You're right about the "deal with it" aspect of this bike. At least it exists. I do wish the exhaust pipe was more swept back like the original, but I'll "deal with it". Hoping it comes to America before gasoline is more illegal than heroin.
I really like it. I can't wait to test ride it and would certainly add it to my stable. BSA have got to move with the times and be conpliant with all the current restrictions but overall I think they've done a good job.
Who'd have believed it, Triumph, BSA and Royal Enfield all fighting for showroom sales!!? Personally the radiator doesn't worry me, to me it gives the bike even more quirkiness and really does have a between the wars/post war era feel where, mostly sidecar outfits, had Austin car engines fitted as standard. Love it
I like it. It looks like they went all in on it. If it rides half as good as it looks it will be a winner. This thing was used by a legendary generation. The whole story and history is appealing.
I love it! It’s brilliant to see BSA back! I must say tho are be surprised if it’s sells for about £5k+ especially if it’s being built over here? Unless they do what hereld bikes do assemble them over here after it’s been sent from china? RE is cheap because it’s built in India ie cheap labour! If it’s priced at between £5-6k I would definitely get one! As it’s stunning! Look forward to your future vids for the REs & Norton & test ride on the Gold star! Great video
I am glad to see it. With RE going global and BSA and Norton being revived, it is a great time to be a lover of motorcycles. Looks comfortable and build quality looks in line with RE. I think they will be competitive if the pricing is right.
I bought the Interceptor two years ago and am satisfied. I am curious which dealer in the far north of Germany (where I live) will take over the distribution and will definitely do a test ride! Maybe it will replace my Interceptor? I think it's a pity that the BSA is water-cooled. The Interceptor has a clear advantage here! Both motorbikes, like all retro motorbikes, can never achieve the great riding feeling of old British Twins and Singles. Nevertheless, I think it's great that they exist and the "Indian" Royal Enfields and BSAs still come closest to the classic British motorbikes.
When I was ten years old a nice fellow saw me drooling over his BSA Gold Star motorcycle in front of the neighborhood candy and sundries shop called "Bill and Dorothy's." He sat me on the bike and that moment led to a 50 year love affair with motorcycles. This motorcycle, has been re-born and my heart sings.
During the late 60s I owned three BSAs the last being a Rocket 3 so, yes, this new BSA looks very interesting and would be an excellent stablemate to my "modern retro" Triumph Bonneville! I can't wait to see the ridden reviews of this new bike and an established dealer network.
Nice review. The points you mentioned regarding the exhaust and just general level of fit and finish, especially the cabling I have to agree with. I sat on the BSA and RE interceptor, back to back and actually felt the BSA was more comfortable. Will be nice to see the production models when they are released.
@@bobbyblueace I think the worst thing about the RE is its seating position and the seats themselves feel like planks! The BSA also looks like it would be better for pillions too.
One of the better introductions to the all new BSA Gold Star. I live in India and a child of the 70's; also huge fan of British bikes from the era. I've been riding Royal Enfields since 1982 and it is good to see the revival of these iconic British brands. Tata's did a magnificent job with Land Rover Jaguar and hopefully Mahindras and TVS will do the same with BSA and Norton respectively. Mahindra's have done a splendid job on the design front with the Gold Star. It is early days to be commenting on the quality and finish as these are pre-production bikes. There is scope in improving on the radiator, which going my images available, seems large and a bit crude. The plumbing work around the radiator is a bit of an eyesore. The ground clearance looks low (similar to the Harleys). Not ideal for India's potholed roads and speed-breakers which do not conform to standards. Apart from the British heritage this bike is very different from the RE Interceptor. The specs on paper suggest that they are almost evenly matched but it its how the bike rides that matters. The BSA looks to be a more practical bike for daily commuting within the city, though I wish they could shave off around 10 kgs. With the adventure touring segment growing quite rapidly there is a need for a torquey, reliable, low maintenance bike and the BSA could fill that requirement. Having said that, the lack of a 6th gear may be felt when touring. Pricing will be critical which is why RE have opted to produce their bikes in India and Triumph is made in Thailand. The Bajaj-Triumph alliance to manufacture a 500 cc twin is shrouded in secrecy but one can expect aggressive pricing. I think BSA have been clever in opting for a single cylinder and this will certainly reflect in the pricing which will be critical to its success. The top variant Interceptor is priced at INR 300,000 (UKL 3000) in India so I am guessing that the Gold Star will be priced anywhere between INR 260,000-280,000. I look forward to your full review once you've done a test ride.
Thanks for the video,I am of an age that remembers a rich mate of mine who bought a new one in the 60s.Cost £350.00. I will certainly take a test ride,thanks again.
Watch your vidéo from France and i must say i love this bike ! I'm a H-D owner and i like all those vintage bikes , nice too see BSA on the roads again .
I'm one of the old school; I've been riding BSAs on & off since 1969. Even back then most of the people who really wanted a Goldie had never actually ridden one. I was one of those until I did ride one that a mate of mine owned. It was not a practical motorcycle (i.e. transport). It could be a pig to start & the gearbox was simply awful until you got out on then open road, where it was really good. Around town it was a swine to ride as it had a habit of stopping when you did & did not tick over well at all; also, around town it overheated like mad unless you retarded the ignition, which killed the performance & made it very stodgy. All of this is totally understandable as it was a simply a clubman racer that was road legal so you could ride it to the meet if you couldn't afford a van. My guess is that the new Gold Star is a much more civilised machine that starts, stops & handles well and is happy tootling around town, but is really good fun when you open it up on empty, windy roads in the country (if you can find some). I can't wait to get a test ride though I think I will have to join a long queue. My opinion at this point is that it looks the business & if it goes as well as it looks the new BSA Co. is on to a winner & I will probably buy one. Yes, it's a pity about the radiator, but if it means I can get a Goldie that is civilised as well as gorgeous, than that's good enough.
Great to hear about your experiences on the original. Hopefully the new one keeps the good bits of the "character" but with more modern practicalities. The romantic in me loves the idea of owning an original, but it sounds like a bit of a nightmare in reality.
@@WildlifeMoto Riding one of the originals was great fun & I will always remember the experience, but was a bike you really had to work with & it was not happy around town.
@Trevor Wood The GP carb was great for grabbing huge handfuls of throttle & they did not have as bad flat spots as other, tamer Amals, but they really only had one aim in life, to get as much petrol into the cylinder as possible until the valves started bouncing or the engine blew.
Riding one of the originals was great fun & I will always remember the experience, but was a bike you really had to work with & it was not happy around town. The GP carb was great for grabbing huge handfuls of throttle & they did not have as bad flat spots as other, tamer Amals, but they really only had one aim in life, to get as much petrol into the cylinder as possible until the valves started bouncing or the engine blew.
Let’s hope that the production ones are as good as the show models! The quality of the engine and cycle parts impressed me ! A great deal of work and thought must have gone into this. Even if it’s not British manufactured, I wish them success.
My Dad was a BSA rider in the 60s and I spent a lot of time on the back of his 1963 650 twin. It was a retired flat tracker that had been flogged pretty hard. He had to tinker with it a lot and it was only happy when you were in the throttle. When the bearings in the magneto gave up around 1974 he couldn't find a replacement. He took the engine and gear box out and put in a small Honda twin engine. That's been nearly fifty years and he still has it and rides.
Not only cost to purchase but Dealer network, serviceability, reliability, modest cost of OEM accessories, handling and all the other aspects that make the Interceptor 650 such a gem. BSA will have their work cut out for competing with RE. The radiator is what it is but at least the cap is easily accessible rather than tucked under the tank which is a pain. Double overhead camshafts? What's valve lash adjustment going to be like? Certainly interesting. Exciting to see a renewed emphasis on the Classic British design themes. With Norton nearly back in the game that covers the British Big 4 nicely!
The Interceptor 650 doesn't replicate any vintage bike. It's a modern concoction. The Triumph twins are better representative of bikes of yore. I speak from experience, having owned Hornet 650 and Starfire 250. If you want a bike just to look at, buy any bike that strikes your fancy. But if you want to ride with pleasure, spend more, to get more.
The 500cc in Royal Enfield Bullet was discontinued because they sell so many 350s in India because of the price of fuel and a 350 is so much easier to kick over then a 500 single my 250 BSA singles are a lot easier to kick over that my 441 vector and they produce like a million bikes a year
@@frankmarkovcijr5459 My 250 Starfire was the most beautiful bike I ever owned, but my Hornet 650 was more practical. I weighed only 112 lbs at that time. I once rode the250 Starfire from northern Indiana to Sudbury Ontario and back. I did the return trip in one day, and at the end, my drive chain was really stretched. Today I ride 765RS, best bike I've ever owned, which includes 950 Supersport desmo. I've a soft spot for British bikes.
Many thanks for the superb video. Having ordered - and put a deposit down on - an Interceptor (for me to pick up in April `22), I'm quite relieved that I haven't really yet fallen in love with this Beezer. However, I won't discount a possible purchase of this bike as a stablemate to the Enfiend IF reports filter in of the Goldie being a superb machine. My heart is in large, thumpy singles (being an ex-speedway novice rider). Thanks again!
Looks like a winner, I hope it lives up to the hype. I had to smile at the drip trays under the older bikes. My Venom never needed a drip tray, just electric start. Looking forward to your comments after you have ridden one.
I love it. I bought a BSA Golden Flash A10 in 1979 in Canberra (Aus) when I was 31. Rode it 0.5 km and it siezed. Broken con rod. Pulled it apart, high-crown pistons had been fitted - poor thing. Began to restore then moved to Western Australia. My Dad continued restoration and brought bike over when he moved here in 1992. I got it running and looking good but kept trying to fix things that weren't right. Still in the shed, incomplete. I always hoped they would come back. Now they have, I will get one as soon as they become available in Australia. Might keep the Triumph Sprint too for a while longer. Looking forward to a BSA e-bike. Bill James
I'm glad to see BSA back in the fray. It looks very nice in a nostalgic sort of way. I was hoping for a twin cylinder at that engine size as I don't believe a big single is all that appealing in this day and age. I'm sure it would be fun to ride if it is really light weight. As far as future electric motorcycles are concerned I say "Just say NO!'
This is great news! I got to look at a 1950's Gold Star at Barber Museum and they are just beautiful to behold and I remember just believing something like that would be unobtainable... Fast forward to today and WOW! OK! Now it looks like I can land one of these in the future when they arrive on the US Shores. I run a 2000 speed triple which ticks most motorcycling boxes for me, but I was thinking of a smaller classic runabout for around town and was thinking Vespa 300, a Yamaha SR400, but that just went right out the window today. I will get a BSA when they arrive.
BSA is a serious company that is going places, they know the market they are aiming at and what their customer like, I have been looking at them for 5 years and they are getting better and better.
I saw them on Sunday and they do look the part. Talking to other manufacturers there are quite a few bikes that are no more in thanks to Euro 5, so quite an achievement to get this into production. I know there are a few things that aren’t quite right but Overall a nice looking bike. Will be interesting to see how it compares the the Interceptor and the probably much more expensive Bonny.
My buddy Ian from the Full Moon Lone Riders sent me a couple pics of the new Gold Star; glad I came across this vid as well! Yaaaay, it still looks like a proper Gold Star!
Great video , I feel they need a impeccable dealer network and not just any Tom DIck and H , IMHO service will be the key , looking forward to your test ride 😀 must admit I would have one 👍 some one will make a better radiator
Really enjoyed this presentation, thank you. Cant wait to put one in my garage. Wonder if there'll be a Catalina version? Hope so! The aftermarket potential for this machine will be huge!
Yes, if the originals didn't leak oil, they hadn't got any in. Maybe BSA could do the oil leak as an optional extra? I am in love with it though and i am going to put my name on a grey and silver one ASAP. Well done to the BSA team. MAGNIFICENT!
I am certainly interested in finding out more on the BSA Goldstar and direction forward in the company with building in the UK will be interesting with profits to the company and .....will they follow the BSA hertiage completely with some quality issues? he he, I love classic retro bikes and have a Triumph Bonnie so certainly looking forward to seeing in person and who gets to market it in Australia?
Hi, the spokesperson said their engine development team is based in Austria so, presumably, Rotax. That would explain why they’ve gone with a right hand sprocket. Bonnevilles and Harley sportsters are also that way round.
It doesn’t matter at all but the question was asked in the video. Some of the complainers don’t even seem to realise that lots of bikes are like that. My old CZ was that way round.
I don't know. I like my 750 Honda Nighthawk, and can not see myself trading it in for this. Just a thought. How many motorcycle manufactures can the present market support ? Good video on the BSA and its company history.
Are there any videos out there where one can hear the single cylinder engine of the BSA Gold Star?...I've always been a fan of British bikes and it's exciting to see BSA re-enter the market along with RE's new offerings. I didn't know Norton was also being rebooted, but will keep my eye out. Great review and insight.
So glad the preproduction bikes have been well received, by and large. The radiator seems to be the main turning point. Couldn't make it to the NEC but hoping to see and ride one in the Spring. One may end up in the shed beside a 40s single and a 60s twin from the Small Heath factory. A Triumph will need to go though if I like it enough to order one.
It's ironic the British Motorcycle Industry going down the pan and now the Indians are bringing back the iconic BSA. I have an Interceptor and love the styling like the Gold Star, but can't stop wondering about "What if"
I have an RE Meteor which I absolutely love, but when I watched your video my jaw dropped. It is a beautiful machine. I'll be taking a test drive when possible. I was in Australia a couple of years ago wearing a BSA T-shirt and this craggy old Aussie walking towards me uttered Bloody Sore Arse. Hilarious! Btw If WM lost the beard and flattened his hair down he'd be a dead ringer for David Cameron! Just sayin...
The Mahindra group is very capable and iconic indian motor company and have all the capacity to revive a brand like bsa which has also been a very popular brand in india in the 90's and are going to do what the Tatas did with jaguar land rover so there is no question of their credentials and as a matter of fact they are also going to create a sports car company for pinafrina that was only designing cars for all the other major brands like ferrari and alfa romeo till recently.
Absolutely Yes. Providing Mahindra have done a top job with the build quality for the money and vibration (twin balancing shafts is a good feature), I’d love to get one. RE have shown Indian manufacturers can produce good quality products that are well priced and economical to run/own. I wonder if an engineer/motorcycle machine shop could convert one to a petrol/carburettor
@@daveinwla6360 Take a 500 bullet for a test ride. You want a taste of retro vibration. I went for a test ride on a Harley Sportster in the mid 70s and didn’t get very far. I couldn’t handle the vibes on that one, especially once I hit the freeway.
@@MrAndrew1953 - I can do without retro vibes! I loved my Norton Commando because of the Featherbed frame and its lack of annoying vibration. But when electric bikes become common, I expect there to be an after-market for devices that make "retro" exhaust noises and "retro" combustion vibes.
@@MrAndrew1953 - I had a Dunstall Commando for 4 years (but with LOTS of down time for modifications), and I never had to change the rubber spacers. I doubt whether the Featherbed frame would be acceptable for today's high performance bikes, though. The racers substituted hard mounts and added a bracket between the engine head and the frame (called a "head steady") to reduce the frame flex and the engine movement. But even with the Featherbed frame, there was some vibration in the clip-on bars, but I isolated that with ribbed handle bar grips adapted from a Yamaha dirt bike.
02:01 , the metal plate below the motorcycle ... Is it the "little extra" offered with the bike to make it truly authentic and because they have included in the price a "vintage oil leak"? Nice review 👍
my feeling is it will more expensive than enfield intercepter as it has more expensive parts. love the chrome mudguards in that traditional look …i hand to spend so much on my interceptor to replace plastic and ugly bits so this bike looks cleaner and better straight of the block.
Had a 650cc Golden Flash back in the day and it was brilliant,always wanted a Gold Star but couldn’t afford one and the original ones are now worth a fortune. I will Definitely have a look at one of these when they are released and would definitely consider buying one even though at 77 I don’t think I will ever be able to ride it but just having it in the garage would give a sense of achievement and pride,had a 650cc Royal Enfield Interceptor GT Chrome but foolishly sold it because I couldn’t ride it,wish I’d kept it now it would have looked great along side a Gold Star.
Sprocket on the wrong side is probably a result of going with the looks of the original engine. That right side engine casing having complicated design emulating the old engine cam cover means clutch has to on the left which also represents " period correct" look and thus sprocket has to be on the right. Modern triumph twins also Have similar setup I guess for similar reason. Very nice detailed video 👍🏻
If you look closely, the motor is basically the Rotax lump we all know & love from F650 BMWs. All the covers are in the same places, just different shapes, even the countershaft sprocket cover. These motors are good for around 50hp in trailbike form, so tuning them for more torque would not be difficult & would explain the claimed 45hp of the Goldie. It would also make them a barrel of fun. Based on this alone, I would buy one in a heartbeat! If only it were possible...
Yeah, I sat on them down at the NEC and I absolutely fell in love with them. They look incredible and feel really good to sit on. Yes, there are budget areas on the bike but overall it looks well put together. I can't wait to see one running. I owned a bonneville in 2001 and that had its sprocket on the same side as the goldstar. They did it just for engine cosmetics, so I assume BSA did it for the same reason.
i think they are onto a very viable market segment. Big thumpers are few and far between. Pity about liquid cooling but it is what it is. Need to know if its metal fenders because RE took a dangerous turn from norm with plastic fenders on the 650 twin. BSA has a rightful place in the retro market.
Looks nice but a few details I don’t like,as you said exhaust but also the rear light oddly tacked onto the rear mudguard . Chain on wrong side as are Triumph twins . If it’s priced right should sell well. Be interesting to see if they release a Clubman’s version with clip on bars ,rear sets and updated suspension
Nice looking bike and good review , its a 650 but the motor sort of has the look of a 350 B31 (has a fake pushrod housing ) some prices have been released , they dont appear to be that cheap . Wonder if they will do a RGS model ????
Nice vid as usual! I can definitely see myself buying one! I bet TEC bike parts (and other aftermarket parts makers) will be all over it pretty soon after release, and i have high hopes of it being pretty ironed out mods-wise by this time next year : ) However it remains to be seen if the bike is worthwhile to buy. After all there's a point where the cost and effort of modding gets prohibitive. I'm thinking of the polished gold plated turd analogy. I do have a feeling it will be around R-E standard, and so worth making it 'your own' Cheers!
Agreed! Any AMM worth their name will be devising right now ways to make parts. I can see that bike with some nice ace bars and a more swept back hugging the bike exhaust...maybe even a polished engine....pure gorgeousness
Agree with all points. I think this is going to sell very well , pursume theres going to be a long waiting list.. BUT dealer networks to sort spare parts , warranty etc etc theres still alot of work to do . Looking forward to a ride review, and someone to ride bsa and enfield back to back... alot to look forward to , intresting times at the moment....
Wish list: a 6 speed, a centerstand, a kick starter, a resonable price ($5k-ish). Other than that I'm sold! It'll replace my us.spec Royal Enfield 500 AVL.
Love the look, honest review, I love a bike with character that is not to heavy, may be tempted to get rid of my BMW R1200 for one if they up the bhp a bit.
thank you for mentioning that heinous header cover. iv'e watched about 14 reviews on this bike and everyone seems to be in denial about this flaw. curios to see if any future owners will remove this ill-fitting afterthought and chrome the actual header. otherwise, as a former BSA owner, i'm very excited to this this effort being made. def would own one. cheers.
I'm curious to see what lies beneath that header cover. TheMissendenFlyer's video revealed that it was a cover, and somewhat shows that it's not a straight pipe beneath the cover. There is a catalytic converter situated at the bottom front of the engine, and the pipe runs through it, then back out to continue to the muffler portion. Makes me wonder if it's somewhat similar to the way Triumph designed the exhaust on the Speed Twin. On that bike, with the cover removed, it's easy to see that the header is not continuous and is in fact an unsightly eyesore without the cover in place. If so, removing the cover isn't really an option as doing so reveals that it isn't just a straight header pipe there at all.... Of course, here's to hoping that someone in the aftermarket will produce a more conventional exhaust that has the right shape and look, as well as ditching the cat...
It's got a crossover gearbox, primary on opposite side to secondary, as all modern gearboxes. Harley only maker with old primary outside secondary drive.
The one thing I have not seen any one take into consideration is that water cooled bikes usually go many more miles before needing to be rebuilt,like the Honda Gold Wing back in the 70's and 80's.It was not unusual to see one with over 100,000 miles without a rebuild.I've had two BSA's (500 Royal Star and 750 Rocket 3) and loved them both dearly,but good mechanics for these bikes are hard to find.I'm slowly being won over to the new bikes.I wonder why RE and BSA didn't go with a belt drive?
Just sold my '58 very special Goldie DB34 for £22.5K, so am flush, and having just viewed this profile I think I know what is joining my '72 Commando and Matchless G3 in the garage. Looks great, I imagine the low end torque will be pretty good, ideal for our Suffolk lanes, and I am guessing it is a much more comfortable ride than the original. I agree that the exhaust pipe looks a bit naff, but the after market will take care of that. If the price is around £5K, (I think it will be over £6K), it has to be a contender for someone like myself, who just likes bikes. 64 years of biking, by the way, so no spring chicken!
The clocks are the right way, that was how the original one's were,they call it reverse sweep clocks so they go the opposite way right to left instead of left to right.
@@kevindarkstar It's a Homage bike & will appeal to people who's father's - grandfather's owned yes it will take abit to get use to.But it is a beautiful bike still & would be great to have a big single.
Is it just me who isn't a fan of brushed stainless exhausts? I was at a triumph dealer recently and there was a T100 with the stainless exhaust and a T120 with chromed steel pipes. The brushed stainless looked a poor second.
In regards to the chain drive, the engine is designed in Austria therefore it's a rotax. Rotax uses drive on that side and my guess is that the engine most likely has quite a lot in common with the bmw f650 also a rotax design 650 single with liquid cooling
Also the cylinder looks a lot like the older rotax on the MuZ also the CEO of BSA said that the bike is restricted and the f650 put out 50 so I will guess that there will be a Clubman's in the future with a little more that 50bhp
You're right about the "deal with it" aspect of this bike. At least it exists. I do wish the exhaust pipe was more swept back like the original, but I'll "deal with it". Hoping it comes to America before gasoline is more illegal than heroin.
Once the CIA start importing Gas from Columbia you will be fine :) California fuel is as expensive as the UK now!
I dont suppose we will get the CASTROL R smell like we did back in day always knew when there was a Goldie up ahead.
I really like it. I can't wait to test ride it and would certainly add it to my stable. BSA have got to move with the times and be conpliant with all the current restrictions but overall I think they've done a good job.
Who'd have believed it, Triumph, BSA and Royal Enfield all fighting for showroom sales!!?
Personally the radiator doesn't worry me, to me it gives the bike even more quirkiness and really does have a between the wars/post war era feel where, mostly sidecar outfits, had Austin car engines fitted as standard.
Love it
I like it. It looks like they went all in on it. If it rides half as good as it looks it will be a winner. This thing was used by a legendary generation. The whole story and history is appealing.
I love it! It’s brilliant to see BSA back! I must say tho are be surprised if it’s sells for about £5k+ especially if it’s being built over here? Unless they do what hereld bikes do assemble them over here after it’s been sent from china? RE is cheap because it’s built in India ie cheap labour! If it’s priced at between £5-6k I would definitely get one! As it’s stunning! Look forward to your future vids for the REs & Norton & test ride on the Gold star!
Great video
Wonderful to see this. Recalls my wonderful experience of riding my 1967 Triumph Daytona along with my brother in law who rode a 650 BSA
I am glad to see it. With RE going global and BSA and Norton being revived, it is a great time to be a lover of motorcycles. Looks comfortable and build quality looks in line with RE. I think they will be competitive if the pricing is right.
What about latest idea"s from BJs parliament with the BMF help ban all petrol vehicles so waste of money to buy any vehicle not electric
I bought the Interceptor two years ago and am satisfied.
I am curious which dealer in the far north of Germany (where I live) will take over the distribution and will definitely do a test ride!
Maybe it will replace my Interceptor?
I think it's a pity that the BSA is water-cooled. The Interceptor has a clear advantage here!
Both motorbikes, like all retro motorbikes, can never achieve the great riding feeling of old British Twins and Singles.
Nevertheless, I think it's great that they exist and the "Indian" Royal Enfields and BSAs still come closest to the classic British motorbikes.
BSA is also owned by Indian company Mahindra and and Norton is owned by Indian company TVS
Really I thought PSA storage for bastard stopped again
When I was ten years old a nice fellow saw me drooling over his BSA Gold Star motorcycle in front of the neighborhood candy and sundries shop called "Bill and Dorothy's." He sat me on the bike and that moment led to a 50 year love affair with motorcycles. This motorcycle, has been re-born and my heart sings.
During the late 60s I owned three BSAs the last being a Rocket 3 so, yes, this new BSA looks very interesting and would be an excellent stablemate to my "modern retro" Triumph Bonneville! I can't wait to see the ridden reviews of this new bike and an established dealer network.
Always loved BSA's all of them from the bantam to the rocket. So nice to see it back
Amazing looking bike. I'd buy one in a heartbeat. They need to export them to Australia though... I sincerely hope we don't be left out again.
Nice review. The points you mentioned regarding the exhaust and just general level of fit and finish, especially the cabling I have to agree with. I sat on the BSA and RE interceptor, back to back and actually felt the BSA was more comfortable. Will be nice to see the production models when they are released.
Yes, I sat on both back to back too and I think the BSA was FAR more comfortable and, because I'm short, a lot easier to get my feet down too.
@@robbikebob I'm 6'2" and the BSA was also more comfortable for me than either of the RE 650's.
@@bobbyblueace I think the worst thing about the RE is its seating position and the seats themselves feel like planks! The BSA also looks like it would be better for pillions too.
One of the better introductions to the all new BSA Gold Star.
I live in India and a child of the 70's; also huge fan of British bikes from the era. I've been riding Royal Enfields since 1982 and it is good to see the revival of these iconic British brands. Tata's did a magnificent job with Land Rover Jaguar and hopefully Mahindras and TVS will do the same with BSA and Norton respectively.
Mahindra's have done a splendid job on the design front with the Gold Star. It is early days to be commenting on the quality and finish as these are pre-production bikes. There is scope in improving on the radiator, which going my images available, seems large and a bit crude. The plumbing work around the radiator is a bit of an eyesore. The ground clearance looks low (similar to the Harleys). Not ideal for India's potholed roads and speed-breakers which do not conform to standards.
Apart from the British heritage this bike is very different from the RE Interceptor. The specs on paper suggest that they are almost evenly matched but it its how the bike rides that matters. The BSA looks to be a more practical bike for daily commuting within the city, though I wish they could shave off around 10 kgs.
With the adventure touring segment growing quite rapidly there is a need for a torquey, reliable, low maintenance bike and the BSA could fill that requirement. Having said that, the lack of a 6th gear may be felt when touring.
Pricing will be critical which is why RE have opted to produce their bikes in India and Triumph is made in Thailand.
The Bajaj-Triumph alliance to manufacture a 500 cc twin is shrouded in secrecy but one can expect aggressive pricing.
I think BSA have been clever in opting for a single cylinder and this will certainly reflect in the pricing which will be critical to its success.
The top variant Interceptor is priced at INR 300,000 (UKL 3000) in India so I am guessing that the Gold Star will be priced anywhere between INR 260,000-280,000.
I look forward to your full review once you've done a test ride.
Thanks for the video,I am of an age that remembers a rich mate of mine who bought a new one in the 60s.Cost £350.00. I will certainly take a test ride,thanks again.
Watch your vidéo from France and i must say i love this bike ! I'm a H-D owner and i like all those vintage bikes , nice too see BSA on the roads again .
I'm one of the old school; I've been riding BSAs on & off since 1969. Even back then most of the people who really wanted a Goldie had never actually ridden one. I was one of those until I did ride one that a mate of mine owned. It was not a practical motorcycle (i.e. transport). It could be a pig to start & the gearbox was simply awful until you got out on then open road, where it was really good. Around town it was a swine to ride as it had a habit of stopping when you did & did not tick over well at all; also, around town it overheated like mad unless you retarded the ignition, which killed the performance & made it very stodgy. All of this is totally understandable as it was a simply a clubman racer that was road legal so you could ride it to the meet if you couldn't afford a van.
My guess is that the new Gold Star is a much more civilised machine that starts, stops & handles well and is happy tootling around town, but is really good fun when you open it up on empty, windy roads in the country (if you can find some). I can't wait to get a test ride though I think I will have to join a long queue. My opinion at this point is that it looks the business & if it goes as well as it looks the new BSA Co. is on to a winner & I will probably buy one. Yes, it's a pity about the radiator, but if it means I can get a Goldie that is civilised as well as gorgeous, than that's good enough.
Great to hear about your experiences on the original. Hopefully the new one keeps the good bits of the "character" but with more modern practicalities. The romantic in me loves the idea of owning an original, but it sounds like a bit of a nightmare in reality.
@@WildlifeMoto Riding one of the originals was great fun & I will always remember the experience, but was a bike you really had to work with & it was not happy around town.
@Trevor Wood The GP carb was great for grabbing huge handfuls of throttle & they did not have as bad flat spots as other, tamer Amals, but they really only had one aim in life, to get as much petrol into the cylinder as possible until the valves started bouncing or the engine blew.
Riding one of the originals was great fun & I will always remember the experience, but was a bike you really had to work with & it was not happy around town. The GP carb was great for grabbing huge handfuls of throttle & they did not have as bad flat spots as other, tamer Amals, but they really only had one aim in life, to get as much petrol into the cylinder as possible until the valves started bouncing or the engine blew.
Fascinating, thanks for posting William.
Let’s hope that the production ones are as good as the show models! The quality of the engine and cycle parts impressed me ! A great deal of work and thought must have gone into this. Even if it’s not British manufactured, I wish them success.
My Dad was a BSA rider in the 60s and I spent a lot of time on the back of his 1963 650 twin. It was a retired flat tracker that had been flogged pretty hard. He had to tinker with it a lot and it was only happy when you were in the throttle. When the bearings in the magneto gave up around 1974 he couldn't find a replacement. He took the engine and gear box out and put in a small Honda twin engine. That's been nearly fifty years and he still has it and rides.
Not only cost to purchase but Dealer network, serviceability, reliability, modest cost of OEM accessories, handling and all the other aspects that make the Interceptor 650 such a gem. BSA will have their work cut out for competing with RE. The radiator is what it is but at least the cap is easily accessible rather than tucked under the tank which is a pain. Double overhead camshafts? What's valve lash adjustment going to be like? Certainly interesting. Exciting to see a renewed emphasis on the Classic British design themes. With Norton nearly back in the game that covers the British Big 4 nicely!
The Interceptor 650 doesn't replicate any vintage bike. It's a modern concoction. The Triumph twins are better representative of bikes of yore. I speak from experience, having owned Hornet 650 and Starfire 250. If you want a bike just to look at, buy any bike that strikes your fancy. But if you want to ride with pleasure, spend more, to get more.
Big Four! I'm not buying until there is a Rudge Whitworth Ulster 1927 back on sale ;)
The 500cc in Royal Enfield Bullet was discontinued because they sell so many 350s in India because of the price of fuel and a 350 is so much easier to kick over then a 500 single my 250 BSA singles are a lot easier to kick over that my 441 vector and they produce like a million bikes a year
@@frankmarkovcijr5459 My 250 Starfire was the most beautiful bike I ever owned, but my Hornet 650 was more practical. I weighed only 112 lbs at that time. I once rode the250 Starfire from northern Indiana to Sudbury Ontario and back. I did the return trip in one day, and at the end, my drive chain was really stretched. Today I ride 765RS, best bike I've ever owned, which includes 950 Supersport desmo. I've a soft spot for British bikes.
That's one very good looking bike, can't wait to see them on our roads!
I would definitely buy one. I had a '59 Gold Star and a '40 C11; I'd love to own a BSA again.
Many thanks for the superb video. Having ordered - and put a deposit down on - an Interceptor (for me to pick up in April `22), I'm quite relieved that I haven't really yet fallen in love with this Beezer. However, I won't discount a possible purchase of this bike as a stablemate to the Enfiend IF reports filter in of the Goldie being a superb machine. My heart is in large, thumpy singles (being an ex-speedway novice rider). Thanks again!
Looks like a winner, I hope it lives up to the hype. I had to smile at the drip trays under the older bikes. My Venom never needed a drip tray, just electric start. Looking forward to your comments after you have ridden one.
Mahindra also resurrected Jawa and Yezdi motorcyle brands in India, so BSA is the third brand they are resurrecting from the dead.
That said, I LOVE the Beezer!! My first motorcycle love was a 650 Beezer. I'm so excited to see it back.
This looks and sounds awesome! Fantastic to see a heritage brand reappearing again. I want one! 😍
I love it. I bought a BSA Golden Flash A10 in 1979 in Canberra (Aus) when I was 31. Rode it 0.5 km and it siezed. Broken con rod. Pulled it apart, high-crown pistons had been fitted - poor thing. Began to restore then moved to Western Australia. My Dad continued restoration and brought bike over when he moved here in 1992. I got it running and looking good but kept trying to fix things that weren't right. Still in the shed, incomplete. I always hoped they would come back. Now they have, I will get one as soon as they become available in Australia. Might keep the Triumph Sprint too for a while longer. Looking forward to a BSA e-bike.
Bill James
I'm glad to see BSA back in the fray. It looks very nice in a nostalgic sort of way. I was hoping for a twin cylinder at that engine size as I don't believe a big single is all that appealing in this day and age. I'm sure it would be fun to ride if it is really light weight. As far as future electric motorcycles are concerned I say "Just say NO!'
yep I am really hoping they build a twin, like a Lightning or similar. Maybe around a 750cc
Great review. Gotta have a "Goldie" now. Already have one of the last BSA bikes made in 1972, so need this latest beauty for the stable !
This is great news! I got to look at a 1950's Gold Star at Barber Museum and they are just beautiful to behold and I remember just believing something like that would be unobtainable... Fast forward to today and WOW! OK! Now it looks like I can land one of these in the future when they arrive on the US Shores. I run a 2000 speed triple which ticks most motorcycling boxes for me, but I was thinking of a smaller classic runabout for around town and was thinking Vespa 300, a Yamaha SR400, but that just went right out the window today. I will get a BSA when they arrive.
BSA is a serious company that is going places, they know the market they are aiming at and what their customer like, I have been looking at them for 5 years and they are getting better and better.
I saw them on Sunday and they do look the part. Talking to other manufacturers there are quite a few bikes that are no more in thanks to Euro 5, so quite an achievement to get this into production. I know there are a few things that aren’t quite right but Overall a nice looking bike. Will be interesting to see how it compares the the Interceptor and the probably much more expensive Bonny.
@Trevor Wood - Maybe so that U.K. vehicles can be driven and sold in Europe?
Lucas , the Prince of Darkness b4 Voldermat . New Bikes without needed drip pans .
I like it a lot, pricing will be crucial though. I could see myself on one.
My buddy Ian from the Full Moon Lone Riders sent me a couple pics of the new Gold Star; glad I came across this vid as well! Yaaaay, it still looks like a proper Gold Star!
Curious!! What about the BSA Victor 441 remake, that Mahindra talked about? Any updates on this one?
Great video , I feel they need a impeccable dealer network and not just any Tom DIck and H , IMHO service will be the key , looking forward to your test ride 😀 must admit I would have one 👍 some one will make a better radiator
So I wonder if they’ll bring back the 441?
Really enjoyed this presentation, thank you. Cant wait to put one in my garage. Wonder if there'll be a Catalina version? Hope so! The aftermarket potential for this machine will be huge!
I'm waiting for a 65hp unrestricted version as well ☺️
Would like to see TEC bike parts of Northumberland get their hands on one of these.
Love the (clean) drip tray underneath 😉
Yes those 1950 machines 😂😂😂
Yes, if the originals didn't leak oil, they hadn't got any in.
Maybe BSA could do the oil leak as an optional extra?
I am in love with it though and i am going to put my name on a grey and silver one ASAP.
Well done to the BSA team. MAGNIFICENT!
Can’t wait for it to arrive in Spain , any news yet?
I am certainly interested in finding out more on the BSA Goldstar and direction forward in the company with building in the UK will be interesting with profits to the company and .....will they follow the BSA hertiage completely with some quality issues? he he, I love classic retro bikes and have a Triumph Bonnie so certainly looking forward to seeing in person and who gets to market it in Australia?
Hi, the spokesperson said their engine development team is based in Austria so, presumably, Rotax. That would explain why they’ve gone with a right hand sprocket. Bonnevilles and Harley sportsters are also that way round.
Why on earth does it matter....?
It doesn’t matter at all but the question was asked in the video. Some of the complainers don’t even seem to realise that lots of bikes are like that. My old CZ was that way round.
I love it. Can’t wait for first reviews to appear. It would be a good stablemate for my Matchless twin.
If it's going to be put together here in UK I'm not sure if it will cost 5k ish like you suggest?
I don't know. I like my 750 Honda Nighthawk, and can not see myself trading it in for this. Just a thought. How many motorcycle manufactures can the present market support ? Good video on the BSA and its company history.
What's the seat height is first thing I'm looking for, >30in, Triumph Daytona had to be lowered for me,$.
Are there any videos out there where one can hear the single cylinder engine of the BSA Gold Star?...I've always been a fan of British bikes and it's exciting to see BSA re-enter the market along with RE's new offerings. I didn't know Norton was also being rebooted, but will keep my eye out. Great review and insight.
Does anyone know if they would ship to Florida. I’m in love again.
So glad the preproduction bikes have been well received, by and large. The radiator seems to be the main turning point. Couldn't make it to the NEC but hoping to see and ride one in the Spring. One may end up in the shed beside a 40s single and a 60s twin from the Small Heath factory. A Triumph will need to go though if I like it enough to order one.
Do you think it vibrates like a paint can shaker?
Great review, would be good to hear the machine now.
I really like it! One thing though...rear light looks like something I would change the first minute! Lucas style on the rear mudguard.
I want one. Can’t wait to test ride.
It's ironic the British Motorcycle Industry going down the pan and now the Indians are bringing back the iconic BSA. I have an Interceptor and love the styling like the Gold Star, but can't stop wondering about "What if"
I have an RE Meteor which I absolutely love, but when I watched your video my jaw dropped. It is a beautiful machine. I'll be taking a test drive when possible. I was in Australia a couple of years ago wearing a BSA T-shirt and this craggy old Aussie walking towards me uttered Bloody Sore Arse. Hilarious! Btw If WM lost the beard and flattened his hair down he'd be a dead ringer for David Cameron! Just sayin...
Better smoke another here on West coast or Bas*ard stopped again.
The bike is due in the spring. Love to know where the factory is and which dealers are going to sell them.
I think they are trying to secure a location in the Midlands.
Cheers.
Cutting it fine for a spring launch?
The Mahindra group is very capable and iconic indian motor company and have all the capacity to revive a brand like bsa which has also been a very popular brand in india in the 90's and are going to do what the Tatas did with jaguar land rover so there is no question of their credentials and as a matter of fact they are also going to create a sports car company for pinafrina that was only designing cars for all the other major brands like ferrari and alfa romeo till recently.
One sincerely hopes not as JLR produce some of the most unreliable overpriced rubbish out there.........
Really nice, but the radiator is hideous ! I've got one the same somewhere off a 1976 mini .
Unless I hear the exhaust note, I couldn't tell if I'd have this one ! looks brilliant though!
Absolutely Yes. Providing Mahindra have done a top job with the build quality for the money and vibration (twin balancing shafts is a good feature), I’d love to get one. RE have shown Indian manufacturers can produce good quality products that are well priced and economical to run/own. I wonder if an engineer/motorcycle machine shop could convert one to a petrol/carburettor
Yeah, I was not raised on "thumper" vibes, and the success of those balancing shafts would be of great interest to me.
@@daveinwla6360 Take a 500 bullet for a test ride. You want a taste of retro vibration. I went for a test ride on a Harley Sportster in the mid 70s and didn’t get very far. I couldn’t handle the vibes on that one, especially once I hit the freeway.
@@MrAndrew1953 - I can do without retro vibes! I loved my Norton Commando because of the Featherbed frame and its lack of annoying vibration. But when electric bikes become common, I expect there to be an after-market for devices that make "retro" exhaust noises and "retro" combustion vibes.
@@daveinwla6360 How often do you have to change rubber mounts on the feather bed frame? A big job?
@@MrAndrew1953 - I had a Dunstall Commando for 4 years (but with LOTS of down time for modifications), and I never had to change the rubber spacers. I doubt whether the Featherbed frame would be acceptable for today's high performance bikes, though. The racers substituted hard mounts and added a bracket between the engine head and the frame (called a "head steady") to reduce the frame flex and the engine movement. But even with the Featherbed frame, there was some vibration in the clip-on bars, but I isolated that with ribbed handle bar grips adapted from a Yamaha dirt bike.
At 65 yrs old, always wanted a BSA, never got one, this looks OK, would like to ride one
I 👍 like this homage and hope we can get it in the USA 🇺🇸 🙏
Nice bike.
I have an interceptor 650. Here in Brazil. Enjoy your comments.
02:01 , the metal plate below the motorcycle ... Is it the "little extra" offered with the bike to make it truly authentic and because they have included in the price a "vintage oil leak"?
Nice review 👍
I think they should make a branded BSA oil pan and sell it as an extra.
That's the original 1950s motorcycle
my feeling is it will more expensive than enfield intercepter as it has more expensive parts. love the chrome mudguards in that traditional look …i hand to spend so much on my interceptor to replace plastic and ugly
bits so this bike looks cleaner and better straight of the block.
Had a 650cc Golden Flash back in the day and it was brilliant,always wanted a Gold Star but couldn’t afford one and the original ones are now worth a fortune. I will Definitely have a look at one of these when they are released and would definitely consider buying one even though at 77 I don’t think I will ever be able to ride it but just having it in the garage would give a sense of achievement and pride,had a 650cc Royal Enfield Interceptor GT Chrome but foolishly sold it because I couldn’t ride it,wish I’d kept it now it would have looked great along side a Gold Star.
Sprocket on the wrong side is probably a result of going with the looks of the original engine. That right side engine casing having complicated design emulating the old engine cam cover means clutch has to on the left which also represents " period correct" look and thus sprocket has to be on the right. Modern triumph twins also Have similar setup I guess for similar reason.
Very nice detailed video 👍🏻
If you look closely, the motor is basically the Rotax lump we all know & love from F650 BMWs. All the covers are in the same places, just different shapes, even the countershaft sprocket cover. These motors are good for around 50hp in trailbike form, so tuning them for more torque would not be difficult & would explain the claimed 45hp of the Goldie. It would also make them a barrel of fun.
Based on this alone, I would buy one in a heartbeat!
If only it were possible...
Am I seeing a cable operated front shoe brake?
Not on the new bike. It's a single disc with ABS.
Yeah, I sat on them down at the NEC and I absolutely fell in love with them. They look incredible and feel really good to sit on. Yes, there are budget areas on the bike but overall it looks well put together. I can't wait to see one running. I owned a bonneville in 2001 and that had its sprocket on the same side as the goldstar. They did it just for engine cosmetics, so I assume BSA did it for the same reason.
Yes I have since heard that they used the drive cover to emulate the original bikes separate gearbox on the left hand side.
I like the idea of the BSA, especially as my dad owned the Original gold star. Hopefully the quality is good enough for me to consider purchasing one.
It certainly is gorgeous.
When can we get Gold star in India .
i think they are onto a very viable market segment. Big thumpers are few and far between. Pity about liquid cooling but it is what it is. Need to know if its metal fenders because RE took a dangerous turn from norm with plastic fenders on the 650 twin. BSA has a rightful place in the retro market.
Looks nice but a few details I don’t like,as you said exhaust but also the rear light oddly tacked onto the rear mudguard . Chain on wrong side as are Triumph twins . If it’s priced right should sell well.
Be interesting to see if they release a Clubman’s version with clip on bars ,rear sets and updated suspension
Totally agree with you in that this would more compliment the R E Interceptor than compete with it.
Please, what model is the red one beside the original Gold Star??
BSA Rocket 3
Nice looking bike and good review , its a 650 but the motor sort of has the look of a 350 B31 (has a fake pushrod housing ) some prices have been released , they dont appear to be that cheap . Wonder if they will do a RGS model ????
Can’t wait for BSA start making twins
Nice vid as usual! I can definitely see myself buying one! I bet TEC bike parts (and other aftermarket parts makers) will be all over it pretty soon after release, and i have high hopes of it being pretty ironed out mods-wise by this time next year : ) However it remains to be seen if the bike is worthwhile to buy. After all there's a point where the cost and effort of modding gets prohibitive.
I'm thinking of the polished gold plated turd analogy. I do have a feeling it will be around R-E standard, and so worth making it 'your own'
Cheers!
Agreed! Any AMM worth their name will be devising right now ways to make parts.
I can see that bike with some nice ace bars and a more swept back hugging the bike exhaust...maybe even a polished engine....pure gorgeousness
Agree with all points. I think this is going to sell very well , pursume theres going to be a long waiting list.. BUT dealer networks to sort spare parts , warranty etc etc theres still alot of work to do . Looking forward to a ride review, and someone to ride bsa and enfield back to back... alot to look forward to , intresting times at the moment....
Wish list: a 6 speed, a centerstand, a kick starter, a resonable price ($5k-ish). Other than that I'm sold! It'll replace my us.spec Royal Enfield 500 AVL.
Love the look, honest review, I love a bike with character that is not to heavy, may be tempted to get rid of my BMW R1200 for one if they up the bhp a bit.
And 68 I had A250 star fire I love that bike We love to have another one
WOW ... Nice work ----->> take this to Production !!
Infos about bore x stoke ?
Sorry for mistake... Bore x stroke ? Hope long stroke, or not under square...
thank you for mentioning that heinous header cover. iv'e watched about 14 reviews on this bike and everyone seems to be in denial about this flaw. curios to see if any future owners will remove this ill-fitting afterthought and chrome the actual header. otherwise, as a former BSA owner, i'm very excited to this this effort being made. def would own one. cheers.
I'm curious to see what lies beneath that header cover. TheMissendenFlyer's video revealed that it was a cover, and somewhat shows that it's not a straight pipe beneath the cover. There is a catalytic converter situated at the bottom front of the engine, and the pipe runs through it, then back out to continue to the muffler portion. Makes me wonder if it's somewhat similar to the way Triumph designed the exhaust on the Speed Twin. On that bike, with the cover removed, it's easy to see that the header is not continuous and is in fact an unsightly eyesore without the cover in place. If so, removing the cover isn't really an option as doing so reveals that it isn't just a straight header pipe there at all.... Of course, here's to hoping that someone in the aftermarket will produce a more conventional exhaust that has the right shape and look, as well as ditching the cat...
It's got a crossover gearbox, primary on opposite side to secondary, as all modern gearboxes. Harley only maker with old primary outside secondary drive.
The one thing I have not seen any one take into consideration is that water cooled bikes usually go many more miles before needing to be rebuilt,like the Honda Gold Wing back in the 70's and 80's.It was not unusual to see one with over 100,000 miles without a rebuild.I've had two BSA's (500 Royal Star and 750 Rocket 3) and loved them both dearly,but good mechanics for these bikes are hard to find.I'm slowly being won over to the new bikes.I wonder why RE and BSA didn't go with a belt drive?
Nice review J , it will be interesting to see when they announce prices 👍🏻
Just sold my '58 very special Goldie DB34 for £22.5K, so am flush, and having just viewed this profile I think I know what is joining my '72 Commando and Matchless G3 in the garage. Looks great, I imagine the low end torque will be pretty good, ideal for our Suffolk lanes, and I am guessing it is a much more comfortable ride than the original. I agree that the exhaust pipe looks a bit naff, but the after market will take care of that. If the price is around £5K, (I think it will be over £6K), it has to be a contender for someone like myself, who just likes bikes. 64 years of biking, by the way, so no spring chicken!
Are the clocks upside down 🤔 ?
The clocks are the right way, that was how the original one's were,they call it reverse sweep clocks so they go the opposite way right to left instead of left to right.
I think it will take a while to get use to reading them at a glance
@@kevindarkstar It's a Homage bike & will appeal to people who's father's - grandfather's owned yes it will take abit to get use to.But it is a beautiful bike still & would be great to have a big single.
Is it just me who isn't a fan of brushed stainless exhausts? I was at a triumph dealer recently and there was a T100 with the stainless exhaust and a T120 with chromed steel pipes. The brushed stainless looked a poor second.
In regards to the chain drive, the engine is designed in Austria therefore it's a rotax. Rotax uses drive on that side and my guess is that the engine most likely has quite a lot in common with the bmw f650 also a rotax design 650 single with liquid cooling
Also the cylinder looks a lot like the older rotax on the MuZ also the CEO of BSA said that the bike is restricted and the f650 put out 50 so I will guess that there will be a Clubman's in the future with a little more that 50bhp
I really hope the price is right, quite fancy one