Posts
1388
Joined
2/16/2008
Location
OH
US
Fantasy
501st
Edited Date/Time
11/24/2019 11:35pm
For quite some time I've wanted an 81 490 Maico and as I get closer to breaking the piggy bank, I find myself wondering how the 81 250 compares to the 490. Back in the day I had the opportunity to race a 490 and ride it enough to become familiar with it...really liked it.
Never rode the 250, come to think of it, I don't think I've even seen one in person. I'm an intermediate rider and weigh about 165 so it's not like I need gobs of power.
Anybody have any experience with both bikes or even just the 250? Thoughts on the pros and cons of an 1981 250 vs a 490?
Never rode the 250, come to think of it, I don't think I've even seen one in person. I'm an intermediate rider and weigh about 165 so it's not like I need gobs of power.
Anybody have any experience with both bikes or even just the 250? Thoughts on the pros and cons of an 1981 250 vs a 490?
Bultokid, your comment on the 250 being an easier bike to get along with is the same thing I've heard from a few people who've ridden both. While others who've ridden both are hooked on the power of the 490. Even though I tend to prefer the more manageable feel of a 250 over an open bike, i'm kinda drawn to the classic reputation of the 490.
Parts availability would seem to be better for the 490...?
The Shop
http://www.vintagemx.us/message_board/viewtopic.php?p=22730#22730
Steer clear of 1980 Maico, they went overboard with long travel suspension that hurt the Maico excellent handling traits!
My friend Steve Russell had a 400 our other friend Jeff Witherell had a 490 Like me, both were So.Cal CMC pro's & Steve (160lbs) could pull Jeff's (200lbs) on the start.
Both did well on them, Steve told me that eh 490 was just to tiring (sp) to ride for him as it would just ware him out.
Rob is right about the 78 turning a little better then the 81' If you want a great bike see if you can find a 78' 400, install a set of cut down 81' forks ( don't flex as much as the 78 forks) & an 81 swing arm with good shocks.
A 81 250 can be made to haul ass, but it take a pipe, carb & port work & you have to ride it like a 125..Don't ever let it get off the pipe or it will fall flat on it's face!
Yep, I'm familiar with the 1980 Maicos not being ideal handlers due to setting high.
Since I have an 84 RM 250 that I'm pretty happy with for EVO, I'm beginning to lean more towards the big bore Maico rather than the 250 to give me a little more variety in what I have to ride.
Yes there where both a 400 & a 440 in 78!
The swing arm mod is pretty much a bolt in mod, but you might have to remove a little metal from the inside of the frame on the 78, it's been so long since i did one of those I can't remember.
But you can use the same swing arm bolt from the 78 in the 81 arm, Maico didn't make just to say look at our new Parts, they tended to use what worked from year to year.
Was interested to read your points raised on the maico.
Many yrs ago I raced the British champs on my 440 1979 maico... Although almost identical to the 78 maico they changed a few parts the loop on the back of the frame foot pegs were now welded not bolted on and the late 79 had 40 mm carb
That was the model I had
I then stored this away for a memory and in 2017 pulled off the cover to see the bike
Tyres and tubes had rotted along with the filter and spokes rusted away
I decided to restore the bike which was put to a company I've know for yrs with 90 % original pats the rebuild was more re Cleaning painting and nickel plating
It goes on show in the UK 4th 5th Feb 2020
I also have a 1980 400 engine complete it was a spare team engine put in a box and forgotten about the engine has been looked over and apart from mains and seals it's perfect ready to bolt into 78 79 80 81 frame and go
This will be for sale once assembled next year
However have been after an 81 490 that a school buddy of mine bought new in Feb 82 rode for 5 months only and was sadly injured in a car accident his father had this bike ever since sat in his garage covered in 2 inches of dust
I had been onto him to sell me this bike as it had only done about 6 hrs from new a rare find to say the least
He agreed August this year I could have the bike
Once I got it home and dusted off it still had everything original plastics exhaust seat in fact everything was original
It's now stripped down as each part is checked and removed and replaced with after market parts as my son plans to race this next year
Once he's had enough the bike will be restored with every original part I've removed back in place and like my 79 440 will never be ridden but will be on show only
Pictures above are the 490 work partly done and the 440 corte and cosso rear shocks after refurb
I hope you don't mind me sharing my story guys
Thank you for your email on my bikes
Yes was an amazing find.. But I knew it was there for close to 20 years.. Just had to wait until he was happy to sell
But yes yrs of fun is the plan
Reference ignition it's a minefield as so many advertise there's is the best and will improve power etc
For 250 400 440 possibly but the 490 requires high power spark from the ignition at low revs this is where you need do your home work on asking and searching
Of course the original motoplat were great
I have friends who have tried aftermarket ignition systems
Some claim they feel the difference others wouldn't probably know
In truth if your bike is Jetted well and has a good top end and correct heat plug you'd gain much more from the bike in power
Sorry unable to help with your question but sometimes the standard parts when made in Germany by maico with years of testing can be more reliable
Thank you
Andrew
Pit Row
Of all these bikes bikes my favorite are the 78/79 400s (GS & MC) - Less vibes/fatigue, easier to tune, and easier to ride aggressively/faster for a longer duration than my 440s.
1978 Frankenbike. Basically a 1978 Magnum frame with a 1981 250 Reed and 1981 Suspension. With the 1978, the rear of the frame should be gusseted right below the seat, behind the number plate.
I finished this bike a few years back, back I am finally healthy enough to ride it next season. So, I cannot offer feedback on the engine.
I built this version instead of a 1981 frame based build because of all the feedback that the 1978/79 were much better handling. I used a 1981 Thor replica arm, bolted on with no modifications.
The forks came with the Magnum I bought for this build, these were modified by Rage Racing in AZ. I have some 49 mm Showa's off the 1998 RM that I might used after trying these forks. There was some posting on a Maico page on FB that explains how to swap the forks to a 1981. A 1978/79 take less modifications to fit.
Hope that you are doing well, glad to hear that the back is doing a little better
I am actually building my 1977 Maico 250 AW.
Never give up, never surrender.
Go figure.
In 2021, I will have vacation time to go race.
I wouldn't expect anything less on a bike that you have built
Post a reply to: 1981 490 Maico vs 81 250 Maico?