86 Maico 250 - what's it worth?

[Nathan S]

A good mate has a 1986 Maico 250GS that's been sitting in his shed for years.
It was running fine when it was parked, but needs a clutch cable and a big clean up.

Condition is typical old bike. Presentable, but cracked and faded plastics, hard old tyres, needs fork seals, etc etc etc. The seat foam has been cut down, and makes it bloody uncomfortable to ride.

Any idea on a ball-park price for it? Given what I've seen similar age Huskys and KTMs sell for, I'm thinking $1000~1500. I assume parts will be a hassle to get, considering the rarity and it's age (ie: not well supported in the aftermarket).

If its for sale, I've got first option. 

[Hoony]

are they the Blue  Maico's?


they were a good bike. i remember a very muddy 6 day at Erica in that era and i think Shearer had one. the Final MX was on very wet grass with a very slippery soil when the grass was torn off. anyway that 250 Maico was like a tractor, a very torquey engine that drove on the slick surface.

[Nathan S]

This is a red one - basically looks like an 84 Honda CR250 with a rear disc.
It had a massive hit in the midrange. In hindsight, it probably needs the PV or jetting sorted.

[odd1]

Rode Dave hammonds last year at harrow it is a fantastic bike grab it but you are right parts do seem to be hard to get have been looking for one since last year

[Turtle.Inc]

Mate, ya cant put it in the same category as Huskies and KTMs. $2500 minimum

[Mick D]

I picked this one up about a year ago from Sydney of ebay for $1525. Blown piston but complete with a few spares.


It is number 86 of 100 pre-production models sent around the world to help regain Maico's name at the time. All the pre-production units were all fitted with Marzzochi front ends and White power rear shocks.
There is supposed to be another pre-production unit here in OZ somewhere. Geoff Ballard did a very extensive test for Tail and Track in 1986 on this one.

My Darlin can't remember where I put the mag, so it looks like I will try and find it latter.



 
 

[Mick D]

Oh yeah, Mr Ballard said it was brilliant. In the mean time here is a test on the 89 320cc.

[GMC]

Dave snuck his into the Bonanza this year when Drakie wasn't looking (I guess Drakie was right, I can't keep a secret )
Most people overlook it because it looks so much like a Honda.
I have only ridden it briefly and although it feels a bit peaky it has heaps more bottom end than a KDX 175

You can get DC plastics for them.

[maico police]

And they still had the kicker on the left........
(Has the carby got a tickler?)

[Nathan S]

And they still had the kicker on the left........
(Has the carby got a tickler?)

Kicker on the left. Can't recall about the carb, but pretty sure it's got a choke, no tickler. Think it's a Dellorto carb?

Same basic bike as Mick's one - cosmetically a bit worse than Mick's one.

[VMX60]

Mick-De

Owned one of the w/cooled 86 Maico in about 1999 had no rear shock was going to use in a Outlaw dirtkart as they were rated at 50hp  after 18mth dealing with the famous Victoria Maico dealer for missing clutch parts just no service at all gave up and sold it over here in the West for F/A back then   :'(


That might be the 2nd bike as the local dealer Cowies m/cycles had Peter Benson riding for Maico over here and had strong Maico ties with Ross on the East coast

Cheers

[Mick D]

And they still had the kicker on the left........

I bet ya if you broke your right hand, you'd become a lefty real quick

[Mick D]

Mick-De

Owned one of the w/cooled 86 Maico in about 1999 had no rear shock was going to use in a Outlaw dirtkart as they were rated at 50hp  after 18mth dealing with the famous Victoria Maico dealer for missing clutch parts just no service at all gave up and sold it over here in the West for F/A back then   :'(

Yeap, I originally became interested in these because another bloke on here(Ribbo) told me they were full of HP

Two brothers bought mine of the floor from Ross's shop after being a sponsored hand-back(it has some nice trick gear on it). In the meantime they flogged it for near twenty years with hardly putting a spanner on it. Even regularly competing in enduros, until recently miss-servicing the power valve, which bought about catastrophic engine failure.
 

[firko]

Back in the 80's a mate had an 86 GS250's and it served him well for two full enduro seasons including two 4 Days. I had an 82 490GS at the time and the GS250 was almost as quick in a straight line and much nicer to ride. Parts are readily available and no more expensive than other bikes from the same era.

[DP]

I had a 1985 M-Star MC500 which used the same chassis as the 250, I think the only difference between a 85 and 86 was the disc rear brake. Mine was built by Eric Cook at Maico Only, had a Ohlins in the rear and was one of the best bikes I have owned. Handled & turned very good, not the fastest motor in the world but it was just so easy to ride. I got a new set of plastic from DC Plastics and mechanical parts are also east to get

Cheers DP