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Bicycle-maker Cannondale Begins Production of MX400 Motorcycle

31 May 2000

    BEDFORD, Pa. - The innovative MX400 motocrosser, unveiled less than eighteen 
months ago at the 1999 Dealernews Powersports Expo, will begin rolling off the 
production line at Cannondale's new motorcycle factory here today.  

    The MX400 is a fuel-injected, four-stroke, electric-start motorcycle, and
its official debut marks the first time in more than 20 years that a motocross 
motorcycle has been produced on American soil.

    "This is a huge day in our company's history," said Cannondale Founder and
President Joe Montgomery, "and I think I speak for everyone here when I say
I'm feeling equal parts excitement and gratitude.  Particularly, we'd like to
thank everyone who has kept the faith; our dealers, customers, stockholders,
employees and the press.  We're also extremely appreciative of all the
assistance we've received from our many vendors, and from the state and local
agencies here in Pennsylvania.  Finally, on a more personal note, I really
want to thank everyone here at Cannondale for their tireless work on this
amazing project."

    Montgomery noted that, as planned, MX400 production would be modest at
first, with Cannondale's Bedford factory ramping up and increasing its output
in the coming months.  He also added that, given the strong interest in the
MX400, it would be some time before the company had worked through its
existing back-log of orders.

    Featuring a twin-spar aluminum frame, the MX400 is powered by Cannondale's
innovative four-stroke, fuel-injected, 432cc engine with electric-start.  The
MX400 has generated considerable interest throughout the motorcycle industry,
and was named "Bike Of The Year" by Dirt Rider magazine after last year's
Dealernews Powersports Expo in Indianapolis.

    "The all-new four-stroke is revolutionary in many ways: from its reversed
cylinder head design to the fuel-injected intake tract," said Dirt Rider
magazine in selecting the MX400 as Bike of the Year.  "Simply put, the MX400
looks more like a high-dollar project from a secret division of a major
automobile manufacturer than a first attempt from a leader in the pedal power
industry."

    Cannondale has continued to turn industry heads in recent months with the
unveiling of two additional motorcycle models and a four-wheeled ATV.  The two
new motorcycles, the EX400 enduro and XC400 cross-country, will be based on
the MX400's frame and engine platforms.  The FX400 ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle)
has already been featured on the cover of three magazines, and will also
incorporate MX400 engine technology.  Production of the ATV is scheduled to
begin this fall, with the XC400 and EX400 to follow early next year.