I was tired of it being beat in the power game. I looked at getting a 416-440 kit with Cam, rockers, port, polish, stroked, etc. etc. I talked to Sparks could do a thing until Sept., talked to Trinity, talked to CT, all of them in Ca. I was at Dumont over Pres. Day and a Sparks 505 on alcohal wa there and talked to him. He mentioned that big bores with high compression could crack the case. (He was on his second case already) I got a quote for Elka Shocks and the motor work would be around $4,000. 1,200 for the shocks and the rest in the motor. I added that all up and looked at the Cannondale speed.
I bought #48 from Temecula Motorsports. Broke it in as instructed.
Went to Glamis on 16th of March for the real first ride. Damn, it's fast.
What I like about it:
1. Looks like a Texas Bullfrog.
2. Power, Pulled a piped Banshee, Raptor, DS650 up comp. (started in second dump the clutch and held on)
3. Power, pulled fourth gear wheelies with a lean back and trottle stab.
4. Shocks, Much, much smoother than my 400.
5. Water cooled, rode all day and the fan never turned on.
6. Trottle response, it would just go regardless of what gear or RPM.
7. Fuel injection, I didn't have to re-jet like my riding partners.
8. Front end you can bring up easy, for the whoops.
What I don't like:
1. Engine noise- straight cut gears are louder.
2. Motor access - with the fuel injection I shouldn't need to get in there anyway.
3. Pushed a little with Knobbies front paddles rear.
I'm 38 and don't feel the need to lie about my ride. Quote from the movie HOOK Dustin Hoffman says" Why should I lie, the truth is so much more fun." The Raptor owner I rode with tried it out and liked it ALOT.
I thought I might miss my 400EX, but I don't the new bike is a better ride for me. Each to his own.
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