The Cannondale guy (Darrel, from Columbia River Cannondale/etc.) called this morning to confirm, and showed up right on time. I had the 520 out running around the meadow, so I'd be warmed up and ready to compare the bikes.

I'd say they are pretty similar.

Starting: The morning of the test ride was cool and clear. A little too cool at 25ºF. My KTM wouldn't start with the E-starter, this has never happened before. All day, even after it was warmed up, no luck with the happy button. The kickstarter is ludicrously easy, but the electric deal would just crank. A little slower than usual, but it wouldn't start. Generally one stroke on the kickstarter brought things to life. The Cannondale, on the other hand, started every time in about 3 turns. It doesn't start instantly because the fuel injection has to come up to pressure. The first time, the last time, the time after I fell: crankity-crankity-boom! off she goes. The E-starter barks when you push the button, really turns things over with authority. I understand that if the battery gets below 9 volts it won't start because the computer won't fire the injectors. You can bump start it then, by spinning things up and pressing the E-start button at the same time. With no kickstarter to fall back on, I'll be watching the battery maintenance very carefully, and replacing it annually. Added: I buzz around on my meadow quite a bit, lot’s of turning it off and restarting. After the ‘no start’ incident I put the battery on the charger. It’s right back to the crankity-boom thing.

Weight: the C'dale wins by 1 pound, coming in at 251 wet, no fuel. Scales were calibrated with free weights from my workout stuff. I thought my KTM weighed 250, but that was before I calibrated the scales. Actual would be 252.

Power: the KTM has more. Duh. Not a whole lot more, but more. It is more explosive, especially down low. The C'dale pulls hard, but without the 'bang' when you are chugging the motor. Seems to rev more, and more quickly. The Cannondale does sound cool, has that intake noise when at wide open throttle. The C440 loses out on some HP due to the S/A long silencer; the X440 silencer fits, and makes more ponies. Either bike is certainly an ‘Open ’ class bike. If both riders do everything right, the KTM will take the start. It’s easier to do everything right on the ‘dale. On the other side of the coin, the ‘dale will take other maps. It had the X440s map in it, which is supposed to be the most aggressive of the ‘approved’ maps. The KTM just does what it does. No more, no less.

Handling: The 'dale does inspire confidence. I was leaning further on it than I have on my KTM. I dropped the 'dale once, but that was due to the rear brake; it was set high and is sensitive, and I have a droopy right foot due to a street bike incident. I run my rear brake very low. I didn’t realize I was brake sliding until too late.

Suspension: again, similar. The KTM is harsher in the little stuff, but has the monster springs in it. The 'dale is all stock, but didn't bottom when I went 5 or 6 feet high and landed on the flat. Either bike, dial it in for your style/weight, and you’re good to go. There is more potential in the Ohlins, in my opinion.

Ergos: The ‘dale is in fact ‘Karen Carpenter’ thin. The KTM, however, is only slightly thicker. The office on the ‘dale had me pretty much right at home, but my set-up is very different from most folks. I think I’ll be a lot happier when I have one and adjust the bars/brakes/shifter. The saddle height was about an inch, maybe an inch and a half lower on the ‘dale, but we weren’t certain that the sag had been set. Should have been, Darrel and I weigh about the same.

Vibration: similar. I thought the 'dale was smoother, then rode the KTM again and it didn't seem as rough as I remembered. It's a wash, neither bike is electric, neither vibrates significantly.

Looks: both bikes are beautiful, and exude trickness and speed. I don’t even mind the orange on the KTM, since I put the black fenders on.

Misc: The ‘dale seemed lighter. Not so much when riding, but when I dropped it and picked it back up, it didn’t seem heavy at all. Maybe it’s that low CG thing? Whatever, I like it!

Bottom line: The KTM has been traded in, the good folks at Columbia River Honda gave me what I wanted for it and made me a deal on the very bike I rode in this test. I'll be posting more and sending in Pix in a week or two. I don't pick up the 'dale until tomorrow. But I'm ready NOW! ;-)