My Machismo riding experience - 2nd review . Review on Bullet Machismo

THIS IS THE FIRST REVIEW. You will find the second review in the comments section. I have just returned after having ridden the Mach 350 for a month in India (November 2007). It only took me two days to pick up riding it which is quite remarkable as I had only rode a Hero Honda Street and Bajaj scooters previously. The bike is a beauty to look and to ride. I did a Mumbai to Gujarat trip( total 900 kms) and also a Matheran trip (all the way to the top).

There is nothing that looks as good as a Machismo in India amongst bikes. All the other Indian bikes are 'Paani kum' in front of a Mach. The other 'cruisers' like Avenger, Enticer, etc all look like like as if they were made for school boys. They are so small. Probably if Bajaj Avenger could make the bike bigger in engine capacity and size, then it could really be considered a cruiser and could give a stiff competition to RE>.

With the Bullet Machismo It is not just the look that makes it special but also the fact that it is a 'Laakhwala gaadi'. Bullets are the only bikes in India that can hold their own against foreign bikes. Bikers in Europe and USA respect and know the Bullet. The one advantage that a Bullet will always have over other powerful bikes in India is that it has been around for a long time and you will find many mechanics that would be able to repair it. So the Bullet can be bought second-hand and 'worked on' to get in into good riding and look condition or one can buy a new one from a show room.There have been other 250 cc and 350 cc bikes made In india in the past like the RD, Yezdi and other limited edition models by Kinetic. but all have slowly died out. They might have been great bikes but the very fact that they cant be bought new tells how they failed to survive due to whatever reasons. Bullet has stayed on and gone ahead to increase it's capacity from 350 to 500 as well. These, amongst others, are qualities that make the the Royal Enfield brand and the Bullet bike special.

I got a good average from 40 upto 55 kmpl which surprised me and others as well. This was probably due to the fact that I rode the bike between 40 and 60 knph all the time and had the first two servicings done on the recommended dates. I did race the bike once at 80kmph and it went fine (I'm sure it would have gone till 100 kmph without a problem) but I'm not a speed demon and prefer my 60 kmph rides.

I added a car horn (not the highway one though that kind of sings)as the original horn is too weak. Also, if you want a better thump than put a Madras silencer with a small rubber tube at the end of the silencer. But remember that the thump of a Machismo will never be the same as a Standard Bullet because the engine is made of aluminium and not cast iron as in the Standard. It will sound slightly different, though still loud. The original long silencer gives a very 'sophisticated' thump but feels like as if the bike has no life. I was happy with the sound after putting the Madras silencer. If you want it still louder then put a broad flap at the end and then the sound is even greater. I didnt do that though, as I think that then the bike looks like a 'Gaunwaalas' bike. But I saw and heard other Machismos with the flap and it does magnify the sound.

Having front and rear guards makes the bike look broader and adds to the shiny parts in the bike. I also put a black sidebox as seen in the picture which again makes the bike look broader. I actually wanted to add a box on each side but didnt because then my brother-in-law would have had a problem getting his leg over the top and around both the boxes. It is for the same reason that I didnt add the backrest as well. But I still feel that two boxes would make the bike look bigger and better. That is how Harleys look big as well. The boxes are also quite convinient for carrying stuff too. The backrests as seen on other Mach bikes really give the bikes a royal look. I guess next time I will get the other sidebox installed and the backrest as well. My Bro-in-law can start stretching exercises to get his legs more flexible ;-)

Overall great bike. Unmatched riding quality. I made the trip to Gujarat with a friend on a Passion Plus. He would need a break every 30 minutes as his backside would start hurting, but I could have carried on for another hour without fatigue.

It is a real sexy looking bike and just stop at a signal or a petrol station and everyone starts staring at the bike. The experience of riding a Machismo is like when you go out with a hot girl. All the other people look at you thinking that you must be really having a good time. Well, hot girlfriends might get you the attention but some might not be that good to spend time with. The Mach will give you both - 1) Attention and 2) Good company. Buying a Bullet is like buying a Rolls Royce or a Bentley. There are many cars that are faster, fuel-efficient and technologically advanced than them, but some people go for a Bentley or a Rolls Royce (shelling out lots more to buy and maintain them) for the exclusivity and the experience.

Though on the RE website both the Standard and the Machismo look almost the same the Machismo handle is higher and wider and therefore allows you to ride in a more upright position. I found the handle of the Standard really low and too short. Also because of the aluminium engine the pick-up and fuel consumption of a Machismo is much better than the Standard. The seat is also more comfortable in a Machismo.

So to anyone going for a Machismo, go ahead dont think. It is the best in India for now. Go ahead, make yourself feel special. Even though I found the Mach 350 powerful for Indian roads I now sometimes think that I should have gone for the Mach500. The extra power probably would be good. I guess its a case of being power-hungry. Once you taste power you just want more and more.

That's it from me. Buy the bike if you are thinking about it. Its going to be the best ride of your life.

Cheers.