The problem with Classic Legends parent company of BSA is that it has been established keeping Royal enfield in mind. Now that’s not a bad thing in itself but the issue arise when you start trying to do everything like them. You hire their ex-employees, adopt their culture and benchmark their motorcycles. So when you launch your motorcycle it is benchmarked at their standard but Royal Enfield would already be working on future leaving classic legends always a step behind. Learned from Observing Jawa, Yezdi in India. I believe Royal Enfield has given confidence to a lot of Indian motorcycle companies that they could stand on their own in international market so everyone is going for bolder and different approaches. Hero motocorp taking the Japanese methods they learned from Honda, TVS focusing on racing heritage (they started with moped racing from their day of establishment). And Bajaj trying to be a house of brands. Except classic legends, they don’t seem to develop their own personality. So I won’t be surprised if it won’t be successful which is a bit sad.
I think it's been a really difficult past 2 years for businesses all over the world just to survive, leave alone starting a brand from the scratch. Manufacturers have to spend millions of pounds even before they see a penny of profit. As bikers we should just be glad, and thankful, that there is an attempt being made to provide us with more options in the affordable category. Instead of picking on them for silly reasons, we should be more encouraging, and considerate, because building or creating something from the scratch is not as easy as making a video on TH-cam. Cheers.
I wouldn't call gbp7000 as cheap. I own a 21 interceptor 650 and I'm amazed at the quality of engineering I get for the price. Moreover, it's fun to ride as well.
Yes but would you take your hard earned $ out to buy this bike? Very few would and I think that is the point of this video. But yes I am very thankful to them for bringing this market. I wonder if my gratitude will help keep them afloat.
The USP you might be looking for is the Gold stars’ 24,000 mile valve service interval. The Interceptor will be on its fifth by then. RE also state an annual valve clearance check/adjustment regardless of mileage. Miss one and watch your three year warranty on the engine go “poof”.
I own a meteor 350, it's absolutely fantastic! Few bugs as it's a new model but I've put just under 5000 miles on it and it's been great. I use it down the motorway everyday and on smaller roads it's achieved a high of 115mpg. Lovely thump from the exhaust and I've had many people approaching asking about it's "British" background. I've seen the BSA gold star at a show and in use up a test hill, it didn't do it for me, the exhaust note was nothing like the old model and it didn't look amazing. The classic 350 from Royal Enfield is far better in my view. Worst cost of living crisis in decades, enfield is 3 grand less, 20bhp is plenty when all the speed limits are going to 20, congested roads and fuel price is sky high, no brainer
I would agree, Matthew. I'm luck enough to own an 'expensive' Speed Twin, which is fabulous, but if I were going for a 'small' bike (which I may well do), then I would much prefer a Meteor, or a Classic, or maybe the new Hunter. Basic can be great fun, but it has to be cheap :)
I totally agree Mathew , I've had my Meteor SupaDooper since May . So far it's doing over 100mpg , will travel up to 75mph . I think it's a great bike for the money , £3600 ( bought mine 2nd hand with 700 miles on it ) Perhaps underpowered for Motorways but will hold 70 if needed . I tend to stay in the slow lane around 65 . No issues at with the build quality or reliability so far . Nice ,smooth engine with little vibration . Very pleased with it .
@@fasthracing EML light kept going on and off. Oil temperature sensor as it read but apparently due the strict emission tolerances, it triggered to easily. Royal Enfield themselves released an ECU update to dealers last month to deal with the problem. Also the cat due to its location on the exhaust generally rots quickly, basic issues but easily resolved
I think using the name Goldstar, is asking for trouble really. The original Goldie was the racehorse of its time and has legendary status today. It sounded right, looked right and even smelled right. Probably not that easy to ride? But that didn't matter. Any bike carrying the name Goldstar can't ever be a compromise. I do wish BSA every success and it's great that they have made a comeback.
@@hullygully1135 Like any old bike if its not set up right its a 'nightmare'. Many confuse poor maintenance and poor technique with a 'bad' bike. I have a '57 Goldie with a GP carb and I don't have any problems.
I started my biker life with a 1971 BSA lightning 37 years ago. I taught myself to ride on the streets of the Bronx NY. It shifted on the wrong side and was slow, but so much fun. The new Gold Star isn’t a lightning but it’s trying to capture that old time feeling. And I’m glad there trying. But I agree. For the price I could buy a nice old real deal made in England BSA and have fun. Or better yet buy a 10 year old Harley Sportster for $3000, and ride it. Two pistons air cooled simple to keep up. And torque to spare .
Actually, Steve, if you are right handed, cerebral dominance states that the shift lever should be on the right side. Plenty of performance oriented bikers have corrected this for their bikes.
Hi Steve, I started my BSA life 44 years ago in New Rochelle New York. 69 650 Thunderbolt for $650. I knew nothing about them I called the local Harley shop and they said it’s a strong running bike. I still have the bike and use it all the time. You are right they are so much fun to ride.
I have owned BSA’s most of my life from the age of 13; 1959 C15. I am 67 now and own a Lightning and a Thunderbolt. I am also a member of the BSA owners club and many seem quite enthusiastic; but I’m not now although I originally was. However it is poorly made and it’s not really where they should have started, a twin to take on Royal Enfield directly would have been more appropriate, with the Gold Star second in line. Also the fervour created by the nostalgic types is waning I think; it’s not really a BSA in my book. You could have put any old British bike name on it and badged it accordingly; Matchless or AJS perhaps, it’s only the badge on the tank that is authentic. Personally I think it will flop; overpriced and lacks charisma and the demand for singles is a niche market. Maybe I’m an old purist, but it’s just missing something fundamental. I hope they loan you one though; your thoughts from a test would be most welcome.
Spot on, Ian. Since you are one that appreciates the BSA brand and understands it... your opinion will most likely be in line with BSA aficionados and ones that understand heritage. This bike had my attention as soon as it was announced... I was waiting with high hopes for a genuine rendition of a truly classic and iconic bike. But, I too feel this attempt falls short in every aspect with the exception of the tank logo and how it looks from the side at a distance. Up close and from a front angle that garish radiator kills the look... and I still see absolutely no advantage for a water cooled engine in this type of bike.
I agree, they should have begun with a Lightning twin, lost the water-cooled system & made it both kick & electric, but what's done is done. I keep hearing of the anti-motorcycling laws being bandied about both here & across the pond, so it's truly too little, too late, and wrong all the way around.
I had a C15 back in the 67/68 and into 69 as an apprentice. I was interested in your comments. I have not seen one yet. I was hoping it would be a bit more like the original. But that's maybe not practical.
Agreed, by far the best looking and I want them to succeed. At the very least you should at least support them because competition will keep Enfield on their toes and producing better and better bikes
The bsa is just another one to add to the stable. I’ll buy one once available in the USA. Same a the Triumph 400. Just will wait a year and buy a used one. There will be plenty of disappointed owners out there. They just need to realize it is a thumper. I ride many different bikes. My favorite is a 84 XL350r If it had electric start it would be my daily ride. At 63 it is getting rough on the leg Maybe I can find a newer model enduro with both kick and electric.
Well, well. Let's at least wait until it can be test ridden and a few years to iron out the bugs. The radiator doesn't look great but the same can be said for Triumphs. A big thumper is really appealing to me and I couldn't care less that it doesn't have 80+ horsepower proving my manhood. If it rides nice and handles well, that's good enough. If it doesn't then I'll find something else. As for being built in India but leaning on English heritage, isn't that exactly what Triumph has been doing with its retros? In other words, I'm not ready to flush the bike down the drain just yet.
So, a company bought the right to use a classic name on a badge and mold some engine casings and tank to look like the original bike because it was easier to do that than to sell the same bike with a new name? I swear I don't understand why people would buy into that, regardless of the price. It can very well be a good bike, but it aint no BSA.
As a wrinkly rider the Gold Star was always more myth than legend. Most of my fraternity wanted a Manx Norton with its feather bed frame over the Gold Star But its price put the Norton way out of reach so they went Gold Star. This modern take on the Gold Star is over priced by a mile . If I was replacing my old Kwaka Vulcan V Twin with a retro bike I'd go for the Enfield interceptor . Its cheaper and you get a proven two potter with all the retro looks you want.
BSA Gold Star and Norton Manx is like comparing apples and oranges. One is an out and out racer the other a road bike. If you must make a comparison with Norton choose the International, an anachronism from decades before that the Goldie would leave standing. Your comparison is like that of an MV GP bike v a Honda 750/4.
@@RocketMan_Moto Matt’s dad. Norton Dominator 600 back in day. Seriously built up, vertical head, Dunstall valve train open intake ‘ exhaust, by first owner in UK. BSA always a “pretty bike” especially with a gold badge, chrome tank etc but most bigger bike riders in my college town rode 90% Bonnie’s and the rest Norton and Beemer. And about a dozen Harley’s at a college with 20,000 students. My Dom could outrun anything and still do the ton easily. My idea of a “proper British bike“ for today is a approximately 2000-2010 Hinckley Triumph. Lots of styles, plenty of power for today, minus tons of electronics and emissions restrictions. I went with a 955i Daytona myself. A cherry example with a racing pedigree. Power, handling and midrange power for me is worth giving up 25 mph above 160. UJMs don’t do much for me. My prediction is that once scenarios evolve a bit, Hinckley Triumph May end up taking over both Norton and BSA if the economy doesn’t tank too hard. PS triples are amazing engines. I understand why they went to 600cc class engines for the track, but a liter is more robust where it is all open class and most racing is informal. Less stressful on the engine to gen 150+ hp from 1000cc than from 600-675cc. And anyway if I run it, it will be in the quarter. 11.0 at 128mph in quarter stock. Then there’s the cans & tune from a dealership owners by a multiple land speed record holders. That & a little secret sauce think I can beat it by a few tenths. I love riding. Sometimes quickly…
Hmm - interesting video RM. But I’m not sure I agree. Firstly, it’s not comparable to the triumph, as this is clearly a more premium product. Secondly, whilst everyone harps on about it, it’s not really a competitor for the RE, certainly not in technical terms. That’s why they went with a single cylinder and not a twin - to differentiate and provide a choice to the consumer. As for the design / quality, yes, the radiator is clunky and, whilst improved, the exhaust shield still not brilliant. But the aftermarket will sort both these things out (sales dependant, of course). Switchgear - bit plasticky. But the interceptors is rubbish as well (it’s the same as my cheap and cheerful Mash Black seven thar cost me £2.1k 5 years ago!!). And as for shocks, every retro bike is the same. RE interceptor, poor. Triumph boneville, poor. Triumph SpeedTwin poor! So, it’s not a surprise to hear the same for bsa - but then, don’t make an unfair highlight out of this, if the others are the same. Pricing is spot on imho. I agree the dealer network is a bit of a worry, so will have to see here. Finally, my final view will be formed after a test ride. It looks good and if it rides well and puts a smile on my face, then that’s all that matters!
As an owner of an Interceptor and a new Classic 350 I can attest that the 350 has better quality switches and touches... however, both of my RE's have a beautiful engine and chassis. RE has done their homework at a level that exceeds this attempt by the current owner of the BSA name... there is literally no heritage and from what I see in the bike, no actual BSA fingerprints or DNA... sure, it looks really good in the photos and videos... that BSA tank logo is perfect. However, that does not change the fact that this is an off the shelf, Rotax water cooled engine. Kind of reminds me of the kit cars that were really popular in the 80's and 90's... like the fiberglass bodies one could purchase to put on a few optional auto chassis. If one is just about a look... then this BSA may be exactly what they want. In my humble opinion this is a "retro" styled bike and nothing more. Classic motorcycle buyers tend to appreciate considerably more depth to a product than just a look.
At the age of 85 & a height of 5' 6" I went looking for an easier to handle bike & I found it in the Yamaha MT-03. Got a new one for just £5,000 so, I know that it is not a retro style bike, but you get a lot of bike for your money. Cheaper than the BSA, lighter than the BSA, faster than the BSA, more fuel efficient than the BSA. I could go on, but you get the picture. Anyone old like me looking to downsize, the MT-03 is a good choice.
My thoughts exactly. I mentioned in a video a few days ago very much the same points after visiting a BSA dealer and seeing a bike in the metal. We are in agreement to the pound what the price should be. Unlike yourself I do have a bike on order for expected delivery in October.Personally I doubt these bikes will ever be made totally in the UK due to high labour charges, m
Thanks for your input, George. I saw your video as I was finishing off this. It was your comment about preparing lots of parts for the Gold Star that struck a chord: it’s good business for you, of course, but you really shouldn’t have to. The bike should be rideable out of the box. Anyway, I look forward to seeing how you get on👍😊
All good arguments, and still, I think there are plenty of folks out there who would love to have one of these in their garage. From what I understand the new BSA has lots of nice details that will appeal to people, is also quite nice to ride, and the price will not be off-putting to people who often spend much more on bikes. For such people this will be the perfect second or third bike. And then there's the US market. I image they will go bonkers over such a bike, just like they used to. Time will tell!
I was hesitant to leave a comment as your video is two years old but just wanted to compliment your foresight. Time has proven you right. On the plus side they have depreciated a lot so you can get a bargain if you want one. The turn off for me was seeing my first one at Copdock motorcycle show a couple of years ago and noticing the poor finish, rough casting and just not being anywhere close to RE. The company that owns them also owns the rights for Jawa in India and local customers complain about that bike too so for the time being I shal abstain from the brand.
Merci Rocket Man. Je pense que vous avez raison. Un prix inférieur à la 650 interceptor est nécessaire pour détrôner cette très bonne moto. De plus, le réseau en Europe n'existe pas. Dommage car la moto est très belle et aurait pu profiter de la vague néo-retro notamment en France. Thanks and wish you the best.
C'est tout à fait ça, Pierre. BSA a râté l'occasion et j'ai bien peur que la Gold Star soit un poil trop 'ordinaire' pour détrôner la RE. On verra bien. Ride safe :)
Personally I would have preferred a little less power with an air cooled engine. This would bring the production costs down and made it much more aesthetically pleasing without the Morris Minor radiator bolted to the frame. You are right regarding the pricing, I was expecting between £5500 - £6300 so I doubt it will worry R.E. much. I wish them success with it though, it takes balls to bring a new bike to market. Ttfn.
We're not going to have brand new air cooled only these days. Just blame Euro 5 emission regs ! I don't think it's possible to meet them with air cooled engines.
@@karlosh9286 You could make a euro 5 air/ oil cooled engine ok. Problem is when regs go to euro 6 it probably would not make it through, thus reducing the productivity lifespan of the engine. I think we are going to loose a lot of bikes when that comes in.
I’m not sure that BSA would have had the option, as the engine had originally been designed by Rotax, as a watercooled engine, when it was first launched in the early 90’s.
@@Jon-zj2nj I did not realise it was an existing engine. Prehaps they just re- sculptured the outside to make it a bit more retro looking, leaving the internal components as is. I want to have a test ride on one ....... eventually. If they get the dealer network sorted. ttfn.
From reviews I've seen so far, it might not sound that good, it might not handle that well, the fueling may not be the best and the brakes might not be that good either,, hmmmm On the other hand vibration seems to be well handled and it looks quite good. We all need a test ride don't we.
I am turning 70 in 4 months and started my motorcycle days in 1967. That was 4 years after the BSA Gold Star was discontinued and nominally replaced by the 441 Victor Special. I use that example to illustrate that I am near the end of my motorcycle enthusiasm and the Goldie is a bike that would be nostalgic to guys OLDER than me! I had hoped BSA would either start with a twin like the Lightning or Spitfire, or, if they wanted a single, to make it air/oil cooled, light (under 400 lbs) and cheap. The Gold Star would be a big hit, if they introduced it 20 years ago.
This BSA Gold Star is turning out very impressive according to many reports and individuals who have ridden it. It may well be a top seller. I want one for a start!
I agree that initial press reviews have been quite positive, but the truth is that, 6 months on from when I made this video, customers have still not received their bike and I find that worrying.
@@RocketMan_Moto Agreed I think the marketing dept of BSA dropped the ball here and mis-timed the launch of the Gold Star when they had little product. Likely a common event of start up companies. Keep the videos coming. Portugal looks lovely.
I think you may well be right with your suggestion that the new BSA bike may be a bit over priced, even if it is made to look a little bit like a bike from the 1960s! (Try to ignore the radiator.) £7000, buys you a lot of bike if you look outside the "Retro" envelope. I bought a 2021 Benelli Imperiale 400 brand new, last year, as I wanted a Retro looking small bike. It cost £3600 all in. I have run it most days since buying it and it has been faultless and a cheap as chips to run. It averages 80 to 90 mpg with the riding that I do. As a "Thing" it is as good as any single cylinder 20 bhp Chinese made bike can be. The bits are pennies to buy and is VERY much better built than a Royal Enfield. I can honestly say that it attracts a lot of interest when I park it at "Bike Meetings" as people really think it is from the 1960s! The New BSA should be £5,000 to £5,500 all in with prices adjusted for more premium versions and specials. Perhaps then they would be as popular as their R.E. Competition, But only time will tell.
@@RocketMan_Moto Well, a year on from the trickle of BSA bikes hitting the market and only one, demonstrator bike, has made it to the place I live. (Guernsey.) That is with an independent bike garage and there is still no BSA dealer here. No-one seems to have taken the plunge to buy one local to me, yet. However, France is close to me and I've seen a few there, where they seem to have a following equal to the Royal Enfields of a similar size. It appears to be a success as "Classic Bike clubs" there have readily accepted them into their ranks. As an owner of a Royal Enfield Continental GT I can say that the RE does suffer with its cheap finishes on some of its cast alloy parts. The BSA seems to be a slightly better made and finished thing. Maybe that's where the extra cost of the BSA has come from. Despite the reservations about the radiator and huge exhaust pipe, they seem to be quietly selling in good numbers. Time will tell if they can keep it up!
Me personally I love the Goldstar as it is and believe it will do great in the market and here's why. The comparison here is between air cooled and water cooled bikes and the two aren't comparable. It's like apples and oranges. People will say they have 5,000 miles on a meteor 350 and say it's great they love it! So was my Suzuki GN 400 at 5000 miles. (The GN 400 is a 4 stroke air cooled ohc single quite similiar to the meteor 350) What was the same bike like at 15,000 miles- it shook and vibrated so much by then I couldn't ride it!! Then i got a water cooled Kawa 454 and rode it to 50,000 miles and engine still ran perfect. So I have a strong feeling the same is true here. Name another water cooled Bike even close in cc to the goldstar and standard bike styling. That's right there are none!! BSA we need the Goldstar trust me it will sell! Finally some criticize the radiator on the goldatar. I actually love it with its real radiator cap where it should be and the radiator itself is beefy- it looks great to me- it even looks capable of running the bike 170 water temp (BMW has a brand new 1000cc bike that runs 170 so why not this one?) If it actually runs 170 this bike is a gem it would run 100,000 miles! The radiator I would criticize sits on the Triumph T120 big 1200cc motorcycle has the funkiest joke of a tiny radiator I have ever seen. The bike runs 230 stock in 100 degree weather. Mine has an installed 300% larger radiator and it looks great runs 170 degrees even pulling a trailer- I built the trailer and the hitch myself and I love it!
I had to look that bike up and it does look somewhat doable. However and this is a personal thing, but the Kawa has ugly exhaust pipes doing a squiggle bend right under the radiator, preventing one from a larger radiator. On the T120 it's easy to mod the radiator and get the 170 cooling I want. The goldstar radiator looks Bid enough to cool to 170 stock. On the kawa-doesnt like very big and doesn't look easy to modify.
@@j.d.mcginn6946 You want a bigger radiator? I thought the point was for these modern classic to have as small or unnoticeable radiators as possible? Something the Goldstar does not accomplish.
I learned a long time ago that ideally, if one wants them to last a long time- one runs a 160 degree thermostat with 170 degree water temp. Now most manufacturers don't do that likely because they aren't interested in the motorcycle lasting virtually forever, they want it to wear and need more frequent oil changes valve adjustments radiator hoses and sensors close to heat will wear out much faster too. Some motorcycles, ie my friends BMW, runs 170 stock. My triumph T120's dinky little radiator looks awful to me and indeed it runs 230 stock. Mine now runs 170 all day, since I installed a 160 stat and had a radiator custom fabbed that's dimensionally 300% larger than stock and it looks beautiful to me. Since the goldstar 650's radiator looks much larger than my T120's - I'm hoping it runs 170 stock water temp. Yes the radiator looks gorgeous to me and even has a cap where a radiator is supposed to, and no over flow tank- just like the old days! Very cool!
I own a 1949 C11 and a 1958 M21. It would be nice to have one of these retros as well.. I don't know if they are available in WA. Are they in Aus at all ? Also a quick sum says that it will cost $13700 which is a bit high...
Your review is very good, as a mechanic and user of classic motorcycles, I must say that it is a shame that these prestigious brands are manufactured outside their country of origin. I understand that it is not easy to adapt a classic engine to the emission requirements, but I know very well what is possible and conserving its original structure. We consumers would have to let these projects end up in the trash. If you want a classic adapted to our days, it must first be manufactured in origin and respect the original model in addition to respecting the requirements current for circulation. Let the rest of the world produce crude imitations. God bless British Steel.
@ Willy Scooter - Unionism, UB40 destroyed whatever was left of the British work ethic after WW2. Fortunately Britain's design talent still thrives. Which is why outsourcing manufacturing to Asia is the only option to save British brands. Having bought fairly high-end British brands of cars and hi-fi equipment, and experiencing pathetic QC, I've sworn to never buy anything "Made in UK" ever again. But when Britain started selling its heritage (JLR, Aston Martin, MG, B&W, Norton, BSA, MG) brands to wealthy anglophiles across the world, i was reminded of the Genesis album, "Selling England by the pound". And today, when the most educated candidate for Britain's Prime Ministership is of Indian origin, I sense that the sun has, finally, set on the British Empire. Amen.
Hi dude I’ve heard that sales aren’t very good and some dealers have stopped stocking them what’s your thoughts and opinions now hope your keeping well 👍🏻
Thanks for the heads-up. I’m not surprised, tbh - I still haven’t seen one in person, and the new dealership in Lisbon looks a bit… basic. Stuart Fillingham on TH-cam has just bought one, and seems happy with it, though😊
I think it is a dubious start. BSA's direct competitor is Royal Enfield, not Triumph. Price and market accordingly. If they want to have any go at it: (1) Set in the dealership, logistics support. (2) Reevaluate your pricing (3) Have a good and extended warranty and honor it religiously. (4) You can brand it " British Heritage" but not "British Home". As they say, by misleading, they have already damaged their "Street Creds".
Not to worry, by the time the BSA shows up, the price of the RE 650 will have gone up 5-700 pounds. A very thoughtful presentation. I’ll be subscribing.
Somewhat reluctantly, I wholeheartedly agree with your comments. I think those that were going to buy it probably still will ...but there just aren't enough of them. Price / spec / uniqueness balance of the BSA just isn't right, and I'm sure the Royal Enfield Hunter will be a huge sales success. The Triumph Street Twin is an entirely different proposition for only a few $ more, and I doubt that Triumph are remotely concerned by this new ' competitor '. Having said that, I do hope the BSA is a success, always great to see a classic brand revived
Super video, thank you. Very difficult market to crack, Triumph seem to have the top end of the market sewn up with their beautiful looking very expensive bikes, and RE the lower end of the market with their beautiful amazing quality and value bikes I doubt the BSA will sell a fraction of the number of Singles as the RE Classic 350. I guess the demographic for the purchase of a retro single is a person who is reasonably old, and for whom the extra power of the BSA isn't really an issue. I have to admit to being totally biased, being bloody ancient, and loving my Classic 350! Wonderful to see bikes like the BSA being resurrected though, even if it's "badge engineering"
@@RocketMan_Moto I'd have to agree with you there. A "Modern R.E. classic 350" has already had all the bugs ironed out of it. There is a MASSIVE array of merchandise available for owners "Vanity purchases" and a very healthy club in the UK. BSA have a real mountain to climb and their pricing is going to be their biggest obstacle. The other thing is that "If" you have the sort of money BSA are asking for their Retro, you may be able to stretch to a genuine period bike instead.
I grew up riding on the back of a 66(?) BSA Lightening that my dad assembled from parts. The nostalgia is strong, but if I were to add another bike it might be the Classic 350; it’s less than a new dual suspension mountain bike 🤯 Cheers…
Haha, I’ve been looking at MTBs lately. Promised my son I’d ride with him once I’m back in France. Couldn’t quite believe the prices. As you say, I could easily get a Classic 350… He might notice, though🤔
I have just noticed that you were kind enough to give me a SuperThanks and contribute $5. Apologies for not seeing this sooner, I only activated the option a few days ago and honestly didn't really know what I was doing or expect anything to happen. Anyway, I am humbled and honoured by your generous gesture. You are my first (and maybe last??) Super Thanker, so thank you very much; it is really most encouraging :)
I think that the new BSA Goldstar will sell. I remember similar remarks about the RE Interceptor, when it was late to market. I have ridden the RE Interceptor. But as a riding experience, I prefer the Kawasaki KLR650, with its water cooled 650cc single fitted with a balance shaft. A loping big single without vibrations is a nicer ride.
I'm a BSA man, but I am struggling with this new bike. It just isn't in proportion, and they certainly should have had a clubman trim bike from the factory. The radiator looks odd, and i think they will struggle. I do like the RE Hunter 350 , and it looks bob on.
Unfortunately not. There’s no news as to when Europe will be getting dealers. The head-to-head with the Interceptor in today’s MCN was pretty positive, though.
Just had a quick look at one, disappointed with some of the finish, looks spoilt by that huge radiator, and I can’t see any reason for it being priced higher than the Enfield 650.
As an Interceptor and Classic 350 owner I’d be interested in a follow up to this. I spent a few hours with one and now have one on order. It’s a sparkly little beast with something extra. A mate who is a police rider is getting his around the same time as me.
Stuart Fillingham has just bought one, so maybe I was wrong. There’s finally a dealership in Lisbon, so maybe we’ll get one down here soon? Anyway, enjoy your new bike😊👍
BSA so far has gone the way of other manufacturers of over promising and under delivering. Established manufacturers with good reputations can get away with that every once in awhile but I'm afraid BSA will not be afforded the same luxury.
I am looking for my first bike and am a bit disappointed in the Goldstar. Tank size and price are putting me off but the other bit is the launch/pr and aftersales/dealers. (A 16 litre tank might have got me more excited). On FB recently someone said £500 deposits! And an official spokesperson from BSA said "no test rides are free". P.s Am considering the Interceptor.
The one single item that's outstanding is the sound of the engine & exhaust especially with the baffle off.... seriously good .... enough to tempt any young ones
Now the bike has been on sale for a year or so, do you still feel the same about it? Owners and longer-term reviewers seem to like it, despite the fauIts which you highlight. It isn't a huge seller but there are a lot of new entrants in the middleweight modern retro market now.
I don't know whether to order one or get a euro4 interceptor second hand if I can find a reasonable mileage example. That agricultural looking radiator could take some getting used to, that horrible looking exhaust pipe could be changed for something less ugly.
For some reason, I have always loved BSAs. I guess it was a chrome tank model I saw when I was young (God knows which one). I’ve never owned one and thought that this could finally be it. It looks the part. It will probably take years to make to here in the US and then it will probably have fewer dealers than RE. I’ll probably just get a newer model Bonneville. I’m looking forward to your move to France and videos of your riding in the French countryside. From the colonies…
I’m in the USA, an aging Boomer and recall fondly the great British bikes of the sixties. However, having owned bikes from Britain, America , E. Germany and Japan (mostly Japan) I think the retro thing is quickly fading as those of us of that generation are fading away ourselves. Frankly BSA (Mahindra) is a day late and a dollar short. The world is heading into a serious financial crisis and spare money for nostalgic dreams will be fading away as well. Based upon the prospective price in the UK, here in the states, I can pick up a restored Lighting 650 today for less money. Unlike the reborn 650, it’s a twin cylinder and it will appreciate rather than depreciate. Is it as good a bike? Probably not but money talks and BS walks.
Hi ,, I too am old enough to remember... I was really excited when BSA started up again, But at the time (2yrs) I held back from buying..2 years on with all bike prices dropping I picked up a bargain.£3700 with 570 miles..and it a lovely bike (it really takes me back) Now sir you say the world is going down the plug hole,and you could be (evenmore right 2years on) right,,but I think if thats the case ,a cheap simple ecomomical bike is the way to go,,If the petrol runs out ,,I ll stand in my front living room and polish it ,,honestly its a beaut ..regards
Honestly, if I'm going to buy a "heritage" bike and am willing to splash out a bit, I'm getting the Kawasaki W800. Simple, charming...and the build quality is simply on another level.
One of the motojournos who rode the BSA made a very good point, if it had Mahindra on the tank would there be any hype, even though that is exactly what we are buying. RE is proud of its Indian heritage and is making some cheap reliable machines.
That's my take on it too.It's not a BSA other than in name and it's not a Goldie other than in name. I'm not saying it's a bad bike as I don't know if it is or not,but the bike is a pretence of what once was and that grates a bit with me. Andnas others say the RE Interceptor and the T100 are too strong competition for it.
But then again a Royal Enfield is not the British Enfield that ran the streets in the UK. It's basically an Indian Eicher who simply attached the Royal infront of the Enfield badge after they bought it in the 90s.
@@kyakaruvlogs2784 take time to look at how Royal Enfield came to be manufacted in India and how long that mark has been made there. It was a natural progression of the mark,a very different story than a company buying a brand name,then manufacturing a poor copy of the flagship of that company's motorcycle,then pricing it waayyy above it's worth.
@@johnwood4448 yes... kinda like Jeep Wrangler... Jeep as a brand has had several owners and because of continuous production and adherence to product design... it survived and continues to thrive as a brand. Arguably the most famous... Royal Enfield is more genuine in it's heritage than most any motorcycle brand on the planet, in line with HD. RE has a rich and uninterrupted UK/India history.
Interesting take. The price is certainly more than I thought it would be initially. It was a fun bike to ride mind you, suspension was a bit budget but I enjoyed the rest. Time will tell! I'm very interested in the Hunter! Good work RM. 👍
I really don't see why people by the Royal and Fields there are so many nice restored rideable British motorcycles available especially in Europe and the UK I really don't see the reason for writing a phony British bike when you can have the real thing. A bsap 40 makes a perfect commuter bike Everyday by and it's good to up for when you do have to hit the freeways to get to the nice roads. You can get parts for them left right and Center and you can get better stuff than the factories put out when they were in operation. A 350 or 441 shooting star is the perfect size not too big not too small. Parts available out the wazoo. Plus you get to show all the dingleberries out there how they start with a real motorcycle with a Kickstarter and not a pussy button.
@@frankmarkovcijr5459 come on. An old British bike is not going to be reliable. Some people who are time poor want to ride not wrench. If you haven’t ridden a RE twin you won’t believe how charming they are. I bought one and have no interest in an old British bike. I bought it as a fun second bike to modify and play around with. Like most who buy them I love it
@@morri03 British spikes can and are used for everyday Transportation I know because I rode my TR6 for 40 years and I still have it of course I had to do maintenance to it and I had to do repairs as needed but not as much as what people think when you have when you do it right the first time in the parts and the suppliers are much better than they were in the high day of the British motorcycle Empire
I totally agree, I just don't see the attraction of the BSA, first for a single it could and should've been 20 kgs lighter and the price once again as a single should've undercut the Interceptor.
Yep I get your points, I saw one in the flesh a few weeks ago and to be honest I wasn’t overly impressed compared to the competition. I haven’t ridden one but I really don’t see why you would buy one over the RE offerings that seem to be better finished.
a really nice feedback on the BSA. I am glad someone spoke up. Classic Legends other brands the Jawa and the Yezdi have had a lot of quality issues, so I am not sure if people would pay for poor manufacturing. BSA seems to be going the Jawa and Yezdi way.
Unfortunately, yes :( I do hope BSA get their act together and take account of the comments here. Everyone seems to be asking for more or less the same things. Thanks for your feedback :)
As you say everyone wants BSA to succeed,( I'm not sure I'm really that bothered where it's produced) however I do feel the company has not listened to the number of criticisms aimed at the bike and therefore are potentially creating conditions for their own downfall. Maybe the production model will be different, who knows but I truly hope so 👍🙏
I have no idea why this bike is seen as a rival for the interceptor, in the history of motorcycling, a single has never been a competitor for a twin. Particularly 2 retro's that are originally a generation apart from each other.
It is sort of a competitor for the Interceptor. It's a retro, based on classic British bikes. The pricing is in a similar ball park. I'm with Rocket Man on this. For it to compete with the Interceptor , it'd need to be cheaper , and not more expensive. I prefer a twin , well really I prefer triples ! (but that's a different conversation ) Currently if I was in the market for a £6K retro, I'd take the Interceptor. In reality, I'd spend quite a bit more and get a more powerful Triumph.
@@karlosh9286 Yes I see, but again the interceptor isn't really true competition for the triumph. The triumph is a deliberate retro styled bike, built by a company that can build any style. The interceptor in my opinion, is simply the best bike RE could build at the time (yes I know they are a huge organisation). If you Ride the triumph back to back with the RE, you would feel a world of difference in quality. That's not say I don't like the interceptor... I do,, for the price. But the goldstar will appeal to the older and therefore smaller generation (nostalgia) than me... And I'm old haha
@@Grahamvfr Just over 3 years ago I was looking for a retro twin bike . My first big bike after passing my test as a middle aged newbie. So basically my searching ended up with Triumph's modern classics, and at the time, the very new RE Interceptor. The Interceptor was appealing on price. I never did get to have a test ride on one at the time, still haven't. Triumph's were test rideable. That's what probably got them the sale. Now, if I'd got a go on an Interceptor, with my lack of experience on bikes , might I have got one ? I really don't know. The price was really appealing. At Triumph, at first I was going to get the 900cc Street Twin, and I almost got one. However I did test ride the Speed Twin, and I blew the budget , spent way more than I originally intended to, and bought a Speed Twin. At the time, coming from a 125 , they were all really powerful. So as surprising as it may seem, it was a bit of a challenge for me truly telling the difference between the 900cc Street and 1200cc Speed Twin. I was a bit too terrified to pin the throttle on the Speed Twin to truly tell. Mainly on the angle that I'd be much less likely to grow out of the 1200cc Speed Twin than the 900cc Street Twin, I got the Speed Twin. Not sure if I really needed that much power. This is pretty much what happened. I have ridden a 900cc Street Twin recently, and I'm now very happy I went for the Speed Twin. The difference between the two is now much clearer. Now I've had more experience on bikes more powerful than a 125, I would have been wanting to get rid of the Street Twin by now. I'm still happy with the Speed Twin. I would have almost certainly wanted an upgrade on the Interceptor. So I dunno, on paper and price , the yes Interceptor, Street Twin to Speed Twin don't look like competitors, but I was only going to buy one bike, and they were all on my list. Maybe this was because I was a newbie on big bikes, and really didn't have a clue what I wanted !
It is a bit risky to build up hype around a product and then take a long time to launch it. Granted that these last few years have been turbulent for many industries but if they had kept a bit more of a secret about it and only drummed up the hype when the bikes were ready to roll out to buyers they would have made a splash. And spent some more on something spectacular in marketing, like having it (the bike) first appear in a movie or something. They have the cash for it, the mother company is absolutely loaded. As it is now they will get off to a slow start in sales and will have a very hard time trying to catch up. And RE is doing most of everything right for the moment, with a range of products that have already proved that they are good enough for our western markets. So you are propably right, this Goldstar will not be an immediate success.
Hi R.M. You gave a very good structured point of view with regards to whether the Gold Star will be a fail or success due to the current economic climate. I love the look of the bike and have heard good reviews from various m/c press testers. I had a few Japanese bikes in the 1980s but after a crash I haven't ridden a bike for over 35 years! Now at the age of 61 I have just bought a Royal Enfield 350 classic. I have gone back to the basics of bike riding and I find the 350 single an absolute delight to ride. I think the BSA Gold Star with its 650 single will also be a fun bike to ride with the right amount of power for normal fun riding. I hope the BSA will be priced right and similar to the R.E. Japanese and European bikes etc are so expensive now. Bikes used to be reasonably priced in the 1980s. Hopefully BSA will get their pricing and marketing right and it will be an affordable successful bike.
I think you hit the nail on the head, Carlton: the Gold Star is just too expensive. £1000 less and they'd be on to a winner, but the RE Classic makes more sense to me. Ride safe :)
Fair comments and valid points on its overpricing and sub standard "important" bits, plus the Interceptor has better stance and looks. Put these two boys side by side in a car park with a price tag and see where it goes !
The original Goldie was aspirational... "Ooo a Goldie!" this bike isn't, it's too low spec and mild as well as being too dear. No pep, farkles or lust. Might as well get a C90. 👍🤨
Well, OK, you have an opinion on this. I've got to say that I'm a little way off that. I have a meteor which I love and I'll probably keep for some time. At some point, I'd like something with a bit more pep, but without going steeply up the complexity curve (and without going massively up on weight). For me, the thing I am really hooked into, is a simple single. The BSA comes water cooled which was a bit of a shock. But, I'll wait and see. I did ride the Interceptor, and thought it was nice, but the meteor just put a smile on my face. I know it is cheaper, but that was not the over-riding thing. I'll still try the 650 version of the Meteor when it arrives, but I'll certainly try a BSA as it's a single. I do look forward to seeing which one sparks the interest. Thanks as always for the vids, it's always good to have varying opinions 🙂
From my perspective, the BSA just looks 'old', but the Interceptor/Street Twin etc look 'modern heritage', which is more appealing. Besides, if i were in a market for such a bike (and i may, in the future), i would look for a well estabilished brand with a large dealer network. If you want something unproven, with no dealers, just go chinese and pay less.
Now, there's a sound modern traffic sorely misses - the blatant wail of a Morris 1000 tailpipe, mournfully trumpeting it's whole way down a long incline, then merrily 'parping' it's way up through the gears after a typical, five inch crossply shredding, 'Blue-rinse' getaway from the lights. So, if the new BSA also 'Trumpets' on the over-run, Triumph may not be pleased : )
Hi Rocketman, I was one of those who commented on the first video. I also had my name down for a Highland green but swiftly changed my mind for many of the reasons you succinctly outlined in this video. I am a RE fan and really wanted to love the BSA too but its too expensive and the Interceptor is too strong. From my place in the queue I estimated that around 50 bikes have been pre ordered of all colours. I think sales won't be great after that initial hit, the market is too competitive now as you say RE underneath with top value and well made bikes, hit seller after hit seller and then above you have Triumph who cannot be bested by BSA on quality performance or heritage. The Goldstar is awkwardly stuck in the middle. If I bought one, everytime I saw the Interceptor I'd feel like I'd made a mistake 😕. Enjoyed the video thank you 😊
Thanks for your input. Interesting you changed your mind. I too was enthusiastic at the beginning, but I just don't think it's going to work. Unless it's absolutely fabulous to ride, but I fear it won't be...
I agree with everything you said, it looks ok but expensive compared to the interceptor, I think the delay in getting it to the market will hit sales very hard. You can get a really nice used triumph street twin for £6k
Another great video - thanks. I test rode a BSA Goldstar 650 a few weeks ago and was disappointed. It was OK, I suppose, but the overall feel was a bit cheap, plasticky and superficial. The chrome tank sides look so great in promotion photos and vids, but up close, not so good at all. Nowhere near the deep chrome finish seen on original BSAs. The ride was .... meh. I'd recently sold a T140E and that always put a smile on my face. I was hoping the pull from this big single would do the same. It did not. It was just OK. I really wanted to like it, but won't be buying. In the same showroom was a new Royal Enfield Super Meteor. Now then, that looked like a well made and nicely finished bike! Maybe if you're cruising, the lack of power is OK? The dealer said they'll have a test ride machine ready in May, so I'm waiting for a sunny day sometime soon to go give it a try.
Thanks for your feedback, John. I tried the Super Meteor a couple of weeks ago and was quite surprised by how much I liked it (for a RE): th-cam.com/video/UQNv7Q6kQUs/w-d-xo.html I haven't had chance to try the BSA yet, but then neither has anyone else; deliveries are still way behind schedule :(
I conducted a poll only last week among my subscribers, and 80% said they’d never seen a Goldstar in person. I stand by what I said a year ago - this is set to be a massive flop
How many punters are there who remember what a Gold star was ? I suppose that the marketing team has worked out all these issues. Agree about the shocks but these can be uprated aftermarket (rears easily).
Very well presented and you make a lot of sense. I live in Ontario Canada and bought a new Continental GT which I loved BUT the R.E dealer network is typically awful. I think you are dead right regarding a dealer network being so important to their success. I love the bike from what I see but absolutely agree pricing competitively is key. Full marks to BSA for bringing it to market! And full marks to you for your first class presentation skills😊
I went to take a look at it at a dealers, was it as good as the biking press would have you believe? Well the radiator looks like NOS 1960s Ford Anglia. The welding on the frame is dreadful, I could do better myself with damp rods. But the crowning glory is the red BSA logo on the timing chest and chain case. It's a plastic sticker! That's going to stand up well to British winter and the heating and cooling of an engine. You are not telling me that in Austria where the Rotax engines are made there isn't a contactor that could etch the BSA logo onto the cases?
I see one thing that would be a HARD no for me. Who decided to have the instruments the way they are? At 2:35, on the mockup, you see that both the speedometer and the tachometer are "upside down". They start reading at 1:30 on the clock, then have their maximum at 10:30, so at cruising speed the speedo is aiming at your crotch. Really? Redline, instead of pointing off to the right, will point into center of the instrument cluster. Completely counter-intuitive. This is not new thinking, I've seen it done before, but there's probably a really good reason I have not seen it since - it's terrible ergonomic design! Maybe this was just the graphic designer trying to be "different" - I hope so! - but for literally centuries, analog gauges have almost all started reading at the lower left, and increased clockwise to read maximum at the lower right. Changing this literally centuries-old convention is an invitation to disaster. It will make the driver have to constantly concentrate on remembering that his gauges work "backwards", and this will increase rider fatigue. Not so much in a conscious manner, but in that insidious "why am I so mentally exhausted after I ride this bike" way.
I have to agree, I've always wanted a big single, and when announced it was perceived this would be a £6k bike, I register my interest and like many to date have never heard a thing, now its finally here my excitement has ebbed and for £7k as you point out, for little more money there are better bikes, they have hinted at a scrambler version next year but I'm not holding my breath.
Rocketman - New subscriber here. I'm old enough that the retro bikes being offered have real appeal to me. But I live in the US and have become accustomed to bikes with more than adequate power to handle the roads here. As attractive as the styling and low prices of RE and now BSA are I doubt that I'd be satisfied with the relatively low power. I currently own a 2019 Kaw Z900RS that I bought like new from a private owner last year. I've owned many bikes including several BMWs which I've liked but have been extremely impressed with this RS. The styling, fit and finish, power, suspension, and brakes are really superb. I honestly doubt that the new SE version is much better. The Speed Twin is another bike that I may end up owning - it ticks off the boxes for me as it does for you. Regarding this BSA, before watching this video my conclusion was exactly the same - it should cost less than the Interceptor, not more.
Thanks for the feedback and the sub :) I completely agree about the Z900RS - it's a bike I've been trying to test ride for months, but the only dealer down here in southern Portugal can't get a demonstrator. I actually prefer how it looks over the Speed Twin, so I would love to see how it rides. If you ever stop by the Algarve...? ;)
@@RocketMan_Moto You have a few options. You can fly over here and I'll put you up for a few days and we can ride the roads of southern Ohio. Or you can locate a local rider willing to loan you his for a review. Or, just buy one for yourself and sell it a few months later if it isn't your cup of tea. You should be comfortable with the third option judging from the volume of bikes that have passed through your hands in your videos :^)
I’m very conscious of the need not to be negative, but I think that the people you spoke to were right; give it a few weeks’ ownership and the appeal of this bike will wane very quickly once the novetly of the Goldstar-ish styling wears thin, especially with it being much more closely related to the Rotax engined BMW F650, of many years ago, than any historic BSA. Once that has happened, we’ll be left with a 650 single plodder, with some cheaply finished bits and a feeling that, at this price, a lightly used Street Twin could have been within reach - and they’ll be a dealer network and known used values for that. The badge is nice though!
Fair point. Like most, my initial amazement at the look of the bike from a distance was spoilt by that ugly radiator & the fat exhaust pipe. And I'm not a single cylinder fan either. Back in the day, if something failed on one cylinder of a twin or multi-cylinder bike, you still had the other cylinder(s) to get you home. No, I'll stick with my Interceptor, which is a great bike for the money - plus it has a lineage that BSA (and Triumph) don't.
I think this is a fair and balanced video on this new machine. I would dispute that Triumph will move much back to the UK, it’s just a marketing rouse. Let them put their money where their mouth is. Time will tell. Yamaha Tracer and Triumph exhaust headers last about 12 months before they are a rusty mess, if used all year round.
Not sure Triumph would dare announce a return to the UK and then not go through with it, but you could be right, especially with the cost of energy in the UK now :(
@@RocketMan_Moto Whilst I agree with your points about the BSA I feel that Triumph have been playing up "their heritage" for some years now whilst quietly moving most production to Thailand. I remember attending the NEC motorcycle show when the new Triumph was launched. They went to great lengths to distance themselves from what had gone before. I've watched Triumph closely over the years and have come close on a few occasions to actually purchase one but never have. I do acknowledge that parts are manufactured all over the world and where the bike is assembled is not relevant but to me playing up the Britishness with all the union jack symbols with a machine at a premium price does go down with me. Premium BMWs are made in Germany, Ducati, Moto guzzi and Vespa made in Italy. If BSA had achieved a price closer to RE and set up a dealer network then I think it stood a chance even if it was still made in India. There is still money around just look at the shortage of new japanese bikes with my local dealers waiting months to fulfil customer orders. Two of my local dealers have ditched Honda and Yamaha respectively due to insufficient new bikes coming through and both have turned to Royal Enfield as they have stocks of new bikes ready to go.
@@RocketMan_Moto I would feel differently if their premium models like the Speed Twin 1200 were assembled in Hinckley. Hinckley from what I've heard is where the R&D is done so basically the same as RE with its UK facility. I wonder how the production and wage bill costs differ between Thailand and India. I wait with interest to see if the new baby Triumph that is built by Bajaj in India is released in the UK/Europe and if so at what price point compared to both RE and BSA.
Greetings from "across the Pond". Maybe it's just me, but if I'm going to buy a bike with a 650 cc engine, then I would prefer a parallel-twin configuration over a "thumper", unless BSA has pulled a proverbial rabbit out of the hat to balance a one-cylinder engine to make the bike suitable for any sort of distance riding (50 to 100 miles).
I can tell just by looking at photos and videos that the various parts on the BSA look beefier and better quality than the RE (I am an owner of a GT 650), so perhaps they invested more that way in hopes to grab the crowd that are not impressed enough by the RE twins. However, it just doesn't scream "great buy" or "selling point" enough when it's just on the web, and it may be the web and commenters like YOU who kill the bike. We shall see. These days, it's all about making the headlines and RE did it with their cheap & cheerful quality that is juuuuuuuuust enough to get past the line.
I agree! Nice bike to look at. Comfortable to sit on. Over-priced against the RE 650 Int. Defo built down to a price-point. A demonstrator is due at a local showroom in the next few weeks apparently. I’ll test both the RE & the Gold Star but the price will likely win. 🤷🏻♂️
Ah ok, sorry. And 'tack' for the donation :) Really very kind of you. I will soon be making a card which lists all my donators for the end of my videos. Ride safe :)
I grew up riding BSAs starting in '69, a Bantam followed by a Starfire, a Spitfire then a Lightning. Personally I'm glad to see the BSA name back. Sure, it's not a "proper BSA", it is what it is but I like it and would seriously consider buying one.
Personally, I think the 650cc descision was a mistake. The original had 500cc and under option, which is really an under valued market right now. Look at the Suzuki TU250, or even a modern Yamaha SR400, simple and desirable. They wont be 100kph touring machines, but they dont need to be.
I agree RocketMan allot of these retro bikes get way over hyped and when you finally get to see them in person its a let down, either the shocks look and are cheap or the turn signals and clocks look like a throw back to a 19600 Suzuki.Its always a disappointment for the asking price. And the other thing here in the States we are power junkies. So why does the Goldstar for the home market offer almost double the horse power then the export model ?
New Gold Star: an overweight underpowered barge featuring inadequate suspension, designed and spec'ed by marketers. It shares only its name with the wonderful DBD 34.
@@RocketMan_Moto Hi Rocket! I think there's a chance that the BSA will sell, given that weight and good handling are no longer significant. Why? Because for example the winding country roads of northern New England or the hedge lined lanes of Kent or Devon have been turned into boring, empty straight lines. The roads of my youth were a test of a rider's skill, and the rider depended on the handling, braking, and roadholding of his bike. In a world of straight roads punctuated by suburban stoplights there will be no tests for this boring BSA. Thus, it may gain some acceptance.
I'm inclined to agree..as a previous owner of a meteor which I have to say was superb despite its meagre displacement and when you realise that the bike was costing me barely more than my car insurance monthly, it was a no-brainer.Unfortunately I could never get long distance comfy on it and now own a Ducati Scrambler which is marginally more expensive than the BSA but dripping in Brembo brakes, quality suspension and premium parts..I think the pseudo-british-link is a little tenuous to be taken seriously and I think the bike is 1000 too expensive to compete and will be a niche market of wealthy multiple Bike owners who do 1500 miles a year..Shame!
I have to say I am quite impressed with the build quality and the ability to hit a price point with Indian built motorcycles and Scooters. The Royal Enfields are an incredible Bike for the money. I have only looked at the different models at my local dealer and have never ridden one. I anticipate the BSA will be the same quality for more money but if it doesn’t sell they will discount the price to move them off the floor. LML(Indian Manu) was licensed to manufacture the PX model Vespa 125cc and 150cc scooters for several years, they lost the license in 2000 and kept importing them under the Stella name. A good scooter and every bit as good as a Vespa PX and it has a reed valve engine instead of the traditional rotary valve Vespa design. Thanks for making this video, I myself am excited to see these bikes from BSA.
Just prior to Mahindra buying the name I was asked if I would do a concept BSA Gold Star design for BSA. I did so and had less than a week to do it. I said I would but with respect to the original I wanted to slightly modernise it as if it was the Grandson of the original, I don't believe you can recreate history as times and regulations will not allow. I tried to keep the spirit of the original but the engine had to be more modern, faster and usable, in the little time I had I think I did well, and all liked it (I called it the BSA Gold Star "GUARDSMAN"). Then Mahindra took over and wouldn't listen to BSA or me and eventually despite trying did their own way. I don't believe and never have they want to make BSA in the UK, as an Indian concern they made it plain it would remain so. The engine I believe was developed by Austrian Engineering university and frankly sounds awful and rattly, the sound is uninspiring with no real visual soul or appeal. No, not sour grapes but disappointment the BSA name went down the route it has, it could and should have been better. I did a lot of new BSA designs and am not saying I am all right, but I will say I got more right than the new one has. But you tell me www.coroflot.com/Leett/BSA-Gold-Star-GUARDSMAN
Regrettably I was somewhat underwhelmed by your concept Guardsman - although you are obviously very talented. Whilst not particularly impressed with the Gold Star reincarnation I find it much less ostentatious than the Guardsman. My suspicion is that once the sales plateau (which doesn't mean low sales) Mahindra will then commence offering many & varied 'upgrades' a second front anchor being potentially (given the present single anchor's bad press) one of the first options available being retro fitted or as standard on the later models. Likewise the suspension units, personally I deplore the exposed spring fashion & enclosed units would also be available etc.
Please bear in mind before commenting that this video dates back to August 2022.
The problem with Classic Legends parent company of BSA is that it has been established keeping Royal enfield in mind. Now that’s not a bad thing in itself but the issue arise when you start trying to do everything like them. You hire their ex-employees, adopt their culture and benchmark their motorcycles. So when you launch your motorcycle it is benchmarked at their standard but Royal Enfield would already be working on future leaving classic legends always a step behind. Learned from Observing Jawa, Yezdi in India. I believe Royal Enfield has given confidence to a lot of Indian motorcycle companies that they could stand on their own in international market so everyone is going for bolder and different approaches. Hero motocorp taking the Japanese methods they learned from Honda, TVS focusing on racing heritage (they started with moped racing from their day of establishment). And Bajaj trying to be a house of brands. Except classic legends, they don’t seem to develop their own personality. So I won’t be surprised if it won’t be successful which is a bit sad.
Let’s hope they are successful. Thanks for your feedback
The BSA might get a look in if 500 pound less then RE
I think it's been a really difficult past 2 years for businesses all over the world just to survive, leave alone starting a brand from the scratch. Manufacturers have to spend millions of pounds even before they see a penny of profit.
As bikers we should just be glad, and thankful, that there is an attempt being made to provide us with more options in the affordable category.
Instead of picking on them for silly reasons, we should be more encouraging, and considerate, because building or creating something from the scratch is not as easy as making a video on TH-cam. Cheers.
We do all wish them well, but success in the current environment is unfortunately looking less and less likely
I wouldn't call gbp7000 as cheap. I own a 21 interceptor 650 and I'm amazed at the quality of engineering I get for the price. Moreover, it's fun to ride as well.
@@RocketMan_Moto I just don't agree. There are no comparable bikes for this money!
Agreed 100%.
Yes but would you take your hard earned $ out to buy this bike? Very few would and I think that is the point of this video. But yes I am very thankful to them for bringing this market. I wonder if my gratitude will help keep them afloat.
The USP you might be looking for is the Gold stars’ 24,000 mile valve service interval. The Interceptor will be on its fifth by then. RE also state an annual valve clearance check/adjustment regardless of mileage. Miss one and watch your three year warranty on the engine go “poof”.
Good point
My Tracer 9 has the same valve check interval.
I own a meteor 350, it's absolutely fantastic! Few bugs as it's a new model but I've put just under 5000 miles on it and it's been great. I use it down the motorway everyday and on smaller roads it's achieved a high of 115mpg. Lovely thump from the exhaust and I've had many people approaching asking about it's "British" background. I've seen the BSA gold star at a show and in use up a test hill, it didn't do it for me, the exhaust note was nothing like the old model and it didn't look amazing. The classic 350 from Royal Enfield is far better in my view. Worst cost of living crisis in decades, enfield is 3 grand less, 20bhp is plenty when all the speed limits are going to 20, congested roads and fuel price is sky high, no brainer
I would agree, Matthew. I'm luck enough to own an 'expensive' Speed Twin, which is fabulous, but if I were going for a 'small' bike (which I may well do), then I would much prefer a Meteor, or a Classic, or maybe the new Hunter. Basic can be great fun, but it has to be cheap :)
I totally agree Mathew , I've had my Meteor SupaDooper since May . So far it's doing over 100mpg , will travel up to 75mph . I think it's a great bike for the money , £3600 ( bought mine 2nd hand with 700 miles on it ) Perhaps underpowered for Motorways but will hold 70 if needed . I tend to stay in the slow lane around 65 . No issues at with the build quality or reliability so far . Nice ,smooth engine with little vibration . Very pleased with it .
What "bugs" have you had?
@@fasthracing EML light kept going on and off. Oil temperature sensor as it read but apparently due the strict emission tolerances, it triggered to easily. Royal Enfield themselves released an ECU update to dealers last month to deal with the problem. Also the cat due to its location on the exhaust generally rots quickly, basic issues but easily resolved
@@matthewS993 thanks for the info
The BSA only looks good from a distance, the Interceptor looks good from any distance.
Very true. The BSA's switchgear looks nasty close up
And the RE handles better.
The beauty of the Goldie is that big ally air cooled engine. This one looks nothing like it.
And the BSA is a single whereas the RE is a twin - way overpriced on that fact alone - can’t see many going for it
Well said!
I think using the name Goldstar, is asking for trouble really.
The original Goldie was the racehorse of its time and has legendary status today. It sounded right, looked right and even smelled right.
Probably not that easy to ride? But that didn't matter.
Any bike carrying the name Goldstar can't ever be a compromise.
I do wish BSA every success and it's great that they have made a comeback.
Agreed. Thanks for your feedback :)
I can assure you the original Gold Star could be a nightmare to start with the GP carb
@@hullygully1135 I know, and if you got the advance and retard a little wrong, she will kick back like a ba57@4d.
@@hullygully1135 Like any old bike if its not set up right its a 'nightmare'. Many confuse poor maintenance and poor technique with a 'bad' bike. I have a '57 Goldie with a GP carb and I don't have any problems.
iirc they BSA gave each bike that would reach 100mph a goldstar, hence the name.
I started my biker life with a 1971 BSA lightning 37 years ago. I taught myself to ride on the streets of the Bronx NY. It shifted on the wrong side and was slow, but so much fun. The new Gold Star isn’t a lightning but it’s trying to capture that old time feeling. And I’m glad there trying. But I agree. For the price I could buy a nice old real deal made in England BSA and have fun. Or better yet buy a 10 year old Harley Sportster for $3000, and ride it. Two pistons air cooled simple to keep up. And torque to spare .
Yes, that's the problem: it's about $1000 too expensive, and in this market segment, that is too much
A REAL OLD 500 GS IN THE UK AROUND £20,000 . WITH MATCHING NUMBERS .🙃
Actually, Steve, if you are right handed, cerebral dominance states that the shift lever should be on the right side. Plenty of performance oriented bikers have corrected this for their bikes.
It shifted on the right side, you just rode on the wrong side! 😂😂
Hi Steve,
I started my BSA life 44 years ago in New Rochelle New York. 69 650 Thunderbolt for $650. I knew nothing about them I called the local Harley shop and they said it’s a strong running bike. I still have the bike and use it all the time. You are right they are so much fun to ride.
I have owned BSA’s most of my life from the age of 13; 1959 C15. I am 67 now and own a Lightning and a Thunderbolt. I am also a member of the BSA owners club and many seem quite enthusiastic; but I’m not now although I originally was. However it is poorly made and it’s not really where they should have started, a twin to take on Royal Enfield directly would have been more appropriate, with the Gold Star second in line. Also the fervour created by the nostalgic types is waning I think; it’s not really a BSA in my book. You could have put any old British bike name on it and badged it accordingly; Matchless or AJS perhaps, it’s only the badge on the tank that is authentic. Personally I think it will flop; overpriced and lacks charisma and the demand for singles is a niche market. Maybe I’m an old purist, but it’s just missing something fundamental. I hope they loan you one though; your thoughts from a test would be most welcome.
Thanks for your feedback, Ian. I fear you may well be right, but I do genuinely hope they will succeed.
Spot on, Ian. Since you are one that appreciates the BSA brand and understands it... your opinion will most likely be in line with BSA aficionados and ones that understand heritage. This bike had my attention as soon as it was announced... I was waiting with high hopes for a genuine rendition of a truly classic and iconic bike. But, I too feel this attempt falls short in every aspect with the exception of the tank logo and how it looks from the side at a distance. Up close and from a front angle that garish radiator kills the look... and I still see absolutely no advantage for a water cooled engine in this type of bike.
I agree, they should have begun with a Lightning twin, lost the water-cooled system & made it both kick & electric, but what's done is done. I keep hearing of the anti-motorcycling laws being bandied about both here & across the pond, so it's truly too little, too late, and wrong all the way around.
I had a C15 back in the 67/68 and into 69 as an apprentice. I was interested in your comments. I have not seen one yet. I was hoping it would be a bit more like the original. But that's maybe not practical.
I hope this bike is a success because in my humble opinion it’s the best looking retro bike out there 🤞🤞🤞
I agree. I wish them every success, but I'm doubtful, especially in light of all the comments in this video.
take a look at Kawasaki W800
The W800 sounds the best for sure
Agreed, by far the best looking and I want them to succeed. At the very least you should at least support them because competition will keep Enfield on their toes and producing better and better bikes
The bsa is just another one to add to the stable.
I’ll buy one once available in the USA. Same a the Triumph 400. Just will wait a year and buy a used one.
There will be plenty of disappointed owners out there.
They just need to realize it is a thumper.
I ride many different bikes.
My favorite is a 84 XL350r
If it had electric start it would be my daily ride.
At 63 it is getting rough on the leg
Maybe I can find a newer model enduro with both kick and electric.
Well, well. Let's at least wait until it can be test ridden and a few years to iron out the bugs. The radiator doesn't look great but the same can be said for Triumphs. A big thumper is really appealing to me and I couldn't care less that it doesn't have 80+ horsepower proving my manhood. If it rides nice and handles well, that's good enough. If it doesn't then I'll find something else. As for being built in India but leaning on English heritage, isn't that exactly what Triumph has been doing with its retros? In other words, I'm not ready to flush the bike down the drain just yet.
Thanks for your feedback
Sadly it's a big simple but not what I'd consider a 'thumper'. Enfield get the difference. BSA aren't bothered.
@@heithwatkins with respect it's just a badge on a product that has very little if any connection with the firm or bikes of BSA of old.
So, a company bought the right to use a classic name on a badge and mold some engine casings and tank to look like the original bike because it was easier to do that than to sell the same bike with a new name? I swear I don't understand why people would buy into that, regardless of the price. It can very well be a good bike, but it aint no BSA.
Thanks for your feedback. I have to say I agree.
They should drop the "A" for arms and just call it "BS"
Errrr Triumph....Norton.....Brough Superior.....
Same with the new Royal Enfields, no real comparison with the orginals
Totally agree see my comment!
As a wrinkly rider the Gold Star was always more myth than legend.
Most of my fraternity wanted a Manx Norton with its feather bed frame over the Gold Star
But its price put the Norton way out of reach so they went Gold Star.
This modern take on the Gold Star is over priced by a mile .
If I was replacing my old Kwaka Vulcan V Twin with a retro bike
I'd go for the Enfield interceptor .
Its cheaper and you get a proven two potter with all the retro looks you want.
More myth than legend, I like that :)
BSA Gold Star and Norton Manx is like comparing apples and oranges. One is an out and out racer the other a road bike. If you must make a comparison with Norton choose the International, an anachronism from decades before that the Goldie would leave standing.
Your comparison is like that of an MV GP bike v a Honda 750/4.
@@RocketMan_Moto Matt’s dad. Norton Dominator 600 back in day. Seriously built up, vertical head, Dunstall valve train open intake ‘ exhaust, by first owner in UK.
BSA always a “pretty bike” especially with a gold badge, chrome tank etc but most bigger bike riders in my college town rode 90% Bonnie’s and the rest Norton and Beemer. And about a dozen Harley’s at a college with 20,000 students. My Dom could outrun anything and still do the ton easily.
My idea of a “proper British bike“ for today is a approximately 2000-2010 Hinckley Triumph. Lots of styles, plenty of power for today, minus tons of electronics and emissions restrictions. I went with a 955i Daytona myself. A cherry example with a racing pedigree. Power, handling and midrange power for me is worth giving up 25 mph above 160. UJMs don’t do much for me.
My prediction is that once scenarios evolve a bit, Hinckley Triumph May end up taking over both Norton and BSA if the economy doesn’t tank too hard.
PS triples are amazing engines.
I understand why they went to 600cc class engines for the track, but a liter is more robust where it is all open class and most racing is informal. Less stressful on the engine to gen 150+ hp from 1000cc than from 600-675cc.
And anyway if I run it, it will be in the quarter. 11.0 at 128mph in quarter stock. Then there’s the cans & tune from a dealership owners by a multiple land speed record holders. That & a little secret sauce think I can beat it by a few tenths.
I love riding. Sometimes quickly…
Wrong bike wrong time. Should have been a 650 twin.
What rubbish, the manx was a race bike, it could not be used for any distance on an open road. The gold star could.
Hmm - interesting video RM. But I’m not sure I agree. Firstly, it’s not comparable to the triumph, as this is clearly a more premium product. Secondly, whilst everyone harps on about it, it’s not really a competitor for the RE, certainly not in technical terms. That’s why they went with a single cylinder and not a twin - to differentiate and provide a choice to the consumer. As for the design / quality, yes, the radiator is clunky and, whilst improved, the exhaust shield still not brilliant. But the aftermarket will sort both these things out (sales dependant, of course). Switchgear - bit plasticky. But the interceptors is rubbish as well (it’s the same as my cheap and cheerful Mash Black seven thar cost me £2.1k 5 years ago!!). And as for shocks, every retro bike is the same. RE interceptor, poor. Triumph boneville, poor. Triumph SpeedTwin poor! So, it’s not a surprise to hear the same for bsa - but then, don’t make an unfair highlight out of this, if the others are the same.
Pricing is spot on imho.
I agree the dealer network is a bit of a worry, so will have to see here.
Finally, my final view will be formed after a test ride. It looks good and if it rides well and puts a smile on my face, then that’s all that matters!
I agree, and that's why I appealed to BSA to let me have a Gold Star to test properly - if it's good, I will say so :)
As an owner of an Interceptor and a new Classic 350 I can attest that the 350 has better quality switches and touches... however, both of my RE's have a beautiful engine and chassis. RE has done their homework at a level that exceeds this attempt by the current owner of the BSA name... there is literally no heritage and from what I see in the bike, no actual BSA fingerprints or DNA... sure, it looks really good in the photos and videos... that BSA tank logo is perfect. However, that does not change the fact that this is an off the shelf, Rotax water cooled engine. Kind of reminds me of the kit cars that were really popular in the 80's and 90's... like the fiberglass bodies one could purchase to put on a few optional auto chassis. If one is just about a look... then this BSA may be exactly what they want. In my humble opinion this is a "retro" styled bike and nothing more. Classic motorcycle buyers tend to appreciate considerably more depth to a product than just a look.
At the age of 85 & a height of 5' 6" I went looking for an easier to handle bike & I found it in the Yamaha MT-03. Got a new one for just £5,000 so, I know that it is not a retro style bike, but you get a lot of bike for your money. Cheaper than the BSA, lighter than the BSA, faster than the BSA, more fuel efficient than the BSA. I could go on, but you get the picture. Anyone old like me looking to downsize, the MT-03 is a good choice.
Good choice, the MT03 is a great 'little' bike - enjoy :)
Great choice Barrie! Way better machine overall than any "retro" lookalike budget bike :)
You have got me thinking, I am 77 and have an old VFR750, the MT03 could be a good idea.
Me too i have an xjr1300 which i love but it is too heavy, my Mt03 is the bike i use the most.
@@hullygully1135 I also have an old VFR750 and have owned newer bikes. I think that the VFR is actually better than many more recent machines.
My thoughts exactly. I mentioned in a video a few days ago very much the same points after visiting a BSA dealer and seeing a bike in the metal. We are in agreement to the pound what the price should be. Unlike yourself I do have a bike on order for expected delivery in October.Personally I doubt these bikes will ever be made totally in the UK due to high labour charges, m
Thanks for your input, George. I saw your video as I was finishing off this. It was your comment about preparing lots of parts for the Gold Star that struck a chord: it’s good business for you, of course, but you really shouldn’t have to. The bike should be rideable out of the box. Anyway, I look forward to seeing how you get on👍😊
All good arguments, and still, I think there are plenty of folks out there who would love to have one of these in their garage. From what I understand the new BSA has lots of nice details that will appeal to people, is also quite nice to ride, and the price will not be off-putting to people who often spend much more on bikes. For such people this will be the perfect second or third bike. And then there's the US market. I image they will go bonkers over such a bike, just like they used to. Time will tell!
As you say, time will tell. It certainly is a good looking bike
I was hesitant to leave a comment as your video is two years old but just wanted to compliment your foresight. Time has proven you right. On the plus side they have depreciated a lot so you can get a bargain if you want one. The turn off for me was seeing my first one at Copdock motorcycle show a couple of years ago and noticing the poor finish, rough casting and just not being anywhere close to RE. The company that owns them also owns the rights for Jawa in India and local customers complain about that bike too so for the time being I shal abstain from the brand.
Thanks, Bob👍😊
Merci Rocket Man. Je pense que vous avez raison. Un prix inférieur à la 650 interceptor est nécessaire pour détrôner cette très bonne moto. De plus, le réseau en Europe n'existe pas. Dommage car la moto est très belle et aurait pu profiter de la vague néo-retro notamment en France. Thanks and wish you the best.
C'est tout à fait ça, Pierre. BSA a râté l'occasion et j'ai bien peur que la Gold Star soit un poil trop 'ordinaire' pour détrôner la RE. On verra bien. Ride safe :)
@@RocketMan_Moto surtout avec la RE Hunter 350 qui va tout rafler sur le monocylindre. la seul porte de sortie est un prix tres bas
Personally I would have preferred a little less power with an air cooled engine.
This would bring the production costs down and made it much more aesthetically pleasing without the Morris Minor radiator
bolted to the frame.
You are right regarding the pricing, I was expecting between £5500 - £6300 so I doubt it will worry R.E. much.
I wish them success with it though, it takes balls to bring a new bike to market.
Ttfn.
Agreed. Thanks for your feedback :)
We're not going to have brand new air cooled only these days. Just blame Euro 5 emission regs ! I don't think it's possible to meet them with air cooled engines.
@@karlosh9286 You could make a euro 5 air/ oil cooled engine ok.
Problem is when regs go to euro 6 it probably would not make it through, thus reducing the productivity lifespan of the engine.
I think we are going to loose a lot of bikes when that comes in.
I’m not sure that BSA would have had the option, as the engine had originally been designed by Rotax, as a watercooled engine, when it was first launched in the early 90’s.
@@Jon-zj2nj I did not realise it was an existing engine.
Prehaps they just re- sculptured the outside to make it a bit more retro looking, leaving the internal components as is.
I want to have a test ride on one ....... eventually.
If they get the dealer network sorted.
ttfn.
From reviews I've seen so far, it might not sound that good, it might not handle that well, the fueling may not be the best and the brakes might not be that good either,, hmmmm
On the other hand vibration seems to be well handled and it looks quite good.
We all need a test ride don't we.
Absolutely. Can't wait to try it out myself
I am turning 70 in 4 months and started my motorcycle days in 1967. That was 4 years after the BSA Gold Star was discontinued and nominally replaced by the 441 Victor Special. I use that example to illustrate that I am near the end of my motorcycle enthusiasm and the Goldie is a bike that would be nostalgic to guys OLDER than me! I had hoped BSA would either start with a twin like the Lightning or Spitfire, or, if they wanted a single, to make it air/oil cooled, light (under 400 lbs) and cheap. The Gold Star would be a big hit, if they introduced it 20 years ago.
Good point. Thanks for your feedback😊
This BSA Gold Star is turning out very impressive according to many reports and individuals who have ridden it. It may well be a top seller. I want one for a start!
I agree that initial press reviews have been quite positive, but the truth is that, 6 months on from when I made this video, customers have still not received their bike and I find that worrying.
@@RocketMan_Moto Agreed I think the marketing dept of BSA dropped the ball here and mis-timed the launch of the Gold Star when they had little product. Likely a common event of start up companies. Keep the videos coming. Portugal looks lovely.
Thanks, Ronald. Ride safe :)
@@RocketMan_Moto Thanks, you too.
I think you may well be right with your suggestion that the new BSA bike may be a bit over priced, even if it is made to look a little bit like a bike from the 1960s! (Try to ignore the radiator.) £7000, buys you a lot of bike if you look outside the "Retro" envelope. I bought a 2021 Benelli Imperiale 400 brand new, last year, as I wanted a Retro looking small bike. It cost £3600 all in. I have run it most days since buying it and it has been faultless and a cheap as chips to run. It averages 80 to 90 mpg with the riding that I do. As a "Thing" it is as good as any single cylinder 20 bhp Chinese made bike can be. The bits are pennies to buy and is VERY much better built than a Royal Enfield. I can honestly say that it attracts a lot of interest when I park it at "Bike Meetings" as people really think it is from the 1960s! The New BSA should be £5,000 to £5,500 all in with prices adjusted for more premium versions and specials. Perhaps then they would be as popular as their R.E. Competition, But only time will tell.
Thanks for your input. The price of this BSA will be its downfall. It's neither cheap, nor premium. Middle-ground mediocrity, I fear.
@@RocketMan_Moto Well, a year on from the trickle of BSA bikes hitting the market and only one, demonstrator bike, has made it to the place I live. (Guernsey.) That is with an independent bike garage and there is still no BSA dealer here. No-one seems to have taken the plunge to buy one local to me, yet. However, France is close to me and I've seen a few there, where they seem to have a following equal to the Royal Enfields of a similar size. It appears to be a success as "Classic Bike clubs" there have readily accepted them into their ranks. As an owner of a Royal Enfield Continental GT I can say that the RE does suffer with its cheap finishes on some of its cast alloy parts. The BSA seems to be a slightly better made and finished thing. Maybe that's where the extra cost of the BSA has come from. Despite the reservations about the radiator and huge exhaust pipe, they seem to be quietly selling in good numbers. Time will tell if they can keep it up!
Me personally I love the Goldstar as it is and believe it will do great in the market and here's why. The comparison here is between air cooled and water cooled bikes and the two aren't comparable. It's like apples and oranges. People will say they have 5,000 miles on a meteor 350 and say it's great they love it! So was my Suzuki GN 400 at 5000 miles. (The GN 400 is a 4 stroke air cooled ohc single quite similiar to the meteor 350) What was the same bike like at 15,000 miles- it shook and vibrated so much by then I couldn't ride it!! Then i got a water cooled Kawa 454 and rode it to 50,000 miles and engine still ran perfect. So I have a strong feeling the same is true here. Name another water cooled Bike even close in cc to the goldstar and standard bike styling. That's right there are none!! BSA we need the Goldstar trust me it will sell!
Finally some criticize the radiator on the goldatar. I actually love it with its real radiator cap where it should be and the radiator itself is beefy- it looks great to me- it even looks capable of running the bike 170 water temp (BMW has a brand new 1000cc bike that runs 170 so why not this one?) If it actually runs 170 this bike is a gem it would run 100,000 miles! The radiator I would criticize sits on the Triumph T120 big 1200cc motorcycle has the funkiest joke of a tiny radiator I have ever seen. The bike runs 230 stock in 100 degree weather. Mine has an installed 300% larger radiator and it looks great runs 170 degrees even pulling a trailer- I built the trailer and the hitch myself and I love it!
Thanks for your feedback :)
A Kawasaki Z650RS is 650cc, standard bike classic styling and starts at 8000 pounds
I had to look that bike up and it does look somewhat doable. However and this is a personal thing, but the Kawa has ugly exhaust pipes doing a squiggle bend right under the radiator, preventing one from a larger radiator. On the T120 it's easy to mod the radiator and get the 170 cooling I want. The goldstar radiator looks Bid enough to cool to 170 stock. On the kawa-doesnt like very big and doesn't look easy to modify.
@@j.d.mcginn6946 You want a bigger radiator? I thought the point was for these modern classic to have as small or unnoticeable radiators as possible? Something the Goldstar does not accomplish.
I learned a long time ago that ideally, if one wants them to last a long time- one runs a 160 degree thermostat with 170 degree water temp. Now most manufacturers don't do that likely because they aren't interested in the motorcycle lasting virtually forever, they want it to wear and need more frequent oil changes valve adjustments radiator hoses and sensors close to heat will wear out much faster too. Some motorcycles, ie my friends BMW, runs 170 stock. My triumph T120's dinky little radiator looks awful to me and indeed it runs 230 stock. Mine now runs 170 all day, since I installed a 160 stat and had a radiator custom fabbed that's dimensionally 300% larger than stock and it looks beautiful to me.
Since the goldstar 650's radiator looks much larger than my T120's - I'm hoping it runs 170 stock water temp. Yes the radiator looks gorgeous to me and even has a cap where a radiator is supposed to, and no over flow tank- just like the old days! Very cool!
I own a 1949 C11 and a 1958 M21. It would be nice to have one of these retros as well.. I don't know if they are available in WA. Are they in Aus at all ? Also a quick sum says that it will cost $13700 which is a bit high...
Two years on from this video and I still haven’t seen one. Don’t even know if they’re available in Portugal🙁
Your review is very good, as a mechanic and user of classic motorcycles, I must say that it is a shame that these prestigious brands are manufactured outside their country of origin. I understand that it is not easy to adapt a classic engine to the emission requirements, but I know very well what is possible and conserving its original structure. We consumers would have to let these projects end up in the trash. If you want a classic adapted to our days, it must first be manufactured in origin and respect the original model in addition to respecting the requirements current for circulation. Let the rest of the world produce crude imitations. God bless British Steel.
@ Willy Scooter - Unionism, UB40 destroyed whatever was left of the British work ethic after WW2. Fortunately Britain's design talent still thrives. Which is why outsourcing manufacturing to Asia is the only option to save British brands. Having bought fairly high-end British brands of cars and hi-fi equipment, and experiencing pathetic QC, I've sworn to never buy anything "Made in UK" ever again. But when Britain started selling its heritage (JLR, Aston Martin, MG, B&W, Norton, BSA, MG) brands to wealthy anglophiles across the world, i was reminded of the Genesis album, "Selling England by the pound". And today, when the most educated candidate for Britain's Prime Ministership is of Indian origin, I sense that the sun has, finally, set on the British Empire. Amen.
Agreed. Thanks for your feedback :)
Lol, nice reference
Hi dude I’ve heard that sales aren’t very good and some dealers have stopped stocking them what’s your thoughts and opinions now hope your keeping well 👍🏻
Thanks for the heads-up. I’m not surprised, tbh - I still haven’t seen one in person, and the new dealership in Lisbon looks a bit… basic. Stuart Fillingham on TH-cam has just bought one, and seems happy with it, though😊
I think it is a dubious start. BSA's direct competitor is Royal Enfield, not Triumph. Price and market accordingly.
If they want to have any go at it:
(1) Set in the dealership, logistics support.
(2) Reevaluate your pricing
(3) Have a good and extended warranty
and honor it religiously.
(4) You can brand it " British Heritage" but not "British Home". As they say, by misleading, they have already damaged their "Street Creds".
All good points👍😊
Not to worry, by the time the BSA shows up, the price of the RE 650 will have gone up 5-700 pounds.
A very thoughtful presentation. I’ll be subscribing.
You could be right about the RE prices. Thanks for the sub😊👍
Somewhat reluctantly, I wholeheartedly agree with your comments. I think those that were going to buy it probably still will ...but there just aren't enough of them. Price / spec / uniqueness balance of the BSA just isn't right, and I'm sure the Royal Enfield Hunter will be a huge sales success.
The Triumph Street Twin is an entirely different proposition for only a few $ more, and I doubt that Triumph are remotely concerned by this new ' competitor '.
Having said that, I do hope the BSA is a success, always great to see a classic brand revived
Totally agree with you, Paul: I wish them every success, but judging on the comments received, it's looking ever more unlikely
Whats the latest opinion now on the BSA ?
I was hoping the U.S. would get some
A fail. Unfortunately. Still haven’t seen one in person. UK dealers are selling them off cheap. Pity.
Super video, thank you.
Very difficult market to crack, Triumph seem to have the top end of the market sewn up with their beautiful looking very expensive bikes, and RE the lower end of the market with their beautiful amazing quality and value bikes
I doubt the BSA will sell a fraction of the number of Singles as the RE Classic 350. I guess the demographic for the purchase of a retro single is a person who is reasonably old, and for whom the extra power of the BSA isn't really an issue.
I have to admit to being totally biased, being bloody ancient, and loving my Classic 350!
Wonderful to see bikes like the BSA being resurrected though, even if it's "badge engineering"
Thanks, Pete. I would definitely take a Classic 350 over the Gold Star, even if I genuinely do hope RE pull off their comeback :)
@@RocketMan_Moto I'd have to agree with you there. A "Modern R.E. classic 350" has already had all the bugs ironed out of it. There is a MASSIVE array of merchandise available for owners "Vanity purchases" and a very healthy club in the UK. BSA have a real mountain to climb and their pricing is going to be their biggest obstacle. The other thing is that "If" you have the sort of money BSA are asking for their Retro, you may be able to stretch to a genuine period bike instead.
Suppose it depends if you want a big single or a twin. I agree though it should never have seen daylight with that radiator, exhaust or shocks.
The big single is appealing, I must admit
Mrs Rocketman was built in Brazil........love it! :)
😊
Thanks, keep up the great work in France! 🇫🇷🙏👍
I’ll do my best😊
I grew up riding on the back of a 66(?) BSA Lightening that my dad assembled from parts. The nostalgia is strong, but if I were to add another bike it might be the Classic 350; it’s less than a new dual suspension mountain bike 🤯 Cheers…
Haha, I’ve been looking at MTBs lately. Promised my son I’d ride with him once I’m back in France. Couldn’t quite believe the prices. As you say, I could easily get a Classic 350… He might notice, though🤔
I have just noticed that you were kind enough to give me a SuperThanks and contribute $5. Apologies for not seeing this sooner, I only activated the option a few days ago and honestly didn't really know what I was doing or expect anything to happen. Anyway, I am humbled and honoured by your generous gesture. You are my first (and maybe last??) Super Thanker, so thank you very much; it is really most encouraging :)
I think that the new BSA Goldstar will sell. I remember similar remarks about the RE Interceptor, when it was late to market. I have ridden the RE Interceptor. But as a riding experience, I prefer the Kawasaki KLR650, with its water cooled 650cc single fitted with a balance shaft. A loping big single without vibrations is a nicer ride.
Thanks for your feedback, Gary. Well, I certainly hope you're right :)
I'm a BSA man, but I am struggling with this new bike. It just isn't in proportion, and they certainly should have had a clubman trim bike from the factory. The radiator looks odd, and i think they will struggle. I do like the RE Hunter 350 , and it looks bob on.
Yes, I think the Hunter is set to be a massive hit
"Mrs Rocketman was built in Brazil....." LOL.
Made me laugh too
:)
Hi RM. Have you ridden one of the demo bikes yet? If so, has it made you change your feelings about the bike?
Unfortunately not. There’s no news as to when Europe will be getting dealers. The head-to-head with the Interceptor in today’s MCN was pretty positive, though.
@@RocketMan_Moto I had pretty much decided that I wanted one but after taking a test ride I handed over my deposit.
Great. When are you expecting delivery?
@@RocketMan_MotoMy bike should be here April, maybe March. I understand that the first batch are scheduled to dock in the UK in the next few weeks.
Fingers crossed🤞😊
Just had a quick look at one, disappointed with some of the finish, looks spoilt by that huge radiator, and I can’t see any reason for it being priced higher than the Enfield 650.
My thoughts exactly🙁
Don't forget the big ass USB box on the left bar, or the BSA stickers on the engine casing
True. Really not very elegant, are they :(
how about long term RE650 ? is RE650 popular in UK ?
@@adisakapichai5512 are you kidding, the Intercepter is hugely popular in the UK
As an Interceptor and Classic 350 owner I’d be interested in a follow up to this. I spent a few hours with one and now have one on order. It’s a sparkly little beast with something extra. A mate who is a police rider is getting his around the same time as me.
Stuart Fillingham has just bought one, so maybe I was wrong. There’s finally a dealership in Lisbon, so maybe we’ll get one down here soon? Anyway, enjoy your new bike😊👍
@@RocketMan_Moto I will. Keep up the channel, it is excellent.
BSA so far has gone the way of other manufacturers of over promising and under delivering. Established manufacturers with good reputations can get away with that every once in awhile but I'm afraid BSA will not be afforded the same luxury.
I have to agree. Unfortunately :(
I am looking for my first bike and am a bit disappointed in the Goldstar.
Tank size and price are putting me off but the other bit is the launch/pr and aftersales/dealers. (A 16 litre tank might have got me more excited).
On FB recently someone said £500 deposits! And an official spokesperson from BSA said "no test rides are free".
P.s Am considering the Interceptor.
The Interceptor certainly seems the safer bet at this stage
The one single item that's outstanding is the sound of the engine & exhaust especially with the baffle off.... seriously good .... enough to tempt any young ones
True, the sound is good
Now the bike has been on sale for a year or so, do you still feel the same about it? Owners and longer-term reviewers seem to like it, despite the fauIts which you highlight. It isn't a huge seller but there are a lot of new entrants in the middleweight modern retro market now.
Indeed. I think there are better choices now. In fairness, I still haven’t seen the Goldstar - no dealers in Portugal or Spain doesn’t help
Completely agree. Overpriced and under specced
👍
I don't know whether to order one or get a euro4 interceptor second hand if I can find a reasonable mileage example. That agricultural looking radiator could take some getting used to, that horrible looking exhaust pipe could be changed for something less ugly.
They have at least slimmed down the exhaust down pipe on production models
For some reason, I have always loved BSAs. I guess it was a chrome tank model I saw when I was young (God knows which one). I’ve never owned one and thought that this could finally be it. It looks the part. It will probably take years to make to here in the US and then it will probably have fewer dealers than RE. I’ll probably just get a newer model Bonneville. I’m looking forward to your move to France and videos of your riding in the French countryside. From the colonies…
2023 launch stateside
Thanks, Jeffrey. I’m with you on the nostalgia factor, but as it stands today, the bike just doesn’t do it for me🙁
I wonder how much extra would it cost them to give the Gold Star excellent suspension. Seems pretty obvious it should have excellent handling.
I for one would have preferred paying, say, £1k more for a bike with really good suspension and brakes
I’m in the USA, an aging Boomer and recall fondly the great British bikes of the sixties. However, having owned bikes from Britain, America , E. Germany and Japan (mostly Japan) I think the retro thing is quickly fading as those of us of that generation are fading away ourselves. Frankly BSA (Mahindra) is a day late and a dollar short. The world is heading into a serious financial crisis and spare money for nostalgic dreams will be fading away as well. Based upon the prospective price in the UK, here in the states, I can pick up a restored Lighting 650 today for less money. Unlike the reborn 650, it’s a twin cylinder and it will appreciate rather than depreciate. Is it as good a bike? Probably not but money talks and BS walks.
Well put. As you say, the days of unbridled consumerism are well and truly behind us :(
Hi ,, I too am old enough to remember... I was really excited when BSA started up again, But at the time (2yrs) I held back from buying..2 years on with all bike prices dropping I picked up a bargain.£3700 with 570 miles..and it a lovely bike (it really takes me back) Now sir you say the world is going down the plug hole,and you could be (evenmore right 2years on) right,,but I think if thats the case ,a cheap simple ecomomical bike is the way to go,,If the petrol runs out ,,I ll stand in my front living room and polish it ,,honestly its a beaut ..regards
Honestly, if I'm going to buy a "heritage" bike and am willing to splash out a bit, I'm getting the Kawasaki W800. Simple, charming...and the build quality is simply on another level.
Agreed. I would rather BSA sell their bikes for £2k more and fit them out with some decent components
One of the motojournos who rode the BSA made a very good point, if it had Mahindra on the tank would there be any hype, even though that is exactly what we are buying. RE is proud of its Indian heritage and is making some cheap reliable machines.
Very valid point
That's my take on it too.It's not a BSA other than in name and it's not a Goldie other than in name.
I'm not saying it's a bad bike as I don't know if it is or not,but the bike is a pretence of what once was and that grates a bit with me.
Andnas others say the RE Interceptor and the T100 are too strong competition for it.
But then again a Royal Enfield is not the British Enfield that ran the streets in the UK. It's basically an Indian Eicher who simply attached the Royal infront of the Enfield badge after they bought it in the 90s.
@@kyakaruvlogs2784 take time to look at how Royal Enfield came to be manufacted in India and how long that mark has been made there.
It was a natural progression of the mark,a very different story than a company buying a brand name,then manufacturing a poor copy of the flagship of that company's motorcycle,then pricing it waayyy above it's worth.
@@johnwood4448 yes... kinda like Jeep Wrangler... Jeep as a brand has had several owners and because of continuous production and adherence to product design... it survived and continues to thrive as a brand. Arguably the most famous... Royal Enfield is more genuine in it's heritage than most any motorcycle brand on the planet, in line with HD. RE has a rich and uninterrupted UK/India history.
And where are they ? Bikes still not ready for customers?
Hmm, this kind of reminds me of Norton🤔
Interesting take. The price is certainly more than I thought it would be initially. It was a fun bike to ride mind you, suspension was a bit budget but I enjoyed the rest. Time will tell! I'm very interested in the Hunter! Good work RM. 👍
Thanks, Dan. The Hunter now has my full attention - basic is fine, as long as it's cheap
I really don't see why people by the Royal and Fields there are so many nice restored rideable British motorcycles available especially in Europe and the UK I really don't see the reason for writing a phony British bike when you can have the real thing. A bsap 40 makes a perfect commuter bike Everyday by and it's good to up for when you do have to hit the freeways to get to the nice roads. You can get parts for them left right and Center and you can get better stuff than the factories put out when they were in operation. A 350 or 441 shooting star is the perfect size not too big not too small. Parts available out the wazoo. Plus you get to show all the dingleberries out there how they start with a real motorcycle with a Kickstarter and not a pussy button.
@@RocketMan_Moto if the hunter or meteor had the 650 engine of the interceptor i would buy one . 50 hp is really all you need .
@@frankmarkovcijr5459 come on. An old British bike is not going to be reliable. Some people who are time poor want to ride not wrench. If you haven’t ridden a RE twin you won’t believe how charming they are. I bought one and have no interest in an old British bike. I bought it as a fun second bike to modify and play around with. Like most who buy them I love it
@@morri03 British spikes can and are used for everyday Transportation I know because I rode my TR6 for 40 years and I still have it of course I had to do maintenance to it and I had to do repairs as needed but not as much as what people think when you have when you do it right the first time in the parts and the suppliers are much better than they were in the high day of the British motorcycle Empire
I totally agree, I just don't see the attraction of the BSA, first for a single it could and should've been 20 kgs lighter and the price once again as a single should've undercut the Interceptor.
Agreed. Thanks for your feedback😊
Yep I get your points, I saw one in the flesh a few weeks ago and to be honest I wasn’t overly impressed compared to the competition. I haven’t ridden one but I really don’t see why you would buy one over the RE offerings that seem to be better finished.
I think a lot of people would agree with you. The selling price is about £1000 too high. Pity.
a really nice feedback on the BSA. I am glad someone spoke up. Classic Legends other brands the Jawa and the Yezdi have had a lot of quality issues, so I am not sure if people would pay for poor manufacturing. BSA seems to be going the Jawa and Yezdi way.
Unfortunately, yes :( I do hope BSA get their act together and take account of the comments here. Everyone seems to be asking for more or less the same things. Thanks for your feedback :)
As you say everyone wants BSA to succeed,( I'm not sure I'm really that bothered where it's produced) however I do feel the company has not listened to the number of criticisms aimed at the bike and therefore are potentially creating conditions for their own downfall. Maybe the production model will be different, who knows but I truly hope so 👍🙏
Agreed. Thanks for your feedback :)
Test driving the new bike on the road from Tavira to Cachopo?
Sounds appealing
I have no idea why this bike is seen as a rival for the interceptor, in the history of motorcycling, a single has never been a competitor for a twin. Particularly 2 retro's that are originally a generation apart from each other.
Valid point, Graham, but I think many people fall for the looks before the spec sheet.
@@RocketMan_Moto I suppose so, as in lots of things these days.... Oh eck I said "these days"... Showing my age.
It is sort of a competitor for the Interceptor. It's a retro, based on classic British bikes. The pricing is in a similar ball park.
I'm with Rocket Man on this. For it to compete with the Interceptor , it'd need to be cheaper , and not more expensive.
I prefer a twin , well really I prefer triples ! (but that's a different conversation )
Currently if I was in the market for a £6K retro, I'd take the Interceptor. In reality, I'd spend quite a bit more and get a more powerful Triumph.
@@karlosh9286 Yes I see, but again the interceptor isn't really true competition for the triumph. The triumph is a deliberate retro styled bike, built by a company that can build any style.
The interceptor in my opinion, is simply the best bike RE could build at the time (yes I know they are a huge organisation).
If you Ride the triumph back to back with the RE, you would feel a world of difference in quality.
That's not say I don't like the interceptor... I do,, for the price. But the goldstar will appeal to the older and therefore smaller generation (nostalgia) than me... And I'm old haha
@@Grahamvfr Just over 3 years ago I was looking for a retro twin bike . My first big bike after passing my test as a middle aged newbie.
So basically my searching ended up with Triumph's modern classics, and at the time, the very new RE Interceptor.
The Interceptor was appealing on price. I never did get to have a test ride on one at the time, still haven't.
Triumph's were test rideable. That's what probably got them the sale.
Now, if I'd got a go on an Interceptor, with my lack of experience on bikes , might I have got one ? I really don't know. The price was really appealing.
At Triumph, at first I was going to get the 900cc Street Twin, and I almost got one. However I did test ride the Speed Twin, and I blew the budget , spent way more than I originally intended to, and bought a Speed Twin. At the time, coming from a 125 , they were all really powerful. So as surprising as it may seem, it was a bit of a challenge for me truly telling the difference between the 900cc Street and 1200cc Speed Twin.
I was a bit too terrified to pin the throttle on the Speed Twin to truly tell.
Mainly on the angle that I'd be much less likely to grow out of the 1200cc Speed Twin than the 900cc Street Twin, I got the Speed Twin. Not sure if I really needed that much power.
This is pretty much what happened. I have ridden a 900cc Street Twin recently, and I'm now very happy I went for the Speed Twin. The difference between the two is now much clearer. Now I've had more experience on bikes more powerful than a 125, I would have been wanting to get rid of the Street Twin by now. I'm still happy with the Speed Twin. I would have almost certainly wanted an upgrade on the Interceptor.
So I dunno, on paper and price , the yes Interceptor, Street Twin to Speed Twin don't look like competitors, but I was only going to buy one bike, and they were all on my list. Maybe this was because I was a newbie on big bikes, and really didn't have a clue what I wanted !
It is a bit risky to build up hype around a product and then take a long time to launch it. Granted that these last few years have been turbulent for many industries but if they had kept a bit more of a secret about it and only drummed up the hype when the bikes were ready to roll out to buyers they would have made a splash. And spent some more on something spectacular in marketing, like having it (the bike) first appear in a movie or something. They have the cash for it, the mother company is absolutely loaded. As it is now they will get off to a slow start in sales and will have a very hard time trying to catch up. And RE is doing most of everything right for the moment, with a range of products that have already proved that they are good enough for our western markets. So you are propably right, this Goldstar will not be an immediate success.
Good points, Robert. Thanks :)
Hi R.M. You gave a very good structured point of view with regards to whether the Gold Star will be a fail or success due to the current economic climate. I love the look of the bike and have heard good reviews from various m/c press testers. I had a few Japanese bikes in the 1980s but after a crash I haven't ridden a bike for over 35 years! Now at the age of 61 I have just bought a Royal Enfield 350 classic. I have gone back to the basics of bike riding and I find the 350 single an absolute delight to ride. I think the BSA Gold Star with its 650 single will also be a fun bike to ride with the right amount of power for normal fun riding. I hope the BSA will be priced right and similar to the R.E. Japanese and European bikes etc are so expensive now. Bikes used to be reasonably priced in the 1980s. Hopefully BSA will get their pricing and marketing right and it will be an affordable successful bike.
I think you hit the nail on the head, Carlton: the Gold Star is just too expensive. £1000 less and they'd be on to a winner, but the RE Classic makes more sense to me. Ride safe :)
Fair comments and valid points on its overpricing and sub standard "important" bits, plus the Interceptor has better stance and looks. Put these two boys side by side in a car park with a price tag and see where it goes !
Thanks for your feedback
The original Goldie was aspirational... "Ooo a Goldie!" this bike isn't, it's too low spec and mild as well as being too dear. No pep, farkles or lust. Might as well get a C90. 👍🤨
My thoughts exactly🙁
c90s a better bike,at least it was honest and real@@RocketMan_Moto
Well, OK, you have an opinion on this. I've got to say that I'm a little way off that. I have a meteor which I love and I'll probably keep for some time. At some point, I'd like something with a bit more pep, but without going steeply up the complexity curve (and without going massively up on weight). For me, the thing I am really hooked into, is a simple single. The BSA comes water cooled which was a bit of a shock. But, I'll wait and see. I did ride the Interceptor, and thought it was nice, but the meteor just put a smile on my face. I know it is cheaper, but that was not the over-riding thing. I'll still try the 650 version of the Meteor when it arrives, but I'll certainly try a BSA as it's a single. I do look forward to seeing which one sparks the interest. Thanks as always for the vids, it's always good to have varying opinions 🙂
I would much prefer the Meteor over this. I almost went for the Scrambler 411 when it came out :)
It might be worth buying one as an investment. When they go out of business due to low sales it will become a collector's item.
Lol, that's one way of looking at it $$$ :)
Will the new bsa gold star come to australia?
Eventually... probably, but it isn't even widely available in continental Europe yet :(
From my perspective, the BSA just looks 'old', but the Interceptor/Street Twin etc look 'modern heritage', which is more appealing. Besides, if i were in a market for such a bike (and i may, in the future), i would look for a well estabilished brand with a large dealer network. If you want something unproven, with no dealers, just go chinese and pay less.
Like you, I prefer the modern heritage look
In Ireland I've only ever seen one out in the open and that was turning into the BSA dealer as i was passing
Two years on from this video, I am still yet to see one on the road anywhere😐
Now, there's a sound modern traffic sorely misses - the blatant wail of a Morris 1000 tailpipe, mournfully trumpeting it's whole way down a long incline, then merrily 'parping' it's way up through the gears after a typical, five inch crossply shredding, 'Blue-rinse' getaway from the lights. So, if the new BSA also 'Trumpets' on the over-run, Triumph may not be pleased : )
Haha, oh yes, those cross plys... :)
Interesting review. have you considered 2023 Royal Enfield & Triumph prices; I haven't seen they yet.
I am more concerned by the fact that no customers have yet received their BSA.
Hi Rocketman, I was one of those who commented on the first video. I also had my name down for a Highland green but swiftly changed my mind for many of the reasons you succinctly outlined in this video. I am a RE fan and really wanted to love the BSA too but its too expensive and the Interceptor is too strong. From my place in the queue I estimated that around 50 bikes have been pre ordered of all colours. I think sales won't be great after that initial hit, the market is too competitive now as you say RE underneath with top value and well made bikes, hit seller after hit seller and then above you have Triumph who cannot be bested by BSA on quality performance or heritage. The Goldstar is awkwardly stuck in the middle. If I bought one, everytime I saw the Interceptor I'd feel like I'd made a mistake 😕. Enjoyed the video thank you 😊
Thanks for your input. Interesting you changed your mind. I too was enthusiastic at the beginning, but I just don't think it's going to work. Unless it's absolutely fabulous to ride, but I fear it won't be...
I believe another 300 otr and no centre stand like interceptor and 350classic. So another 200 at a guess for stand?
It's just too expensive
I agree with everything you said, it looks ok but expensive compared to the interceptor, I think the delay in getting it to the market will hit sales very hard. You can get a really nice used triumph street twin for £6k
Exactly
Another great video - thanks. I test rode a BSA Goldstar 650 a few weeks ago and was disappointed. It was OK, I suppose, but the overall feel was a bit cheap, plasticky and superficial. The chrome tank sides look so great in promotion photos and vids, but up close, not so good at all. Nowhere near the deep chrome finish seen on original BSAs. The ride was .... meh. I'd recently sold a T140E and that always put a smile on my face. I was hoping the pull from this big single would do the same. It did not. It was just OK. I really wanted to like it, but won't be buying. In the same showroom was a new Royal Enfield Super Meteor. Now then, that looked like a well made and nicely finished bike! Maybe if you're cruising, the lack of power is OK? The dealer said they'll have a test ride machine ready in May, so I'm waiting for a sunny day sometime soon to go give it a try.
Thanks for your feedback, John. I tried the Super Meteor a couple of weeks ago and was quite surprised by how much I liked it (for a RE): th-cam.com/video/UQNv7Q6kQUs/w-d-xo.html
I haven't had chance to try the BSA yet, but then neither has anyone else; deliveries are still way behind schedule :(
This hasn't aged well. MCN have named the BSA Gold Star their "Best Retro bike of the year" in 2023
I conducted a poll only last week among my subscribers, and 80% said they’d never seen a Goldstar in person. I stand by what I said a year ago - this is set to be a massive flop
@@RocketMan_Moto I think your probably still accurate here, until the price comes down a little it's strong money for the GS...
How many punters are there who remember what a Gold star was ? I suppose that the marketing team has worked out all these issues. Agree about the shocks but these can be uprated aftermarket (rears easily).
Thanks for your input👍😊
Here in the states we don't dig single cylinder low power bikes and couldn't care less about British heratige!
Thanks for your feedback
A complete sales disaster in the UK infact im yet to see one on the road, now being heavily discounted for those daft enough to want one.
Same here - 2 years on from making this video, I have still to see a BSA in the flesh. Unfortunately🙁
Yes, I'm inclined to agree. Also, have you seen Uncle Longbeard's initial thoughts?
I’ll check him out. Thanks😊
Very well presented and you make a lot of sense. I live in Ontario Canada and bought a new Continental GT which I loved BUT the R.E dealer network is typically awful. I think you are dead right regarding a dealer network being so important to their success. I love the bike from what I see but absolutely agree pricing competitively is key. Full marks to BSA for bringing it to market! And full marks to you for your first class presentation skills😊
Thanks for your kind words of encouragement😊
I went to take a look at it at a dealers, was it as good as the biking press would have you believe? Well the radiator looks like NOS 1960s Ford Anglia. The welding on the frame is dreadful, I could do better myself with damp rods. But the crowning glory is the red BSA logo on the timing chest and chain case. It's a plastic sticker! That's going to stand up well to British winter and the heating and cooling of an engine. You are not telling me that in Austria where the Rotax engines are made there isn't a contactor that could etch the BSA logo onto the cases?
Oh dear. I’ve had other comments like yours, Tony: people who have seen the bike at dealers and come away very disappointed. This does not bode well🙁
I see one thing that would be a HARD no for me. Who decided to have the instruments the way they are? At 2:35, on the mockup, you see that both the speedometer and the tachometer are "upside down". They start reading at 1:30 on the clock, then have their maximum at 10:30, so at cruising speed the speedo is aiming at your crotch. Really? Redline, instead of pointing off to the right, will point into center of the instrument cluster. Completely counter-intuitive.
This is not new thinking, I've seen it done before, but there's probably a really good reason I have not seen it since - it's terrible ergonomic design!
Maybe this was just the graphic designer trying to be "different" - I hope so! - but for literally centuries, analog gauges have almost all started reading at the lower left, and increased clockwise to read maximum at the lower right. Changing this literally centuries-old convention is an invitation to disaster. It will make the driver have to constantly concentrate on remembering that his gauges work "backwards", and this will increase rider fatigue. Not so much in a conscious manner, but in that insidious "why am I so mentally exhausted after I ride this bike" way.
I think they were just trying to be different, as you say
I have to agree, I've always wanted a big single, and when announced it was perceived this would be a £6k bike, I register my interest and like many to date have never heard a thing, now its finally here my excitement has ebbed and for £7k as you point out, for little more money there are better bikes, they have hinted at a scrambler version next year but I'm not holding my breath.
And 8 months on from when I made this video, bikes are only just beginning to be delivered :(
Rocketman - New subscriber here. I'm old enough that the retro bikes being offered have real appeal to me. But I live in the US and have become accustomed to bikes with more than adequate power to handle the roads here. As attractive as the styling and low prices of RE and now BSA are I doubt that I'd be satisfied with the relatively low power. I currently own a 2019 Kaw Z900RS that I bought like new from a private owner last year. I've owned many bikes including several BMWs which I've liked but have been extremely impressed with this RS. The styling, fit and finish, power, suspension, and brakes are really superb. I honestly doubt that the new SE version is much better. The Speed Twin is another bike that I may end up owning - it ticks off the boxes for me as it does for you. Regarding this BSA, before watching this video my conclusion was exactly the same - it should cost less than the Interceptor, not more.
Thanks for the feedback and the sub :) I completely agree about the Z900RS - it's a bike I've been trying to test ride for months, but the only dealer down here in southern Portugal can't get a demonstrator. I actually prefer how it looks over the Speed Twin, so I would love to see how it rides. If you ever stop by the Algarve...? ;)
@@RocketMan_Moto You have a few options. You can fly over here and I'll put you up for a few days and we can ride the roads of southern Ohio. Or you can locate a local rider willing to loan you his for a review. Or, just buy one for yourself and sell it a few months later if it isn't your cup of tea. You should be comfortable with the third option judging from the volume of bikes that have passed through your hands in your videos :^)
I’m very conscious of the need not to be negative, but I think that the people you spoke to were right; give it a few weeks’ ownership and the appeal of this bike will wane very quickly once the novetly of the Goldstar-ish styling wears thin, especially with it being much more closely related to the Rotax engined BMW F650, of many years ago, than any historic BSA.
Once that has happened, we’ll be left with a 650 single plodder, with some cheaply finished bits and a feeling that, at this price, a lightly used Street Twin could have been within reach - and they’ll be a dealer network and known used values for that.
The badge is nice though!
I agree… and I want one of those badges😊
Fair point. Like most, my initial amazement at the look of the bike from a distance was spoilt by that ugly radiator & the fat exhaust pipe. And I'm not a single cylinder fan either. Back in the day, if something failed on one cylinder of a twin or multi-cylinder bike, you still had the other cylinder(s) to get you home. No, I'll stick with my Interceptor, which is a great bike for the money - plus it has a lineage that BSA (and Triumph) don't.
I think they have slimmed down the exhaust for the production bikes
I think this is a fair and balanced video on this new machine. I would dispute that Triumph will move much back to the UK, it’s just a marketing rouse. Let them put their money where their mouth is. Time will tell. Yamaha Tracer and Triumph exhaust headers last about 12 months before they are a rusty mess, if used all year round.
Not sure Triumph would dare announce a return to the UK and then not go through with it, but you could be right, especially with the cost of energy in the UK now :(
@@RocketMan_Moto Whilst I agree with your points about the BSA I feel that Triumph have been playing up "their heritage" for some years now whilst quietly moving most production to Thailand. I remember attending the NEC motorcycle show when the new Triumph was launched. They went to great lengths to distance themselves from what had gone before. I've watched Triumph closely over the years and have come close on a few occasions to actually purchase one but never have. I do acknowledge that parts are manufactured all over the world and where the bike is assembled is not relevant but to me playing up the Britishness with all the union jack symbols with a machine at a premium price does go down with me. Premium BMWs are made in Germany, Ducati, Moto guzzi and Vespa made in Italy. If BSA had achieved a price closer to RE and set up a dealer network then I think it stood a chance even if it was still made in India. There is still money around just look at the shortage of new japanese bikes with my local dealers waiting months to fulfil customer orders. Two of my local dealers have ditched Honda and Yamaha respectively due to insufficient new bikes coming through and both have turned to Royal Enfield as they have stocks of new bikes ready to go.
Good points, Dave. I agree re. Triumph milking it... but I still like what they make :)
@@RocketMan_Moto I would feel differently if their premium models like the Speed Twin 1200 were assembled in Hinckley. Hinckley from what I've heard is where the R&D is done so basically the same as RE with its UK facility. I wonder how the production and wage bill costs differ between Thailand and India. I wait with interest to see if the new baby Triumph that is built by Bajaj in India is released in the UK/Europe and if so at what price point compared to both RE and BSA.
Greetings from "across the Pond".
Maybe it's just me, but if I'm going to buy a bike with a 650 cc engine, then I would prefer a parallel-twin configuration over a "thumper", unless BSA has pulled a proverbial rabbit out of the hat to balance a one-cylinder engine to make the bike suitable for any sort of distance riding (50 to 100 miles).
Agreed. Thanks for your feedback :)
I can tell just by looking at photos and videos that the various parts on the BSA look beefier and better quality than the RE (I am an owner of a GT 650), so perhaps they invested more that way in hopes to grab the crowd that are not impressed enough by the RE twins. However, it just doesn't scream "great buy" or "selling point" enough when it's just on the web, and it may be the web and commenters like YOU who kill the bike. We shall see. These days, it's all about making the headlines and RE did it with their cheap & cheerful quality that is juuuuuuuuust enough to get past the line.
Agreed. Thanks for your feedback :)
I agree! Nice bike to look at. Comfortable to sit on. Over-priced against the RE 650 Int. Defo built down to a price-point. A demonstrator is due at a local showroom in the next few weeks apparently. I’ll test both the RE & the Gold Star but the price will likely win. 🤷🏻♂️
I agree the pricing is critical. Thanks for your feedback :)
Tack!
No idea what that means
@@RocketMan_Moto bucuse I'm Swedish. It auto answers in our Language apparently, it means thank you :D
Ah ok, sorry. And 'tack' for the donation :) Really very kind of you. I will soon be making a card which lists all my donators for the end of my videos. Ride safe :)
I grew up riding BSAs starting in '69, a Bantam followed by a Starfire, a Spitfire then a Lightning. Personally I'm glad to see the BSA name back. Sure, it's not a "proper BSA", it is what it is but I like it and would seriously consider buying one.
Stuart Fillingham seems to like his, but the recent £1k price cut is concerning
Personally, I think the 650cc descision was a mistake. The original had 500cc and under option, which is really an under valued market right now.
Look at the Suzuki TU250, or even a modern Yamaha SR400, simple and desirable. They wont be 100kph touring machines, but they dont need to be.
True enough and they could have given it better components with the money saved
Love my 1978 SR500
It will sit on 110ks all day no problem
I agree RocketMan allot of these retro bikes get way over hyped and when you finally get to see them in person its a let down, either the shocks look and are cheap or the turn signals and clocks look like a throw back to a 19600 Suzuki.Its always a disappointment for the asking price. And the other thing here in the States we are power junkies. So why does the Goldstar for the home market offer almost double the horse power then the export model ?
My thoughts precisely, Leonard. Such a shame :(
New Gold Star: an overweight underpowered barge featuring inadequate suspension, designed and spec'ed by marketers. It shares only its name with the wonderful DBD 34.
Do you think people will buy it?
@@RocketMan_Moto Hi Rocket! I think there's a chance that the BSA will sell, given that weight and good handling are no longer significant. Why? Because for example the winding country roads of northern New England or the hedge lined lanes of Kent or Devon have been turned into boring, empty straight lines. The roads of my youth were a test of a rider's skill, and the rider depended on the handling, braking, and roadholding of his bike. In a world of straight roads punctuated by suburban stoplights there will be no tests for this boring BSA. Thus, it may gain some acceptance.
I'm inclined to agree..as a previous owner of a meteor which I have to say was superb despite its meagre displacement and when you realise that the bike was costing me barely more than my car insurance monthly, it was a no-brainer.Unfortunately I could never get long distance comfy on it and now own a Ducati Scrambler which is marginally more expensive than the BSA but dripping in Brembo brakes, quality suspension and premium parts..I think the pseudo-british-link is a little tenuous to be taken seriously and I think the bike is 1000 too expensive to compete and will be a niche market of wealthy multiple Bike owners who do 1500 miles a year..Shame!
Thanks for your feedback :)
I have to say I am quite impressed with the build quality and the ability to hit a price point with Indian built motorcycles and Scooters. The Royal Enfields are an incredible Bike for the money. I have only looked at the different models at my local dealer and have never ridden one. I anticipate the BSA will be the same quality for more money but if it doesn’t sell they will discount the price to move them off the floor. LML(Indian Manu) was licensed to manufacture the PX model Vespa 125cc and 150cc scooters for several years, they lost the license in 2000 and kept importing them under the Stella name. A good scooter and every bit as good as a Vespa PX and it has a reed valve engine instead of the traditional rotary valve Vespa design. Thanks for making this video, I myself am excited to see these bikes from BSA.
Good points, thanks for your feedback :)
Just prior to Mahindra buying the name I was asked if I would do a concept BSA Gold Star design for BSA. I did so and had less than a week to do it. I said I would but with respect to the original I wanted to slightly modernise it as if it was the Grandson of the original, I don't believe you can recreate history as times and regulations will not allow. I tried to keep the spirit of the original but the engine had to be more modern, faster and usable, in the little time I had I think I did well, and all liked it (I called it the BSA Gold Star "GUARDSMAN"). Then Mahindra took over and wouldn't listen to BSA or me and eventually despite trying did their own way. I don't believe and never have they want to make BSA in the UK, as an Indian concern they made it plain it would remain so. The engine I believe was developed by Austrian Engineering university and frankly sounds awful and rattly, the sound is uninspiring with no real visual soul or appeal. No, not sour grapes but disappointment the BSA name went down the route it has, it could and should have been better. I did a lot of new BSA designs and am not saying I am all right, but I will say I got more right than the new one has. But you tell me www.coroflot.com/Leett/BSA-Gold-Star-GUARDSMAN
Wow😀 Very interesting feedback. Thanks👍😊
Regrettably I was somewhat underwhelmed by your concept Guardsman - although you are obviously very talented. Whilst not particularly impressed with the Gold Star reincarnation I find it much less ostentatious than the Guardsman. My suspicion is that once the sales plateau (which doesn't mean low sales) Mahindra will then commence offering many & varied 'upgrades' a second front anchor being potentially (given the present single anchor's bad press) one of the first options available being retro fitted or as standard on the later models. Likewise the suspension units, personally I deplore the exposed spring fashion & enclosed units would also be available etc.