I just finished my 2nd day on the X440s. Today was and offroad ride. Tight, muddy, rutted, trees, etc.

The bike is awesome, I'm riding like crap, but the bike is awesome. I had a head on near miss today and had to jump into a huge rutt to avoid the collision. Those Ohlins sucked it up and kept me upright. The throttle response is better than anything I have ever ridden. The brakes have been great from the begining. I used the rear brake many times today after reading the other post. Mine works great. The bike switches lines easily even on heavily rutted trails. The stock Pirelli tires worked great in the mud & wet sand.

I did the first service yesterday. Nice to see the bike comes with stainless steel filters. Lots of metal in the strainer and filters but nothing unusual for a new 4 stroke. Getting the crimp clamp off the oil inlet hose without destroying it was not fun. I'll be looking for a better type of clamp. The valves seem to make more noise today. The oil level is ok and I wasn't riding a track with 40 other engines buzzing in my ears. Another trick feature on the 'dale, the bar clamps are drilled off center. You can turn them around for a different handlebar offset. It looks like about 5mm difference.  

The only dig I have so far is very minor. All the vent/overflow hose are cheap. They are all split or crumbling. So I took all the hose I had laying around from old bikes and but it on the 'dale.

I am very happy so far. All these features and trick components for $5500? Somebody pinch me!        

Kevin

"I'll be looking for a better type of clamp"

That one is a pain.  I pulled the crimp clamp off and used a regular hose clamp like the ones that hold the fuel filter on.  Just keep it facing up so you can reach it with a screwdriver.

My rear brakes are fine now.  It just needed a little time on them.

This bike is by far the best kept secret out there.  Glad you like yours as much as I like mine.

John,
Were you able to get the heat sheild over the screw type hose clamp? I thought to do the same thing but the heat sheild is tight on the crimp clamp. I could get a larger OD heat sheild and zip tie it closed on the frame side to keep the dirt out. You are right, this bike is like Suzuki's RF900. The best bike you will never hear about. There are 2 of us 'dale-rs out here riding at Saddleback MX. While I was at the dealer Friday, a guy called in and wanted a 'dale "right now". I guess the word is getting out.

Happy New Year,

Kevin

Hey there, another proud owner of a MADE IN THE USA X440S.  I to found the clamp on the spar return hose to be a pain to get off.  I did switch the clamp with a regular screw type clamp and had no problems with the new clamp interfering with the heat shield.  If there was any advice I could give to new C'dale owners is to just make sure you keep the battery at full charge all the time.  It's not very fun showing up at the track and the E-start doesn't work.  If your going to sit it more that 2 weeks put a battery tender on it.  Also you will wan't to keeep an eye on the idle.  It will need some adjustment after about five hours or so of riding. (super easy to adjust)  I've had my bike since Oct. and have had no problems so far.  But, with a six month full warranty theres no need to worry.  Just ask CRF 450 owners about their warranty, wait there is none.  Have fun on your new Cannondales.          

I just left the heat shield pulled back a little and the clamp exposed.  I guess the clamp acts like a shield, but even if it doesn't its such a small area anyway.