The other Big "M"

[All Things 414]

This started out on the "competition" page and 'cause I don't want to get into any trouble for hi-jacking the thread, I've bought it over here.
We were talking about the probability of a Pre-85 shoot-out at the VIPER social day in March.
Wombat had asked me why I thought the 490 Maico would get the nod before it had even been ran. He asked if I thought that they were the bench-mark for such a comparison. My reply:

I'll probably get it in the neck no doubt for this and before I say it, I've always liked the big German and I believe that they are a GOOD BIKE however I think people go a little ga-ga over them. They, like every other motorcycle suffer from their own gremlins. I think that a little too much hype is associated with them as well. Some people will have you believe that only a Demi-God is capable of riding one. The sane people who I've talked to whom own one, like  Father Noel Heanen from Viper, tell a different story. A strong, easy to ride bike. I also think that a lot of people go wayyyy overboard in blinging the things up and are a little precoscious with the things. You know. Put a little sign on them. "please admire but don't touch". Like they'll fall apart from the first touch of a non-Maico mortal. Probably why their prices are so over-inflated.
Here it comes........
End quote.

[STW996]

Well me being a avid Hondaman an owning 82.83 480 and 84 500 would have to agree with you on this ONE!! I do like the cut of their jib and they had pretty much reached their peak at this time as the Honda's just started getting better. But I do like to see one of the Big M bikes on full song and in the hands of a good rider can give anyone a licking!!

Me being a Queenslander I did not like the taste of the other "BIG M" at first but that has also grown on me and I look forward to one whenever I am in Mexico, BLOODY AGE.

Shane

[Maicojames]

This started out on the "competition" page and 'cause I don't want to get into any trouble for hi-jacking the thread, I've bought it over here.
We were talking about the probability of a Pre-85 shoot-out at the VIPER social day in March.
Wombat had asked me why I thought the 490 Maico would get the nod before it had even been ran. He asked if I thought that they were the bench-mark for such a comparison. My reply:

I'll probably get it in the neck no doubt for this and before I say it, I've always liked the big German and I believe that they are a GOOD BIKE however I think people go a little ga-ga over them. They, like every other motorcycle suffer from their own gremlins. I think that a little too much hype is associated with them as well. Some people will have you believe that only a Demi-God is capable of riding one. The sane people who I've talked to whom own one, like  Father Noel Heanen from Viper, tell a different story. A strong, easy to ride bike. I also think that a lot of people go wayyyy overboard in blinging the things up and are a little precoscious with the things. You know. Put a little sign on them. "please admire but don't touch". Like they'll fall apart from the first touch of a non-Maico mortal. Probably why their prices are so over-inflated.
Here it comes........
End quote.


LMAO, 414!!!!!  In the early days of VMX, I had a Pursang-then a Penton-the prices on the MX250/360 Yamahas were actually higher 16 yrs ago. While I always wanted an AW, I watched many hack and tape together Maicos then.  At the time, I was really not as impressed-as most raced locally had many continual gremilns. I recall a friends father who loved VMX, but really loved the Asian bikes looking at a Sq Barrel with me one day-I passed..he asked why, of course it was due to all the gremlins and issues owners had
. He told me that it wouldn't have those problems if he owned one or I owned one-hell of a compliment from Bob Sr, as I considered him not just a tech , but a real tuner.

I realized soon that all bikes wear and have issues, if you want cheap and easy get a 99-2002 or so 250mx bike. I have become at list a bit familiar with some of the Maico's quirks, and adjust, correct, compensate etc. For me, my AW I think put me way ahed of where I would have been on another era bike-and that was worth the time and trouble.
As for the 81 490, well it is likely the GOAT, yet is still overrated, think how many more 81s are built vs 82 or 83 Maicos-and the 83 490 I think is the fastest of all. Once a Maico is set up properly, many parts out last the same parts on other brands.

I will not get on my soapbox about how so many Maico riders race a 74.5 GP then get an 81 490-skipping the AWs and early Magnums, but I hope the Aws , and this era in particular continues to gain popularity.....please do not touch....

Race all the makes, the more obscure the better, we love VMX for many reasons, variety one of them.  

[bigk]

I have had an '81 MC490 and an '83 Husqvarna CR500. The Husky was a great fast, good handling, heaps of power, easy to ride bike. The Maico was a fast, good handling, heaps of power (a little less than the Husky), easy to ride bike. On the track I think the the Maico would get the nod because it revs a little qucker and feels a little lighter, but very close. In the pits, if you can get past the legend status of the Maico, it's 6 of one, half a dozen of the other, although I would probably vote for the Husky with the white, blue, yellow colors and the cool alloy tank. You could buy a Husky for about 50-75% of what you have to pay for a Maico as well. I've had a few Maico's and I still reckon a '77 AW400 is hard to go past for an all rounder. Maico clutches are a little harder to live with as well. I've also ridden '83 Honda CR480, nice bike, '84 CR500, too much power, not as good as the 480 in my opinion, '84 RM500, nice smooth torquey power and '84 KX500, once again nice and rideable. I've never ridden a Monty 414, but the 360 is a great bike. In the real world it all boils down to what color you like and how much cash you have to get what you like. Here's a similar question: Blonde, red or brunette?
Cheers,
K

[gator]

Hey paul come n have a look at this

[paul]

gator ive been whatchin / the flux capasitor looks like the go
i   really dont know what the  problem is if you like something then .and you can afford it ,go for it   ive got 2 maicos now   81 490  a 74.5 / 440   and hope fully ive negosiated  a 350 square  .then my plan is a aw  in the future  when i can afford it   1 of each will do me  and to be honest i like the look off some off the monty moto cross bike  so  have much do you want for the yellow barge 414 let me give you some relief from your obious  pain    just jokeing ps I WILL THROW IN SOME DUCK PELLETS AND SOME DOG FOOD AS A SWEETENER

[husky61]

I agree with Big K

The 83 model CR and XC Huskies sure are great looking bikes , but having said that, most of of the bikes mentioned from that era are also very desirable.

Blonde or Brunette for me K , although i guess red would be ok .

Hey K , no luck with a good the 390 , but i have an 80 model 390 (its a roughy but all there)and  it go's , Needs a resto as you couldnt use it as is.  it owes me $1,200.00.(thats what it cost me) I purchased it to restore but realistically i have no time to do it. Give a ring on the mobile


Rob

[HuskyPete]

Shoey, is that the reason you now have a HL500 and a 490.

[firko]

As a writer and former '81 490 Maico owner I'm as guilty as anyone of perpetuating the myth that the Maico is the "perfect motocross bike" courtesy of the many articles I've written about them over the years. I'm unashamedly a Maico fan and stand by their reputation as one of the greats but I'm also honest enough to recognise that, 1: The '81 Maico does have some issues, and 2: the opposition of the time wasn't that far off the Maico benchmark.

To ride a 490 Maico is to appreciate the fine balance between horsepower, handling and usability that the Maico engineers managed to get just right. In the rush to throw accolades at the Maico we often overlook the primitive clutch, less than efficient brakes, shitty shocks and forever weeping fork seals. It's also worth noting that if you aren't proficient with a Sidchrome in you hand, pick another brand to race as Maicos are extremely maintenance sensitive.

As good as the Maico was, the opposition produced some superb bikes as well. The YZ 465 Yamaha is one of the sweetest motors in motocross history, let down by "unusual" ride characteristics. The KTM 495 is faster in a straight line but you have to have you wits about you with its almost violent power delivery. The Husky 500 is also faster than the Maico and a lot more rider friendly than the KTM but the overall package isn't as well balanced as that of the Maico. Honda hadn't quite got their act together with the flawed 450 but within a few short years would emerge with the fabulous CR500, the one bike that I feel has the runs on the score sheet to challenge the Maico's "best ever open classer" reputation.

In the end, the Maico surely does deserve the praise it's achieved but in the whole scheme of things, the opposition was capable of knocking the Maico off its pedestal in any situation. It all came down to the riders ability and karma of the day.

[husky61]

67 Husky

Im very lucky to have the two bikes mentioned , but I still remain a loyal member of the husky brotherhood

[paul]

just outa interest which hl did you get cause there are not to many  real ones  around

[gator]

if they were such a great bike why didn't they win world titles ???was it the rider's

[gator]

i wear chainsaw pants  when i cut safety first

[husky61]

Paul

we aer lucky to have purchased one of the very few genuine HL's.

rob

[All Things 414]

As I said, I think that they're top bikes. I just hope that if there ever was some sort of Pre 85 shoot-out (and I think any sort of shoot-out with bikes this old can't really be taken seriously), that the markers keep an open mind. Nuff said