76 MC5 250 article

[454MRW]

Here is a download for a Nov 76 Dirt Bike article on the 76 MC5 250 that I ran across on Thumpertalk. Mike
http://davestestsandarticles.weebly.com/uploads/4/8/4/5/4845046/dirtb_nov76_pent250.pdf

Michael R. Winter
I enjoy rebuilding and appreciating Pentons!
1974 250 HS Pentons-1980 KTM 175-400'S
1975 Can Am 175 TNT & 77 250 Black Widow
1979 Husqvarna OR390
1976-78 RM & 77-79 PE Suzuki's
1974 CR250M 07 CR125R 79 CR250R

[tomale]

very cool, I recently finished refurbishing my 76 and I brought it with me too the bike show we had on Saturday. Several folks stopped by and we talked about the bike. It looks pretty cool with the fresh paint,aluminum side covers and Fox gas shocks.

Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)
74'250 hare scrambler (project)
74' 1/2 440 maico
78' 440 maico
72' cr125 Husky (project)
93' RMx 250 suzuki

[454MRW]

I found it interesting that they referred to the tendency of the test riders to refer to the handling as Maico-like, extremely stable and smooth over bumps and with a front wheel which tends to follow the line of sight of the rider. Looking in the right direction was enough to execute a turn. Mike

Michael R. Winter
I enjoy rebuilding and appreciating Pentons!
1974 250 HS Pentons-1980 KTM 175-400'S
1975 Can Am 175 TNT & 77 250 Black Widow
1979 Husqvarna OR390
1976-78 RM & 77-79 PE Suzuki's
1974 CR250M 07 CR125R 79 CR250R

[tomale]

Mike, that is interesting, To me, mine always felt like it prefered to point and shoot through a corner, More like a husky than a maico. This is not a bike for the faint at heart. Now I know why they are built for champions. One of the nice things is that you can lift the front end to go over a rough section, Maico on the other  is a bit heavier in the front and resists such things.. I like both bikes. On a Motocross track I prefer the Maico but at the ISDT RR I prefer the KTM

Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)
74'250 hare scrambler (project)
74' 1/2 440 maico
78' 440 maico
72' cr125 Husky (project)
93' RMx 250 suzuki

[454MRW]

I have a 79 OR390 Husky, and they take a while to get used to in corners, but I am told that once you get past the initial uneasiness going in, they stick very well, but the OR is a very tall bike. I plan on getting a WR for woods riding and would like to get a 78 or 79 Maico some day as well just to diversify my collection, and experience the differences. Mike

Michael R. Winter
I enjoy rebuilding and appreciating Pentons!
1974 250 HS Pentons-1980 KTM 175-400'S
1975 Can Am 175 TNT & 77 250 Black Widow
1979 Husqvarna OR390
1976-78 RM & 77-79 PE Suzuki's
1974 CR250M 07 CR125R 79 CR250R

[brian kirby]

MC5s are great bikes, but a Maico is the LAST bike I would compare one too.

Brian

[tomale]

I agree brian,

Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)
74'250 hare scrambler (project)
74' 1/2 440 maico
78' 440 maico
72' cr125 Husky (project)
93' RMx 250 suzuki

[brian kirby]

And I dont mean that as any kind of criticism of the MC5, its not better or worse than a Maico, just very very different.

Brian

[454MRW]

I just posted what the testers opinion was, and that was what they said right after they had tested the 1976 Maico the week or so before they tested the Penton. Mike

Michael R. Winter
I enjoy rebuilding and appreciating Pentons!
1974 250 HS Pentons-1980 KTM 175-400'S
1975 Can Am 175 TNT & 77 250 Black Widow
1979 Husqvarna OR390
1976-78 RM & 77-79 PE Suzuki's
1974 CR250M 07 CR125R 79 CR250R

[tooclose racing]

That was a great read - the writing style really takes me back.

I'm also not sure I get the Maico comparison, but since I haven't ridden one....

My take-away is that  - at least in 1976 - the MC5 must have really been one helluva great out of the box racebike.  For Beginner or Pro.

Thanks for posting it. []

[tomale]

Too close, yes the MC5 really was a great motocross bike out of the box. Thats what attracted me to the bike in the first place, was the fact that for the first time, Penton/KTM had built a bike that was specifically made to race Motocross, couple that with their legendary reliability and that was enough for me, I had to have it.

Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)
74'250 hare scrambler (project)
74' 1/2 440 maico
78' 440 maico
72' cr125 Husky (project)
93' RMx 250 suzuki

[wfopete]

They got the Greatful Dead lyrics from "Sugar Magnolia" wrong. It should read:

She can dance a Cajun rhythm
Jump like a Willys in four wheel drive


That's OK though, in '76 I got a few things wrong too.


Pete Petrick
175 Jackpiner
Slow but Good