Maico on the Comeback

Feb. 01, 2006 By ORC STAFF
It’s back! The return of the Maico is a reality. But this time, they’re being built in the Netherlands.

BACK FROM OBLIVION
SNEAK PEEK OF THE NEW MAICOS

BY
RICK "SUPER HUNKY" SIEMAN


Even though the new Maicos will sport a radical new red/black/white color scheme, it still looks like a Maico. This 500 cc brute puts out a claimed 67 horsepower!






Engineers have worked hard to make the Maicos slimmer and lighter, and attention to detail is claimed to rival the fussy Japanese firms.






Only two hard-core models will be released to the public this year – the 250 and the 500 MX and Enduro – but the factory is already working on an ultra-light 380cc machine. A glance at the hollowed-out rear suspension linkage indicates they’re working hard on reducing weight.






For those who care, Maico will also offer a line of scooters from 50cc to 150cc, but plan to market them in Europe at first. There’s no real serious scooter market here.

BUT WILL THEY BE ACCEPTED? Ever since the nightmare of infighting of the Maisch family in Germany, the fortunes of the famed Maico motorcycle have been up and down, with the emphasis on down. Various groups – including the brothers who destroyed the marque – have tried to bring the Big Flying M back to a position of importance, but the efforts have been feeble and ill-guided, in general. First it was M-Star, which was nothing but the older models renamed, and brought into the country by Ted Lapadaikis at Hercules Distributing. This lasted about two years and went nowhere. Then the name flitted around from place to place, with all of the bikes being the old iron with new stickers. Meanwhile, the rest of the dirt bike world was in the process of making quantum leaps. A few die-hard fans bought the bikes, and realized they were nothing but re-hashed stuff . The new concern that will be offering the Maico name to the world is located in Holland. You got it; Maico is now being made in the Netherlands. Seems strange, does it not? Much of the information we received is directly from Maico Motorcycles N.V. Schoudermantel 37, 3981 AE Bunnik, The Netherlands. The international phone number is: 31 30 659 44 44 and the FAX is 31 30 659 44 43. The email address is maico@nedernet.nl Now you know how to contact them. But will you want to? Hmmm. Let’s study some of the information sent to us:

**

  • Maico will have two new models: a 250 and a 500, and both will be offered in both enduro and motocross versions.
  • The factory has a new plan which provides not only for the development and production of a range of cross-country motorcycles, but also for a complete range of scooters in 50cc, 100 and 125 cc versions. In Europe, scooters are still very popular.
  • At present, Maico already has a substantial number of orders for the 250 and 500 cc models from all over the world, and this is why they expect to produce no less than 3,000 motocross and enduro motorcycles, plus a further 4,000 scooters for starters. In the 1999 season, 4,000 motorcycles will leave Bunnik and a total of 10,000 scooters and light motorbikes will be manufactured at Maico's completely new assembly plant.
  • Work has been going on feverishly at the new Maico factory during the past few months on the dirt bikes. Although the new machines are basically broadly similar to the previous Maicos, in fact every part has been developed new and from scratch. Maico's engineers are trying hard to build the best motocross bike from a position of maximum power, while retaining light weight and good handling.
  • If the numbers are to be believed, the new two-stroke 500 cc engine is the most powerful water cooled two-stroke in its class and puts out 67 horsepower at 6,500 rpm. The torque is also claimed to be higher and is also spread more evenly over a wider range. To achieve this, nearly every engine component has been updated. Thanks to the enlarged inlet manifold, the refined inlet flow conditions and the electronic ignition, the new Maico motorcycle is now among the most powerful and efficient 500 cc machines available, according to the development engineers.
  • The frame has been designed by Maico's engineers - themselves all motorcycle racing enthusiasts - using advanced computer programs and based on years of competitive experience. The result is a very rigid frame, they say, enabling the Maicos to remain controllable even under very arduous conditions. The front fork and swinging arm are also new and more robust. The spring preload and two-way damping can be accurately adjusted both front and rear.
  • The swinging arm is completely new and has exceptionally high rigidity: in fact the (torsion) rigidity is now four times as strong as the old design. In spite of all this extra rigidity, Maico has also succeeded in reducing the weight of the machine. The combination of a very rigid frame, suspension, re-engineered swinging arm and steering head bearing should give excellent handling traits.
  • Details include ground and nickel-plated brake discs in the rear wheel, very wear-resistant and silent running gears, and all aluminum parts are ceramic-coated. Many parts have been cut in house via modern CNC machining, which should assure consistency in quality that previous Maicos never had.
  • Some high quality parts are supplied by big names. Among them are Brembo, Domino, Regina, PBR, Metzeler, Goodridge, Marzocchi, Mikuni, Technosel and Magura.
Appearance-wise, the new Maicos are a striking red, black and white design. As you can see from the photos, they look great! Slim and trim is the goal; the new plastic tank and the lengthened saddle are now narrower and are positioned somewhat lower for a better ergonomic riding position. From 1999 onward, Maico's red, white and black will also adorn their professional 500 cc factory motocross team. Preparations for taking part in national and international competitions are well under way. In both the 250 cc and 500 cc classes Maico is in discussion with a number of riders. Maico wants to use the factory team not only to secure greater awareness of the Maico, make but also to test out new developments and ideas in practice. Enduro versions of the 250 and 500 cc machines are not simply motocross bikes with a few parts tacked on. The gear box, the gearing ratios, the frame, the ignition, carb, tires and suspension have all been designed for enduro work. The enduro model will cost slightly more than the MX version. Interested buyers can contact Maico for a list of dealers, which already comprises 14 distributors. Initial supplies will at first be limited: orders are by subscription only, and machines will be delivered in the sequence in which orders are received. The new Maico 250 and 500 cc are the starting point for a complete range of bikes. The company is also working hard on a 380 cc version, also in Motocross and Enduro variants. Still, the question remains: after all that’s gone down, is the world ready to embrace the new Maicos, or will it just go down in history as a mere curiousity and a blip on the scope. Since the Dutch group seems to be very organized and does have some money behind them, chances look good. We’ll try to arrange a test and see if some of the old magic is still there. Stay tuned!

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS MAICO 500 500 Cross and 500 Enduro

  • Engine … 2 strokes, 1 cylinder
  • Cooling …Water
  • Exhaust … HGS
  • Bore/Stroke … 86.5 x 85mm
  • Displacement … 499 cc
  • Engine Power … 67 hp at 6500 rpm
  • Carburetor … Mikuni TM 38
  • Transmission … 5 Speed
  • Ignition … PVL for MX - SEM for enduro
  • Frame … Chromoly
  • Front suspension … Marzocchi Magnum 50
  • Front wheel travel … 305 mm
  • Rear suspension … Twin link
  • Rear wheel travel … 320 mm
  • Rear Brake … Brembo, 220 mm Disc/single, floating piston
  • Front Brake … Brembo, 260 mm Disc/double floating piston
  • Tank capacity … 9.5 liter
  • Wheelbase … 1480 mm
  • Ground clearance … 388 mm
  • Seat height … 960 mm
  • Weight … 100 kg/MX - 111 kg Enduro

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS MAICO 250 250 Cross and 250 Enduro

  • Engine … 2 strokes, 1 cylinder
  • Cooling … Water
  • Exhaust … HGS
  • Bore/Stroke … 67 x 70mm
  • Displacement … 250 cc
  • Engine Power … 53 hp
  • Carburetor … Mikuni TM 38
  • Transmission … 5 Speed
  • Ignition …PVL/MX model - SEM Enduro model
  • Frame … Chromoly
  • Front suspension … Marzocchi Magnum 50
  • Front wheel travel … 305 mm
  • Rear suspension … Twin link
  • Rear wheel travel … 320 mm
  • Rear Brake …Brembo , 220 mm Disc/single floating piston
  • Front Brake … Brembo, 260 mm Disc/double floating piston
  • Tank capacity … 9.5 liter
  • Wheelbase … 1480 mm
  • Ground clearance … 388 mm
  • Seat height … 960 mm
  • Weight … 97 kg MX model - 109 kg Enduro model


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