ATV Source - Press Releases - Cannondale Ships 100th FX400 ATV

(3/14/01 Cessna, PA) Cannondale shipped the 100^th unit of its FX400 ATV earlier this week, and the Connecticut-based company says its continuing to ramp up production to satisfy strong retail and consumer demand for the new quad.

As the 100^th FX400 rolled off the production line at the companys Cessna, Pennsylvania motorsports factory, company Founder and President Joe Montgomery was quick to express his gratitude to Cannondales dealers. The response of the dealers has been incredibly gratifying, said Montgomery. Their excitement their eagerness to get their hands on this product has been wonderful.

Montgomery cited the reactions of area dealers as indicative of the level of enthusiasm surrounding the FX400. I received a phone call from one dealer here in Pennsylvania that had received two of the quads and sold them to customers within a couple of days, said Montgomery. He was calling to tell me he was driving over with a truck to pick up four more units, and he had cash in his pocket to pay for them. Dealers from Ohio, New Jersey, Long Island and Kentucky have also expressed their willingness to drive to the factory to pick up FX400s, said Montgomery.

The new Cannondale quad appears to have been equally well-received by the ATV press. Editors from the top ATV magazines visited the Cannondale factory several weeks ago to test-ride the FX400, and their reactions were unanimously favorable. Montgomery said that reviews of the FX400 should be appearing in ATV magazines in the coming weeks.

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. 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.

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. Suggested retail price for the FX400 is $7950.