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Maico International - Maico M.M.X. 2011 Preview
As the wheels on the media wagon appear to be gathering a relentless momentum, we would like take this opportunity to thank all those who have given their time, experience, and on many occasions sense of humour! to assist us in developing and producing the 2011 M.M.X.
With thanks to Toby Opferman for the production here's a taste of this year's work with a small insight and a few subtle clues into the potential of the bike that we hope many will enjoy, and no doubt some, will hate.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=py_x6LLu5vA&feature=player_embedded
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rad valve
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08/16/10 05:38pm |
Sport/Performance
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Project Two 50 to Race Unadilla
Project Two 50 to Race Unadilla
By JohnNicholas • on August 12, 2010
Pleasant Valley, NY., (Aug. 10, 2010) – Team Project Two 50 is happy to announce their participation in the AMA Pro Motorcross Outdoor National Series race at Unadilla on Saturday, August 14th. Both machine and man are in top shape and looking forward to a great race! Stop by, say “Hi”. We’re easy to find in the pits, just look for the Kinetic/Project Two 50 race canopy. We’d love to meet our fans face-to-face!
Project Two 50’s goal is to successfully race a 250cc two-stroke machine in the Outdoor Nationals this summer.
Want more information and updates? Become a Project Two 50 fan page on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Project-Two-50/) for up to date news, personalized information, and insider information. We want to hear your comments so fire away!
A very special thanks to all the sponsors of Project Two 50.
Kinetic, MicroBlue Racing, Amsoil, DK Construction, Benstar Racing, Revanche 2 Strokes, Titan MX, V-Force, Pro Clean, Get Real Racing, FMF Racing, Boyesen, Peak Performance, Cool Fuel, RacePro USA, Two Stroke Motocross, Twin Air, Renthal, Ride Engineering, Edmonds Racing, D&D Crank, Dunlop, Scott USA, O’Neal, AHP Mini’s, IV Films, Matt Francis Photography.
http://twostrokemotocross.com/2010/08/project-two-50-to-race-unadilla/
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08/13/10 06:05pm |
Sport/Performance
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Four Stroke is two too many for Maico.
With the global disparity that is continually displayed in favour of the four stroke when it comes to engine displacement in racing terms, manufacturers of the new Maico M.M.X., Maico International are proud to wear their two stroke heart on their sleeve and confirm that "at no point will we ever consider producing a four stroke engine".
Co owner Vincent Page commented " Maico is a two stroke company full stop"
For those of you stateside who are interested in supporting the equal displacement campaign being levelled at the A.M.A. please click on the link below.
www.gopetition.com/petition/38076.html
http://dirtywheelsmedia.co.uk/interactive/index.php?topic=125.0
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08/11/10 10:19pm |
Sport/Performance
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Maico new engine line-up is announced for 2011
British made Maico linked to F.1. engineering company as all new engine line-up is announced for 2011
By JohnNicholas • on July 26, 2010
Catching the imagination of the global motocross community earlier this year with the release of the 2010 Maico M.M.X., manufacturers, Maico International are believed to be on course to produce the most British made motocrosser for over a decade with the 2011 model, which features a new U.K manufactured engine and frame following a unique tie up with a leading engineering manufacturer for F.1.
Spending the last six months focusing on major development and working closely with the managing director of the Surrey based company who engineer and manufacture gears and various other exotic mechanical parts for many of the front running Formula One teams, Maico International will be unleashing a range of 5 new two stroke engines in, 250cc, 320cc, 380cc, 500cc and 700cc capacity, all manufactured to the highest standard along with an equally comprehensive range of high end optional upgrades which have been designed to outstrip the competition in terms of power, performance, durability and reliability.
Maico Billet Clutch assembly
With the standard 250 expected to top 50hp and the monster 700cc closing in on the 100hp figure an all new frame has been designed to get the best from the new power-plants. Replacing the rather tired mild steel frame which has not been updated since 1999 the new Chrome Moly version produces cleaner lines and a more slender lighter figure and will play host to the well publicized (although slightly modified for 2011) 7020 aircraft ally Swing-arm and sub-frame whilst still retaining the superb handling characteristics the brand is so famed for. Opting for a nickel plated finish as standard the new metal-work will also be available with a regular painted finish in a selection of obvious colours.
Maintaining their position as standard equipment will be Talon wheels and the Kehin air striker carb which has proved to be a major improvement since its introduction on the 2010 range, along with the silicone hoses and all new H.G.S. exhaust announced earlier this season, several other products are also expected to be announced very soon.
Factory H.G.S. Silencer
Maico International co-chief Lesley White said “Since the launch of the 2010 bike the response has been solid and steady from around the globe and now we are producing the bikes ourselves entirely in the U.K. we have worked tirelessly to ensure the standard models exceeds expectations and are a cut above the regular mass produced market that everyone has become acclimatized too and with yet more weight-saving introduced for 2011 the new 500 is likely to weigh in at a comparative weight to several other manufacturers 250 two strokes. We have combined this with a list of options, which is likely to read like a who’s who in engineering terms ranging from billet ally engine casings, and other ancillary ally parts to a wide selection of beautifully engineered titanium pieces for both inside and outside the engine, all designed to provide the same level of performance and quality that is delivered to the Formula one Teams.”
Lesley also commented: “For those who may be wondering at our reluctance to name names, due to confidentially agreements which are in place between our Engineering Company and numerous Formula One teams who naturally want to protect any information regarding the design and development on their cars we feel it’s very un-ethical to release any further information regarding their identity at this time”.
Test Rider Neil Berry has spent many hours torture testing every single update and change on the new Maico machines.
Pictures and full spec of the full range of 2011 M.M.X Maicos are expected to be released In September.
With lead times expected to be up to nine weeks those interested in securing one of the first 2011 bikes should contact your distributor or e-mail info@maicointernational.com
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07/30/10 01:44pm |
Sport/Performance
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listing US/Canadian stations with ethanol free gas
http://pure-gas.org/
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rad valve
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07/13/10 07:44pm |
Sport/Performance
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Which Handles Better, A Two-Smoke or a Thumper?
The Straight Dope: Which Handles Better, A Two-Smoke or a Thumper?
By Jody Weisel • on July 5, 2010
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Believe it or not, there is more than one way around a track.
There was a time when the only people who rode four-strokes were grizzled old prospectors tooling around the Southwestern desert (And some guy named Scott Summers) No more! The four-stroke has replaced the two-stroke. The two-stroke had been the bread an butter machine of the last 40 years. The vast majority of riders racing today learned how to ride on a 50cc, 85cc or 125cc two-stroke. Then when they decided to make the step up to the big time, they switched to a valve-and-cam machine.
It is culture shock to switch from two to four (or back again). You wouldn’t think that it would matter what type of engine was bolted between the wheels, but it does. The MXA wrecking crew wanted to delve into why the two-stroke and the four-stroke are totally different machines. And, while we can’t tell you which is better, we can leave a trail of bread crumbs for you to follow on your search for the best bike.
TWO OR FOUR: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
Listen and listen good! Two-strokes are “rear-wheel handling” machines-they are guided by roosting, railing and rocketing around a track by using the thrust of the rear wheel to bring about direction changes. True, the front wheel initiates turns, but then it gets out of the way as the rear wheel takes over. The typical two-stroke rider rails into a turn with the front wheel cocked in the hoped for direction of travel, and then grabs the throttle to bring the rear wheel around the apex.
Not so with a four-stroke. Four-strokes are “front-wheel handling” machines-they utilize, depend on and wear out front tires. True, a four-stroke’s rear wheel provides motive power, but the front tire plays a large role in direction changes. Four-strokes and two-strokes are like front-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive cars when it comes to cornering.
Why the difference? Two-strokes and four-strokes handle differently because of their unique power characteristics. A two-stroke has snappy power that lifts the front wheel, a quicker rev that allows the rear tire to skim across the top of the ground, and no decompression braking to bury the front wheel into the dirt.
Conversely, a four-stroke revs slower, which allows it to drive the chassis without sudden weight shifts toward the rear. Twisting the throttle of a thumper doesn’t lift the front wheel as much as it drives it into the ground.
Additionally, a four-stroke’s decompression braking creates a massive weight shift to the front end on the entrance to corners. With more weight on the front wheel, even the slightest turn of the handlebars rewards the four-stroke rider with instantaneous response.
IS FOUR-STROKE HANDLING BETTER THAN TWO-STROKE HANDLING?
Which is better, front or rear handling? It depends on track conditions.
Front wheel handling bikes (four-strokes) are better in four conditions:
(1) Off-cambers. On slippery, steep and angled banks, a four-stroke can walk across the top, while a two-stroke slides to the bottom.
(2) Hard dirt. The harder and shinier the dirt, the more a four-stroke likes it.
(3) Perfect traction. The quickest way around any corner is to follow the front wheel. On good dirt, a four-stroke goes where you point it-no push, no understeer and phenomenal accuracy.
(4) Stutter bumps. There is something about the gyroscopic effect, crankshaft weight, centralized mass, “every other” firing cycle and well aimed front wheel that makes stutter bumps disappear on a four-stroke (until they get too big-then watch the front wheel).
What doesn’t a front-wheel-handling bike do well?
(1) Sand. All that wonderful four-stroke steering input is confused by shifting terrain. It wanders, refuses to climb up on top of the grainy stuff and wallows. A two-stroke gets up on the sand and stays there.
(2) Mud. What good is the perfect steering input of a four-stroke when it’s so muddy that you can’t steer? And front-wheel steering is of no use when the front wheel is plowing a trench. In the mud, you depend on the rear wheel for everything.
(3) Big whoops. Rear-wheel handling bikes, like two-strokes, can skip across the top of big whoops because they are able to keep the front end out of harms way. Not so with the front-wheel handlers! A four-stroke likes to drive the front end forward (not up), and in big whoops, having the front end come in contact with the whoops is not a good thing.
(4) Potholes. Two-strokes can bunny-hop square-edged bumps, potholes and G-outs. Four-strokes just make them bigger.
WHAT DO REAR-WHEEL-HANDLING BIKES DO BEST?
Two-strokes like big whoops ( even if the rider doesn’t). They work well in loam, because that gives the rear wheel something to bite into. They love to fly (and are easier to manipulate in the air). They excel at quick direction changes through S-turns. They are superior in the first ten feet off a dirt starting line. They can get totally crossed-up in the rough and come out of it. The deeper the sand, the faster the two-stroke goes (because of it’s snappy power delivery and light weight allow it to get on top).
What don’t they like? Rock hard dirt, off-camber corners, concrete starting pads and straights where the extra displacement and higher rpm of the four-stroke make it faster.
PLEASE TELL US THAT A FOUR-STROKE HANDLES BETTER THAN A TWO-STROKE
No. It doesn’t. Plain and simple, a modern four-stroke is too heavy (and even when it weighs the same, it’s every-other-firing stroke makes it feel heavier). Pound for pound, a lighter bike is easier to work with when it comes to handling. While the four-stroke may stay planted to the ground with more authority than a two-stroke, that plus becomes a minus when it comes time to bunny-hop, get light over braking bumps or make quick flicks.
In the grand scheme of things, you give something to get something. When the conditions favor the four-stroke it is awesome to ride. When they don’t, a two-stroke is awesome to ride. But, when it comes to handling, no four-stroke can hold a candle to a two-stroke.
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07/13/10 07:41pm |
Sport/Performance
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TWO-STROKE VERSUS FOUR-STROKE MOTOCROSS
http://www.motocrossactionmag.com/Main/News/TWOSTROKE-VERSUS-FOURSTROKE-MOTOCROSS-SHOOTOUT-YAM-7117.aspx
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07/13/10 07:39pm |
Sport/Performance
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TWO-STROKE VERSUS FOUR-STROKE MOTOCROSS
Double Tap
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07/13/10 07:37pm |
Sport/Performance
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RE: JGRMX Two Stroke Ride Day
Heres another Jeremy Mcgrath & Pastrana 250 and 125!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdnjjmQQrk0
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02/15/10 09:11pm |
Sport/Performance
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RE: Shocking Four Stroke Costs
What I don't under stand is why dose one motorcycle piston cost as much as 8 small block chevy pistons.
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02/12/10 02:45pm |
Sport/Performance
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JGRMX Two Stroke Ride Day
Listen to the sweet sound and power of the 2 stroke compared to the blubbering 4 stroke.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bB9e7E3gPas&feature=player_embedded
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02/08/10 10:56pm |
Sport/Performance
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Shocking Four Stroke Costs
SHOCKING!
WHAT IT COSTS TO KEEP YOUR MODERN FOUR-STROKE JAPANESE MX BIKE RUNNING!
BY: MATT CUDDY & RICK SIEMAN
As a public service, Superhunky.com brings you a shocking expose’ on how much it costs to rebuild a new four stroke Japanese MX bike. We disguised our voices with hi-tech voice-altering devices (helium balloons) and called a few well known motorcycle shops around the country. We got some scary numbers for what it costs to rebuild just the top end on one of the newer Japanese high-zoot four stroke motocross bikes, 450’s to be exact.
Hold on to your wallets, because the costs are staggering.
I first called a Honda shop in Los Angeles, California. And after inhaling some helium, I spoke with the service manager. I had a standard set of questions that Rick and I agreed to that seemed to be appropriate.
“Hi, I own a 2008 Honda CRF450R that I bought used, the last ride it started sounding funny, and backfired out of the carb a few times when I was really pushing it. How much will it cost to fix? What’s a new top end cost? How about the head? Can’t I just adjust the valves, bore it and get a new piston, and it’ll run OK again?”
From the other end of the receiver came an exasperated sigh, and the service manager seemed to then read a pre-written set of answers, from a piece of paper perhaps stapled to the wall in his office:
“Oh, that’s a hard one to diagnose without first seeing the bike. You can’t bore out the cylinder, it’s paper thin nikasil coated on a composite cylinder, either you buy a new one, or have the old one re-plated, costs around five hundred bucks. The piston, wrist pin and rings will run you another four hundred dollars.
The titanium valves are the weak point on a CFR450, they don’t bend or break, but shatter and ruin the whole top end, head and all. That costs about two thousand dollars. Then you have the installation, gaskets, labor, anti-freeze, tax, etc. runs about twenty five hundred all-in, ready to go.”
Garsh, that’s a wad of dough there, mister. Think I’ll just dump this thing and buy an old CR500, thanx anyway.” And I hung up.
Outrageous! I could buy a nice used Dodge Dart, and have enough money left over for a years supply of Lucky Lager! What are the Yamakawasuzionda folks thinking? Do they want to give dirt riders heart attacks!? Good Lord Almighty.
It was Rick’s turn, so he called another dealer on the other side of the country, in the Pittsburg area, and asked the same set of questions.
HONDA DEALER PITTSBURGH, PA
I told the service department the following:
“I just bought a 2008 CRF450R and I went down to my buddy’s place in West Virginia where it wasn’t snowing and rode for about two hours. Then I got back firing out of the carb and we heard a bad knock in the top end. We checked and the knocking was in the bottom end, too. I guess I probably need a complete rebuild. Well, I know it’s hard to get a ballpark total on a rebuild, but what would a guess-timate price be?”
The response:
“Assuming that all the major things need replaced, about $3000 plus should do it. That would be a piston, rings, rod, gaskets and such … plus the labor. And that don’t include the trans and clutch.”
I protested:
“I just paid $3200 for this bike! It ran OK up and down the street, but I only rode it for less than two easy hours. My buddy has CR 500 and he says he does a top end every few years. He told me that the new four stroke racers have a short fuse.”
Response:
“Hey, it’s a race bike. You might save a few bucks if you get some non-Honda parts. But I won’t guarantee those parts. It’s still gonna cost you about three grand for a rebuild.”
More from me:
“How many hours will you guarantee the rebuilt motor? What if I do the work myself; get it bored and put in a new piston and rings? I can do basic mechanical work.”
Response:
“Nobody will guarantee a race bike. You can’t bore the cylinder. It’s coated with a real thin liner. If that’s screwed, you’re looking at a new barrel. Look, these new bikes are really high tech and they ain’t designed to live real long … just go real fast for a while. If you’re just gonna play ride, then you ought to get a CR500 like your buddy.”
Last from me:
“Well, about how many hours could I figure on out of a fresh motor on my 450? Roughly. Just a ballpark … not racing, just out having fun, you know.”
Response:
“I don’t want to give you a hard number, but you can probably figure on 15 or 20 hours. That’s about it.”
Last from me:
“Well, about how many hours could I figure on out of a fresh motor on my 450? Roughly. Just a ballpark … not racing, just out having fun, you know.”
Response:
“I don’t want to give you a hard number, but you can probably figure on 15 or 20 hours. That’s about it.”
BLASPHEMY! Fifteen to 20 hours from a dirt bike that costs over eight grand new! What is going on here? Some plot to ruin the sport of dirt biking? That had to be wrong, so I called a Kawasaki dealer right down the street, and asked them the same pre-agreed to set of question:
“Hi, service please.”
“Service, how can I help you?”
“I have an ’08 KX450F MX bike that I bought used a couple months ago, and it’s started making funny noises like a low knocking noise, and it’s backfiring out of the exhaust pipe every time I downshift. What could be wrong?”
Service: “Oh, you’ll have to bring it in so we can do a leak-down test on the top end, sounds like it might be worn out.”
“And how much will that cost?”
Service: “Free”
“What if the top ends is shot, how much to fix it?”
Service: “Oh, we’ll take it apart for you, see what’s wrong …might be something simple.”
“ How much for that?”
Service: “Oh, that’s free too…”
“Free?”
Service: “Yes, free.”
“Well I suppose putting the damn thing back together again if free too, since it will cost about three thousand #$&^%$# dollars to fix, right gummo?”
Service: “Err, well…err…um…”
“That’s what I thought!” and slammed the receiver down as hard as someone who was light headed from helium inhalation could muster.
FREE MY ASS! This is a conspiracy! Will it go full circle once again, where we have to buy street bikes and strip ‘em down like the old days, instead of buying one of these exploding cigars?
Oh I was on a roll now! Who to call next? The Suzuki shop! Yes!
TO BE CONTINUED
This is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. I was perusing Dirt Bike magazine and saw that new 450 MXers are going for right around eight grand sitting on the showroom floor. So that means with dealer prep and set up, taxes, off-road registration and other graft included, a new 450 dirt bike will cost around nine thousand hard earned Yankee dollars strapped down in the back of your truck.
To think that you can only get fifteen to twenty hours of moderate riding out of one of these technical marvels before a rebuild is in order, is outrageous. And it’s worse on the smaller bikes, like the 250 four strikers that live at 13,000 rpm all day, and explode even worse than the big ones.
This is the first installment on a subject that no one else wants to talk about, the throw-away MX bike. We’re going to dig deeper into this controversial issue, and hopefully be able to make some sense why it happened, and what you, the hard core dirt biker can do about it. Stay tuned.
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02/04/10 08:29pm |
Sport/Performance
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New Maico 700
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucknxyRcRAw
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01/12/10 11:26pm |
Sport/Performance
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For the 2 stroke fans.
http://twostrokemotocross.com/
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01/12/10 07:16pm |
Sport/Performance
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Walking eagle
President BARACK OBAMA was invited to address a major gathering of the American Indian Nation two weeks ago in upstate New York .
He spoke for almost an hour about his plans for increasing every Native American’s present standard of living. He referred to his time as a U.S. Senator and how he had voted for every Native American issue that came to the floor of the Senate.
Although President Obama was vague about the details of his plans, he seemed most enthusiastic and spoke eloquently about his ideas for helping his “red sisters and brothers.”
At the conclusion of his speech, the Tribes presented Obama with a plaque inscribed with his new Indian name, “Walking Eagle.” The proud President then departed in his motorcade to a fundraiser, waving to the crowds.
A news reporter later asked the group of chiefs how they came to select the new name they had given to the President.
They explained that “Walking Eagle” is the name given to a bird so full of******it can no longer fly.
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11/24/09 08:29pm |
Fight Club
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MY DADDY IS AN EXOTIC DANCER
MY DADDY IS AN EXOTIC DANCER
One day a fourth grade teacher asked the children what their fathers did for
a living. All the typical answers came up -- fireman, mechanic, businessman,
salesman, doctor, lawyer, and so forth.
However, little Justin was being uncharacteristically quiet, so when the
teacher prodded him about his father, he finally replied, 'Okay...my
father's an exotic dancer in a gay cabaret and takes off all his clothes in
front of other men and they put money in his underwear. Sometimes, if the
offer is really good, he will go home with some guy and stay with him all
night for money.'
The teacher, obviously shaken by this statement, hurriedly set the other
children to work on some exercises and then took little Justin aside to ask
him, 'Is that really true about your father?'
'No', the boy said, 'He actually works for the Democratic National Committee
and helped get Barack Obama elected President last year, but I was too
embarrassed to say that in front of the class.'
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11/22/09 09:54pm |
Fight Club
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Let me see if I understand all of this
Let me see if I understand all this...
IF YOU CROSS THE NORTH KOREAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU GET 12 YEARS
HARD LABOR.
IF YOU CROSS THE IRANIAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU ARE DETAINED INDEFINITELY.
IF YOU CROSS THE AFGHAN BORDER ILLEGALLY, YOU GET SHOT.
IF YOU CROSS THE SAUDI ARABIAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU WILL BE JAILED.
IF YOU CROSS THE CHINESE BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU MAY NEVER BE HEARD FROM AGAIN.
IF YOU CROSS THE VENEZUELAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU WILL BE BRANDED A SPY AND YOUR FATE WILL BE SEALED.
IF YOU CROSS THE CUBAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU WILL BE THROWN INTO POLITICAL PRISON TO ROT.
IF YOU CROSS THE U.S. BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU GET A JOB, A DRIVERS LICENSE, SOCIAL SECURITY CARD, WELFARE, FOOD STAMPS, CREDIT CARDS, SUBSIDIZED RENT OR A LOAN TO BUY A HOUSE, FREE EDUCATION, FREE HEALTH CARE, A LOBBYIST IN WASHINGTON AND IN MANY INSTANCES YOU CAN VOTE.
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11/22/09 09:54pm |
Fight Club
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RE: Weakness proven at Fort Hood
Got that right.
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rad valve
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11/05/09 09:09pm |
Fight Club
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