Abru

Hi all,
I like to get the help of the masters in this forum in selecting a bike for me.
I am riding bikes for the last 10yrs and I have owned/tried my hands on many models. But there is one bike which I always fancied about...
A Bullet. But whenever I was about to buy a new bike, I somehow felt that I am not yet ready for a bullet. So after 10 yrs of riding, I feel that I am ready for a bullet and I am thinking of getting one.
But I am confused about the model.

I will explain my expectations.

First of all, I am looking for a used model due to financial reasons.
My Budget is a max of 45-50k.
My confusion is between Machismo 350 vs Electra.
I live in Bangalore and dont do long trips. Max 50-70 kms on weekends (But have done and will be doing some long trips once in a bluemoon).
I am aware of the maintenance requirements of bullet and I am okay with a little technical stuff. However, I'm not a hardcore tech regarding bikes.
So I need suggestion about a Bullet which will go well with a periodical service (once in 2-3 months) and a good eye and ear for any abnormal noise or leak.

As it is the only vehicle I will be having with me for a couple of years (read till I get married ) I need a reliable bike. I think Pulser spoiled me by being a trouble free bike for the last 4 yrs . I know I cant expect the same but at the same time I dont want to be scared of a breakdown, everytime I take it out for a spin.

Well it turned out to be a lenghty post!!!
Sorry about that but I wanted to make myself clear so that the guru's understand my requirements and guide me in the correct route.

Waiting to hear from the experts...

Aryan

Topic Approved.

__________________
...in search of that perfect world - My Travel Blog :)

blackfire_9

Hi Abru,

Congrats on your decision, & I hope you will create some fond memories with the bike.

Getting to the query, Electra or Machismo, although the engine design is different in both, the reliability factor is almost the same in both of them. I myself own an Electra & have never faced anything major until recently when I gave my bike for service to a bad mechanic. All I have always done is to get it regularly serviced & kept a watch on noises & leaks.

About the Machismo, a friend of mine at the workplace has it, & he has also not faced any issues with it, except some minor adjustments here & there, but nothing that can be considered scary.

The basic difference between the two models is the engine type apart from the cosmetic differences. Electra has a cast iron engine whereas the Machismo has an AVL engine. The cast iron engines are a little relaxed compared to their AVL cousins, in the sense that they are low revving. You can rev the AVL higher than a similar capacity cast iron engine & that equates to a better & comfortable top end. Also due to the material used for construction, & the better oil pump design compared to the cast iron engine, these engines can run hotter enabling leaner mixtures (relative to the cast iron barrels) & better compression ratios & hence the slightly better mileage & power figures.
Another aspect of the AVLs is the inherent rattle, which has reduced over the years but is still persistent.

Coming over to financial aspect, talking of spares, the spares of the Machismo are costlier than that of the Electra, both the cosmetics & the engine parts. Also, this is my personal observation, the spares of the cast iron engines are easily available compared to their AVL cousins, both at authorized service stations & the local market.

And finally coming over to the future, from what holds true today, the cast irons will be shelved in some time next year. This was supposed to happen this year but the license (something related to pollution norms) got extended for one year. Also the company has plans of shelving the AVL engine in some time after that & this comes from the mouth of one of the company's senior engineers whom I met at Manmohan motors at Chandigarh. Also this was heard from a company spokesperson at one of RoadSurvivor (Chandigarh Bullet group) meets courtesy one of their senior members.

So, even though the company is bound by law to produce parts for such vehicles whose production has stopped but then the cast irons have been around for a very long time now & there are parts available in plenty. This is not the case with AVLs even when they are in production. To quote an example, it took a known who owns a Thunderird almost a month to procure a new cylinder kit from the company after his bike faced a seizure. For another guy, it took the company over 2 weeks just to get hold of new valves.

I might be wrong but then I have listed my personal experience & observation.

Take care & hope this helped. Keep this thread updated with your final decision & also with the pictures of your steed once you get hold of it. Cheers.

Happy thumping,
Prakhar

Abru

Hi Prakhar.
Thanks for the reply.
It was really helpful and detailed.
I expected a reply from you as I have seen that you are one of the active members, specially in the Bullet related threads.

I was slightly biased towards the machismo for its looks and AVL engine.
However, after your comments about the parts, little confused now.

Any comments on the price range? Will I get a good 2000+ model in the specified price range?

Regarding the update and pictures, it'll be done on the first day itself.

desideep

Hey Abru, you got a very nice answer from prakhar donnot expect any better ones.. hehehe

any ways yes for your budget you can certainly get a very or say extreamly nice example of a bullet.

to be true with you the bullets dont sell by the year. Some sell by AGE and all of them sell by condition. for example i gave away (i am not using the word sold or sell) for 30000 though i was being offered more(35K but thats a different story) and mine is a 1977.

__________________
1993 YAMAHA RX100 | 1977 RE Bullet 350 STD | 2008 HH CBZ | 1997 LML NVSpl | 2009 Suncross Proceed

www.desideep.blogspot.com

Abru

You are true Desideep.
That was a real good answer.
Thanks for you for answering the question regarding the price.

Now one more doubt regarding these models.
Sorry if its a stupid question: I have heard that Electra is depended on the battery and Machismo is not?? I mean Electra will not start if the battery is down or there is a problem with the circuit but the machismo doesn't have such problem. Is that right?

The 1977 Bullet might have been a real classic... Sad to know that u gave it away.
Maybe after some years down the lane, I'll buy one such old classic and keep it only for a pleasure ride once in a while...

blackfire_9

Hey Deep,

Thanks a lot for appreciating my inputs in such a nice way brother. I take this opportunity to say that you have been an inspiration for me & you have always supported me in my quest for knowledge & helped me out with everything. Thanks brother. And hey, lets not forget to tell Abru that you also got a 2004 Electra 4s (silver)

Hi Abru,

I am glad that you found my advice helpful & buddy, it was a pleasure. Looking forward to having more of such conversations with you.

As for the price range query, Deep has already told you very rightly about it & in a very appropriate way.

As for the battery question, it was sort of true earlier when the Machismo used to have CDI ignition. As of today both these bikes have TCI ignition. In fact the Electra also had CDI ignition initially. Although these bikes can fair good even with a weak battery, I doubt if they can start without any battery power. But I would request others to shed some more light on this.

Take care.

Happy thumping,
Prakhar

pushkarkulkarni

Hi Abru,

Machismo & Electra are totally different. Some of my views:

Machismo

Machismo - AVL Engine. Has a good pick-up & mileage but because it's an AVL, it makes a lot of noise which you won't enjoy in a Bull.

Electra

Electra has a Cast Iron engine. It's silent but has lesser pick-up & mileage just as a Standard.

If you want a good feel of a Bull, I would suggest forget the new generation and get a Bull between 1970s - 1990s. They are Standard models with great thump and looks. The best thing about these older models I like is I can ride them @ the speed of 10kms on the top gear and its way silent!!

I own a Machismo and I am quite happy with it, but I am still looking for an old standard in which I can enjoy a true Bull

__________________
?ushk@r

1991 HM Contessa

2005 RE Machismo
2003 Bajaj Pulsar 150
1999 Bajaj Super

blackfire_9

Hey pushkar,

Man, 10kmph on top gear. You sure you are talking about a Bullet here & not something else like a tractor.

I would love to see a Bullet which can pull in the top gear at such a low speed. I have definitely ridden a 77, & 10kmph is a little too less for the top cog. And by any chance even if it is this way, with a lower size front sprocket then you would kill the top end.

Take care.

Happy thumping,
Prakhar

Abru

Thank you all for the responses. It helped me in understanding what all needs to be compared.
Still finding it hard to finalize. I think i will keep my options open and will do test rides of both and I believe that the rides will help me in finding the correct one...

To be frank, I am more inclined to Machismo (The looks).

Anyway, I will keep searching till I find the right one.

Further advices are always welcomed. So please keep me updated if u remember or come across anything which could be helpful for me.


One more question:

I know one machismo (might be 2005) which is not being used for a long time (Around 2yrs). It was used very rarely and then the owner went abroad.
After that, the bike is parked in the same place for two years exposed to sun and rain .
It is in a parking lot but kept towards the edge so it is partially exposed to the attack of sun and rain...

The tyre is cracked and crumbled now.
The seat is also gone.
But not much rust visible on the body.

I know I can get a nice bike with my budget but it is sad to see such a nice bike getting ruined like that...

My question is whether to restore it or not?

Is it feasible and worth the effort??

What all damage can be expected and will it be good after a complete rebuild???