1981 490

[Rossvickicampbell]

Gents - what are the major differences between the MC and GS 490's - 81 model.  Is the GS as good as the MC was supposed to be.  Could it also be used in MX?

cheers

Rossco

[KTM47]

OK.  A lot of the 490s being raced in Australia probably were a GSs originally.  There is a different engine number

Enduro is GT and MX RT

The motor changes are as follows.  The final drive gear is slightly higher.  Remember there are three gear box shafts.  Fifth gear and the matching final drive are different ratio for MX and Enduro.  The enduro also has a Bosch ignition with external rotor and lighting coil.  The MX motor has a motoplat ignition and top coil with smaller internal rotor.  The MX motor is faster but for old farts the GS might be better.

The frames were the same but extra brackets (loop behind seat and centre stand brackets) are welded on for GSs.  Most riders cut them off, but the steering lock is usually still there.

Kevin

[suzuki59]

Gents - what are the major differences between the MC and GS 490's - 81 model.  Is the GS as good as the MC was supposed to be.  Could it also be used in MX?

cheers

Rossco

Way too much power for you petal.... But saying that you might exceed it's weight limit 

[Rossvickicampbell]

what did your mother tell you Craigy??

Thanks Kevin.

[KTM47]

It is funny how everyone seems to think the 490 Maicos are a beast to ride.

They aren't they have got a very broad power spread and don't come on like a lot of 500 class bikes.  This is why they are so successful.

[GMC]

Did the GS have different porting to the MX?

Rode a 79 GS 400 many moons ago (CD2) and was very impressed by how smooth and tractable the power was.

[jerry]

I have a 78 mx rolling chassis that I'm going to make a GS. Just need an engine. J

[davidmc]

As well as KTM47 indicates;
The GS has extra Rear frame loop around Rear Gaurd,
 Centre Stand,
and Fork tubes Marked different, reported to be thicker material on MX
There is minimal difference on the track,
Like Laurie Alderton said,
"Racing a Maico is almost like cheating"

[KTM47]

Did the GS have different porting to the MX?

Rode a 79 GS 400 many moons ago (CD2) and was very impressed by how smooth and tractable the power was.

To my knowledge porting is the same, although the Bosch ignition with heavier flywheel does have some effect.

Some of the 1982 GS 490 did come with reed valve barrels also.  They were still twin shock too.

[Ted]

It is funny how everyone seems to think the 490 Maicos are a beast to ride.

They aren't they have got a very broad power spread and don't come on like a lot of 500 class bikes.  This is why they are so successful.

Yeah you are right. They are not a beast at all. Especially after seeing what a certain 81 YZ 465 did to two of them on the uphill at Lakes last weekend

[KTM47]

I wondered when the Maico haters would pipe up?

Ted,  Don't you think that maybe the age and ability of the rider might have something to do with it.  If you come out of a corner faster than the rider in front of you, you carry the extra speed into that section.

I always remember a Production Road Race at Surfers Paradise Raceway.  Anyway the rider of a 750 protested the rider of a RZ500 Yamaha, because he was passing him on the main straight.  The bike was pulled down and found to be standard.

Anyway someone said maybe the RZ500 rider was just coming onto the straight faster.  The name of that rider was Michael Doohan. 

[Ted]

I wondered when the Maico haters would pipe up?

Ted,  Don't you think that maybe he age and ability of the rider might have something to do with it.  If you come out of a corner faster than the ride in front of you, you carry the extra speed into that section.

All always remember a Production Road Race at Surfers Paradise Raceway.  Anyway the rider of a 750 protested the rider of a RZ500 Yamaha, because he was passing him on the main straight.  The bike was pulled down and found to be standard.

Anyway someone said maybe the RZ500 rider was just coming onto the straight faster.  The name of that rider was Michael Doohan.

Not a Maico hater at all. I just dont buy the myth. But then again i dont believe in Jesus or the tooth fairy either.
I know what i saw. The Maygo rider , a Australian title holder himself, commented on it.

[suzuki59]

I love all bikes and still reckon Rosco wont get permisson from his Mummy to buy one 

[Maicoman]

It is funny how everyone seems to think the 490 Maicos are a beast to ride.

They aren't they have got a very broad power spread and don't come on like a lot of 500 class bikes.  This is why they are so successful.

Couldn't agree more. I have several Maicos and my 84 SC500 is a big arm chair to ride. Plush suspension and the power is nothing like your normal CR500's. Basically just feed it more gears and it goes.

As for the YZ465, Ted they are a good thing but it has been well documented that the big4 Japanese bike manufactures all went out in 1981 and bought Maico 490's and pulled the engines down to find out why they were so good. I reckon a real match up would be Gally on a YZ465 V's Ballard on a 490 Maico. I saw Gally on his YZ490 at CD7 and he going well until he got spat over the bars and Ballard came through for the win

[KTM47]

I wondered when the Maico haters would pipe up?

Ted,  Don't you think that maybe he age and ability of the rider might have something to do with it.  If you come out of a corner faster than the ride in front of you, you carry the extra speed into that section.

All always remember a Production Road Race at Surfers Paradise Raceway.  Anyway the rider of a 750 protested the rider of a RZ500 Yamaha, because he was passing him on the main straight.  The bike was pulled down and found to be standard.

Anyway someone said maybe the RZ500 rider was just coming onto the straight faster.  The name of that rider was Michael Doohan.

Not a Maico hater at all. I just dont buy the myth. But then again i dont believe in Jesus or the tooth fairy either.
I know what i saw. The Maygo rider , a Australian title holder himself, commented on it.

myth


/m??/


noun

noun: myth; plural noun: myths

1. a traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a people or explaining a natural or social phenomenon, and typically involving supernatural beings or events.
"ancient Celtic myths"

synonyms: folk tale, story, folk story, legend, tale, fable, saga, allegory, parable, tradition, lore, folklore; More
technicalmythos, mythus

"ancient Greek myths"

2. a widely held but false belief or idea.
"the belief that evening primrose oil helps to cure eczema is a myth, according to dermatologists"


What part of the above explainations for the word myth applies to the MIGHTY MAICO 490.

IF you haven't ridden one you aren't qualified to comment.