Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

l_pressioR: 1.9B3 ~aieo Sa.." SpilJer---~~ CrOIlIl-CoDDtry with a Ge Q(") 00 (j') Q(") By Karel Kramer Photos by David Edwards and Kramer Maico. The very name conjures Black Forests and tree-lined motocross tracks. In recent years, Maicos have seen some successes in the deserts of the western United States. Why? That's a fair question. There aren't too many desert races in Germany, but then again, there aren't too many in Sweden 94 either. Earlier this year Maico made a serious attempt to do some serious business in the desert by releasing a wide-ratio five-speed Maico with a bigger tank and a few other changes for tractability. Early reports of some teething problems did some harm to sales, but Maico's Service Manager Tim Norton called us about the Sand Spider and said that Maico had made some mid-year changes and deserved a look. We spent a good impression period in the desert with the Sand Spider and returned to civilization with the feeling that Maico had built a bike with great biceps, but weak legs. Well, let's say out-of-condition legs since most of the specs are where they should be. Usually, when we describe a motorcycle we start with the wheels and suspension, but we have to blurt it out now! Maico has built a great -<;qqqlj}' ~ ~ IR sp.\t~ PI JPr••• ," ."9 shortcomings that we felt were in the stock suspension, there was never a lack of editors ready to throw a leg over the bike. Fireroading is a blast, giant hills elicit giggles and over 90 mph is available at the twist of a wrist. Good fun. "Redesigned" would be a good way to describe the Maicoengine. For the first time, a search through the Maico parts book does not yield a primary chain part number. The Maico's clutch is driven off the crankshaft by primary gears this year. Along with the subtraction of the primary chain came a serious down-sizing in the engine cases for a shorter, lengthwise, engine. The cylinder and head look quite similar to past years except for the cast-in reed-valve block in the back of the cylinder. Maicos have relied on a simple piston-port design in the past. In the case of the Sand Spider, the power is transmitted through a wide-ratio five-speed transmission. We found a gear for every occasion. A red-painted single-down tube frame, with a double yoke to clear the 1)'F{-,lJVJ siN: J1ft ~, surrounds the engine. A built-up steel swingarm attaches to the frame a conically hubbed 18-inch wheel shod with a 4.50 x 18 Metzeler and hooped with a gold-anodized aluminum rim, and a link system with an Ohlins shock, to control the rearwheel action. Maico's own 42mm-tubed fork makes motion in the front end depanment Another conical hub alloy riml MelZeler set-up of the 21-inch variety complete the frame package. Cosmetics consist of a plastic tank, sidepane1s, fenders and a red-covered safetytype seat. All of the plastic uses German as a second language, preferring its native Italian. The decals on the plastic stuck well to the ground. nearby trees and the rider's leathers. Even with no ornaments, such as decals, we found the Maico attractive in a stark, businesslike way. The seat cover comes stock with wrinkles. The seating arrangement is quite good. The seat foam has a comfortable density and shape. ALI of the controls and the seating arrangement are probably more suited to those of average height or taller. The shift lever is a fair stretch for a small foot. The roomy layout makes for a comfortable day in the dez, but mandates a lengthy stretch to the ground. One leSter, who stands 5 feet 9 inches tall, went to throw a leg over the Maico for the firsttirne and put his foot squarely into the side of the rear fender. Still, the two main test riders felt that they didn't mind the extra stretch in exchange for the comfort the ergonom: iQ offered. Even though we get to ride a Iot-.of Open class machinery here, and we are used to starting them, at tiDleS'it can be a chore. When it comes timuo head onto the trails with the Sand Spider, though, there is a pleasant surprise. The Maico is positively easy to start. Not just easy for an Open bike - easy period. Maicos have bad compression releases in the past; but the one on the Spider's really works well. An easy prod at the kickstatter while sitting on the seat will get things perking. The only time the Maico got cantankerous was when we rode away from the truck with the choke on and fouled a plug. You read right, a choke. Maico's traditional Bing "Vergasser" still has to be tickled when it first rolls out of the truck, but that's it. Clutch the 490, which takes a fair pull, but not a brutal one, and click it into gear. Another pleasant surprise. We don't know if we are just lucky, but the three 198!l Maicos we have tried had clutches that worked quite well. No drag or slip was apparent. In fact, they have been better behaved than some recent Japanese clutches. Our Maico carbureted cleanly as well, and a quick run through the gears is a good description with 90plus mph coming up in a rush. "It had power all over the placer" was how one rider described it. The most corpulent portion of the powerband is in the upper rpm ranges, but when lugged on sizable hills, the Sand Spider chugged right up. Once in motion, an ironic handling trait came to light. At least in the opinion of ,one of our t~ter~,. the

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