ATV Connection Magazine

Cannibal - good trail bike?

(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)




Pages: 1


Posted by: JayBR

It's great for screaming around trails, not so great for putt-ing around them. They do like to be opened up and can be a handfull, but once you get used to it their great. You can also change the FI mapping to a more trail freindly version. Ground clearance is about the same as the other quads you mentioned. The Cannibal and the Predator don't have reverse, not a necessity but it is conveinient in the woods.

If you shop around a bit, you can probably find a Blaze for around the same price as the other quads on your list. There are some dealers out there clearing them out cheap.

Posted by: JayBR

All of the Cannondales use the same frame and motor, differences are in some of the components and fuel injection mapping. The fuel injection mapping can be changed on any of them by a dealer or with a laptop and the software and cable.

Cannibal - base model

Speed - add upgraded shocks (Ohlins), tag x5 bars, gripper seat, holeshots

Blaze - GNCC race model adds dual rate compression & rebound adjustable front shocks with piggyback rezzies, upgraded exhaust, nerf bars, pro bend handguards, race wheels, wave rotors, number plates, and Tag T2 pro taper bars.

Moto - MX racer - wider a-arms & axle, long travel front end with Compression, rebound, piggyback shocks, rear beadlocks, holeshot MX tires, wave rotors, nerfs, kill switch, exhaust, number plates, T2 bars.

I think that covers most of the differences, I may have missed a couple little things. The nice thing about them all sharing the same platform is that you can start with a Cannibal and upgrade a little at a time. But with the prices so lo right now, you can find Blazes at or below normal retail for the Cannibal.

Posted by: JayBR

You probably would'nt want the moto for trails, it's setup for the MX track and is wider than the others. All of the other 3 are the same width with the Blaze having the most extras.

Just for reference, MSRP on them was

Cannibal - $6995
Speed - $7995
Blaze - $9995
Moto - $12,995

There is a dealer near me that had the following last week

03 Cannibal - $4000
03 Speed - $4500
03 Moto - $7500

Also check cannondaleriders.com, there are several nice used ones for sale. Someone posted a Blaze today for $4650.

Posted by: JayBR

One other thing,

There where several important service updates, you want to make sure the one you get has them or you do them. Check the other site I gave you for all the info you will ever need.

Posted by: JayBR

All Outdoors in Hampton is the dealer I was refering to, I bought their last Cannibal yesterday :-)

I was also told last week that Burcham's Cycle in Colonial Heights has 2 Cannibal LE's for $3500 each.

Let me know if you want to drive up to Richmond and ride while your in Norfolk.

BTW: I used to ride a Scrambler 500 before the Speed, no comparison.

Posted by: JayBR

Quote

Originally posted by: dodgepower
Holy crap will they trade my scrammy in?.....Keep and eye i will be out there either sept 4 or 5th......well headin to the hatfields the weekend of the 12th but nothin that next weekend would love too gonna be keeping the wheeler in richmond at a friends while im there


All Outdoors is a Polaris dealer, so they'd probably be your best bet for a trade. Which ever one you go for, you should do the Motor Mount and Crankcase Stud updates immediatly.

I'm going to do the 1 hour break-in on the new Cannibal this weekend then drop the motor and do all the updates before anymore riding. Not trying to scare you guys, but the updates are important and if taken care of the Dale will treat you right.



Posted by: JayBR

Absolutly do the updates!!!

THe Cannibal I bought last week is getting the 1 hour breakin, then I'm dropping the motor and putting a Stage 8 kit in it, also doing the motor mount and crankcase vent updates while it's out. The Stage 8 and Crankcase parts are allready here, I just can't seem to find the time to do the breakin.

Posted by: mxrookie

Man it sure is good to see intelligent answers to such a great quad . Listen to JayBR he knows whats up !


Posted by: WISTECH

Yes Not to scare you but it looks like most of the engine failures due to the studs backing out happened very early in the engines life(like around 10 hours) The amount of actual failures is greatly exagerated also(about 2 in every hundred) The only thing is if you have one of the two you are in for a bad day and a lot of damage to repair. The front engine mount kit is a must and a homemade one is easy to make or a aftermarket one can be had cheap. I use mobil one and change the oil every 5 to 10 hours just to be safe. I use my speed for trail riding and it is the cats meow for crankin down the trails . I have never had a problem with ground clearance either but I stay away from the heavily rutted trails. You will not regret the blaze they got mucho goodies on them.

Posted by: dodgepower

hey JB what dealer did you see those prices cause im coming to norfolk for a couple weeks in sept and will bring my scrammy and trade for that price.

Posted by: dodgepower

Holy crap will they trade my scrammy in?.....Keep and eye i will be out there either sept 4 or 5th......well headin to the hatfields the weekend of the 12th but nothin that next weekend would love too gonna be keeping the wheeler in richmond at a friends while im there


Posted by: thomez

Well the topic says it all. I wanted to know about the Cannibal as a trail bike. I'm looking at it and the Predator, Raptor, and Z400. Is the Cannibal too radical and race ready for screaming around trails? Does it have much ground clearance? Thanks ..

Posted by: thomez

OK, thanks a lot for the reply. I do have another question however. I tried to find decent info on the Cdales but didn't. I was wondering what the differences in the models were, like between the Blaze, Speed, and Cannibal? I'm sure you guys get tired of this question but it seems important for me to know and I didn't find it anywhere after looking. I'm guessing since you suggested the Blaze that it has reverse? Any differences in the 440s on each of them? Thanks a lot. I would want to make sure I got the right bike if I end up being able to get a new one.

Posted by: thomez

Wow, thanks for the info. Very helpful

With prices this low, maybe I can afford to get something a little better than a Cannibal even. I'll have to check around. No reason to buy a Cannibal and then do the same upgrades for more money than the difference it would have been to just buy a Speed, Blaze, or Moto. Would you say any are good for trails, or are some a little too far in the race orientation? Thanks.

Posted by: thomez

Wow, thanks for all the help. I can only hope to be able to help you in some way in the future. Let me know if you'd like to know anything about Wolvs

PS: People this helpful are what makes this place great. Stick your chest out, you deserve it. People like me appreciate it more than you know. It is great to not get pushed off to the side when you have a question but have a nice human being answer it for you in such a nice way. Congrats to the Cannondale forum for having this quality

PS2: Anyone else seen the Blaze priced this cheap or close?

Posted by: thomez

Anyone seen a new Blaze cheaper than 5k or a Speed cheaper than 4500? I found a nice looking '02 Speed that is 4400 OBO with low hours, AC nerfs, HMF pipe, moto mapping, and has all updates. Also found an '03 Speed that is decked out but is 5k - the 4400 OBO is probably more to my liking. What do you think?

Posted by: thomez

Guys, I am purchasing an 03 Blaze - I can't wait to get a chance to ride it, but it will be a while - not until first break from school at Thanksgiving time. I have a feeling after I get to ride it, I will be doing A LOT of thanking!