The base Maico's are as good as Japanese or KTM models, my 2004 Maico is like a new KTM 300 handling wise, suspension is great.
Maico International is taking this a step further and reducing the weight, putting even further upgrades on the frame and handling. In 2011, they are making improvements to the engine which has not been modified for a long time (at least by Koestler's base).
Zabel on the other hand has been using the same base design, however they have continously been improving the engine. Zabel engines (which are Maicos at the core) are also direct bolt ons to the Koestler frames, so you can always get a brand new motor which has been improved if you want.
One thing to note is that the Maico engine to start with is far superior to any of the current engines on the market out of the gate IMHO, so anything more is just cherries on top. They have a good balance and the ability to make a lot of Horse Power easy to use and control with a predicble engine.
There was a guy with a 2004 YZ 250, I let him ride my 1983 Maico 490 and he said (and I've gotten these same remarks from others) paraphrasing "That engine is awesome. It just pulls from the bottom end so smooth its easy to ride, like a 4 stroke. The power is controllable and very predictible. But like a 2 stroke you hit it down and you can just really dissopear if you want to! You can wheelie all day on that thing! That engine is great. I was surprised though because you can't stop there's no brakes! Luckily that thing has a lot of engine braking!"
And this is the first year of that engine, air cooled, no power valve and 10cc short of what it is now.
That's the Maico, they were able to deliver the power in an easy to use package.
