Cannondale Crosser
Motorcycle
So far, Cannondale only built bicycles. Now the Americans are daring motorized two-wheelers, the first prototypes of the new four-stroke engine are already running.
Even if it looks like it at first glance, the photo above does not show the new four-stroke crosser from Honda, but the motorized debut of the mountain bike specialist Cannondale. A motorcycle from the bicycle factory? Unusual, but hardly surprising on closer inspection. Because the suspended downhill racers are very reminiscent of small off-road motorcycles, in principle only the engine is missing. The bike scene’s eagerness to experiment has led to all sorts of serious or curious two-wheeler designs. Fresh wind that could liven up the motorcycle sector.
However, little of this is felt on the Cannondale motorcycle, it hardly seems revolutionary. Only for the rear suspension are the Americans currently testing an electronic control of the central spring strut, which should be fully developed by the start of series production in spring 1999. The central spring strut is linked directly to the aluminum swingarm, ATK and KTM have already demonstrated this solution. The aluminum frame in the Deltabox design of the CR-Honda is solidly built, the beams and the rear frame are screwed on. “Torsional rigidity was the top priority, and that applies to both bicycles and motorcycles,” is the Cannondale technician’s credo.
When it comes to the drive, the bicycle specialists rely on motorcycle specialists. The engine was developed in cooperation with the Swedish design office Folan, whose owner Lars Nilsson already helped develop the oven-stroke singles from Husqvarna and Husaberg. The key data: 400 cm³ displacement, two overhead camshafts, dry sump lubrication with oil pump, balance shaft with flanged water pump, six-speed gearbox. The test engines were still supplied by the Swedes, series engines are to be produced later in the USA.
The demands on the new motorcycle, which will also come as an enduro, are high, and Yamaha’s four-stroke YZ 400 F sets the standard: lighter (107 kilograms are targeted), more power and lower seat height, these are the milestones. At the moment, professional testers like Mike Guerra, ex-crosser and sixth in the 250cc Cross World Championship in 1981 and 1982 ensure that the schedule is adhered to VS.Delivering annondale series machines – and that’s what the professional cyclists really mean.
Cannondale, the pioneer in mountain bikes
Cannondale has been producing mountain bikes since 1984 and is now one of the leading manufacturers in this field. At the beginning of the 1990s, the company in Bedford / Pennsylvania grew rapidly, with sales rising to $ 162 million at the end of the day. In addition to mountain bikes, the 59 current models now also include road bikes, tandems and trekking models. Cannondale shaped the technical development of the scene, for example, the Americans were the first to build bikes with spring-loaded rear structures on a large scale. In the last few years the market has become more and more divided. Downhill race bikes, i.e. bicycles that only serve the purpose of rolling down a mountain as quickly as possible, have little in common with conventional bikes. Tea highlight is the factory downhill bike "Super V DHF", on which Cannondale tries out technical innovations. The factory racer has 150 millimeters of spring travel, and a computer controls the suspension and damping. The driver can choose between five different programs while driving. The rear end is sprung with an elaborate construction, needle bearings are used in the telescopic fork to minimize friction. A reduction gear allows the use of very small chainrings, which benefits the ground clearance.
Related articles
-
Driving report: Cannondale MX 400
Driving report: Cannondale MX 400 Joyride Initially, the first production crosser with injection suffered from breathing difficulties. But now you can…
-
Driving report Cannondale E 440 R
Driving report Cannondale E 440 R Western Spaghetti A sticker on the swingarm of the Cannondale E 440 R announces American national pride. Nevertheless,…
-
Technology Cannondale MX 400 Grown over the head Based on the upturned cylinder head, the American bicycle manufacturer Cannondale set up an off-road…
-
Comparison of the four-stroke crosser
Comparison of the four-stroke crosser Lifting dream With the Yamaha YZ 400 F, Japan is waking the European specialists from their deep slumber. There’s a…
-
New Crosser 2005 Exchange relay Even those who are familiar with the subject are surprised: The Japanese have obviously not written off the two-stroke…
-
Comparison test four-stroke crosser
Comparison test four-stroke crosser attack… … is the best defense. With the lively YZ 400 F, Yamaha landed a real hit in 1998. Now the initially…
-
Comparison test four-stroke crosser
Four-stroke test comparison crosser Cleverly threaded With elaborate engine technology and consistent lightweight construction, the new Honda CRF 450 R…
-
Comparison Cannondale E 440 R -Gas Gas EC 450 FSE
Comparison Cannondale E 440 R / Gas Gas EC 450 FSE Splash Sportsman Two top athletes who hang on the hypodermic needle for better or worse, in…
-
Comparison test Crosser In limbo It seems clear that the four-stroke crossers in the small class will soon take over the helm. But now? Have a look at…
-
Comparison test of the 450 Crosser
Comparison test 450er Crosser, Honda CRF 450 R, KTM 450 SX Racing, Suzuki RM-Z 450, Yamaha YZ 450 F Bounced as jumped? Is the Suzuki RM-Z 450 the new…
Related articles
-
Discovery – The World Ducati Week 2014 will take place from July 18 to 20 – Occasions DUCATI
BMW R 1200 R , Kawasaki Z 800, MV Agusta Brutale 800 RR, KTM 1290 Super Duke R. Four current naked bikes in horsepower comparison Content of Two-, three-…
-
Discovery – World Ducati Week 2012 begins Thursday in Misano – Occasions DUCATI
BMW R 1200 R and Ducati Monster 1200 in the test Two-cylinder roadster in comparison With the water-cooled boxer and a completely new frame, the BMW R…
-
Discovery – Review, photos and videos of World Ducati Week 2012 – Used DUCATI
BMW K 1200 RS: development Our best The developers worked for a good three years to crown the BMW program. With the new K 1200 RS. The large room in the…
-
Discovery – Everyone, really everyone at World Ducati Week! – Used DUCATI
Honda patent suggests new crossover bike With the oven -cylinder of the 650 class No off-road machine, but in an adventure outfit with a sporty body,…
-
News – Video interview: Ducati 2014 news live from Milan – Used DUCATI
Two tuning conversions of the Yamaha MT-09 in the test Rennmmel and everyday items Content of Young talent at the PS-Bridgestone-TunerGP: Finally,…
-
Discovery – Video review of the BMW Motorrad Days 2014 – Used BMW
Cagiva Elefant 650 and Moto Guzzi V 65 TT Travel and off-road classics Content of BMW had presented the R 80 G / S at the beginning of the 80s, the…
-
BMW R 1200 RS and BMW HP2 Sport in comparison Air-cooled versus water-cooled Content of The BMW HP2 Sport is a high-performance athlete, the BMW R 1200…
-
Eicma Milan – Video: Ducati novelties at the Milan Motor Show Eicma – Used DUCATI
Endurance test final balance: Victory Hammer S Reader experiences Done! It took almost two years for the Hammer S to unwind its 50,000 kilometers at…
-
Discovery – Motorcycle course on the circuit: the Suzuki Academy is back in 2014 – Used SUZUKI
Character test two-cylinder Sound and feeling You have to get out, drive, it’s inside you. Motorcycle crazy, says the neighbor, totally crazy. Maybe he’s…
-
Discovery – Next World Ducati Week in September 2010 – Used DUCATI
BMW Bobber from HB-Custom Landlust reloaded Content of Style only works with urban? Does Cool only work with city? It’s going to be hip downtown, and…