The bullet train

I have to write a review about the new bullet classic 500cc. The beast is reborn. It has the power- torque the pull of the old bullet. Also the huff and puff, almost menacing heart beat- the thud of the engine that sends vibrations so rhythmic down your spine that you wonder if you are getting the mildest of therapeutic shock treatments. It has the same weight of the beast but more uniformly distributed through all of its long body. It’s still intimidating.

Bullet purists might say that I am not really a bulleteer. My 1st bike was after all a 150cc TVS Apache. I beg to differ, because not many know that when I was little I used to ride on the tank of my dad’s bullet as he cruised at 80Km/hr in busy Indian roads. My hands were on the insides of the handlebar so my 1st bike was a bullet after all. My dad’s beast was everything my bike is but it was also tougher to handle and would not start if it didn’t feel like it. I have vague memories of my dad trying to kick start the 350cc dark brown monster in the early hours of cold Delhi mornings. Decompress, kick, beat, decompress, kick beat, beat... My dad was tough but one generation down I have to admit that I am quite mellow. The new 500cc classic is for bums like me. Electric start, electronic fuel injection mean that there is no decompressing and kicking, and I get better fuel efficiency.

Legend has it that the reborn classic will beat the fastest indian by hitting a 100Km/hour in a nerve wrecking 10 seconds. (11 secs for the pulsor 220). Its certainly thought to be more stabler at its top speed of 130Km/hour. I am sayin “thought” because I am not gonna cross 60km/hour till I finish 3000 kilometers on the odometer. I did however go on a 55 km ride on OMR and it felt like i was on a train. Comfortable, stable, the sounds and gentle vibrations made it the most heavenly experince second only to...

There is but one down side. Its a bitch to park the beast in narrow parking spots say at a jam packed central railway station parking lot. I broke a lot of sweat and a few pieces of my back bone trying to lift the classic. Mellow. I hate myself for that.

I have a friend who told me- having a bullet is like having a girlfriend. Bad fuel efficiency, expensive to maintain- I spent a whopping 800 bucks in the free f*in service for the engine oil (I wonder how expensive a paid service will be), will throw her weight around this one. But we don't know why we fall in love, like we don't know why we buy a bullet. This friend and I agree on one thing- All you need is love Paam pa pa pa Paam.