Yamaha IT 490 vs Maico GME 500 (1986)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Yamaha IT 490stacks up against the Maico GME 500. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | Yamaha IT 490 | Maico GME 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 1983 | 1986 |
| Price | — | — |
| Engine | 487 cc | 488 cc |
| Horsepower | 35 hp | 61 hp |
| Torque | 42 Nm | — |
| Weight | 125 kg | — |
| Fuel capacity | 3.6 L | 2.6 L |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | 5-speed | 5-speed |
| Front brakes | Expanding brake (drum brake) | Single disc |
| Rear brakes | Expanding brake (drum brake) | Expanding brake |
| Tires | 150/80-18 | 3.00-21 / 4.10-18 |
Yamaha IT 490 vs Maico GME 500 — which should you buy?
Picking between the Yamaha IT 490 and the Maico GME 500 usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Yamaha IT 490 brings 35 hp in a 125 kg package, while the Maico GME 500 counters with 61 hp.
Our spec tables above highlight the winning number on each line. For the full rider-focused reviews including real-world fuel economy, service costs and available colors, click into either bike: