing, and quite another when your 100 miles out in the desert. Has cannondale thought about a "limp-home" mode?

thanks,

--marc

That would also be my #1 concern.

Mike

Marc,
My no start had to do with not knowing the "drill". I have been shown the proper way and have had to trouble since. I don't know of any break downs while riding on the new bikes. I have not been more than 5 miles from my truck so far due to lack of space. As far as being 100 miles from your truck, you are not going to get there on a 'dale. The tanks are only 2 to 2.6 gallons. My XR650R with a 4.6 can't do a 200 mile round trip. By then, I'm in "limp in" mode, forget about the bike.

Kevin

[ January 02, 2002: Message edited by: gtms34 ]

The only problems i've had with starting is when it's sat for a couple of weeks and I didn't put the battery tender on it. Heres what I understand. The bike will not go through a whole bunch of starts and quick stops. Say your at your garage and you restart it 5-10 times without allowing enough time for it to recharge the battery (shutting off within 10 seconds to a minute), your going to have problems. I have been able to bump start easily a few times down a hill while hot. I'm not sure how this would work for a cold engine, but I do know the the full pump charges the injectors before the spark plug fires. Hence the need for a charged battery. I probably didn't resolve your concerns but starting is excellent with a charged battery.

Hello, just my 2 cents on the subject. The button start without a kick starter is a hard obstacle to get over for the mind. For people with experience, it just doesn't make sense for a bike not to include a kick starter. In the same breath I can think of plenty of times that my old XRs, and KDXs with kick starters left me wanting a push button start. Particularly one Enduro where my XR250R took 40 minutes to start one cold Califormia morning. I barely made the start, and in addition I was almost worn out from having to kick the crap out the bike, prime it, push it, you name it! In short, I beleive that this bike will be no more trouble than any other bike in the same conditions. You just need to get acustomed to starting this bike a little differently than your others. I havn't made epic century rides, but have gone on 20-30 mile rides and never had one problem. Even after crashes. You just pick up the bike and push the button until it starts. Things to note: When starting, push the button for a quick second and release. Wait 3 seconds for the fuel to get pumped into the system. Then hit the button again for no more than 2-3 seconds. If it doesn't start wait a second and try again. It will normally take about 3-5 trys, and then its ready to rock!