What's New For '82: Maico

What’s New For ’82: MAICO

MAICO

Maico Joins the Single Shock Revolution With All-New Enduros and Motocrossers

Maico’s 1982 single shock bikes demonstrate that company’s intentions of staying competitive. All their motocross and enduro models have single shock rear suspensions for the new year. And many other detail changes are standard for ’82.

The chrome-moly frame looks like the factory took one of last year’s frames and modified it for the single shock. Once the tank is removed that image disappears; the whole frame is new. The stamped backbone parts have been eliminated. Large diameter tubes, two of them, trianguate the backbone and boast full-length gusset plates. Double front down-tubes are still used with familiar engine cradle shapes at the front and rear of the engine, although the tubes just behind the engine have been spread to allow' room for the rebuildable Corte and Cosso shock. A high quality, high pressure oil line connects the shock to a front dow;ntubemounted aluminum reservoir. The top of the shock body has threads in it and lots of spring preload adjustment is possible. A rebound damping adjuster knob is located at the bottom of the shock, and Maico wins the numbers game with a whopping 60 rebound clicks!

Lower shock linkage looks very Honda but actually is quite different. The lower mount rides in a rocker, but it’s totally different than Honda’s. Maico’s rocker also uses a connecting strut arm, but Maico’s strut connects the rocker to the swing arm, not the frame like Honda’s. Maico’s lever ratio begins at 8 to 1 so small bumps should almost disappear. Grease fittings are standard on all pivots, making maintenance easy.

The new boxed steel swing arm appears strong. And for the first time ever, Maico has a full-floating rear brake. The backing plate is a new part that has grooves around its outer edge to help keep water out and the plate is made from one casting; the old part had a cast inner and stamped aluminum outer. A tubular static arm parallels the swing arm, connects to the frame directly under the front swing arm pivot and to a bolted-on aluminum plate below the rear axle. A new aluminum chain guide promises to keep the chain on the sprockets. A new brake pedal and linkage routes the rod inside the frame and keeps the rider’s foot out of the countershaft sprocket, eliminating the need for the old flimsy plastic guard.

Front suspension is basically the same as before; 12.2 in. of travel, 42mm stanchion tubes, six-bolt triple clamps. The generous front wheel travel combined with 12.8 in. of rear travel should satisfy most uses.

The 400cc engine has been dropped, only the 250 and 490 remain. Both engines have some changes, mostly aimed at making more power. The 250 has reworked ports and a lighter piston. More rpm and a broader powerband are claimed. The 490 has more mid-range power on tap. The 250 has a reed valve, the 490 doesn’t. Both retain five-speed transmissions.

Maico’s enduro bikes get all the motocross tricks in addition to a 3.5 gal. American-made gas tank, front headlight numberplate, aluminum skid plate, small rubber mounted taillight that bolts to the MX rear fender, VDO speedo. Answer Products aluminum silencer/spark arrester, and lower internal gear ratios and taller final gearing.

The new' Alpha 1 motocrossers have a suggested retail price of $2540 for the 250, $2720 for the 490. The Alpha E enduros go for the same price. 13