Maico M250 SC

THE FINS ARE GONE. The M-Star is water-cooled and in the engine department looks a great deal like a Honda. As far as the chassis is concerned, it screams Maico, with the familiar 42mm forks and Ohlins-equipped rear end.

Dual radiators hang directly under the slim gas tank and have plastic shrouds directing the cooling air and offering protection from side falls.
A very familiar Bing carb (38mm) directs the air to a basic reed inlet. No magic; just proven, straightforward, two-stroke engineering. Inside the engine the ports are similar to a 1983 Honda layout but are substantially larger. Reed cages and valves are the same hardware from years past. Compression is on the high side, and the engine is only happy with premium gasoline.

THROUGH THE GEARS
The M-Star is fast, but the power is wrong for motocross, as delivered. In a race at Sunrise Cycle Park on a long sandy start, the M-Star was fourth in the first turn in moto one and pulled a clean holeshot in moto two. The power came on strong at mid-range and ran out to fairly high revs. Our only problem was a sluggish response from the lower revs. Even when we brutalized the clutch, the revs took too long to rise. And the rider had to exit most turns at least one gear lower than other 250s to punch off the corner with any steam. In a desert or cross-country situation, the slower delivery of power would not be a handicap, but on a tight, twisty track, especially one with uphills, the M-Star rider would be giving up a length or more out of every tight turn.

HANDLING
Our test bike was a great straight-line handler and refused to shake its head at higher speeds, even when decelerating. On a MX track, we felt that the 7.9 red/white/red spring was too soft, but the shock action was correct. The bike would be much happier with an 8.1 or an 8.3 spring. Forks were pleasant and stroked well. We'd have to rate them as excellent. No air was needed, and the springs seemed to be dead-on copies of the popular White Power replacement springs that Maico riders used in 1983 to fix their forks.

On flat turns the bike turned well, but on bumpy corners or when smacking a berm, the front end was fuzzy. Credit that to the too soft shock spring. Dialing in extra preload to firm up the rear made the front end tuck and induced steering headshake.

SHAPE AND FEEL
This is the narrowest single-shock bike ever from the Maisch brothers. Only at the rear does the width of the side panels extend a bit. Normal-sized riders will never notice it.

Layout and feel are good, with the lower seat height being welcome. The saddle itself is a dull blue and slightly too square in shape. Padding is about right.
Bars are nicely shaped; the Magura controls are too far from the rider's hands. You can bend the brake lever in, but don't try that trick with the clutch. Pegs are slightly too low, and your heels can be lifted off the pegs when you bottom out over a whoop section. The brake pedal is out too far and needs a better shape. You can also catch your boot on the brake pedal. By and large, it's easy to move around on the M-Star, and the new slim feel is appreciated.

NIGGLETS
The pipe is a leg-burner. It desperately needs a heat shield. Rear brake lockup is a problem until you move the brake arm forward at least one spline.
The bike always started on the first kick, hot or cold.

At 231 pounds with no gas in the tank, the M-Star is about ten pounds heavier than it needs to be.

We had no problem with spokes, as they are a new tapered shoulder design. Brakes are the same stuff you've been seeing on Maicos for years. They work okay, but that's all.


BITS AND PIECES
Good airbox. Smooth, easy clutch with the cable in the top hole of the actuating arm. Occasional missed shifts unless the prod is deliberate. Good brakes. Excellent layout and feel. Brick-hard saddle that you somehow grow used to. Lots of vibration
.
Type 55 magnesium Bing carb is stock. Jetting is okay as delivered. New, softer Magura grips are not too bad. Owner's manual is horribly out of date, but functional to a point. The fork protectors are brittle and intensely ugly. The stock Regina chain is superb.

SUMMATION
This is not a toy and not intended for the faint of heart, but is a strong-running, good-handling monster bike that most any 125 rider could start. The suspension will need tuning to make you happy.

But, if you've always wanted a bike that has the top end of a 500 Husky and the acceleration of a 500 Honda, then this is the brute for you.