ATV Source - Press Releases - Cannondale Begins Shipping FX400 ATV

(2/17/01 Indianapolis, Indiana) Cannondale announced today that they have begun shipping production units of their highly-anticipated FX400 ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle). The American-made FX400 features a host of innovations, including a sophisticated four-stroke engine with electronic fuel-injection, and the industrys first twin-spar perimeter aluminum ATV frame. Suggested retail price for the FX400 is $7950. The announcement came at the start of the 2001 Dealernews International Powersports Dealer Expo here today.

Cannondale Founder & President Joe Montgomery praised his design and production teams for bringing the new model to market so quickly. Our people have put a tremendous amount of work into this project, said Montgomery, and the heart and soul and sweat that theyve invested show in the amazing quality and performance of the FX400.

Besides electronic fuel-injection, the FX400s electric-start engine also features a one-piece crankcase, cassette transmission, reversed cylinder head with a dual overhead-cam design, and separate engine and clutch oils. The FX400s race-ready, TIG-welded 6061-T6 aluminum frame is every bit as radical, with a linkless rear suspension, in-frame oil reservoir, and replaceable engine rails, brush guard, grab rail, sub-frame and steering stop.

Cannondales designers havent spared any expense in outfitting the FX400 either. Along with its innovative frame and engine, the new ATV has high-quality Ohlins front and rear suspension, a nickel-plated FMF exhaust pipe and silencer, ITP aluminum wheels and Holeshot tires, and an oversized steering column from Arens Brothers. The FX400 also boasts forged, aerospace-quality aluminum front and rear hubs, sprocket, rotor carriers and knuckles, with other high-strength forgings used in critical stress areas.

The combined result is impressive. According to the company, the FX400 is not only the lightest production sport ATV available, but it also has the highest power-to-weight ratio of any quad on the market. Cannondale has also put the FX400 through extreme testing to ensure its reliability and durability. Besides extensive dyno and track testing, the FX400 has also been subjected to a battery of tests in the companys ESAL (Experimental Stress Analysis Lab) facility, including frontal-impact simulation, jump-landing simulation, and a pair of endurance tests.

Pennsylvania motorsports dealer George Gatto of Gatto Cycles received the first production FX400 shipped from Cannondales factory last week, and he shares Cannondales enthusiasm for the new four-wheeler. The FX400 looks awesome! It looks mean, said Gatto. It really hits the mark with the ATV market. A Dealernews Top 100 dealer, Gatto pointed out that the ATV market is much bigger and much stronger than the motorcycle market, and the FX400 is a home-run.

Gatto, who is also a long-time Cannondale bicycle dealer, went on to praise the company. The fact that Cannondale makes its products here in the U.S. is very important to us, and so is the relationship weve developed with the people at Cannondale. Theres a great stability with Cannondale. I can name a number people there who weve been dealing with for more than 15 years, said Gatto. I dont have those kind of long-term relationships with my other suppliers. Cannondale has great people, and what theyve accomplished in motorsports in just three years is nothing short of phenomenal.

Initial response from industry press has also been very favorable. After riding the FX400 at Cannondales factory, Steve Casper of Dirt Wheels magazine shared his riding impressions. "Incredible braking, plush suspension, and it is has a great gear box - you can shift at times without even using the clutch. Woods riders will love it," Casper said. He continued, saying, "the FX400 would probably beat the [Yamaha] Raptor and [Honda] 400EX. It will take a full shoot out to be sure".

The debut of the FX400 is just the latest in a string of positive developments for Cannondale in the motorsports industry. The companys first motorsports product, the MX400 motocrosser, is now garnering extremely positive reviews from consumers following Cannondales successful resolution of some reliability issues during a production hiatus last fall. Cannondale is also preparing to begin production of a second motorcycle model, the cross-country oriented XC400, in April.

Finally, Cannondales Montgomery is featured in a five-page interview in the latest issue of Racer X Illustrated magazine. The article, titled American Beauty, touches on the difficulties the company experienced last year, how Montgomery and his employees worked through them, and Cannondales prospects for the future. Look for the Connecticut-based company to receive additional exposure in the coming months, as tests of both the FX400 and the XC400 make their way into the pages of other industry magazines.

In addition to its motorsports products, Cannondale (NASDAQ: BIKE) is the worlds leading manufacturer of high-performance bicycles. The companys bicycles and bicycle accessories, which include clothing, packs and bags, and HeadShok suspension forks, are marketed under the Cannondale brand name and Handmade in USA logo, and are sold in the U.S. and in more than 60 foreign countries.

2001 Cannondale FX400 Specs

Motor

Engine Type: Liquid Cooled, Dual Overhead Cam, Four Valve Four-Stroke
Displacement: 432cc Bore & Stroke: 95mm x 61mm
Compression Ratio: 12.5:1
Additional Cooling: Temperature controlled fan
Fuel Injection: Electronic Fuel
Injection Rev Limit: 10,500 rpm
Spark Plug: NGK CR8EK
Air Filter: Washable, dual stage foam
Starting: Electric
Starting Procedure: Any gear, clutch engaged

Transmission/Drive System Transmission

Transmission: Manual Clutch, manual shift
5-speed Shift Pattern: 1-N-2-3-4-5
Final Drive: 520 O-ring chain

Dimensions/Capacities

Fuel Capacity: 3.2 gal
Recommended Octane: Premium Unleaded, 92 octane
Engine Oil Capacity: 1600cc
Coolant Capacity: TBA
Wheelbase: 49.5" Overall
Length: 73.5" Overall
Width: 46.4"
Overall Height: 45.0"
Seat Height: 32.5"
Ground Clearance: 5.75"
Wet Weight, No fuel: 370 lbs.
Dry Weight: 365 lbs.
Rolling Chassis Frame: 6000 series, TIG welded aluminum
Front Susp. Type: Dual A-arms, Infinite pre-load adjust, serviceable
Front Travel: 9.0"
Rear Susp. Type: Linkless swingarm, Infinite pre-load adjust, compression and rebound adjustment, serviceable
Rear Travel: 10.0"
Brakes
Front: Dual Disc, hydraulic, braided stainless line Brake
Rear: Single Disc, hydraulic
Parking/Actuation: Front Discs, right hand lever
Tires
Front: ITP Holeshot, 21x7-10
Rear: ITP Holeshot, 20x11-9
Battery: Yuasa 8 amp/hr
Front Lighting: Dual Halogen, 37.5w/side, total 75w
Rear Lighting: Tailight, 4.9w

Other Goodies

Performance Top Speed: 73 m.p.h 300ft
Acceleration: 5.50 sec
Colors: Aluminum Smoke, Viper Red
Suggested Retail: $7,950.00
Place of Manufacturer: Cannondale Corp., Bedford, PA