The other Big "M"

[090]

It should be apples with apples. The 490 is an evo not a pre 85. Plenty of pre 85's would have a go at the title.Most of the comparisons are with later model bikes with 2 or 3 years more development. Best pre 85 that i have ridden, CR480 '83. Feels easier to ride than my 84 CR. To be honest, they are the only two i have ridden. With regards to the big 'M' , 2.5 years ago i didnt know what a Maico was, now i have some! I have said it before, believe the hype!

[firko]

I just sold my '84 500 Maico and I reckon they are three bike lengths quicker than an '81 490. They'd show up really well in a pre 85 shootout.

[holeshot buddy]

firkos right the 84 maico was a beast but for my money would be on any of the four jap 500s
they won everything back then state  and australian and world titles  maico and husky tried with good riders but did no good thats not too say they are a bad bike its just that the japs advanced and they got the best riders i could be wrong but i think geoff ballard got eighth place in mr motocross one year
and he was riding well and in his prime so my money would be on kx cr yz rm 500s take your pick
i have riden and raced all these bikes and i still think this era of racing was the best (firko wont agree)




it ran last time i started it 

[Maico31]

A pre '85 shootout with stock bikes in good condition should have the same results as the 500 shootouts of 1984. The Honda and Yamaha battled it out for the win and the Maico and Husky finished behind the Japanese four. The japanese bikes of that era were moving ahead in leaps and bounds each year and the Euro bikes got left behind.