When I was growing up in Chennai, I always aspired for the next level of biking. As a wee lad in kindergarten riding trikes, I aspired for a bike. Then from a 14” junior bike to a grown up 20” BSA. Then came “bikes with engines”. So cool, especially if you were a teenager in the late eighties as the 100 cc exploded in India. Ind-Suzuki’s 100 CC, KB100 (remember the cool cheetah ad), Hero Honda CD 100 and off course the ultimate Yamaha’s RX 100 (still a favorite two decades later).
But lurking around for more than 5 decades then (more than 7 decades today) as the ultimate riding machine was the Royal Enfield Bullet Classic 350. It was awe inspiring to see it thump by you on the road. The rider assumed a god like aura. Some one riding a Bullet should not be messed with. I spent some good trips on a friend’s bullet during my college days. But I could never adjust to the gear level and the brake pedals on the wrong side (or the right side for a classic bullet-eer).
When I moved to the US I had the chance to ride some of the biggest bikes I could lay my hands on. Harleys, Victories, Triumphs, and some of the Japanese made cruisers and I enjoyed all of them. But some thing was missing. Then I had the chance to ride a RE Classic Bullet EFI 500 in April 2009. The old memories came back and my resolve to get back on the bike and ride again surfaced.
Shortly after this I re-located to Chennai and I found myself in the Royal Enfield’s showroom in Adyar. To my disappointment, I discovered that they do not sell the Classic 500 EFI in India (RE launched it in early 2010). The sales manager, Venkat, was kind enough to offer me test rides on the 350 cc models and I reluctantly took the rides. The machines were all great. I preferred the standard 350 and Electra over the Thunder bird.
I was resigning myself to wait for some months for RE to launch the 500 EFI, when I saw another test ride machine in the back of the lot. Painted in a military green (I learned later that it is called Alberto green) and chrome, the machine gave off vibes of power and menace that I walked up to to look at it.
A simple painted sign on the tool box cover read 500 cc. I first though that this was some ones practical joke as the bike looked more like a classic 350 or an Electra. As I turned away the Venkat said, “That’s a Machismo 500”. Do you want to test ride it?”. Does a dog wags it tail when you show it a treat?
We tooled the bike out of the lot onto the road and stood it up on its stand. The battery was dead and hence I had to kick start the bike. I went through the motions, dry kick 10 times, partially decompress, wait for the “woosh” and tightening of the kick start lever, fully decompress and kick. Man, the bike started with a sweet thump, music to my ears. Once on the bike, I immediately felt the power, its raw torque and the deep thump coursing up my legs. The sensation was amazing and any further descriptions will require censor board reviews.
I spent almost 30 minutes on this test bike that day. I was convinced and hence I made plans. The next day, I made it a point to pass the showroom with my wife and daughters. Again test ride on the Royal Enfield Machismo 500 but this time my wife and the girls taking turns to sit in the back. Universal opinion from the ladies, this bike is scary, very noise and very quick. I immediately wrote a cheque for the full amount and booked a black Machismo 500.
11 days later, I got a call from Venkat. Your bullet is waiting. I picked the Bullet in the afternoon of a Friday. I immediately fell in love with this black machine.
Today, I go to work because I can ride this bike out to work and back. Every time I stop at a red light and I see the looks from other rides on Pulsars, Yamaha’s and Apaches, I just rev the engine a bit. My way of staying “Don’t even think about it”. And when I make those long rides on highways and see other bikers trying to keep pace I let them for some time and then open up. I have taken this Royal Enfield Machismo 500 to 140 kmph on the Bangalore – Pune highway for over 90 kms without a break (actually I needed one to quite my racing heart).
Always remember these basic principles when you ride:
- Maintain your bike well. Respect it and it will never disappoint you.
- Always do the 5 point check before you ride every time: Fuel check, brakes check, electrical check, oil check and basic tool kit for emergency
- Always, and I mean always, wear a helmet when you ride your bike
- For longer rides, wear appropriate safety gear and if you are a serious rider get yourself good riding armor.
- Riding should be a thrill but always ride within your capability.
Ride safe folks!
Regards,
Ram
{ 40 comments… read them below or add one }
Wit till I get my hands on my Ninja…. Will show you what is meant my “not messing”
hehe…good point.
I anyways dont like the bullets one bit. IMHO they are just a big lump of metal with no performance to speak of.
Dont even get me started on the maintenance part. My friend who is a fan of bullet had to sell his 350, just coz his weekends were being spent on taking care of the bike.
to the guyz who wants to compare bull to the girls:–
if u dnt like bull then WTH u came here??to see the comments…lame and shame.
lmao…dude earn respect
Sorry to say, I hardly can imagine a Ninja up in the Himalayas.
nice review man…., as all v knw hw it feels to own a bullet.., i dnt hv any bt definately wen tym cames i wil have it…, wat i lyk in ur review is u hv nt mentioned n e disadvantages of bullet.., its d only thng u cn distinguish a bulleteer frm a normal biker.., man gttng goosebumps writng cmmnt on bullet…., woooooofff…
Dude if u start listin out the disadvantages of a RE u will have to write for hrs. Thats how u differenciate a Bulleteer!!! Every time v r back from a bike trip my frnd who owns a RE, his adda is the showroom for the next 2 days!!!
Wht a writeup.. Superb Dude!!!! The points u said in the last was really important.
Great.. Keep Riding..
Great review. Its a short and sweet one. The given basic principles are also good but the only con in this review is lack of photos. Only one pic hasn’t suited the review. Few more snaps will look good and also give complete visual appearance of this beast.
Thats a great review…specially “Some one riding a Bullet should not be messed with” …. But its true for any RE beast
Review was nice,but only a 1 pic,doent justify your review completely
My comment did not get approveD?
I don’t know. Did not delete yours.
is this bulls milage less than 25kmpl?
i ask you coz i am searching for used one and some saying that its milage is 23kmpl
That was a nice review Ram.
But sorry to say this, it is like a purchase decision review than an ownership review. Please can you share some info about what happened after you bought it. How do you feel, how much have you ridden, about services, maintenance, mileage, etc.,.
After all, we are Indians!!! So, “”"Mileage kya hai???”"”
Salute to u & ur BULL!!!
wen i first saw this post i went ‘hallelujah!!”…luved it…but i think u should have written more or atleast added more pics…=\
anyways good post! =]
Can you please confirm on whether this was a new purchase? Coz as far as i know Machismo 500 was removed from production some time back. Only the following were coming down from RE Stable
1. Bullet Std 350
2. Electra
3. Thunderbird TS
4. Classic 350
5. Classic 500 (with EFI)
First four has the same UCE engine with Twin spark plugs.
As fas as i know Machismo 500 had a cast iron engine. It was removed from the stable some time back in 2008 or early 09 i guess.
some peoples who have commented abt the issues of bullet dont know the pros of a bullet..u dont need to compare a ninja with a bullet..bullet is a long stroke machine where as a ninja is a short stroke and above all is one needs to ride a bullet to feel what a bike really means
Bullet = Ambassador, Ninja = Lamborghini. Only place where a Bullet out scores a ninja is when both does a head on collision on each others. Now i get it “not to be messed with”!!!!.
So u buy a bike to do a head on collision??? Be practical man!!! BUllets are 1 of the most uncomfortable bikes in the city!!!
That is what i meant. Are we buying bikes for doing a head on collision???? Certainly not. So it should not and cannot be compared with a ninja.
@Vijay – as per ur comments.. – practically U cannot ride a Lambo on all Indian roads… hope u r from India and hope u r seeing Ambassadors are still running on all Indian roads…
Have u ever driven a bullet? if yes, u wud hav not posted such a kiddish comment/comparison…
@Venkat let them be in peace with their machines. Those who own a RE can’t explain what make them so lovable and prized possession.
@ Venkat nd Vikram- U are right , Royal Enfield is really ROYAL by name nd performance on Highways nd all, Name is Bullet.
About Comparison – no Competitor in indian market, we can,t compare a sport bike nd commuter………..
just ask them what are they doin in RE forum…searching for ninja review???
Hahahahaha…LOL….Till now, i didn’t saw this type of comparison
Cruisers and performance bikes are incomparable. If you still want to compare and MESS around, try messing around with Harleys’ & Triumphs’.
A great bike. The name Royal Enfield is enough to generate respect in our “Biker’s heart” ! I love its muscular design,immense power,giant torque,distinct sound and road-presence . It’s a 500 cc(Maximum Power-17.64 KW @ 5600 rpm, Max. Torque- 40.85 Nm @ 3000 rpm… if I am not wrong) so we shouldn’t expect god mileage (anyway,I have a curiosity to know what is the mileage in your case )
Good review, but somehow,it didn’t completely quench our thirst to learn more about the bike.I mean writing is too good but should be better with some more pictures ,video(the “Royal” sound and pick up of your bike could be portrayed there) giving technical specifications etc.
One thing I would like to know.You have written “I could lay my hands on. Harleys, Victories, Triumphs, and some of the Japanese made cruisers and I enjoyed all of them. But some thing was missing.” – I love those bikes specially Harleys (have a dream to ride in furure!!!) …so how was your experience -if you tell us in details.
Anyway,all the best for our bike.
Thank you.
I am a final year 20 year old student completing my BBM from Krishna College, Coimbatore. My Dad, a traditional biker since 76, had his first 350 STD in 1976, followed by a new one 350 DLX in 1985, which was stolen/untraceable, another new 350 DLX while at Calicut (sold) followed by 2003 Electra 4S-still with us, and addition of TBTS in 2009. I learnt to ride a Motorcycle on the Bullet Electra, and am a die hard fan of ENFIELD. Every week, I ride down to Kerala, Udumalpet, OOty, or where ever my friends call me on the Thunderbird TS. I just love my motorcycles. My elder brother has his school mates working with Royal Enfield Motors in their products testing, and occasionally I get to ride the test bike too, and those friends pass me information that I have found useful. Both (Electra and TBTS) mean a lot to me and the Electra is an obsession to my father. He cant ride the TBTS as his left toe has been amputated. Come powerful HiTech bikes to the market, I can never think of another brand to replace the Enfield Bullet. I have ridden 220 Pulsar, Hero Honda ZMR, Hunk, CBZ, FZ Yamaha, but I still fell an aura of greatness when I ride my Enfield Bullet. I am fondly known as Bullet Nair, just like my brother was know during his engineering college days, as he was the only student in that college, then to ride the Electra 4S to attend college.
This is in continuation of my previous comment. YES. The only Japanese bike to ever impress my Dad was the 1984 RD350 High Torque YAMAHA, on which he met with an accident and had his RH shoulder broken and collar bone had a major dislocation. YES that is another DREAM Bike. This bike too has its own group of die hard fanas/followers. I am yet to ride one, but my father used to ride frequently between Hyderabad and Vijayawada about 300 kms, and return , solo, in about 4 and half hours, taking regular small breaks enroute.
its a good article.. but i am surprised that u managed to buy the bike in 2010.. HOW?? it was discontinued in 2009, at least in mumbai. I was looking for 1 here, hv a 350 std, wnted to add the 500, but no1 had the bike. so How??
I rode a 350CC RE.. It wasn’t maintained well…. but I liked it for its pickup.. Like to ride one well maintained RE in future… Nice write up.
Well done. All the best.
{(RE launched it in early 2010). The sales manager, Venkat, was kind enough to offer me test rides on the 350 cc models and I reluctantly took the rides. The machines were all great. I preferred the standard 350 and Electra over the Thunder bird.
I immediately wrote a cheque for the full amount and booked a black Machismo 500.
11 days later, I got a call from Venkat. Your bullet is waiting. I picked the Bullet in the afternoon of a Friday. I immediately fell in love with this black machine.
Always remember these basic principles when you ride:
* Maintain your bike well. Respect it and it will never disappoint you.
* Always do the 5 point check before you ride every time: Fuel check, brakes check, electrical check, oil check and basic tool kit for emergency
* Always, and I mean always, wear a helmet when you ride your bike
* For longer rides, wear appropriate safety gear and if you are a serious rider get yourself good riding armor.
* Riding should be a thrill but always ride within your capability.
Ride safe folks!
Regards,
Ram}
dear ram , plz recommend for me to Mr. vekat sales manager, becouse i want a TBTS IN AT LEAST 15 DAYS FROM BOOKING I AM READY TO PAY immediately full amount and booked a TBTS
Hi Ram,
Awesome writing, thoroughly enjoyed the entire write up,
one of the best reviews on bikeadvice till date, not for the technical parts, but just for the style of writing.
Happy riding!
Royal enfield Machismo 500 , is it a learn burn engine r uce ?. i belive they stopped production of Machismo 500 learn burn engine in last 2009. is it the chrome version of classic 500c r Machismo 500 uce ?
i hav a RE- machismo 350. it is such nice bull, But i got a problem with oil leek from the right side door. the color is mix up of white wnd oil. i dont know why it causes. pls sombudy help me…
Bullet rules any time…You can take it to the toughest and roughest terrains of ladakh or on the highways like NH7, it wont let you down.
I know a guy who went on a solo ride on a bullet from Bangalore to Ladakh alone.
The only problem in bullet is once it gets punctured then the hell starts.
The only alternative for this is
1) Learn how to fix a puncture
2) Carry always a foot pump and a set of tubes once you start for a long ride.
If you learn the above, then You are the Master of the Biking Universe
Wonderful review, Ram. I had to wait for 24 days here in Madrid (Spain) for my Electra EFI 500cc and it felt like an eternity!
The feeling of riding the Bull, of kick-starting the motor and feeling the piston thump. I had a guy on a Triumph following me for 2 km yesterday, when I stopped he confessed he was enjoying riding behind me just listening to the engine of my Bullet. A great feeling, that.
All i can say that, i am not passionate about bullets. All i just want is a big bike with up right seating position, with power and stability and comfort. I don’t like to cramp around with so-called sporty position in those performance bikes. I liked bullets for its metal body and no Bull Sh|t fibers around it. With the bullet we can cruise around in slow speeds and enjoy the ride in weak ends with our family. As i needed some thing bigger like 200cc+ with all those above specifications. Only bullet seem to be a right choice and the only choice available. If honda or some one can come up with a cruiser bike like bullets under 1.5lakh price tag then i would buy it. but sadly no one cares about it. For now i have my eyes on classic 350 crab. lets see how things will turn out.