Let me first say, that I have been an off road enthusiast for the last 35 yrs. I have owned Japanese and Euro bikes and also an American dirt bike ala ATK. I have raced MX, Hare Scrambles, desert and more than a half dozen rides in Baja. So I feel that I can tell if a rig is a pile or not. Cannondale got my attention back when word was out they were working on their first prototype.

I found an 03 x440. The dealer wanted to unload cheap. I took the dale, and my 03 wr450 out to break in. In the riding area that has a lot off steep slippery down hills. The first thing I noticed was loading and pushing around the truck, the weight felt the same as the WR .She fired right away! Soon as it warmed up, the pounds that were noticeable loading and unloading were non existent. While riding, the Dale felt much lighter. Power was very smooth and strong, this is break in, remember, so I was taking it very easy. Riding around every thing felt very well balanced, excellent brakes, suspension close, I will have to play with it after break in.

Later in the day, I jumped on the WR, felt odd?!! Top heavy, like it had a hinge in the middle. Preceded to crash and broke my thumb! That was the 1st weekend in November. Couldn't ride for two months. Finally!!! Get to ride, December 29th. Thumb is still sore. Whoa... this bike is AWESOME!! Unbelievable through the woops, and deep woops at that! We're talkin desert woops, if any of you have rode the desert...? You know how deep they can get. Backed off the compression on the forks. Much better! But not a ten, yet...

Bike is easy to ride. Faster you go the better it feels. I totally got side ways coming off a jump. The Dale was controllable at all times. Compared to the WR, the Dale feels WAY lighter. A stabilizer is almost unnecessary! It feels so good through the nastys! The WR is top heavy, power wise, very comparable to the Dale.By the way the WR has been uncorked. Very happy with the Dale! Plan on buying more... a couple more maybe?!! Maybe a C & a E.

Before I came home from the trip I had sold the WR! There's a new sheriff in town!

Terry Hobbs