![](/aimages/articlestandard/dirtbike/062006/304285/2_s.jpg) |
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! |
![](/aimages/articlestandard/dirtbike/062006/304285/3_s.jpg) |
Engineers have worked hard to make the Maicos slimmer
and lighter, and attention to detail is claimed to rival the fussy
Japanese firms. |
![](/aimages/articlestandard/dirtbike/062006/304285/4_s.jpg) |
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. |
![](/aimages/articlestandard/dirtbike/062006/304285/5_s.jpg) |
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. |
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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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