It was sunday some 2 years back.I just happen to pass through parking lot of my office( I was still in shift) there stood a green color Machismo, it was the first time I saw one. I stared it for few minutes and marvelled at the thought which made this bike so good looking and handsome.It appeared to me that it was my Love of first sight for this beast.But I wasnt earning that much that I could think of buying one.I needed one bike so I thought of buying unicorn, pulsar etc which were in my budget.But everytime I thought that way some one inside me told me that this is not the time.
After I got into my new job, I had ample money now to spare for the dream I held,, and I straightaway went to Bullet showroom on May 20 2005 I also wanted to give attention to electra, and thunderbird.Thunderbird had similar specs as Machismo and I preferred looks of machismo, so it went out of question.Next thing was electra, and it indeed became difficult for me to decide as Electra drove very well, better than Machismo( which I tested a number of times earlier).I must admit that Electra's voice was much clear, with no clattering, and a muscular thump that would entertain everyone irrespective of age, sex.It was better than Machismo surely.The negatives of Electra was its poor gear shift, which everytime found false neutrals whenever I changed gear.
Prior to that, I have collected a lot of data for the two bikes since last two years.It appeared to me that Electra appealed more to the buyers, but once honeymoon period is over for both, Machismo excells overall as Engine becomes smooth, Clattering subsides.Thats what I concluded after reading numerous reviews, on various sites posted by ppl. Machismo is faster, fuel efficient and reliable than Electra thats what I was told by everyone, including ppl who owned electra.Thats what I thought while choosing my bike and eventually I went for Machismo.
I bought it on May 22,2005.Since than I am driving it very carefully...not revving it much, havent taken it above 50KMPH and maintaining it very carefully.The riding pleasure of this bike is unmatchable....even on 50 KMPH you feel like the only person moving on road.You cant be ignorant of the fact that you are on bullet...not for a minute.Forget it, and you will pay the price of not being attentive...Thats the character of this bike, demands what it deserves, respect, awe and care.
The surprising thing I found out is, I filled in it 12.25 litres of petrol, and its reserve being good for 1.25 litre, remaining 11 litre covered 570 kms.That comes out an average of 51.81.Its unbelievable as the engine is fresh, tappets are loose and some oil also came out of the carbuerrator's outlet.
Will keep giving regular update on my experience
15/6/05
I got my bike serviced on 600 kms.After that, voice is a bit changed as tappets are tighter now.Also I found that RE dealers are unfriendly lot.
My bike is performing well, now is giving average of 45.6 kmpl in city everyday usage.Till date it has covered more than 1000 kms and yet I have to take it above 50 kmph speed mark.In the service centre I found out that most of electras are giving poor averages( less than 30 kmpl, some even less than 20).
I believe traditional bullet has more bottom end torque with it, and Mach is more associated with upper end one....So its real testing has to be done.I find that majority of guys change the silencers from the longer one to the short version, to increase thump.Can any one tell me about its cons as far as engine is concerned?
Only hitch I have faced is moving bike in stoppies, from one red light to another and changing gears too frequently is not entertaining for sure.Bullet is truly a highway champ but for city it needs a little more effort( Mach requires more than standard as the other one has 4 gears and more bottom end torque).
But I am more than satisfied with my new Bull.
Shaleen
21/8/05
The Running-in is over..bike has galloped 4000 Kms.I have taken it to 80 Kmph and checked mileage every time.
I have given him name ''Nandi''
To the bad things first, the electrical portion of Nandi is not strong.Horn and lights give problems regularly.
For a city commuter, who has to face dense traffic and number of stoppings, Nandi is worse than a splendor.I can say this becoz I drove a splendor some days before in Laxmi Nagar area of Delhi where I live.
But taking Bull to highway changes all.The stability is amazing, and he is very stubborn and doesnt feel like changing his direction even on high speeds.You wont get perturbed by fast moving vehicles in your vicinity(in contrast to Pulsar's and others, where you have to lookout for the speed of wind).Enfield has truly a winner in this product, and roar this bike gives on 80 is orgasmic.
I got one accident, and the headlamp was the victim in that.I havent got a new one becoz dealer told me that he has older version of headlamps.
I have runn-in Nandi very carefuly, always below 50 kmph was the normal speed prior 2000 kms.The mileage now is extraordinary, even for normal 150 cc+ standards.It has never gone below 45 kmpl, and noramlly giving me 46 kmpl.Changing my fuel to Speed took mileage to another level:53 kmpl.
When I drove Nandi more than 15 km, there was a clattering type of sound from the engine and Boy it was too hot.I changed the fuel to Speed93 and that sound subsided.Efficiency given by speed93 was 47.6(less than normal speed, I think I drove rash during that period)
Pickup is great too..and he climbs elevated roads effortlessly, as if he is running normally.
Once I with my frined stopped to have a go at Bhutta on the road, my innocent friend just put his handbag around the rearview mirrors and we continued.
Later on I discovered that the bag's plastic has melted as if it has made a visit to furnace; it toched the silencer's starting chamber.
I realised that the monster the engine of Nandi is, heat generated inside is also of another class.
All components in Nandi are easy to see and remove.Anyone can be familiar with doing R&D in its electrical portion like speedometer and lights.
Taking him to high speeds was memorable.Once you have the experience of those toyish Jap bikes, you will appreciate the feel the sound imparts, and at high speeds you feel like you are driving a turbine sort of thing.Bull livens up once on road and its liveliness is bold, open and respectful.
I will change silencer to shorter one soon as I feel I like that sound better.
Apart from all, there has been no problem whatsoever with Nandi.Living with a characher like this is truly amazing and demanding
I remember few characters on the road...apart from Bull , the first character I adored, and liked in my childhood was traveling in a bus of Ashok Leyland.I just used to sit near its engne chamber, and enjoyed every moment of it.The roar of the engine, robust suspension made me ignore Tata's and catch Leyland's.
I simply love Leyland bus running on open road, on speed 80+ and myself sitting in the front seat.It was such a passion in my childhood.But even now I love Ashok leyland.
Bullet's craze has its roots in that.I aim for driving longer journey's on my companion.
Shaleen
