BSA Gold Star: Top 5 Highlights Of The 650cc Retro Bike

 BSA’s first modern motorcycle checks all the boxes when it comes to being a quintessential British retro roadster. Here’s what it’s all about

After several decades, BSA has finally unveiled a new modern-retro motorcycle, called the Gold Star, at the 2021 NEC Birmingham Motorcycle show in the UK. This 650cc retro-roadster is engineered in the UK and manufactured in India, so we do expect BSA to bring it to our shores as well. While that should take quite some time, let's get to know what the BSA Gold Star is all about.

Gets neo-retro styling:

To carry its retro charm, the BSA Gold Star comes equipped with a few circular elements such as its headlamp, mirrors and twin-pod instrument cluster. To complement its retro looks, the motorcycle also gets a classic peanut-shaped fuel tank with offset tank cap and pinstripes, a flat bench seat, simple panels, brushed metal elements on the powertrain, pea-shooter exhaust and chromed out fenders. The overall attention to detail is impressive. 

Features:

While the BSA Gold Star will attract buyers through its classic styling, it misses out on features like smartphone connectivity. However, it is offered with features such as reverse sweeping analogue needles and a multifunction LCD inset in the instrument cluster. Other notable features include a handlebar-mounted USB charging port, engine immobiliser, and a 12V socket for a jacket heater. 

Powered by a 650cc engine:

The BSA Gold Star draws power from a new Euro-5/ BS6-compliant 652cc single-cylinder 4-valve DOHC liquid-cooled engine that sits in a tubular steel double-cradle frame and churns out 45.6PS and 55Nm. This engine claims to deliver a mileage of 30kmpl and further comes mated to a 5-speed transmission with assist and slipper clutch. The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 on the other hand, delivers 47.65PS and 52Nm from its 648cc parallel-twin engine.

Underpinnings:

The ride of the BSA Gold Star is taken care of by a 41mm telescopic fork at the front and twin 5-step preload-adjustable shock absorbers at the rear. For braking, it employs a single 320mm front disc with two-piston axial calipers and a 255mm rear disc with a single-piston caliper, both from Brembo. The motorcycle runs on an 18-17-inch spoke wheel setup that is wrapped with Pirelli Phantom Sportscomp tubed tyres.

Availability and Competition:

The BSA Gold Star is expected to be first launched in the UK followed by other developed markets, and later to India. While the brand is yet to reveal the pricing, we expect the Gold Star to be priced at a premium over the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 that retails in the UK at an equivalent of Rs 6.02 lakh. Other alternatives to the BSA Gold Star would be the Kawasaki Z650RS and the Triumph Street Twin.