Discussions and Questions Royal Enfield Machismo - Page 3
Was the Machismo 350 actually any better than the other bikes, or was it just all a bunch of marketing?
13 January 2025 06:40
I think psychologically, that was the biggest performance improvement. People rode it harder because of the sporty image and it felt faster.
Was the Machismo 350 actually any better than the other bikes, or was it just all a bunch of marketing?
13 January 2025 06:40
It's definitely different, but it's subtle. It is lighter weight and revised geometry makes it more flickable in corners. It's not faster but it's more fun.
Was the Machismo 350 actually any better than the other bikes, or was it just all a bunch of marketing?
13 January 2025 06:40
I’m a mechanic, and I can tell you the changes were more than cosmetic. It does tweak the frame and suspension which does improve handling. It's not revolutionary but it's there.
Was the Machismo 350 actually any better than the other bikes, or was it just all a bunch of marketing?
13 January 2025 06:40
It's a bit of both. RE definitely oversold the performance improvements in their marketing, but there are real performance improvements. It's still a Bullet at heart.
Is the Machismo 350 cult following justified, or just nostalgia fuelled?
13 January 2025 06:40
It’s 100% justified. The Machismo was a cool old school bike with just enough modern features. You can't get that feeling with any modern bike.
Is the Machismo 350 cult following justified, or just nostalgia fuelled?
13 January 2025 06:40
Honestly, it’s mostly nostalgia. I had one back in the day and loved it, but I just rode one again and it felt ancient. People, I’m wearing rose tinted glasses.
Is the Machismo 350 cult following justified, or just nostalgia fuelled?
13 January 2025 06:40
And I think the cult status derives from the fact that the Machismo is a 'Goldilocks' bike for many riders: not too old, not too new. It found a sweet spot that a lot of people tapped into.
Is the Machismo 350 cult following justified, or just nostalgia fuelled?
13 January 2025 06:40
This is justified, but not for the reasons most fans would think. Performance and reliability aren't the issue – it's the Machismo capturing a point of time in motorcycling history.
Is the Machismo 350 cult following justified, or just nostalgia fuelled?
13 January 2025 06:40
I don't get the hype as a younger rider. I've ridden a Machismo and it just seems like an old slow bike to me. I think it's definitely nostalgic for older riders.
Is the Machismo 350 cult following justified, or just nostalgia fuelled?
13 January 2025 06:40
It’s not about the specs of the bike, it’s about the cult following of the overall experience. There’s something to the Machismo that modern bikes lack, and it’s something worth celebrating.
Is the Machismo 350 cult following justified, or just nostalgia fuelled?
13 January 2025 06:40
It's a bit of both. While the Machismo was genuinely a step forward for RE, its legendary status has definitely been blown up by nostalgia.
Is the Royal Enfield Machismo 350 really the best handling Bullet that Royal Enfield ever made?
13 January 2025 06:40
Absolutely! I've ridden the Machismo and standard Bullets and the Machismo feels much more nimble. It makes a huge difference in tight turns because of its lighter weight.
Is the Royal Enfield Machismo 350 really the best handling Bullet that Royal Enfield ever made?
13 January 2025 06:40
It’s good, but claiming it’s the best handling is a stretch. With their updated chassis design, Modern RE models like the Continental GT handle a lot better.
Is the Royal Enfield Machismo 350 really the best handling Bullet that Royal Enfield ever made?
13 January 2025 06:40
For its time the handling was great, but come on, today it’s still a heavy, slow turning bike. This one has the strongest of nostalgia goggles.
Is the Royal Enfield Machismo 350 really the best handling Bullet that Royal Enfield ever made?
13 January 2025 06:40
I’d call it the best handling classic Bullet. It’s really flickable for the frame geometry. But compared to non-Bullets? Not even close.
Is the Royal Enfield Machismo 350 really the best handling Bullet that Royal Enfield ever made?
13 January 2025 06:40
Sweet handling as an owner I can confirm. But the best ever is always subjective. That depends on what kind of riding you do, and what you’re used to.
Is the Royal Enfield Machismo 350 really the best handling Bullet that Royal Enfield ever made?
13 January 2025 06:40
The Machismo definitely goes down better than other Bullets of its era, but that's not saying much. It will be run circles by any modern 150cc bike.
Is the Royal Enfield Machismo 350 really the best handling Bullet that Royal Enfield ever made?
13 January 2025 06:40
It's all relative. Yeah, it handles great for a Bullet. Don’t pretend it’s some kind of sportbike though. At heart, it’s still a heavy, long wheelbase cruiser.
Did the AVL lean burn engine in the Machismo 350 really solve Royal Enfield's reliability problems?
13 January 2025 06:40
It was a definite improvement, but 'solved' is a strong word. My old cast iron Bullet had fewer problems than my Machismo, but my Machismo still had a few.
Did the AVL lean burn engine in the Machismo 350 really solve Royal Enfield's reliability problems?
13 January 2025 06:40
AVL was a game changer. It started easier, ran smoother and I had way fewer breakdowns. It’s not perfect, but it’s a hell of a lot better than the old engine.
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