Mar 08, 2004 03:30 PM
10156 Views
(Updated Apr 22, 2004 12:12 AM)
I certainly have a problem. They still don't know why I bought this 30 kmpl machine which has only two wheels! I was even advised to sell it off in favour of an 800 cc plastic box available in the Rs 2599 scheme! They don't understand why I commit this crime. When will they understand? Never.
Simply because this is a bike to drive and feel and not talk much about. One ride changes you thinking about driving. The Bullet is more comfortable than even cars for a driver.
Now let me explain here some of the things about the Enfield classic model (Enfield std.).
Firstly, this machine is not a bike. It is a companion who takes you places. You do not want to get off this machine in fact. The machine carries you and carries you and carries you. Keep riding and riding and riding.
In fact, this beast is much like me - difficult to start in the morning sometimes! And who said that the bullet does not have problems? It does have. It has all the four stroke problems that any four stroke machine will has. You have to replace oil in time. But when the Bullet is upset, the problems appear very big. Is it because this is a heavy bike? No. It is very easy to take a bullet with engine off ( yes that is right). The problem magnifies because you simply dont want to leave the bike and you want to just ride and ride and ride.
True when she runs she goes so smoothly and so incredibly stable.
What I will say is that this is a reliable machine with very cheap spare parts and a very small repair cost. Visits to the mechanic are very infrequent and far between.
The present machine just requires a little care. And if you do that it is an incredibly marvellous piece of machinary.
Driving this vehicle ? I will not believe anyone who said that Bullet was a difficult machine to drive. It is a wrong statement. Rather this machine is incredibly great for a drive. This adrenalin baby really thumps. A real adrenalin machine. You simply dud dud dud to the tune of the machine. The better way is - give in to that dud dud dud and that will itself guide you to drive the vehicle.
Just hear the thumps going up and down and the thumps will tell you to push the throttle and when to reduce it. You could go crazy once it is in motion. You simply dont feel like stopping it. Just cruise and cruise and cruise. In my view, you better plan at least a 50 mile trip for some satisfaction. But even that may be less. This machine makes driving such a simple experience that after all those miles you simply park the machine and go as if it was a 50 meter walk across the block.
Such a simple drive. Yes it is. And it really is!
And - very important - the flavours this bike is available in is numerous. No No, not models, that is just a marketing gimmick. The only two models are the 1- Machismo/Thunderbird aluminium machine and the 2-std/electra cast iron machine. What I mean by flavours is how your bike looks. Let me explain here
One - The Majestic black (The black electra).
Two - The second one is the dark silver, the big machine.
Three - The third one is the army green bullet with paints peeled off from so many places! Believe me- That appeals me the most but my family will not allow me to make such a ''beautiful'' bike look like this.
Four - The fourth flavour is - The standard black with Royal enfield Written in golden.
Five - The fifth flavour is - the red and the black electra in the new range.
Six - And yes, another flavour is the twin seat Machismo model - a very beautiful bike.
Seven - The ugliest Bullet is the thunderbird in my view. However, I will not impose my views on you. It also looks more beautiful than any other machine.
All these flavours suit this bike and the thump suits all these incarnations except I think the red and the blue which is more suitable for the plastic generation 100 cc putputters.
I bet, no other bike has so many flavours.
For safety,fit the right leg guard etc and take the standard motorcycle precautions. It is safer than others due to its roadgrip (weight). But take care, the Bullet is the best bike as long it is upright. It is rare to see this bike topple. But then it should not. That is putting it very politely. Point is that rash driving is not for the Bullet! That simple.
If this bike is so much worthy then where is the catch? There is one. At the cost of this machine, you have to compromise some conveniences like self start , a modern gear box and microprocessor ignition. This bike is 1950 technology. The engine could probably deliver more power. But if you want a 350 cc machine with all its smoothness and as the sophisticated facilities as well, get ready to shell out 450000 bucks for a BMW 650 or a 10 lacs for a Yamaha 1000 cc.
At Rs. 65000, the Bullet is a real thing. Must ride it. If you dont want to buy new, buy old. And do get one if you like adrenalin!
My recommendation? Well let me put it this way
Own it if you
The road calls you and you cant resist. Yes for the outdoor personality, Bullet is the companion! It is a must.
You really enjoy that sound. Dont resist. GO and get one. Old ones start from 15-16K. Good enough bikes. New from 65K.
Enjoy them feeling shaky and afraid.
Like adrenalin
Like to drive easy and safe
But well, not all think alike. So dont buy if -
Don't like adrenalin
Prefer those tut tut tut plastic boxes which hop around leading nowhere.
Want a bike which just runs on no maintenance for months. This one demands a little bit of your attention.
Of course if you have a lot of bucks to spend on Yamaha 1000 or the BMW 650. But this bike is really great and you must try one. It compares only with the Harley Davidson.
And of course if you prefer the exertion of the steering wheel of that cozy ( is it really?) closed plastic box instead of great open air experience of a pleasure machine, this machine is not for you. (Dont try this, you may start hating what you already have.)
And if you thought that that birdie is a great machine, it is not really so and a Bullet is a Bullet is a Bullet. The Thunderbird has brakes on right but brake on the left does not really matter and dont even take it as a problem. It is nothing.
An adrenalin machine. A true one.
