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Posted by: MikeXCR
Dave,
I know exactly how you feel. I have been the last one to leave the line many times. I always hook up the battery tender the night before the race and as stated above let the quad warm up as long as you can. I have found that if you rev the quad and shut it down before it idles down the whole way it will leave enough gas in the chamber and help start quicker at least it worked for me. My new Speed has all the latest updates and it always starts easy but the older ones I have raced had to crank more before starting.
I was looking into the set up that the guys on the Nacs/Cannondale team have; it is adding another battery and supplying 24 volts to the starter only. It is a complex set up so don't just hook up another battery in series to try this because you will be putting 24 volts to everything and fry the ECU.
Cannondale said they may offer this as a kit if there is a demand for it.
Good Luck,
Mike
Posted by: garyc660R
Why does the Blaze need 2 batteries? Charging system not keep the battery charged enough for fast cranking action?
Posted by: garyc660R
<< I was looking into the set up that the guys on the Nacs/Cannondale team have; it is adding another battery and >>
Hummmmm....I am sure the guys love the extra weight of another heavy battery. Thumbs down.
Posted by: garyc660R
Also, the batteries, starters, and everything associated with the starting system is gonna see a lesser life expectancy for any rider.
Posted by: garyc660R
Does the "anti-stalling" update reduce timing at very low rpm's?
Posted by: garyc660R
1 more question.....does the fuel injection set-up have a primer or accelerator pump-type mechanism for an extra splash of fuel upon startup?
Posted by: jcv400ex
Yeah, Cannondale knows this is a concern. They're giving out 2 batteries now with the sale of a Blaze.
Posted by: jcv400ex
They're giving you 2 batteries now for the extra juice. The engine has to turn at a pretty high rate of speed to fire up. That's what the guys where saying down at the factory anyway....Guy from Nac's and Terry Marcum where talking about it.
Posted by: jcv400ex
Gary,
Even with the extra battery....it's still the lightest quad on the line....
Posted by: Nut
Here's a question for anyone who has raced their C'dale in a harescrambles or GNCC race. How was your start? I have been dead last in my first two starts. All the 400EX's, Warriors, and kick-start quads have been able to start faster than me. It takes a lot longer to start the C'dale than any of the other bikes. I've tried starting in gear and in neutral, and although it seems a little quicker in neutral, it's still slower than everyone else. How have you other racers fared? Does anyone have any tips to get the bike to start faster? Thanks.
-Dave
Posted by: Nut
Thanks for some of the ideas guys. It looks like I'll probably buy a trickle charger and try that. Also, it might help to get the "anti-stalling" update, which I don't have yet.
KNOWSALOT- How can you tell that the piston is at TDC rather than at the bottom of the stroke? It seems like it might be hard to get the piston in the right position with the high compression. I don't know....
Posted by: Nut
<< Does the "anti-stalling" update reduce timing at very low rpm's? >>
I'm not exactly sure what it is supposed to do, maybe some one else can answer this. Yes, the injection system does provide extra fuel during starting, but only for approx. the first 3 seconds of continuous cranking. After that, the "normal" amount of fuel supplied is not enough to start the engine. That's why C'dale recommends cranking not more than 3-5 seconds continuously.
Posted by: LEP7MM
I just received the new ATV Sport today and they mentioned that some of the racers are running with "heavier" wires for their electrical system and has seemed to help the starting issues. They mentioned that this is a possible update on future models. Good to see that someone is concerned about their customers.
Posted by: BadElk
So has Cannondale said anything about an actual solution to your problem other than the quick fix of adding a battery? When you really think about it, with EFI, they should be able to make them kickstart with a button to enrich the fuel mixture at startup.
If an EFI is having trouble starting, obviously something needs to be fixed.
By the way, I don't have anything against them. If I had the money for a new quad, I'd buy a Cannondale.
Posted by: KNOWSALOT
Yeah, they aren't the best at getting off the line as fast as others, but if you put the engine in gear and rock it till the piston gets to the top[takes practice], it will start much faster. But still not as fast as a 400EX for instance.
Posted by: warrior007
I dont have a cdale but was thinking a more powerful battery might help if one is available.. get it to turn over quicker.
Posted by: Dex2380
I must be missing something, if I stall mine or even after it is warmed up and I want to start it again, all I have to do is stab the starter for about 2 seconds and she fires right back up. I haven't even fouled a plug yet (knock on wood).
-Josh
Posted by: Dex2380
Leaking Antifreeze??? let us know how that works out.
-josh
Posted by: oldrguy
I was at the Plant City, FL hare scramble about 3 weeks ago and a guy on a Blaze didn't even leave the line until everyone else was already through the first turn (about 100 yards away!). However, he went on to win and even passed the 2 stroke A class riders that started a few minutes ahead of him! Maybe Cannondale is handicapping themselves because the bikes are so fast...
Posted by: Derno24
I usually leave mine running for a while before the start 30 mins plus...Make sure it is hot not just warmed up. Start in Nuetral, because it is easier it seems...It usually fires right up on a tap of the button. The couple of races I have been in it started quick and I was up towards the front in no time.
Posted by: Derno24
I agree I have had no problem starting when the bike has been warmed up. Sometimes starts as soon as I punch the button. No all I have to do is stop it from leaking anti freeze and all will be well.
Posted by: Derno24
This is the second time for leaking anti-freeze. First time it was leaking from the head. Bad head gasket and such. That happened right away. This time it is leaking from the weap hole on the water pump. I am aggrevated about it happeneing, but I love the quad though.
