Everyone who does not like the volume, the music or the mispronunciation of words. This was a one-man production and is put online for free. This is what you get for free. So before you complain, please tell me how much you would be willing to pay to watch this movie. I can always hire these people to fix it but then I would have to charge you to watch it and if you're not willing to pay it doesn't make sense to do so. Actually, I can send you the clips and then you can fix the audio for free.
I was just about to whinge about the music being too loud but you beat me to it, and you are dead right. I really enjoyed the vid as there is not much info about this company. Thanks for making it. All the best from an old Welsh biker.
@@Azzlad clearly you were to quick to lay judgement before reading. 'If your still not satisfied, he could send you the footage for you to edit' And show us all your need to prove your selfish point of view.
Thanks for making this video. I dreamed of riding a Maico when I rode and raced (on occasion) dirt bikes in the mid-70s. Then, so many years later, I got a 1978 Maico 450 that I never raced, but rode at warp speed across the open deserts of the part of California near Death Valley, meaning I could open it up and point it the direction I wanted to go, set the launch codes on the throttle, and fly across the desert. The bike handled like the dream I always had of it and had more power than I should've had at my fingertips. It was wicked fast and epic fun. Then I moved further north where the trails were forested and the Maico 450 was never designed to be a trail bike. I realized that the launch code throttle and all those trees were gonna be trouble, so I sold it to a guy who wanted to do vintage MX. I always joked with local farmers that if their tractor ever broke, me and my Maico could lay down some excellent furrows. Your video made me very nostalgic and really sad for all the blues the company went through. Thanks for the bit on Maico Days. I will need to go to that sometime and just soak up some Maico groove.
I’m fond of knowing more about Maico - I grew up in the 1970’s, I always wanted a 501. I bought every magazine that tested it. There is a local shop that has one hanging from the ceiling, I still feel a kind of arousal each time I see it! Thank you for making this video available!
Growing up in Austin Tx in the 70s . My #1 MX hero was Steve Stackable. Central TX mx scene was way strong back then, Kent Howerton on a Huskie , Steve on his open Macio, Bill Kasson, Jack O Leary, Joe Witter, Sam Finger, Roger Brown. So many others living out their dreams. I can almost smell the burned Bel Ray and Golden Spectro oil/gas mix !
Great video! Brought back many (wonderful) old memories. I raced as a privateer and "junior" factory rider from 1968-1975 in the US and EU. Started on a CZ who were very good to me an a fledgling MX Racer. Moved over to Maico and discovered a whole new world! Raced both 250 and Open Classes. My 250 was actually faster than the 400! Both performed extremely well on the track and were a blast while cow trailing.
Raced one of my ‘83 490s in So Cal. The other is the same bike used in the factory sales brochure you featured in your video and I still have it in my garage today! I bought it from the photographer who was paid by barter in bikes! Great job on the video. I can tell your love affair with this legendary machine runs deep...Rightfully so!
My dream as a kid in the 70's was to own a Maico... Finally came true in the early 90's - when I bought a used mid 80's Maico 500 Sand Spider. However - the rear hub was destroyed, but I also found and bought a similar era Maico 250 with a seized motor... so I was able to swap out the entire rear wheel assembly from the 250 to the 500... I rode that bike all over Colorado, in the woods, on MX tracks, enduros, desert races, etc... Absolutely one of the biggest, strongest, fastest bikes I ever owned. In fact - Too much bike, so I sold both eventually... I was so proud to finally be a Maico owner though... Awesome Bikes!!!
awesome job! great information. These bikes had a badass reputation when i was growing up and now i know why. Thank you for some great content Cant wait until the next one! I think i need to find one of these to restore.
Great documentary. I owned a ‘72 Maico 400 Radial in the 70’s and 80’s. I had the shocks mounts moved by a Maico dealer in Texas City and replaced the shocks and that bike was the best and most powerful bikes I ever owned. I’m very happy to say that I once raced the best motorcycles ever made.
I remember my new 1981 Maico had red grips that caused blisters from the hump in the center so I replaced them with red Oury grips. I sewn a red seat cover and installed Ohlins shocks. I installed a red number plate rear fender, made by Maier and removed the side panels. the bike looked AWESOME. also installed an aluminum silencer. it was almost to beautiful to get dirty.
I thoroughly enjoyed this video. I'm 57 yro and this brought back memories which still warm my heart and soul and unfortunately brings some sorrow. I started riding and racing in 1973 age 7 on a Honda MR 50 and within 5 yrs. like a bat out of hell I was on a TT 500 , full tilt no fear. Through them years I had the MR 50 , MR 175 , MR 250 Elsinore 's. I always felt the 250 Elsinore was paraequal to the Maico. In 1981 I wanted a new bike and was loving on a Maico but there was the 81 Honda CR 250... C'mon...it was badass. IMO the Elsinore's and 81 CR 250 in the anals of my mind , are in the small group of greatest dirt bike motorcycles of all time. If I could go back in time , I surely would , without a doubt.
I grew up about 10 miles from the Maico factory in Germany. Back in the 1980s, it was not uncommon in our village to have a motocross maico in your garage just for some fun after work. My neighbour had 2 1980 490 models. When I was 14, he let me ride once. I was completely flashed. Didnt become a Motorbiker myself, but still today, most vehicles leave me underwhelmed regarding acceleration and throttle response compared with the Maico 490 beast...
I loved Maico`s the only bike I can ride hard while sitting down. Back in the day late 70's to 80`s. So much torque . Easy to ride! Rode MotoX & Grand Prix in So Cal , those were the good ol days
Awesome, awesome, AWESOME!!! Documentary, my brother still ownes his all original maico 490... i remember the day he brought this home in the mid 80's, basically a roller and a few boxes of bolts... Tragic story was he obtained it basically for free due to parents dismantling it after their son lost his life on it... this bike is the reason behind what bikes are today... i can't say enough good stuff about it... my only issues were i never liked the metal tank (in fear of denting it and not being able to repair the damage... and 2, you got 1 out of 3 possible outcomes during startup, an thats a broken or bruised ankle, thrown on to the handle bars or a really awesome ride... this is due to the amount of compression this bike really has even with the compression lever depressed... this is still the most comfortable bike I've ever ridden...
GREAT STUFF, I had a couple 400's,, my friends dad was a dealer, his son still has 3, 70's era Maico's in the BOX, 125 mx, 250 mx, 501 mx, believe it or not...
I rode a Maico 125 MX in 1973 and 1974, very few around at the time and the other European 125cc bikes were heavy and slow. The 125MX Maico was very successful for me as it was faster than most and could turn inside of all of them. Only two issues; weak air filtration system due to the rotary valve set up, and a fragile transmission. In late 74 went to the open class on a CZ 400 Falta that was not as fast or handled as well as the Maico open bikes but it was indestructible and never had a mechanical issue during a race weekend. Only mod was an electronic ignition and Magura control levers.
I rode a Maico 501(36:37) What a beast to ride at 15 years old.. After you got the groove down on the in's and out's the weight just seemed to melt away.. I miss the era when Japan was in the mix.. Wound up with the Honda 250 Elsinore then Yamaha has been my bike of choice ever since.
At 16 I had a honda ss 50, at the time one of the older boys let me have a go on his maico 490, never been so scared and happy all at once, new there and then I'd be addicted to bikes for life...
My uncle, my moms younger brother Furman Gray, raced factory for Maico in the United States in 1976-1979. A guy just sent me photos of his old 490 that was recently restored and raced in 2022’s Daytona bike week. The guy won his vintage class in it. Maico made a good bike, it’s sad that it didn’t work out for them.
I raced Yamaha YZ125 and the legendary Maico 440 on pro open.We used to buy our Maicos from Bryan Kenney at his shop in Tucker Ga. Hats off to the good old days.
Maico I Love Maico 1 of best handling bikes ever made.! In my home town in NOR-CAL. I used to ride ride with the family. Thay had 440 demo bike I got to ride once in in while that bike of U could hang on to it would make any feel like a PRO RACER !!!! Ps I fell in love with MAICO dirt bikes. THANK YOU from NOR-CAL!!!!!
best handleing dirt bike ive ever thrown my leg over except the kick start ive never owned one i didnt have to push start but they was worth the push every ride i had loved my maicos had a 400 square barrel and a 450 radial unbelievable handling cut a trench sideways across a freshly plowed field not disced yet or draged big furrows of black dirt and a fresh trench sideways across field only on a maico !
Good history vid! I think it’s a shame they never switched the engines gear boxes over to left hand drive like the rest of the bike world. Those engines would have great in today’s modern bikes like the cr500af.
wow how modern those watercooled bikes look with a water jug hanging on the steer. informative film about one of those brands that is not so known now days.
Maico--breako! The red framed ones in the 70s were brutal handlers. When they held together they were beasts! I remember riding up against a 501 with my Husky 250..that thing just showered me with dirt. Had to get around him fast or end up battered. Fun times!
Great video if the music is to loud turn it down . You cant expect to pronounce the names proper if you don't know the language. Very interesting the lawsuits in detail ...it is years ago...Thank you for this video !!! I have been to the MAICO factory !
Nostalgic people can still order a maico !!! But lets face it, times have changed, 4 stroke rules, and soon petrol engines will become the next thing of the past.
I owned one Maico, an RS125 which taught me that Yamaha was a better road race bike with fewer problems. Good attempt at a history video. It probably took a lot of time and effort to bring together the facts and images.
Fantastic Video. I rode a 1971 501 Square Barrel as pictured hear. Wow i often wondered about that company. Where it came from where it went the engineering that went into them. Fantastic!
Never had a maico but as a kid I remember them very well and they were the most feared bike on the race track as long as they held together for the race. My uncle raced them and won when he didn't break down. As I grew up in the 70 and 80s I decided to go with KTMs. Ah yes the good old days.
Maico, una marca que me trae muchos y bonitos recuerdos. Fui uno de los primeros pilotos de Moto Cross en utilizar esta marca en los años 80. Recuerdo sobre todo el gran avance que supuso para el deporte la denominada suspensión con un único amortiguador trasero y de lo cual tuve el honor de poder ayudar en su desarrollo, le llamaban suspensión Kantilever.
I owned a 1982 490. The one Rick Semen credits with sinking the company. Mine was awsome. It did break the shock shaft as he says they all did, but Wow, what a motor. Those old round slide carbs would wear the slide and stick wide open at the worst possible moments! A lot of good memories of that 490. Left side kick starters suck.
I thoroughly enjoyed watching this. Most guys I knew growing up had RMs and YZs. There was a Penton down the road but the closest I ever got to a Maico was seeing them in magazines but boy did I want one!
I love the young lady in the commercial. First, she says "Not so fast". Then, the idiot says "I can go even faster". Then, she jumps off and says "Not a chance in hell am I going for another ride with you. Get yourself a car if you ever want me to ride with you again." This is the story of how Maico got into cars. ______________________ But then, Maico got into dirt-bikes, and good for them :-) Cheers from Canada :-)
You forgot to mention Phil Larson who also took part in the world championship in 1986. His best result was 6th place in second moto at the Holland GP. Halway of the season however, he got injured and his brother Mike took over for the rest of the season. In the late seventies and early eighties, Belgian Ivan Vandenbroeck was the best 500 Maico rider of that era in world championships. He also won the Belgian championship in which he had to compete with guys like Malherbe and Vromans.
i remember seeing phil larson race in mission b.c. canada once or twice and few supercross events in the seattle king dome, talented rider for sure, around the same time i even remember chuck sun ran an mx event at b.c. place, the talent pool out of the u.s.was pretty thick in comparison to canada.
Honestly I hated seeing Maico fall on bad times in the early 80’s, in the late 70’s when they were still cream of the crop, nothing handled like they did,the 490 was and still and is legendary.🇩🇪
I just now stumbled on to the video four years after your comment. You must have been near Orange County, Ca. to know Wheelsmith Maico I was hoping the name would pop up in the comments. I can still picture the place in my head but can't remember the city.
Dan Mccarthy A friend of mine that many know in the pacific Northwest let me ride his 79 Maico MC440....I slung a leg over it and popped it into gear shifted it to 3rd hit the throttle and it came up like a honeymoon hard-on I kept it there for about one half mile and thought it would be worth the money....$1450.00....the rest is history, what a bike....James in WA ST
Sorry to criticize you bud. I will still watch your videos for all the reasons you said and like I said, I appreciate the effort. Still, something worth doing is worth doing well.
Great video again, Toby and great footage! Mind you, on 8:55 subtitle states 'Maico scooters' but most of the scooters seen in the film right there are actually Heinkel scooters who were of course a close copy of the MaicoMobil. ;-)
In this day and age of free, user-friendly apps, I'm surprised someone hasnt remastered it. Someone out there loves messing with that stuff. It would be awesome if they stepped up, so that binge watchers like me aren't waking the dead (asleep in the next room... or apartment). PS: I wonder, if you aren't monetized, why I am getting bombarded with so many commercial interuptions??? Seems like we should either have no ad interruptions, OR Toby should be getting paid... in which case, it would be a good time to have it remastered. (EVERY creator that I know is a one man show, producing free content. So that's not a legit excuse. Most likely, a lack of familiarity with the nuances of the process, at post-prodoction time. My grand dad always said "Anything worth doing, is worth doing well. It usually takes just a little more love, to be loved much more.") That being said, you dont need any excuses or to be defensive. This is a GREAT VIDEO, TOBY! Thanks you for producing and sharing it! Constructive criticism should just be taken as that which it is.
The best Maico ever built is the 1983 490cc, beautiful, I can't find other words to describe it. Another important reason why Maico bankrupted was the competition from the Japanese brands. These manufacturers arrived in Europe and USA and conquered everything, complicit I believe their government for support.
All I know is they make a really nice and super fast bike now. The Maico 700cc 2 stroke motor cross bike is nuts only weights 211lbs! If their website is to be believed 101kg! Thats crazy for a 700cc! I’m pretty sure my Honda CR250 weighted about the same thing if not more. With 500cc less 😂
I think Gaylon Mosier won the 500cc supercross in Los Angles (Super bowl of motocross) in 1976 on a Maico 440 Wheelsmith bike. This was not an AMA race so they wont mention it, as several of the early supercross races were not AMA because the AMA sucked terribly back then.. 1972, 73, 74, 75, 76...
Some good info, unfortunately the narrator's battle with simple diction and mangling of names ("ache" Johnson!) make it difficult to watch all the way. Still, not a bad effort. I would have liked to hear more about the AW series... and about Adolph Weil.
How much would you pay to watch this if a narrator was hired who spoke correct German and English? It costs money to hire a narrator and currently it is free to watch.
Everyone who does not like the volume, the music or the mispronunciation of words. This was a one-man production and is put online for free. This is what you get for free. So before you complain, please tell me how much you would be willing to pay to watch this movie. I can always hire these people to fix it but then I would have to charge you to watch it and if you're not willing to pay it doesn't make sense to do so. Actually, I can send you the clips and then you can fix the audio for free.
I noticed the mispronunciation of names. But it doesn't detract from the content. Especially amongst people who know the subject matter.
I was just about to whinge about the music being too loud but you beat me to it, and you are dead right. I really enjoyed the vid as there is not much info about this company. Thanks for making it. All the best from an old Welsh biker.
Opferman Motors Dirtbiking Good Job Sir
@Owen Denchy...I looked for your "Well Made", interesting, relevant documentary videos...couldn't find any! STFU!
Opferman...well done and thanks!
@@Azzlad clearly you were to quick to lay judgement before reading. 'If your still not satisfied, he could send you the footage for you to edit' And show us all your need to prove your selfish point of view.
Thanks for making this video. I dreamed of riding a Maico when I rode and raced (on occasion) dirt bikes in the mid-70s. Then, so many years later, I got a 1978 Maico 450 that I never raced, but rode at warp speed across the open deserts of the part of California near Death Valley, meaning I could open it up and point it the direction I wanted to go, set the launch codes on the throttle, and fly across the desert. The bike handled like the dream I always had of it and had more power than I should've had at my fingertips. It was wicked fast and epic fun. Then I moved further north where the trails were forested and the Maico 450 was never designed to be a trail bike. I realized that the launch code throttle and all those trees were gonna be trouble, so I sold it to a guy who wanted to do vintage MX. I always joked with local farmers that if their tractor ever broke, me and my Maico could lay down some excellent furrows. Your video made me very nostalgic and really sad for all the blues the company went through. Thanks for the bit on Maico Days. I will need to go to that sometime and just soak up some Maico groove.
I’m fond of knowing more about Maico - I grew up in the 1970’s, I always wanted a 501. I bought every magazine that tested it.
There is a local shop that has one hanging from the ceiling, I still feel a kind of arousal each time I see it!
Thank you for making this video available!
Growing up in Austin Tx in the 70s . My #1 MX hero was Steve Stackable. Central TX mx scene was way strong back then, Kent Howerton on a Huskie , Steve on his open Macio, Bill Kasson, Jack O Leary, Joe Witter, Sam Finger, Roger Brown. So many others living out their dreams. I can almost smell the burned Bel Ray and Golden Spectro oil/gas mix !
Great video! Brought back many (wonderful) old memories. I raced as a privateer and "junior" factory rider from 1968-1975 in the US and EU. Started on a CZ who were very good to me an a fledgling MX Racer. Moved over to Maico and discovered a whole new world! Raced both 250 and Open Classes. My 250 was actually faster than the 400! Both performed extremely well on the track and were a blast while cow trailing.
Probably the most informative and interesting motorcycle documentary I've seen.
Raced one of my ‘83 490s in So Cal. The other is the same bike used in the factory sales brochure you featured in your video and I still have it in my garage today! I bought it from the photographer who was paid by barter in bikes! Great job on the video. I can tell your love affair with this legendary machine runs deep...Rightfully so!
Marco were the stuff of legend when I was a kid.... love all good bikes,but these were monsters! Neighbor had a maico 490, never forget it!👌
My dream as a kid in the 70's was to own a Maico... Finally came true in the early 90's - when I bought a used mid 80's Maico 500 Sand Spider. However - the rear hub was destroyed, but I also found and bought a similar era Maico 250 with a seized motor... so I was able to swap out the entire rear wheel assembly from the 250 to the 500... I rode that bike all over Colorado, in the woods, on MX tracks, enduros, desert races, etc... Absolutely one of the biggest, strongest, fastest bikes I ever owned. In fact - Too much bike, so I sold both eventually... I was so proud to finally be a Maico owner though... Awesome Bikes!!!
Thanks for making and posting this. Answered so many questions about these bikes for me. Very cool to share your collection at the end.
I had a 1977 AW 250 Maico ,Maico’s were the pinnacle of dirt bikes great video. Thanks
TY bro. The best Maico Documentary I've seen yet, and I've seen alot. Raced Maico back in the day. Had an 81 and an 83 490. Great Bike!
great history on maico !!! my dad had the 400 and 501 !!!! in the late 70s ... that yellow 501 is MY RETRO DREAM BIKE !!!!!!!!
awesome job! great information. These bikes had a badass reputation when i was growing up and now i know why. Thank you for some great content Cant wait until the next one! I think i need to find one of these to restore.
Great documentary. I owned a ‘72 Maico 400 Radial in the 70’s and 80’s. I had the shocks mounts moved by a Maico dealer in Texas City and replaced the shocks and that bike was the best and most powerful bikes I ever owned. I’m very happy to say that I once raced the best motorcycles ever made.
That blue one is incredible!!! Thank you for the upload
I remember my new 1981 Maico had red grips that caused blisters from the hump in the center so I replaced them with red Oury grips.
I sewn a red seat cover and installed Ohlins shocks. I installed a red number plate rear fender, made by Maier and removed the side panels.
the bike looked AWESOME. also installed an aluminum silencer. it was almost to beautiful to get dirty.
This was great! Maico was always a mystery to me. Thanks for posting.
I thoroughly enjoyed this video. I'm 57 yro and this brought back memories which still warm my heart and soul and unfortunately brings some sorrow. I started riding and racing in 1973 age 7 on a Honda MR 50 and within 5 yrs. like a bat out of hell I was on a TT 500 , full tilt no fear. Through them years I had the MR 50 , MR 175 , MR 250 Elsinore 's. I always felt the 250 Elsinore was paraequal to the Maico. In 1981 I wanted a new bike and was loving on a Maico but there was the 81 Honda CR 250... C'mon...it was badass. IMO the Elsinore's and 81 CR 250 in the anals of my mind , are in the small group of greatest dirt bike motorcycles of all time. If I could go back in time , I surely would , without a doubt.
I enjoyed your documentary. Too bad the negativity by some people. Good job!
Good work and very rare pictures of VIPs and MAICOmachines! Well done!
I grew up about 10 miles from the Maico factory in Germany. Back in the 1980s, it was not uncommon in our village to have a motocross maico in your garage just for some fun after work. My neighbour had 2 1980 490 models. When I was 14, he let me ride once. I was completely flashed. Didnt become a Motorbiker myself, but still today, most vehicles leave me underwhelmed regarding acceleration and throttle response compared with the Maico 490 beast...
I loved Maico`s the only bike I can ride hard while sitting down. Back in the day late 70's to 80`s. So much torque . Easy to ride! Rode MotoX & Grand Prix in So Cal , those were the good ol days
Well done, Toby! So many facts I haven't known yet as Maico rider of the 80s.
Funny, that the best documentary on Maico comes by an American...
Awesome, awesome, AWESOME!!! Documentary, my brother still ownes his all original maico 490... i remember the day he brought this home in the mid 80's, basically a roller and a few boxes of bolts...
Tragic story was he obtained it basically for free due to parents dismantling it after their son lost his life on it... this bike is the reason behind what bikes are today... i can't say enough good stuff about it... my only issues were i never liked the metal tank (in fear of denting it and not being able to repair the damage... and 2, you got 1 out of 3 possible outcomes during startup, an thats a broken or bruised ankle, thrown on to the handle bars or a really awesome ride... this is due to the amount of compression this bike really has even with the compression lever depressed... this is still the most comfortable bike I've ever ridden...
Fantastic comprehensive history of that unique era
Awesome documentary!
Thanks!
Excellent Documentary about MAICO !
I owned 3 Maico’s in the seventies, two 250s but the yellow plastic tank 440 was my favorite. Such a well made bike that made going fast much easier.
What a great company - a real shame it's disappeared! Thanks for the vid. Interesting 🖒
toby, you sir have out done yourself.. that's was awesome
Thanks!
Well done! Love all the road bikes at the Maico Days meet.
loved the music breaks, it helped knowing when you changed the subject matter and it also woke me up.
GREAT STUFF, I had a couple 400's,, my friends dad was a dealer, his son still has 3, 70's era Maico's in the BOX, 125 mx, 250 mx, 501 mx, believe it or not...
I rode a Maico 125 MX in 1973 and 1974, very few around at the time and the other European 125cc bikes were heavy and slow. The 125MX Maico was very successful for me as it was faster than most and could turn inside of all of them. Only two issues; weak air filtration system due to the rotary valve set up, and a fragile transmission. In late 74 went to the open class on a CZ 400 Falta that was not as fast or handled as well as the Maico open bikes but it was indestructible and never had a mechanical issue during a race weekend. Only mod was an electronic ignition and Magura control levers.
I rode a Maico 501(36:37) What a beast to ride at 15 years old.. After you got the groove down on the in's and out's the weight just seemed to melt away.. I miss the era when Japan was in the mix.. Wound up with the Honda 250 Elsinore then Yamaha has been my bike of choice ever since.
At 16 I had a honda ss 50, at the time one of the older boys let me have a go on his maico 490, never been so scared and happy all at once, new there and then I'd be addicted to bikes for life...
Brilliant doco, mate.
My uncle, my moms younger brother Furman Gray, raced factory for Maico in the United States in 1976-1979. A guy just sent me photos of his old 490 that was recently restored and raced in 2022’s Daytona bike week. The guy won his vintage class in it. Maico made a good bike, it’s sad that it didn’t work out for them.
That was a cool video liked it a lot, keep them coming
I raced Yamaha YZ125 and the legendary Maico 440 on pro open.We used to buy our Maicos from Bryan Kenney at his shop in Tucker Ga.
Hats off to the good old days.
Awesome video, thank you!
Maico I Love Maico 1 of best handling bikes ever made.! In my home town in NOR-CAL. I used to ride ride with the family. Thay had 440 demo bike I got to ride once in in while that bike of U could hang on to it would make any feel like a PRO RACER !!!!
Ps I fell in love with MAICO dirt bikes.
THANK YOU from NOR-CAL!!!!!
best handleing dirt bike ive ever thrown my leg over except the kick start ive never owned one i didnt have to push start but they was worth the push every ride i had loved my maicos had a 400 square barrel and a 450 radial unbelievable handling cut a trench sideways across a freshly plowed field not disced yet or draged big furrows of black dirt and a fresh trench sideways across field only on a maico !
Good history vid! I think it’s a shame they never switched the engines gear boxes over to left hand drive like the rest of the bike world. Those engines would have great in today’s modern bikes like the cr500af.
I remember Gaylon Mosier on the Maico. He was my idol growing up. RIP Gaylon.
I saw a Maico in a race in 1983. Danny Chandler rode his Honda CR500 right by it as it leaned against a fence with a popcorned gearbox. Hangtown 15.
Thanks for doing this.
wow how modern those watercooled bikes look with a water jug hanging on the steer.
informative film about one of those brands that is not so known now days.
Thats an aftermarket auxilary gas tank
@@Maicowerk aha now i know thanks.
Made by acerbis in 3 and 5 litre options. It looks horrible on those nice bikes imo.
well made! 👌
greetings from germany!
Thanks!
Maico--breako! The red framed ones in the 70s were brutal handlers. When they held together they were beasts! I remember riding up against a 501 with my Husky 250..that thing just showered me with dirt. Had to get around him fast or end up battered. Fun times!
I appreciate your effort Opferman!🇨🇦
Do you think you have a Maico addiction?
I sold my 1982 490 in 1983 and have had withdrawal symptoms ever since!
Thanks for the great presentation!
🇺🇸 Maico America Great Again! 🇩🇪
Good research, good vid. Thanks.
Cheers, great video 👍🇨🇦
Great video if the music is to loud turn it down . You cant expect to pronounce the names proper if you don't know the language. Very interesting the lawsuits in detail ...it is years ago...Thank you for this video !!! I have been to the MAICO factory !
"For god's sake, not that fast..."
"What? my Maico Blizzard can do even faster" 😄
Somebody needs to bring back this brand of bikes back...
Nostalgic people can still order a maico !!! But lets face it, times have changed, 4 stroke rules, and soon petrol engines will become the next thing of the past.
I owned one Maico, an RS125 which taught me that Yamaha was a better road race bike with fewer problems. Good attempt at a history video. It probably took a lot of time and effort to bring together the facts and images.
Those RS125s had weak transmissions. They were known to spread like popcorn.
Fantastic Video. I rode a 1971 501 Square Barrel as pictured hear. Wow i often wondered about that company. Where it came from where it went the engineering that went into them. Fantastic!
Thanks!
Never had a maico but as a kid I remember them very well and they were the most feared bike on the race track as long as they held together for the race. My uncle raced them and won when he didn't break down. As I grew up in the 70 and 80s I decided to go with KTMs. Ah yes the good old days.
Maico, una marca que me trae muchos y bonitos recuerdos. Fui uno de los primeros pilotos de Moto Cross en utilizar esta marca en los años 80. Recuerdo sobre todo el gran avance que supuso para el deporte la denominada suspensión con un único amortiguador trasero y de lo cual tuve el honor de poder ayudar en su desarrollo, le llamaban suspensión Kantilever.
Assuming you have a wife, she's a keeper. Takes a real special lady to allow that many bikes in the garage.
I owned a 1982 490. The one Rick Semen credits with sinking the company. Mine was awsome. It did break the shock shaft as he says they all did, but Wow, what a motor. Those old round slide carbs would wear the slide and stick wide open at the worst possible moments! A lot of good memories of that 490. Left side kick starters suck.
I thoroughly enjoyed watching this. Most guys I knew growing up had RMs and YZs. There was a Penton down the road but the closest I ever got to a Maico was seeing them in magazines but boy did I want one!
Awesome man Awesome
I love the young lady in the commercial.
First, she says "Not so fast".
Then, the idiot says "I can go even faster".
Then, she jumps off and says "Not a chance in hell am I going for another ride with you. Get yourself a car if you ever want me to ride with you again."
This is the story of how Maico got into cars.
______________________
But then, Maico got into dirt-bikes, and good for them :-)
Cheers from Canada :-)
Very nice presentation. BTW a few pronunciations: it's Awkee Yohnson not Aik Johnson, JoELL RobAIR not Joel Robert. : )
The Barstow-Vegas run was one of its stomping grounds.
Hell of a good documentary.....
You forgot to mention Phil Larson who also took part in the world championship in 1986. His best result was 6th place in second moto at the Holland GP. Halway of the season however, he got injured and his brother Mike took over for the rest of the season. In the late seventies and early eighties, Belgian Ivan Vandenbroeck was the best 500 Maico rider of that era in world championships. He also won the Belgian championship in which he had to compete with guys like Malherbe and Vromans.
i remember seeing phil larson race in mission b.c. canada once or twice and few supercross events in the seattle king dome, talented rider for sure, around the same time i even remember chuck sun ran an mx event at b.c. place, the talent pool out of the u.s.was pretty thick in comparison to canada.
Honestly I hated seeing Maico fall on bad times in the early 80’s, in the late 70’s when they were still cream of the crop, nothing handled like they did,the 490 was and still and is legendary.🇩🇪
That 86 model @ 24:05 looks very cool. It's like an HRC RC.
I used to dream of riding a 1970s Maico scrambler!
I remember Gaylon Mosier winning the last 500cc supercross on a Maico wheel smith bike in 1976
I just now stumbled on to the video four years after your comment. You must have been near Orange County, Ca. to know Wheelsmith Maico I was hoping the name would pop up in the comments. I can still picture the place in my head but can't remember the city.
@@DrDoom-uu3cj Fountain Valley
@@radiodjkevin thanks, that's what I pictured in my head, but I didn't think it was that far down. The good old days
Dan Mccarthy A friend of mine that many know in the pacific Northwest let me ride his 79 Maico MC440....I slung a leg over it and popped it into gear shifted it to 3rd hit the throttle and it came up like a honeymoon hard-on I kept it there for about one half mile and thought it would be worth the money....$1450.00....the rest is history, what a bike....James in WA ST
Sorry to criticize you bud. I will still watch your videos for all the reasons you said and like I said, I appreciate the effort. Still, something worth doing is worth doing well.
Ake Jonsson; the reason I bought a 400 Maico Motocross in 1970. And his name is not pronounced "ache", it is pronounce "AH-key".......
I wonder where the engineers for Maico went, they were so ahead of everyone else it’s ashame they went out of business
kev googlestein wow now wonder there so good
you're right, other than the fluctuating volume levels-that suck! its a good vid
I never knew Maico was from Germany , always thought it sounded Spanish.
Good documentry
Awesome, thanks!
Great video again, Toby and great footage! Mind you, on 8:55 subtitle states 'Maico scooters' but most of the scooters seen in the film right there are actually Heinkel scooters who were of course a close copy of the MaicoMobil. ;-)
Wow nearly 45 minutes long! I better get some popcorn. 🍿
Haha, ya, it's almost a full movie :)
From 8:53 to 9:23 there are Heinkel-Scooters showed. Most of them are the Type 103 A1 and 103 A2.
They were hell of a bike!
Has anyone watched a movie called Cycles South from the 70s ?No Maicos in it but a great documentary
I'll check it out. It;s on TH-cam. Thanks, Ronn
That was a nice doumentary :)
Thanks!
My old friend Alfred Able raced for Maico in the 70's. Unfortunately, he broke his neck at Lake Tahoe diving after a frisbee and never walked again.
Great vid thanks, here in the UK we pronounce it myco
very good well done
Thanks!
In this day and age of free, user-friendly apps, I'm surprised someone hasnt remastered it. Someone out there loves messing with that stuff. It would be awesome if they stepped up, so that binge watchers like me aren't waking the dead (asleep in the next room... or apartment).
PS: I wonder, if you aren't monetized, why I am getting bombarded with so many commercial interuptions???
Seems like we should either have no ad interruptions, OR Toby should be getting paid... in which case, it would be a good time to have it remastered.
(EVERY creator that I know is a one man show, producing free content. So that's not a legit excuse. Most likely, a lack of familiarity with the nuances of the process, at post-prodoction time. My grand dad always said "Anything worth doing, is worth doing well. It usually takes just a little more love, to be loved much more.")
That being said, you dont need any excuses or to be defensive. This is a GREAT VIDEO, TOBY! Thanks you for producing and sharing it! Constructive criticism should just be taken as that which it is.
The best Maico ever built is the 1983 490cc, beautiful, I can't find other words to describe it.
Another important reason why Maico bankrupted was the competition from the Japanese brands.
These manufacturers arrived in Europe and USA and conquered everything, complicit I believe their government for support.
I agree!
I really want a 81 490 .Anybody know where I can get one ? I owned a 125 and 3 250's
awesome Doku about Maico :)
All I know is they make a really nice and super fast bike now. The Maico 700cc 2 stroke motor cross bike is nuts only weights 211lbs! If their website is to be believed 101kg! Thats crazy for a 700cc! I’m pretty sure my Honda CR250 weighted about the same thing if not more. With 500cc less 😂
I think Gaylon Mosier won the 500cc supercross in Los Angles (Super bowl of motocross) in 1976 on a Maico 440 Wheelsmith bike. This was not an AMA race so they wont mention it, as several of the early supercross races were not AMA because the AMA sucked terribly back then.. 1972, 73, 74, 75, 76...
Some good info, unfortunately the narrator's battle with simple diction and mangling of names ("ache" Johnson!) make it difficult to watch all the way.
Still, not a bad effort. I would have liked to hear more about the AW series... and about Adolph Weil.
How much would you pay to watch this if a narrator was hired who spoke correct German and English? It costs money to hire a narrator and currently it is free to watch.
AdolF Weil
The *volume*
Music level too high!!
And no need for it!
Ty man