Worst MX Bike Ever vs Best MX Bike Ever

What is the difference between the worst dirt bike ever made and the best MX bike in the world? Let's find out! The 2001 Cannondale MX400 has the unfortunate reputation of being the biggest fail in motocross history, it bankrupted an MTB company and is regarded by many to be the worst motocross bike of all time. Our YZilla YZ500 2 Stroke on the other is considered by us - and by pretty much anyone who rides it - to be one of the best big bore two strokes on the planet. The BRC Racing powered machine is just an animal that can't help but make you smile...so we thought it would be super interesting to see how the two machines compare in a classic hot lap shootout! Enjoy guys :-)
A big thanks goes out to Guy Redshaw for being such a cool human and letting us play with his bikes for the day and to George from Greenfield Dirt Track for such as awesome track and facility.
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[@benspeedschannel888]

Whatever you think of the Cannondale you’ve got to give them props for sticking they’re neck out and trying to build something different.

[@Mathew-s3t]

Both look great. The MX400 is a fascinating story and the YZ looks awesome.

[@999lazer]

Thank You. They are both great bikes in their own right. Cheers Max

[@tapitout]

A lot closer than I thought, nice to see the "experts" exposed. Great video.

[@999lazer]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it

[@kevinmee3501]

Another fantastic video Max, can't believe only 1 second in it, thought the yzilla would have easily ran away with it. Great content Max, you keep us all guessing week after week with what you're going to bring us, well done mate.

[@999lazer]

Thanks Kevin

[@Hillbilly_Bob_Rides]

Thanks to the guy, Guy haha good one max! Keep up the killer content buddy!!

[@999lazer]

will do, thanks

[@guyredshaw1422]

Top video Max and a great day out riding together! A Cannondale-type-tastic result as well. Woohoo!

[@999lazer]

Thanks Guy, lots of people asking to see a yz400 show down. Shall we make it happen?

[@guyredshaw1422]

@@999lazer I think we definitely should! Game on!

[@Docs77TV]

That was a lot faster time then I expected from the canondale, Great vlogg again max

[@drewsmith3335]

I had a Cannondale 440 moto which is the MX version of the quad line with most aggressive map, right out of the box in 02 you could win races no problem

[@Revmasterofin5]

I've still got my Moto after all these years. We were a dealer

[@ballinonwheels]

Also great video thanks for keeping them out. I can’t ride now and watching these bikes is sick!!!

[@999lazer]

No worries, thanks for watching. Cheers Max

[@my2cents395]

Hands down the best video I have ever seen on You Tube. 1 second for a 20 year difference. You might consider different brake pads on the Cannondale. If you would like to compare another odd ball bike look for a 1986 Can-Am / CCM / Armstrong MX 500. That will give you a 35 year difference. You would have to drag race these two 500's to compare motors. I know you will enjoy it.

[@999lazer]

Thanks, we'll see if we can make it happen

[@IlmariMartinsalo]

This is very positive content making viewers so glad and this obviosly made Guy really glad. Keep up your realle nice style. I like how you can see the golden edges in the worse stuff too and analyze things thoroughly.

[@999lazer]

Thanks. I really appreciate your comment. Max

[@harrypalmer291]

@@999lazer You do put together some very well done content Max. I always get excited to see you put up a new 999lazer video! Also , you are friends with KAPLAN AMERICA. I wrote him a letter and sent some parts/donation to him and he wanted me to relocate to do mechanic work for him. Cool dude!

[@michaelcarberry594]

I raced against Keith Jonson when he was riding for the Cannondale team. I was riding my vintage YZ465 and easily hung with him...that is until he became annoyed with my presence. He pulled away very easily in the twisty stuff that made up the majority of Antietam MX track. I was sorry to see the MX400 fail but it was mostly due to a shortage of cash thus development time. It was a solid bike that could have been a winner if Cannondale had the funds of the big Japanese companies. BTW love the YZ500. Nice execution of a great concept.

[@999lazer]

Thanks Michael, Funny enough we met Keith last year when he came to the Vets MXDN in the UK (Riding a Kawasaki 500)

[@harrypalmer291]

Awesome comparison you put together for theses two machines. I believe it really highlights the "It's not the model, it's the throttle " motto when it comes to banging bars on a motocross track. The YZ 500 is obviously a bike capable of truly tearing up a track and laying down incredible lap times in the hands of a top tier rider, but it's cool that you (average rider-no disrespect) felt more confident on a less brutal bike is a point to ponder which one would really be the better and more fun ride for you and a lot of other guys that just love dirt bikes.

[@justinelko588]

That's why I laugh when I see people buy 450s.

[@999lazer]

Thanks for watching Harry, all very valid points.

[@harrypalmer291]

@@justinelko588 If you ever watch a riding video that the person riding the 450 or big bore 2-stroke took with a gopro helmet mounted to film themselves and they happen to be on a track with severe whoops and jumps, also not McGrath/Carmichael abilities, you listen to how seldom they are actually opening the throttle. They are coasting probably 2/3rds of the track! I'm not throwing shade. I'm a rusty c- class rider myself, but most people can't handle the true potential of a 50-60 horsepower bike. The whole "I don't want to die today!" base instinct keeps the throttle off A LOT!😆

[@5tr41ghtGuy]

Too bad Cannondale wasn't able to iron out the kinks before production, because the bike seems otherwise solid for being over 20 yrs old. Great video, thanks much!

[@999lazer]

no problem, thanks for watching :)

[@daleduke3934]

Nice! I thought you’d be quicker on the 450 just because of comfort and usable power. Great videos man! Keep the comparison and one off bike reviews coming!

[@kitesurfuk]

80% bike 20% rider unless you're able to squeeze the absolute max out of both bikes. Nice video though.👍👍

[@ballinonwheels]

I agree, the cannondale might not be the best but it is so advanced. I rode a cannondale quad and it was so advanced for the year. I think it had fuel injection but it was super fast. I kinda knew the yz would win since it’s a 500, but the cannondale isn’t that bad lol.

[@jaydelaney9313]

I had a couple of Cannondale Cannibals back in 02-03. One had a big bore kit and a stroker crank and it flat ripped! They could have become something had ATK continued developing the machines.

[@jeff40]

Don't forget that after Cannondale sold to ATK of Utah shortly after ATK inked a deal with Maico of Germany and they purchased a lot of big bore Maico's with wide ratio transmissions like the 500,620 and 700cc. smokers and they(ATK) introduced the intimidators in all black. ATK no longer make their intimidators but Maico of Germany still build about 50 Maico's a year.

[@ballinonwheels]

@@jaydelaney9313 yes the cannibals

[@ballinonwheels]

@@jeff40 wow that’s really sick

[@dr.hugog.hackenbush9443]

Maico only builds down to the 440- they haven't made a small-bore machine for decades.

[@AUBREYTHOMAS1979]

Thst was a lot closer than I thought but still a good showing from the Cannondale

[@jaydelaney9313]

Not too surprised by the result. It's easier to ride a slow bike fast than fast bike fast.

[@999lazer]

agreed, thanks for watching

[@rumpelstiltskin6252]

Cannondale never heard of it till today weird thanks for the review

[@stkyfngrszmooth]

I gotta ask, why is this track so lame? There's no challenging jumps, roughed up terrain, or anything that would challenge the riders' ability. Personally, I'd like to see some nasty straits littered with square-edged braking bumps and other similar obstacles that would be the result of hundreds of laps from hundreds of bikes. Like Hannah told the track crew at Southwick back in 1988 after race the week prior to the national, "Leave it rough!"

[@harrypalmer291]

European motocross outdoor tracks are traditionally more like hare scramble type, natural terrain, high speed straights, mud pits, long length and no "booter" jumps or double/triple jumps like American motocross/Supercross stuff. Hey, they came up with the sport. Go easy on the gentlemen from across the pond!

[@stkyfngrszmooth]

@harrypalmer291 I'm not saying that supercross style jumps should be on an outdoor track because they don't. I just think that Unadilla-style nastiness is a beautiful thing because it challenges the rider to be on their toes all the way around without having a break, which is what outdoor tracks are supposed to be like.

[@stkyfngrszmooth]

@@err4071 I see. Good thing then. The last thing you'd want to see on a beginner track is big tricky jumps. This kind of track is perfect for riders just starting out.

[@secrecy_2905]

gonna get a yz125x soon 🤞

[@joshualatour959]

Why does the 500cc only have 55HP, only matching the ktm 300 2T? I'm sure the torque is much better and the power down lower, but there should still be more power right?

[@vwsandvettes3253]

I wonder if one is flywheel horsepower and the other is at the rear wheel?

[@bobsyouruncle5435]

As a Cannondale owner and racer more can be gotten out of them if you change your riding style. Use the low center of gravity to your advantage in the corners and get back to the throttle sooner. Also keep the revs higher and you will get more response from the motor.

[@daveduane2699]

I owned a Cannondale and it was a fantastic handling bike.It wasn't as fast as a Honda crf450 but it tracked better through the turns. They had reliability problems with the fuel injection though.

[@siraff4461]

I honestly don't think the power made much difference on that track. Maybe half a second if that. Remember you have to slow from higher speeds too which effectively makes the bit between when you get traction and hit the brakes much shorter on the lighter, more powerful bike. The good part with the 2 stroke is its also lighter and on a chassis with an extra 20-odd years of development. I would say that did more time than the engine. Now if you took them somewhere fast or a power track like Apex it would be a different story - I reckon many seconds apart once that 500 gets to be opened up for more than a couple of seconds. Fair play to that Cannondale though. How many bikes that age would be able to stick with that 500? I think a YZ426 would struggle and most other stuff from back then was green laner type bikes - XR400's and so on. I would be interested to see what times both a YZ426 and XR400 would do. On the same rubber of course. I would also be interested to see what a stock YZ250 would do to give us a hint of how much difference that engine is really making on a little handling track like that.

[@xsniperprox1]

its better to ride a slow bike fast then a fast bike slow, its almost always about how comfortable and confident you feel on a bike that decides if you're going to be faster.

[@baeruuttehei1393]

Hey Max! Nice comparisonvid of best and worst! Some details different on the Cannondale and it might've turned out quite different. And then: a new challenge I'd like to see? Hmm... How about a BRC (non vibrating) KX500 engine with a 6mm longer stroke length than bore diameter hanging in the stiffest contemporary chassis to be found? That should make for a deeptrench digging, easy responsive and solid steering machine! I'm waiting, Max, I'm waiting... 😉 Regards, T🐻 from NL.

[@yamguy33]

you should pit that against a yz 400/426 of those year to really comprered them and then throw a modern yamaha 450!

[@999lazer]

we will try and make it happen. we know where there is a nearly new yzf400 :)

[@warrenhoare2852]

Worst bike? My mate had an Aspes in 80s’… that was pretty close

[@Brad772006]

Now I am wondering why Guy did not let Blackwidow get more power from his rebuild? There is an easy 10 horsepower in head porting and uploading a new fuel map to the ECU. I know this for a fact. My 432 Cannondale motor pulls 53 horsepower at the wheels and my 450 stroked motor is about 55 at the wheels (with much more torque).

[@thedude7726]

I used to race quads. And i remember the 440 and all it's issues. I almost bought one but we built up a honda 400ex

[@guyredshaw1422]

I've just had some dirt bike insurance from BeMoto following your recommendation Max, and I'm pleased with the deal I've had👌

[@tdog54]

The 400 sounds like me after heaps of onions and snags on the bbq.

[@idehanyok01]

Yamaha yz450f vs yzilla?

[@zydecbro]

few more ponies you can get the Cannondale 470cc hop up kit from Blackwidow out of Utah offered the kits so if you would of had that displacement then you would of either beaten the Yzilla or tied it

[@bybeneficiarydaniel-jonath7848]

I see that handshake at the end…. Pointer power. Our you were checking each others pulse maybe? Pfffft

[@KTM96]

Did you offer nev a go on the cannondale ? Bet he laughed 😂 Not a fair test really a 2t Roland helped build vs a 400 4t a mountain bike company built… but, 1 second slower? Not that bad… I was expecting 2/3 seconds minimum. Good video 👍

[@jhutch666]

I'm happy the Cannondale did so good!!! I never got to ride one but I was a teenager when they came out and I LOVE seeing new things actually come up in mx and I always loved those bikes and hated seeing how much hate they always got hahq

[@LuisFigoYamahaRider]

Please!!!!! Movie for Honda CRF 2002 our 2003. First bikes 450cc the aluminiun

[@demolitiondaz22]

Anything the septic tanks do is a failure.

[@robert-nb7hw]

love the track and the yz to i still like the cannondale it had promise shame it went wrong for them

[@splah01]

An utterly ridiculous comparison. Why not run it up against the best bike the year the MX400 waa released ? Im a 2T guy to the bone, but your 500 is a very long way from being the best bike made and not the type of bike any normal person can extract a performance from. Fun bike certainly!

[@wajahatali2717]

So you are racing a 2001 4 stroke 400 , with a newly built 500 2 stroke ? The Cannondale won in my vote. Lesson learnt , you wasted alot of money and time on the zila 😂😂

[@RitaDexterdowgs]

Cannondale does still make bikes though? And is still a popular brand? Make it sound like this bike ended the company

[@P373RV2]

You really comparin a 500 2t against a 400 4t? Isnt that stupid?

[@davidkallstrom4349]

500 2t every day

[@tessbushell5489]

Surprising mind 👍🏻

[@davidbeauvais1364]

It would suck in the woods

[@jlo7770]

Prime condition? It looked like there was only 1 line. Or you only took one line. Both machines are different, kinda like comparing a Harley to a gsxr.. not to mention 15hp? 10? That's huge again. How you ride a two stroke vs how you ride a 4 stroke is different. And 20 years of brake engineering. Idk man kinda lame video.. why not compare a 22 KTM 250vs a 02 KTM 250 (both 2 stroke) The difference between the two in a good rider's hands is so vast is like racing a 00's ferrari vs a 20s.. its not the same in the right hands

[@lucascady4992]

Pretty BOLD claim.. I Love My 500's but, 😂😂😂

[@999lazer]

:)

[@alexjohnson1612]

My 88 YZ 250 is 50hp

[@jakeveitch6982]

Proof?

[@dr.hugog.hackenbush9443]

No, its not.

[@alexjohnson1612]

It's a SS

[@alexjohnson1612]

Supersport m8

[@popcornhead3479]

It's "Z" not "ZED" smh

[@999lazer]

haha it is over here, lol. If i say "zee" I get called out too from this side of the pond too :)

[@mealex303]

guess 28 seconds

[@johnykryll]

Too many adds, had to click away, shame

[@999lazer]

thanks for taking a look Johny, its the way it goes I'm afraid, we have to hire the tracks and pay for fuel, cover riders costs, etc to make the videos happen. We just couldn't do it without the sponsors help. Cheers Max

[@DUBYA-DUBYA]

I support the channel by watching the whole ad. No big deal.. before they were ads they were called commercials. Couldn’t watch 5 second ad but can take time to leave a comment. Well, atleast your commenting 😊. Go algorithm.

[@davidkallstrom4349]

10s

[@max.b92]

I love this channel

[@999lazer]

Thanks Max :)

[@speeddemon655]

I reckon next vid should be honda cr500 vs 1982 maico 490 the best 2 stroke vs the worst 2 stroke

[@999lazer]

good idea, let me see what we can do

[@dr.hugog.hackenbush9443]

Neither the Maico nor the Honda is bad.. Once you fix the Maico.

[@daffyduck9901]

The Cannondale wasn't far off too bad it didn't work out before they ran out of money

[@olivertoeknuckleiii2093]

Absolute BS!!! The Cannondale bike was the beginning of moderne “new think” design. New engineering on this scale never, ever works the first time out. It requires years of fine-tuning and development. Look at how Yamaha uses the reverse cylinder design successfully. Remember- when Colin Chapman stuck the engine behind the driver in F1, it wasn’t immediately successful. Now EVERYBODY does it. They needed more time. It was the beginning of a revolution.

[@richards933]

it should of been called CANNONFAIL

[@stevenfugate4454]

When I heard so many zeds I stopped watching I don't see an ed after that z or ZEE Z man no zed stuff Americans don't like the zed zed zed geeezed don't sound right I'm a redneck and don't say nothing the way most do so what do I know but love the videos hate the Zed mainly because I'm a YZ fan my 86 125 was my favorite love vintage Yamahas of all kinds they're the best bike made in my opinion