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VForce vs. Cannondale

Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2003 1:37 am
by Ryanstones
per Lappers request i'm posting a couple pics of the new Vforce. I don't have the desire to write a novel about it though so i'm sending my notes to him for editing.tongue.gif

Took it to our fave spot on saturday and between my boy and i it ran all day long. 9-6. The quad absoolutely rips. Ran my first MX race with it, just for fun, after only an hours seat time. Took a piped rap and Z and an ex etc by a quad length into the first turn only to learn that I still don't know how to turn the beast with a CVT! Last one out of the turn, grateful to have missed that huge pine tree:eek: skid mark. I took it slow and rolled most everything the first two laps. Wisdom learned from my first practice lap where i cased a step up and the frontend rebounded back hard enough to brake off the taillight and leave me on my *** while the prairie, i mean vforce, rolled on to the next jump. On the last lap i finally got my nerve up to take a 15' double and pass a 12 year old on a blaster for 6th place!!! I was proud to have survived. I didn't buy it to MX though, more as an all around machine for riding her double, her riding(with the throttle limiter turned way in), and as my backup for the 'dale.

The quads best and worst points are the CVT V twin. Puts all the massive torque/ power to the ground all the time. This coupled with the huge holeshot xct's lightens the front end very easily and limits steering control. That's when the weight comes into play! whew...Throttle response and clutching is excellent. Handling is superb except when too heavy on the thumb. It's a point and shoot quad, make sure your pointing straight when you gas it or you will eat a tree. It is deceptively fast and made me wish for stronger brakes several times. Very balanced and stable, not tippy at all. The seat width is kinda uncomfortable for aggressive riding, but great for pleasure. Wheelies are killer.

I'm pretty happy with it for now. After a day with it though, my commitment to having a good running Cannondale is a priority. The Vforce is great and so are all the other 'rugular' quads. I might eventually be faster in the woods on the praire, i mean Vforce(can't stop doing that:confused) than on my 'dale, but nothing give's that cannon rush. I've started shopping 'dales again as getting a CRANKSHAFT CARTRIDGE PLATE isn't promising.
So, in my book, the 'dale wins. Here's the pics anyway.

here's the boy

Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2003 1:43 am
by Ryanstones
oh yeah, the vfoce is a GAS HOG! I hope that changes as it easily used double the 'dale.

wrist braces and kidney belts are no replacement for suspension travel

Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2003 1:46 am
by Ryanstones
the prairie has like 8.6" in the rear and it's not up to the job at MX. I can almost reach the top of this one on the warrior, clear it on the dale. Didn't have the stuff to try it yet on the vForce.

hard to get good help

Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2003 1:52 am
by Ryanstones
If he doesn't start washing it better he's not gonna get to ride it!
The plastic is so completely stiff it will break and bend up all kinds of stuff on any rollover i'm afraid. The radiator sits so far out front, with the stock bumper it's like a sign that says: $400 repair bill. The back fenders sell for $185.
For big/tall folks it is so comfortable on the trail though. the shocks eat up ruts and roots like they were marshmallows.

A couple for the old times

Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2003 1:54 am
by Ryanstones
down in the pit

Crank plate available? Anyone?

Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2003 1:56 am
by Ryanstones
Help him get his 'dale running...

Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2003 8:23 am
by DangerRanger
Kyle at R&S can hook you up 812-279-5833, keep trying if it is busy, because the always are!

if not try Steve M over @ cannondaler.com he is Maz.

If not get with me and I will help you out

Ben Wrightsman
317-331-1197

Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2003 8:36 am
by cannondale27
Hey I might be able to get you a crankplate.It is definitly usable.The hole in no5 position is wobbled out a little but it could be repaired.Iceracer was able to get a brand new one from Cannondale that was about two weeks ago.I would think it would be free or almost free if you had to have it.Did your dealer try and try again to get you one.If not make the calls yourself to be sure.If that fails P.M. me and I will set you up.

Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2003 9:28 am
by MXMIKE
Cool Bike!!

Is that the new track in mobile?
It looks pretty sweet.I want to try and make it out there next weekend.

Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2003 9:30 am
by 86atc250r
Cool review Ryan - refreshing to hear a real review instead of a hyped up, new owner, "this is the quad of all quads" typical review we see on other sites. Cool pit pic too....