Apr 20, 2009 05:36 PM
20273 Views
(Updated Jul 17, 2009 04:24 PM)
Much has been talked about Bullet. Let me dig in to its pros & cons. I owned a moped TVS Champ, then graduated to HH Splendor, moved on to Yamaha RX135 & then now own a Karizma. So from 50cc -> 100cc -> 135cc -> 225 cc.
I had a chance to own my younger brother's Bullet Machismo 350 for some time , did around 15, 000 Kms. He is a Bullet freak & would boast about its reliability all day long. We have had endless debates comapring Bullet with RX135 / Karizma. So I would like to share some of my experience with you all..
Pros : -
It is said to be perfect tourer. Yes it is. you can cruise on it all day long with no hassles. I have not experienced body pains on it so far. I have done 320 Kms on it on a single day (Tiruvallur = Pondicherry). All I can say is Superior comfort.
Top speed mentioned in the manual is 120 Kmph. I seriously doubt if it can reach that speed.
stability @ high speeds is good.
Head light beam though sufficient, not the best. it is not DC in the new bullets.
Universal gearshift & pattern. I mean the gear shifts on the left side & the brake's on the right side unlike the old system where it is swapped.
For its cc, it cannot compete with Zma in acceleration. it reaches 80 Kmph effortlessly. from then on it takes some time to reach to 3 digit figures. You have to keep it pushing.
Best for Highways. Definitely Not for city riding.
I haven't got more than 36 Kmpl. Most highway riding & cruising between 60 - 80 kmph.
240 mm Drum brakes at the front. Superb braking.
Cons : -
Availability of Spare parts is a concern. Once Brake shoes had worn out & I had difficulty in finding the original ones other than the dealer.
one of the main reason why it is not on my favorite list is due to its Heavy weight. Its kerb weight is around 180 Kgs. Almost 70 kgs more than RX135's weight & 30 Kgs more than Zma. It is really difficult to park the vehicle in tight zones & to move it around when you are not riding it.
We didn't get the one which had self start. So we have to kick it. The most annoying thing. old bullets had Amp needle next tot the speedometer. So when the needle is at the the center of the Amp, u have to kick the bike.
But in the new model, they have eliminated the amp & placed decompressor in the the place of Choke. Before starting the vehicle, you will have to hold the decompressor & then kick it. Sometimes it kicks back. Thats very bad. Sometimes I get embarrassed when starting the vehicle as others would look at you as though your a newbie and trying to learn a bullet.
No heat shield. Your pants are sure to get a burn from the silencer. I had 3 burnt pants.
No trip meter.
Another annoying thing - Engine noise. Hell with it. Juz opposite to Honda Unicorn smoothness. My RX 135 though did more than 1 Lakh Kms, didn't sound even a bit harsh. Engine smoothness & gearshifts are the ones which make the bike desirable.
Terrible Vibrations post 80 Kmph. Though dampers are placed at the Handle bar ends, it doesn't serve the purpose.
when the bike is in Idling, you can literally fell the vibrations. You will have to hold the front brake to keep the vibrations down.
The thump is not the same as you get in the old Bullet.
We had bought it for 78 K on road. for a lesser price say around 13 K less, you get an Honda Unicorn which has unbeatable reliability. Uni can do what a Bullet can do and even much better. You can even get a ZMA which is around the same price & can beat the Bullet in every department.
Honestly if you have some experience with any of the Honda / Yamaha Bikes you will not fall for a bullet. All said & done. Looks are subjective. there is nothing to boast of its performance, but effortless cruising between 60 - 80 kmph, of course the thump & Macho looks.
Happy Reading / Riding
Elango
