The 620 Maico doesn't look like any Maico we've seen before.

I had a chance ride to one of the prototype 620 Maicos a few years back at the Adelanto Grand Prix. Unfortunately, on the way to the track, one of my motorhome’s rear wheels flew off and went shooting past the front wheels. Not a good way to start weekend of racing. So there went my big chance to ride this monster.

Very little information was available about the bike at the time. All I was told was that if the bike worked okay, it might become a production unit. As far as I know, the one I was going to ride was the only bike built.

I assumed it was based on the old 490/500 two-stroke engine that we all came to know and respect. Not so. The 620 was based on the ultralight 320 engine/package that was produced in limited quantities. It weighed in at a very light 222 pounds with no gas.

Maicos are still produced by a Dutch company in very small quantities. The only American distributor that we know of is Vintage Iron in California. There is no suggested retail price as of yet, and availability is sketchy. All things considered is that the genuine article does indeed exist.

Many parts are familiar items, such as the upside-down White Power forks, Brembo brakes and Bing carb. It has a whopping type 55 carb for those who care.

For the rear suspension, the bike comes equipped with a Reiger shock that delivers about 12.2 inches of travel. Absolutely nothing is known about this shock.

It's a tall bike, with plenty of ground clearance and a very high saddle height. At first glance, it shares looks with a Husqvarna, but that's where the similarity ends. It's a very compact engine with a nicely tucked in pipe and what appears to be a massive, indestructible swing arm.

The frame is typical Maico in design and construction. We talked to one person who rode the bike (he’ll remain un-named), and he said the handling was just about like the last of the 490 Maicos. That is, impeccable turning, super stable at high speeds, with no major flaws. He also stated that the power started immediately off idle and pulled straight and clean with no strange hits in the power curve. As far as pure power goes, his take was that you couldn't want any more and still be sane.

So there you have it. The Maico still exists, even though it doesn't look like any Maico you've ever seen. More on the bike as things develop. We hope to have one for a test before too long.

Model: 620 Cross
Cooling: Water
Inlet system: Reed valve system
Exhaust system: S.E.E.S. exhaust system
Cylinder capacity: 616ccm
Bore/Stroke: 95 x 87mm
KW/horsepower: 56/76
Carburetor: Bing Type 55/44-205
Transmission: 5 speed gearbox
Ignition: PVL digital
Frame: Chrome Moly
Front fork: White Power Upside Down 48 mm
Front brake: Brembo with 260 mm Wave disc
Front wheel travel: 305mm
Front rim: 1.6 - 21
Front tires: 80/100 - 21
Rear suspension: Maico Twin Link with Reiger shock
Rear brake: Brembo with 220 mm wave disc
Rear rim: 2.15 - 18
Rear tires: 120/100 - 18
Tank: 9.5 Liter
Wheel base: 1480 mm
Ground clearance: 388mm
Seat height: 960mm
Weight: 101 kg
Price:  NA