Introducing a new category, Bike Geek, let’s begin with an dated, but interesting, review of Royal Enfield’s Machismo by Ravi J. Deka on his motorcycling page. These bikes were just being let out of the factory when I was in India in 2000, and I happened to be in Kerala at the time of the big launch gala, resplendent with garlands of marigolds and beautiful models significantly more clad, shall we say, than those at an American motorcycle gala. The Machismo, like the Bullet, is almost laughable as a touring bike when compared with the American, Japanese, and European monsters designed to take on an overweight retired couple and all their essential gear — the Moto Guzzi California EV I rode in 2001 seemed particularly huge after the Bullet experience. But read Deka’s review…
Now owned by the Eicher group, the Bullet which has had next to no alterations in the last 42 years is yet to sport a new avatar. Sparing the 12 volt electric’s, switches, the carburettor and improved brakes, the motorcycle essentially remains a machine of 58. The 350 still produces 18 horses and the 500 barely manages 22 bhp, about half of what contemporary machines of equal capacity put-out.
Similarly, all the talk of collaboration with the Swiss horsepower guru Fritz Egli, appear only to be for the benefit of Auto Journals, while the AVL re-designed Machismo with its air -compressor look alike engine, as well as the ill-conceived cosmetic makeover of the Lightning can hardly be viewed as positive steps in the company’s commitment to modernisation. The Egli modified models which were promised for the last five years never appeared and neither did any specific upgradation in the existing range. What did come out was a spruced up model trying to imitate a chopper look with wide handlebars, a high tank and a stepped seat, with no engine or performance changes.
For a motorcycle about 30 cms shorter then the “Sportster”, Harley Davidson’s smallest model, attempts to imitate its larger sibling simply impresses as optimism gone overboard. Moreover, when the daily riding cycle involves avoiding the a three-weeled cargo carriers and meandering rickshaws, the wide handle bars in spite of their “cool” look, often prove to be more then a handful.
I purchased a Royal Enfield Machismo in Chennai a year ago. I found it to be a very reliable bike with none of the problems of the origonal enfield, i.e oil leak and starting. I have now shipped this bike back to the UK were i find it to be a great commuter bike. I get a lot of stares ridding my Bullet around London even more than if i was ridding on a posers bike such as a Harley. No bike beats the Bullet
I purchased a Royal Enfield Machismo in Chennai a year ago. I found it to be a very reliable bike with none of the problems of the origonal enfield, i.e oil leak and starting. I have now shipped this bike back to the UK were i find it to be a great commuter bike. I get a lot of stares ridding my Bullet around London even more than if i was ridding on a posers bike such as a Harley. No bike beats the Bullet
Nice one. The bullet rulez
I have been riding Bullets since last 10 years. In spite of a whole lot of nasty experiences including mechanical failures, oil spills and electrical balckouts, I have thoroughly enjoyed riding a Bullet more than any other ‘reliable’ japanese bike. I recently purchased a Machismo and I am happy that this is better built and less oil spilling than the former (still with me). I am looking forward to spending a lot of good time and going again on the world’s highest motorable road on my Bullet. When it comes to relaxed biking, nothing beats the Bullet.
Hi,
I purchased a Royal Enfield Bullet 350 a few years ago. It is still is sitting in my garage with only about 50 miles on it. It is such a beautiful bike, but it is hard for me to start. Can anyone recommend someone that might be able to install an electric starter?
Also, I am also thinking of selling it if anyone is interested. It is like new and has been stored in my garage. I would be willing to entertain offers. I would also throw in the double seat in addition to the single seat and one men’s large helmut.
I purchaesd a Enfield Machismo in Chennai (India) 5 years ago and rode it 5000km across India with very few problems. After shipping it home to the UK i took it my local motorcycle garage which imports Enfields to get them to service it and put it back together. Ever since i got it back from them it has been blowing oil out of the air filter which it never did before. Is this a common problem or have the people who serviced it stitched me up. They were quite put out when they found out that i had imported it and not brought it through them. Please help!!!!!
The Royal Enfield IS the BEst Bike In this planet in the 350-500cc range..It is very sturdy and if handeled properly it can go on for years and years without problems but yes regular servicing is required.My uncle Bike is more than 20 years old And I have a new 350 electra 5s And its going great guns…this bike has great torque..and once you start riding it i bet you wont want to stop..the feeling is totaly different..i think The Royal Enfield Is Planning a 1000CC Twin which is still in the R&D stage..patience is required..itts the best and nothing can beat it
bullet riders are the biggest idiots in the world- cant you see how enfield just justifying bad quality with “our riders love the experience crap and that thumping sound” whatever- i mean- it spills oil, too mcuh maintenance, pathetic power output,the top speed is a joke- i mean please- this is insulting. why even bother with a bullet?? why the HELL cant they upgrade their technology? the same idiots saying”we love bullets” must silently hate it for the trash enfiled has been dishing out in the name of “pro biking” in india- and now theyve managed to even not allow harley to come in wdie to regulations- i just think we should boycott bullet till they come out with a half decent bike.
The bullet is the best bike in the business..
only the buffoons will have problem with the bullet…This is the true indian Bike….Babies should not complain,it is a classic bike and it should be that way..and the torque of he bike easily makes up for the power…Only A Strong Hearted Man Can Ride A Bullet
Perhaps Mr. Ashish P (above) just doesn’t GET the Bullet. There are no other classic “british” bikes still in production today. The Bullet hails from a period in time when being a motorcyclist meant more than just a choice of a 2 wheeled transport appliance over a 4 wheeled one, a time when to be a motorcyclist meant having a distinct and intimate relationship with your machine which involved servicing maintenance and repair. The Bullet is a bike that you can maintain and repair yourself. And yes, you will have to do this from time to time. If a rider is seeking a 500cc or 350cc single cylinder roadbike, it suggests to me that simplicity is one of the factors they seek. The Bullet is a simple robust bike that does just what it should. It doesn’t need to go over 70MPH. That’s maximum speed limit in most of the world anyway! In my 25 years of riding on the road, The Royal Enfield Bullet is the best bike I have ever owned or ridden. Let Mr. Ashish P go buy a Hero Honda. Class…
i have enfield electra 5s. just run 1900km. started giving some sounds from engine. whather electra 5s was wrong disigen? machismo is better or eletra 5s? which is reliable?
DEAR SAM
REG: PROBLEM OF OIL LEAK FROM AIR FILTER
look out for solution of ur probl in royal enfield website in india page.
respects
Puneet
I own a Machismo AVL 350 for last 7 years ( I bought it brand new) & covered 40,000 kms till today & so I can say with authority that this model is a crap / third rate & ultra unreliable bike in india. Its all aluminium engine sounds like a disel rikshwa & attendants on petrol pumps ask me every time – perol or disel? On this kind o bike you can only travel long distances in group & not solo because you always need backup from other members from the group & they also need you in case of their turn.
Now you people will understand why ony bullets clubs are formed ( they are essential for their survival). also no bullet owner talks bad about their bike because after spending around a lac rupees you possibly cant declare your self as fool)
bullet is a cult overseas .that is because this is the last antique which can be said is in production still!
Bullets latest bikes are good.
the classic cast iron cylinder 350CC bullets productions are ceasing by this october.
Eicher Enfield is going for latest technologies ,ofcourse not of super bikes ,but for commutators.
In India ,there is no worth of ppl buying SBK’s for 12lakh busa’s and all. here ,we struggle to own a 800CC maruti car !so two wheelers are the norm.esp those with mileage.
while ,I know in EU & USA ,it is cars which is like scraps all over and a bike means a poser or what you call “uber” cool ! 😀