few years ago when I decided to get myself a Royal Enfield A350 Machismo, several friends tried to dissuade me. They thought I ought to pick up something more my size, a bike from the 150 cc category perhaps? It would take me a lifetime to start the Machismo, they argued. Besides, the bike was bulky enough to capsize the Titanic - and where would I be then?

That�s why, when the company recently introduced the self-start option in the new 500 cc, some people like me were delighted. The purists were scandalized: a Bullet without that evil kick was no Bullet. And while the Enfield Electra and Thunderbird have the self-start as an option, in the new 500 cc it comes as standard equipment - which is what is provoking tempers.... more