I really enjoyed this review, I'm retiring soon so your very credible and real world views on this have pushed it into my shortlist of bikes to take for a test run....
The reason I love this channel is that you always focus on the positive of every bike you ride. That and the beautiful countryside you ride them around makes a case for pretty much everything you get on. If only I had more money and space!
First off, fair video as always. Secondly, yes I've been out on one and yes, we have had one in the workshop now. We also had a look at a third, demo bike from Eddys. Admittedly a sample experience of 2.5 but they all had dreadful casting finish. Bits of crud beneath paint (in casting corners, several, different place on all 3) and both had a low speed brake squeal at less than 100 miles. Finish is generally just acceptable that I've seen. We had a close look at switchgear and control relays..because we could..actual wiring etc is neat but i felt the controls were not as good as later RE stuff (post HD shared input,.meteor hntr classic). People who bang on about "just like a goldie" etc etc...have never seen, sat on or lived with the old bike. In truth the new machine is better in every respect, go, stop, handling, lighting, the list goes on ad astra. Enjoyed our chat yesterday vis classics. GET OFF THAT FENCE! it upsets the neighbours.
I like the minimalist instruments. For me, the whole point is flying on the ground and enjoying the surroundings. I don’t need to bury my head on a TFT screen when I’m riding. Well done video…I’m very happy to see sponsors are recognizing your channel.
Nice vid. Had I never laid eyes on a Royal Enfield Classic 350, I'd probably drool over this. As it is, the Royal Enfield Classic 350 is simply the only "retro" bike that doesn't look new trying to look old. If RE fit a 600/800 motor in the Royal Enfield Classic 350, it would be the only bike I need. I honestly didn't even like the sound of this motor - from here of course which may not be fair... My son is 30, and he too loves his Royal Enfield Classic 350. We went out to lunch yesterday since we finally got a break from the rains...lovely and all three of our Classics were polished up and looking fantastic. Our Hitchcock "decat" pipes are coming Friday, can't wait to fit 'em! Have a great week, and... Ride Safe 🙏🏼
@@MrDarcy-OlMan only limitations of course are small motor. But we literally got these to tool around town and go to the local pubs, bars, eateries. We don’t drink and ride but 0% alcohol beers taste good when you’re hot and/or thirsty. Wherever we go, it’s guaranteed that we’ll be in deep conversations re the Classics. Nothing but fun and at a low cost. I don’t even get pissed when I fill up with gas as it occurs so seldomly. Ride Safe 🙏🏼
Here we are with the Goldstar review and here's you lot going on about the Classic 350 🤭. I'm not surprised though - it really is as good as everyone says it is and we've got one on order in Halcyon Green. Two weeks for delivery and I can't wait 😁. Not been this excited in years 🤗.
@@PhilipBallGarry enjoy it!! My buddy has the halcyon green too. Lovely in the sun! They’re so beautiful. The Decat pipe with the DNA stage 2 kit is amazing! Highly recommended. Ride Safe 🙏🏼
I was really excited to see one of these in the flesh. I thought it looked great as I walked in the showroom - apart from the hideous radiator. However the more I looked closely it was less and less convincing. So much so I didn’t even bother with a test ride. I need to love a bike to enjoy riding it but there’s so much on this that niggles. Let’s see what they’re like after 2 years in British weather .
I think BSA are almost there with this bike. As you say, better engine casings with embossed logos rather than the tacky stickers they've put on would make a big difference. That radiator needs to be a bit more subtle too.
I really enjoyed this review , Its sound is addictive, but I don't think it can replace the Royal Interceptor 650. The production quality of BSA seems lower, the huge radiator makes the motorcycle look ugly!
Ey up Ol' Man, thanks for another fair and balanced review. The bike looks quite big until you get on it and it does seem at home down on the farm. Keep on truckin' mate.
I had the yamaha 500 single. Great until I was rear ended. I hope I am able to get this bike here.. Thanks fir great review that I can relate to. 73 years here in Virginia , USA.
Excellent explanation Ol' man. I understand your torque range description. Where I live, Central Pennsylvania it's country and hills so my 1996 Harley Dyna Low Rider Convertible with the Evolution Engine loves 3rd gear across and up and down and curves thru windy back roads and slopes with 30 mph to 45 mph speed limits. I'll admit becoming 'one' with that machine it's not unusual for me to traverse those 30mph to 45 mph winding turns and slopes at 50mph to 55 mph excitedly comfortable! Twist the throttle, lean in, straighten up and twist some more, release and twist again. Your descriptive reviews allow the listener to partake in your experience, thank you.
Can't argue with the analogue dials. Certainly can't argue with the merits of a big single, practically getting all the torque it's capacity suggests without a huge increase in weight, consumption, mechanical complexity and maintenance multi cylinder engines come with. Sure, not a lot of power so you actually get to reach home in one piece 😁
I own a 2023 sliver one. I have owned most of what Japan, Italy and the UK have to offer and I adore it. A different way off riding. It’s great to ride and surprisingly well built especially for the cost😀
Many thanks for this. It really helps when someone of my age and height reviews bikes I like. I will test this bike now it has the ol’man seal of approval. Keep it up chaps.
I love my 2013 Royal Enfield B5 Bullet 500, converted to a carburetor and an aftermarket exhaust. Sadly, like this Goldstar, it has tube type tires, which makes it a stay close to home bike only. A flat on a bike with tube type tires means a tow truck, and a tow truck is going to cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Been down that road. Stay close to home on bikes with tube type tires.
The motorcycle looks great, but the landscape looks even greater! What a dreamy place to ride! Wish I was there. My main issue with this bike, vs the REs, is the radiator, which sort of marginalizes the connection to the past. Anyway, have a great time riding and stay safe.
The Ol' Man's tests are my favourite on YT. Perhaps it's because I'm a bearded old man myself, but I find his bike sensibilities are the closest to mine. Because of this, I was very much looking forward to hear his views on this new BSA. I don't know if it will ever be imported out here in Canada, but I hope it will be. There's just something about thumpers.
Fair review. Rotax 652 was always a good engine. However this is a pastiche and parts bin special. Unfortunately it's a here today gone tomorrow product. Expect to lose your money.
Just looked and sat on one at Fowlers and I have to say I was impressed. I've been a critic of the radiator but have to say that in the flesh it blended in well. I don't think the niggles of some critics are very valid. I'll certainly be taking a test ride.
After seeing your sheep taking over, a name change to Mr Darcy, The Ol’ Man & “Ram(?) Lamb” may be more fitting?…🤪Good review btw & the BSA certainly has great appeal!👍🏼😎
Cheers for the reviews of the BSA I love the bike and simplicity of it, I agree that some of the parts are a bit bargain basement but it's an affordable bike which to me is more important, some of the brands are so expensive they price themselves out of the reach of a lot of potential buyers. In 30 odd years of biking ive never had a brand new bike but the likes of RE and BSA make it more of a possibility great scenery as ever thanks
This is a handsome bike with good period detail, for eample, the high rear mudguard. I agree. Low speed rideability is important. And 2,250 to 4,500 rpm is plenty when it goes as well as this, as 6:36 demonstrates. I don't think the engine casings need to be shiny. I like bench seats. I prefer this to the RE Interceptor.
Nice bike, looks good. A classic for modern times, just as it should be. I think the legacy version comes with polished engine cases. All retros should have a centre stand. Nice review, cheers.
I really liked the look of the black one they had at the shows with the union jack on the tank, but sadly it was only a promotion bike, I would like a black one and get it done,
It is a better looking bike than the Interceptor i think. I am not looking for this kind of bike but if I was it would be top of the list. Maybe in a few years i will treat myself.
Great review.. I’d buy one.. the only thing stopping me is the chronic lack of dealers and I don’t want to do a 250 mile round trip just to get it serviced. More dealers please BSA.
Absolute nail on head with the engine part. I'm an Enfield guy so call me bias but it would look great with cast bits. Sounds great as standard, though. Imagine what a pair of Tec Cannons would do to this!
Great, another good sympathetic review, many thanks. I really like these bikes, I'm presently a CCM 604 owner and an ex BSA B31 owner so obviously a thumper lover and I could see myself getting one, if I do, I'll not ride it in the wet at all but store it highly polished and gleaming in my living room so I can sit in my armchair and turn to look at it whenever the TV gets too boring or the fancy takes me, to me it's motorbike porn and I just like looking at it 🤪
So far,I see the resurgence of these legendary British marques to fall way short of doing justice to the originals,with the possible exception of Triumph.Having owned a Norton back in the day,I was particularly thrilled to hear about it coming back.If and when it does,I hope it's finally successful.🤞
Thank you for your views. You must be the last reviewer in Blighty to get one to test ride. I know from past videos, that you are quite a tall bloke. At about 5:18 or so there is some footage with you on it and remarkably, you don't make it look too small or conversely, you don't look over sized for it, which I think is interesting. In my country, I am allowed to remove the catalytic converter, so on my BMW R1150GS that has been done, after many years of ownership, and it is like a different bike, the bike it was meant to be I suspect, as it jumps off the idle revs and get on down the the road without fanfare, where as before, it was wheezy off idle and you had to be careful it didn't stall. Now the mid range is punchy and extremely usable, in a bad lad sort of way.
Tbh I think there would have been a more positive take up of this motorcycle if we were to have got one in the early stages. Most reviewers are track day racers so have a completely different take on bikes like this. 👍🏼
Thanks for your interesting information. I too an older bike guy owned a few BSAs back in the early 60s. Back then most British bikes were very in expensive to buy. The older BSAs were one huge vibrator. Ride one for a few miles and your butt and palms became nun from the vibrations. However, when one was 17 years old didn’t become an issue. Some months back I got the opportunity to ride the Gold Star 650 thumper. A rolling vibrator. No thanks. I also rode the off shore British Royal Enfield 650. That bike for less money was a more refined bike. Pretty smooth machine and a much better suspension than the BSA. I’m no motorcycle expert, but I have been riding for about 65 years of my life full time. Owned just about every street bike available since the 60s. To included most Japanese street bikes. Got a few Harleys that have some age on them but I believe they’re better than the new very expensive junk. To add to my collection I’d buy a Royal Enfield 650. However, a more refined bike for a cruiser would be the Kawasaki twin 800. That is a very impressive bike. Handles very well and pretty good suspension. Little faster than a 650 for the highway traffic. But more money. Would not consider any 350cc beginner bike. Waste of money cause you’ll sell it for a larger 650 as soon as the new wears off in a couple of days. Save your money and frustration, buy the 650 if you’re shopping you will be glad ya did. Just another opinion from a Yank who restores older bikes and addicted to them…..
The way you describe the bike and torque sounds alot like my RE GT 535....probably not the heavy vibrations coming through the handlebars but sounds like its got some character !
I think the carburation [injection] is off , while down shifting , you were matching revs. for a smooth shift , but the engine did not respond with crisp revs . My preference for the exhaust would be a little more bark . Thanks for the care and time you spent to make this .
Great honest review, as usual. Bike looks good, but I agree with your fit & finish opinion. Is lacking in throttle response and seems to perform the same as a BSA motor did back in the 1960's . I would have the RE Super Meteor 😎 Cheers.
Very interested in getting one when they come to the USA. It would be my first bike. The man I consider my surrogate dad had a BSA thunderbolt. So it would be to honor him.
I see a lot of comments about cheap parts on it etc. This is how the manufacturer keeps the cost down. You're getting a decent looking 650 with a Rotax engine for ~£6.5k. That's a lot of bike for the money. This is around the same price as a new Japanese 125. Going off the review, it's a nice bike to ride, what more do you want? I would recommend to Mahindra that they make a cruiser with that engine, it would suit it better. I am going to have a look at these though.
Undoubtedly a very fair review, I'm also on the fence. 8.04..not that different, original goldie clocks (sounded like goldielocks) swept that way. A lot of good points covered.
Looks like a great bike. Deal-breaker for me is lack of centre stand, with no apparent way of fitting one as an accessory or aftermarket. Why on earth?! The rear light and number plate unit would look much better mounted higher up behind the seat. Otherwise really nice.
Good review. I think beauty is in the eye of the beholder with this bike. It is essentially an Indian made motorcycle, that was manufactured on a budget. Nothing at all wrong with that, I own a Royal Enfield myself which I love, and it’s pretty much a similar deal. You can always pretend it’s a real BSA Gold Star and descended from classic British lineage, but in truth and despite it probably being a decent and capable motorcycle, they just bought the badge and stuck it on.
so is your royal enfield which is just a bought name by Indian eicher motors. in India,RE is called a 'chhapri bike' meanimg all cheap punks ride it. if u dont believe,u can do ur own research n be enlightened,u were made a charlie the day ,they came up with ecu engines . p.s. Britishers cudnt preserve their industries and are just a pile of butthurt piggy asses who buy indian made stuff which we sell to you blokes at double the price😂😂😂
Great review, you got me going during the on-road sections, I was looking out for traffic. The camera work makes me feel as though I'm riding it, and that would be a worry.
Good review, however we still haven't got them in Australia, I might have to import one.. The sound reminds me of the Yamaha XT500, another bike I would like
I really like these classic style British bikes. They are just beautiful. I'm glad they brought these bikes up to modern standards with the new break systems, the wiring harness, looks nice. To me, the engine color with the brushed aluminium contrasts looks killer. Thanks for the review man. "Illegally swap it out"? LMAO!
Personally I think its cheaped out with those BSA rifle stickers on the right side mock engine cover, seriously that should be moulded or etched in, the huge agricultural radiator with it's tin metal shroud looks poor, and I'd have doubts about it holding up to the weather in the UK, they basically let it down on the detail, and as ever the devil is in the detail!
Man, it’s been said a lot, but that radiator absolutely kills it. I wish RE had a classic with a bit more power than the 350. The interceptor isn’t quite it, but I couldn’t live with that radiator. It just makes it look like an imposter.
Good job BSA. I remember the original BSA Goldstar. They were not super popular in Canada but they were around. One could say the quality was better on the old ones but the engineers had more to work with today and the package is more reliable and refined today. My son has a kawasaki 650 rs and he said he would not trade it for this BSA but he thinks it is a good bike. I like the ideal of that 650 single liquid cooled engine. It sounds pretty good. I would like to drive one. No it is not the old one but it looks good. If your going to buy the name BSA you might as well use use Goldstar.
Nice bike, polished engine covers would have been nice, the radiator is almost an after thought, looks like they grabbed one from an auto parts shop and thought "that'll do" and bolted it on!! Besically a bit more thought in the design would have gone a long way to making me want one.
I hear you about slow speed handling, I have an RE Classic 500 (and an Interceptor) and people look at me strangely when I laud the slow speed handling of the Classic 500. Always there's the furrowed brow and the "why would that matter" look from the young fellows, but the old farts like me get it, it's nice to be able to ride around and hardly ever have to put your feet down.
As a seasoned big single fan, my thoughts are it's absolutely HORRIBLE. Who wants a 650 single fitted with a umongous radiator,? Totally uneccessary. AIR COOLED EVERYTIME. The smaller rear wheel,looks wrong on a traditional style motorcycle, and it's sounds more akin to a Honda CG125. The only thing that's BSA are the plastic tank badges. All In all, give me anAir Cooled 650 Royal Enfield everytime.
Let's see what reliability and residual values are like in a couple of years. I suspect the initial surge to buy this bike are by people who have nostalgic reasons for doing so but when that initial market had been catered for well, let's see what happens, brand identity isn't everything as Vauxhall found out when they revitalised the "Viva" brand, that didn't last long before it was withdrawn from the market.🤔👍
Love the sheep...... BSA isn't bad either I used to love my XBR500 between 2 and 4k I agree on the engine casings.... they could have been better sculpted. The sharp edges don't suit the bike
Really enjoy your reviews. Well presented for all kind of audience, and the location is just great! You guys should plan to visit India to review a few motorcycles available here. You could collaborate with some classic motorcycles collectors/enthusiasts. If you do consider it, I would suggest you to pick North/NorthEastern/Southern zones. Good luck.
The beautiful Ram...(Being a city boy.. I think it was..) was so funny having a lot of interest in you. I like the bike too. Blimey! I just read a few comments from some who really don't like it...
At 7:23 you get on the seat , looks like beefing up the rear shock pressure might be better for your build. dropped quite a bit in the rear, prelooad I suppose. . .
I really enjoyed this review, I'm retiring soon so your very credible and real world views on this have pushed it into my shortlist of bikes to take for a test run....
The BSA is such an aesthetically pleasing bike....I've been meaning to check if they made it to the United States yet
The reason I love this channel is that you always focus on the positive of every bike you ride. That and the beautiful countryside you ride them around makes a case for pretty much everything you get on. If only I had more money and space!
Another down-to-earth, useful review from you two. Many reviewers could learn from your style.
First off, fair video as always. Secondly, yes I've been out on one and yes, we have had one in the workshop now. We also had a look at a third, demo bike from Eddys. Admittedly a sample experience of 2.5 but they all had dreadful casting finish. Bits of crud beneath paint (in casting corners, several, different place on all 3) and both had a low speed brake squeal at less than 100 miles. Finish is generally just acceptable that I've seen. We had a close look at switchgear and control relays..because we could..actual wiring etc is neat but i felt the controls were not as good as later RE stuff (post HD shared input,.meteor hntr classic).
People who bang on about "just like a goldie" etc etc...have never seen, sat on or lived with the old bike. In truth the new machine is better in every respect, go, stop, handling, lighting, the list goes on ad astra.
Enjoyed our chat yesterday vis classics.
GET OFF THAT FENCE! it upsets the neighbours.
very glad the ol man is feeling better
What more could you want ? Beautiful Motorcycle ! Beautiful Countryside ! And a enjoyable review ! Bloody excellent !
It's great for people who don't know anything about the gold star legacy but it's a slap in the face to dbd34 fans
I like the minimalist instruments. For me, the whole point is flying on the ground and enjoying the surroundings. I don’t need to bury my head on a TFT screen when I’m riding. Well done video…I’m very happy to see sponsors are recognizing your channel.
Nice vid. Had I never laid eyes on a Royal Enfield Classic 350, I'd probably drool over this. As it is, the Royal Enfield Classic 350 is simply the only "retro" bike that doesn't look new trying to look old. If RE fit a 600/800 motor in the Royal Enfield Classic 350, it would be the only bike I need.
I honestly didn't even like the sound of this motor - from here of course which may not be fair...
My son is 30, and he too loves his Royal Enfield Classic 350. We went out to lunch yesterday since we finally got a break from the rains...lovely and all three of our Classics were polished up and looking fantastic.
Our Hitchcock "decat" pipes are coming Friday, can't wait to fit 'em!
Have a great week, and...
Ride Safe 🙏🏼
Awesome! We love the RE Classic 💯
@@MrDarcy-OlMan only limitations of course are small motor. But we literally got these to tool around town and go to the local pubs, bars, eateries. We don’t drink and ride but 0% alcohol beers taste good when you’re hot and/or thirsty. Wherever we go, it’s guaranteed that we’ll be in deep conversations re the Classics. Nothing but fun and at a low cost. I don’t even get pissed when I fill up with gas as it occurs so seldomly.
Ride Safe 🙏🏼
I'm on my second 350 Classic and also have the 350 Meteor, both cracking good value bikes and the 350 J series engine is a peach.👍
Here we are with the Goldstar review and here's you lot going on about the Classic 350 🤭. I'm not surprised though - it really is as good as everyone says it is and we've got one on order in Halcyon Green. Two weeks for delivery and I can't wait 😁. Not been this excited in years 🤗.
@@PhilipBallGarry enjoy it!! My buddy has the halcyon green too. Lovely in the sun! They’re so beautiful. The Decat pipe with the DNA stage 2 kit is amazing! Highly recommended.
Ride Safe 🙏🏼
Popped into my local BSA outlet in the New Forest yesterday! They had about a dozen on display....all the colours! Impressive!
We're they for sale? I haven't seen one on the road yet.
@@splodge57 They were for sale! Indeed, some of them were labelled up as Sold! I think they may have just been delivered!
Rode one today.... Wonderful engine ... Dont let the Big single fool you.. its very peppy and quite refined..
How does it compare to the Interceptor if you have ridden the interceptor Dr.
It's quicker than the Inty till 160
I was really excited to see one of these in the flesh. I thought it looked great as I walked in the showroom - apart from the hideous radiator. However the more I looked closely it was less and less convincing. So much so I didn’t even bother with a test ride. I need to love a bike to enjoy riding it but there’s so much on this that niggles. Let’s see what they’re like after 2 years in British weather .
I think BSA are almost there with this bike. As you say, better engine casings with embossed logos rather than the tacky stickers they've put on would make a big difference. That radiator needs to be a bit more subtle too.
I've got one . I like it . Well worth the money .
So good to see you riding a proper bike again. It's nice to have some choice at this engine size. I like it.
I really enjoyed this review , Its sound is addictive, but I don't think it can replace the Royal Interceptor 650. The production quality of BSA seems lower, the huge radiator makes the motorcycle look ugly!
Gotta love the little goats approaching you at the beginning of the video. Thanks for your opinions and the beautiful footage!
best real world review I have seen on one of these bikes, nicely done
Great review ! Beautiful sound quality and you gave us a glimpse of a marvellous rainbow 😀... I love your LJ 👍
Ey up Ol' Man, thanks for another fair and balanced review. The bike looks quite big until you get on it and it does seem at home down on the farm. Keep on truckin' mate.
I had the yamaha 500 single. Great until I was rear ended. I hope I am able to get this bike here..
Thanks fir great review that I can relate to. 73 years here in Virginia , USA.
Thanks for doing the review. Lots of clarity
Excellent explanation Ol' man.
I understand your torque range description.
Where I live, Central Pennsylvania it's country and hills so my 1996 Harley Dyna Low Rider Convertible with the Evolution Engine loves 3rd gear across and up and down and curves thru windy back roads and slopes with 30 mph to 45 mph speed limits.
I'll admit becoming 'one' with that machine it's not unusual for me to traverse those 30mph to 45 mph winding turns and slopes at 50mph to 55 mph excitedly comfortable!
Twist the throttle, lean in, straighten up and twist some more, release and twist again.
Your descriptive reviews allow the listener to partake in your experience, thank you.
Can't argue with the analogue dials.
Certainly can't argue with the merits of a big single, practically getting all the torque it's capacity suggests without a huge increase in weight, consumption, mechanical complexity and maintenance multi cylinder engines come with.
Sure, not a lot of power so you actually get to reach home in one piece 😁
I own a 2023 sliver one. I have owned most of what Japan, Italy and the UK have to offer and I adore it. A different way off riding. It’s great to ride and surprisingly well built especially for the cost😀
Many thanks for this. It really helps when someone of my age and height reviews bikes I like. I will test this bike now it has the ol’man seal of approval. Keep it up chaps.
I love my 2013 Royal Enfield B5 Bullet 500, converted to a carburetor and an aftermarket exhaust. Sadly, like this Goldstar, it has tube type tires, which makes it a stay close to home bike only. A flat on a bike with tube type tires means a tow truck, and a tow truck is going to cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Been down that road. Stay close to home on bikes with tube type tires.
The motorcycle looks great, but the landscape looks even greater! What a dreamy place to ride! Wish I was there. My main issue with this bike, vs the REs, is the radiator, which sort of marginalizes the connection to the past. Anyway, have a great time riding and stay safe.
The Ol' Man's tests are my favourite on YT. Perhaps it's because I'm a bearded old man myself, but I find his bike sensibilities are the closest to mine. Because of this, I was very much looking forward to hear his views on this new BSA. I don't know if it will ever be imported out here in Canada, but I hope it will be. There's just something about thumpers.
Fair review. Rotax 652 was always a good engine.
However this is a pastiche and parts bin special. Unfortunately it's a here today gone tomorrow product. Expect to lose your money.
We miss you ol’ man..
Your review is very interesting and detailed. Every classic bike suits your personality
Glad you think so!
Just looked and sat on one at Fowlers and I have to say I was impressed. I've been a critic of the radiator but have to say that in the flesh it blended in well. I don't think the niggles of some critics are very valid. I'll certainly be taking a test ride.
“Pointy, plastic, piece of rubbish”. Love it !
Looks good. Has a good single cylinder sound. Good torque. Nice cruiser.
After seeing your sheep taking over, a name change to Mr Darcy, The Ol’ Man & “Ram(?) Lamb” may be more fitting?…🤪Good review btw & the BSA certainly has great appeal!👍🏼😎
Cheers for the reviews of the BSA I love the bike and simplicity of it, I agree that some of the parts are a bit bargain basement but it's an affordable bike which to me is more important, some of the brands are so expensive they price themselves out of the reach of a lot of potential buyers. In 30 odd years of biking ive never had a brand new bike but the likes of RE and BSA make it more of a possibility great scenery as ever thanks
This is a handsome bike with good period detail, for eample, the high rear mudguard. I agree. Low speed rideability is important. And 2,250 to 4,500 rpm is plenty when it goes as well as this, as 6:36 demonstrates. I don't think the engine casings need to be shiny. I like bench seats. I prefer this to the RE Interceptor.
Nice bike, looks good. A classic for modern times, just as it should be. I think the legacy version comes with polished engine cases. All retros should have a centre stand. Nice review, cheers.
I really liked the look of the black one they had at the shows with the union jack on the tank, but sadly it was only a promotion bike, I would like a black one and get it done,
Sorry old man, your goat had my attention, what did you say? 😂
Thanks!
Thank you
It is a better looking bike than the Interceptor i think. I am not looking for this kind of bike but if I was it would be top of the list. Maybe in a few years i will treat myself.
Test rode one today. It has removable 1st baffle in exhaust. Really has a loud thump without it. Quite impressive.
Think it captures the look of the BSA B33 quite well
Great review.. I’d buy one.. the only thing stopping me is the chronic lack of dealers and I don’t want to do a 250 mile round trip just to get it serviced. More dealers please BSA.
Absolute nail on head with the engine part. I'm an Enfield guy so call me bias but it would look great with cast bits.
Sounds great as standard, though. Imagine what a pair of Tec Cannons would do to this!
Great, another good sympathetic review, many thanks. I really like these bikes, I'm presently a CCM 604 owner and an ex BSA B31 owner so obviously a thumper lover and I could see myself getting one, if I do, I'll not ride it in the wet at all but store it highly polished and gleaming in my living room so I can sit in my armchair and turn to look at it whenever the TV gets too boring or the fancy takes me, to me it's motorbike porn and I just like looking at it 🤪
So far,I see the resurgence of these legendary British marques to fall way short of doing justice to the originals,with the possible exception of Triumph.Having owned a Norton back in the day,I was particularly thrilled to hear about it coming back.If and when it does,I hope it's finally successful.🤞
Thank you for your views. You must be the last reviewer in Blighty to get one to test ride. I know from past videos, that you are quite a tall bloke. At about 5:18 or so there is some footage with you on it and remarkably, you don't make it look too small or conversely, you don't look over sized for it, which I think is interesting.
In my country, I am allowed to remove the catalytic converter, so on my BMW R1150GS that has been done, after many years of ownership, and it is like a different bike, the bike it was meant to be I suspect, as it jumps off the idle revs and get on down the the road without fanfare, where as before, it was wheezy off idle and you had to be careful it didn't stall. Now the mid range is punchy and extremely usable, in a bad lad sort of way.
Tbh I think there would have been a more positive take up of this motorcycle if we were to have got one in the early stages. Most reviewers are track day racers so have a completely different take on bikes like this. 👍🏼
It sounds more like a 1970s moped than a snorting 650 single. It looks right though.
I will not be replacing my old CB 750 with a new Gold Star
Thanks for your interesting information. I too an older bike guy owned a few BSAs back in the early 60s. Back then most British bikes were very in expensive to buy. The older BSAs were one huge vibrator. Ride one for a few miles and your butt and palms became nun from the vibrations. However, when one was 17 years old didn’t become an issue. Some months back I got the opportunity to ride the Gold Star 650 thumper. A rolling vibrator. No thanks. I also rode the off shore British Royal Enfield 650. That bike for less money was a more refined bike. Pretty smooth machine and a much better suspension than the BSA. I’m no motorcycle expert, but I have been riding for about 65 years of my life full time. Owned just about every street bike available since the 60s. To included most Japanese street bikes. Got a few Harleys that have some age on them but I believe they’re better than the new very expensive junk. To add to my collection I’d buy a Royal Enfield 650. However, a more refined bike for a cruiser would be the Kawasaki twin 800. That is a very impressive bike. Handles very well and pretty good suspension. Little faster than a 650 for the highway traffic. But more money. Would not consider any 350cc beginner bike. Waste of money cause you’ll sell it for a larger 650 as soon as the new wears off in a couple of days. Save your money and frustration, buy the 650 if you’re shopping you will be glad ya did. Just another opinion from a Yank who restores older bikes and addicted to them…..
1:19 The Goat knows the ol man well
Coz he is a vintage GOAT
She is a rare breed manx sheep similar to goats 👍🏼
@@MrDarcy-OlMan i forgot it's a Sheep 😂😂😂
Didn't see that one coming
By the way does the peashooter deliver the charm or an aftermarket would work
Thank you for the reviews. I do enjoy the content a lot. A thumb up.
The way you describe the bike and torque sounds alot like my RE GT 535....probably not the heavy vibrations coming through the handlebars but sounds like its got some character !
Wasn't expecting the Sheep love 😅 Great video mate 🙂
You had a Live audience and a friend. LOL great video.
Very classic looking bike. I agree, with the covers matching the shiny tank, this bike would be a step higher than it is.
Look at the Legacy that has the chrome casings etc
The bike seen here is the Dawn Silver with the striped tank and rear mudguard
Lovely tho 😊
Unless the casings are some kind of composite they would polish up lovely on a Sunday afternoon!
That’s such a beautiful area.
These radiators really mess with the lines in todays classic retro bikes
I think the carburation [injection] is off , while down shifting , you were matching revs. for a smooth shift , but the engine did not respond with crisp revs .
My preference for the exhaust would be a little more bark . Thanks for the care and time you spent to make this .
Great honest review, as usual. Bike looks good, but I agree with your fit & finish opinion. Is lacking in throttle response and seems to perform the same as a BSA motor did back in the 1960's . I would have the RE Super Meteor 😎 Cheers.
I love the style of these modern classic motorcycles.
Here in Brazil, we only have Triumph and Royal Enfield, which have modern classic motorcycles.
Very interested in getting one when they come to the USA. It would be my first bike. The man I consider my surrogate dad had a BSA thunderbolt. So it would be to honor him.
I see a lot of comments about cheap parts on it etc. This is how the manufacturer keeps the cost down. You're getting a decent looking 650 with a Rotax engine for ~£6.5k. That's a lot of bike for the money. This is around the same price as a new Japanese 125. Going off the review, it's a nice bike to ride, what more do you want? I would recommend to Mahindra that they make a cruiser with that engine, it would suit it better. I am going to have a look at these though.
Undoubtedly a very fair review, I'm also on the fence.
8.04..not that different, original goldie clocks (sounded like goldielocks) swept that way. A lot of good points covered.
Thanks for show us this bealtiful machines. Cheers from Brasil 👊🇧🇷
Looks like a great bike. Deal-breaker for me is lack of centre stand, with no apparent way of fitting one as an accessory or aftermarket. Why on earth?! The rear light and number plate unit would look much better mounted higher up behind the seat. Otherwise really nice.
Apparently BSA/Mahindra have promised an add-on centre stand is coming.
Good review. I think beauty is in the eye of the beholder with this bike. It is essentially an Indian made motorcycle, that was manufactured on a budget. Nothing at all wrong with that, I own a Royal Enfield myself which I love, and it’s pretty much a similar deal. You can always pretend it’s a real BSA Gold Star and descended from classic British lineage, but in truth and despite it probably being a decent and capable motorcycle, they just bought the badge and stuck it on.
Your point is...?
Made clearly above in English.
so is your royal enfield which is just a bought name by Indian eicher motors. in India,RE is called a 'chhapri bike' meanimg all cheap punks ride it. if u dont believe,u can do ur own research n be enlightened,u were made a charlie the day ,they came up with ecu engines . p.s. Britishers cudnt preserve their industries and are just a pile of butthurt piggy asses who buy indian made stuff which we sell to you blokes at double the price😂😂😂
Very enjoyable review, your riding videos and audio are really high quality.
Would love to see you in high heels.
Great review, you got me going during the on-road sections, I was looking out for traffic. The camera work makes me feel as though I'm riding it, and that would be a worry.
Good review, however we still haven't got them in Australia, I might have to import one.. The sound reminds me of the Yamaha XT500, another bike I would like
“Pointy, plastic, piece of rubbish”…. Classic!🤣
I really like these classic style British bikes. They are just beautiful. I'm glad they brought these bikes up to modern standards with the new break systems, the wiring harness, looks nice. To me, the engine color with the brushed aluminium contrasts looks killer. Thanks for the review man. "Illegally swap it out"? LMAO!
Personally I think its cheaped out with those BSA rifle stickers on the right side mock engine cover, seriously that should be moulded or etched in, the huge agricultural radiator with it's tin metal shroud looks poor, and I'd have doubts about it holding up to the weather in the UK, they basically let it down on the detail, and as ever the devil is in the detail!
Great video! Yes a lovely bike but I agree would look even better with some good cast parts 👍🏼
Nice review beautiful country.
Man, it’s been said a lot, but that radiator absolutely kills it. I wish RE had a classic with a bit more power than the 350. The interceptor isn’t quite it, but I couldn’t live with that radiator. It just makes it look like an imposter.
Well as i read your comment i understood that you would never be ok with any bike in classic series
Good job BSA. I remember the original BSA Goldstar. They were not super popular in Canada but they were around. One could say the quality was better on the old ones but the engineers had more to work with today and the package is more reliable and refined today. My son has a kawasaki 650 rs and he said he would not trade it for this BSA but he thinks it is a good bike. I like the ideal of that 650 single liquid cooled engine. It sounds pretty good. I would like to drive one. No it is not the old one but it looks good. If your going to buy the name BSA you might as well use use Goldstar.
There's a fair bit of hate around on BSA at the moment, but it is undeserved; they are lovely motorcycles
@@MrDarcy-OlMan❤
@@MrDarcy-OlMan hello sir , will you put a new video for BSA GOLDSTAR pls .
@@Gamer_perak we have been trying to get one for six months but no one is getting back to us 👍🏼
@ pls try sir it will be more useful to all the motorcycle lovers ❤️
Sign me up! Thank you for your perspective, always enjoy your channel.
Perhaps the most un inspiring MC I have ever heard, great review as always old chap 🇦🇺☺️
Way better than anything in this segment including interceptor. My next bike is THIS one.
Way better than interceptor and gt? 😂😂😂
last shot is amazing wowwwwww😍😍😍
Nice bike, polished engine covers would have been nice, the radiator is almost an after thought, looks like they grabbed one from an auto parts shop and thought "that'll do" and bolted it on!! Besically a bit more thought in the design would have gone a long way to making me want one.
Good looking bike and nice music at the end. Thanks!
I hear you about slow speed handling, I have an RE Classic 500 (and an Interceptor) and people look at me strangely when I laud the slow speed handling of the Classic 500. Always there's the furrowed brow and the "why would that matter" look from the young fellows, but the old farts like me get it, it's nice to be able to ride around and hardly ever have to put your feet down.
As a seasoned big single fan, my thoughts are it's absolutely HORRIBLE.
Who wants a 650 single fitted with a umongous radiator,?
Totally uneccessary.
AIR COOLED EVERYTIME.
The smaller rear wheel,looks wrong on a traditional style motorcycle, and it's sounds more akin to a Honda CG125.
The only thing that's BSA are the plastic tank badges.
All In all, give me anAir Cooled 650 Royal Enfield everytime.
I will keep my Honda GB500. Yes, that's the fake Britishness of the nineties, but it's better than the RE650 which we bought recently.
Unfortunately the nasty bits kill it, like the plastic fake pushrod tube, overly heavy looking front end and ooh that radiator.
My favourite retro! I passed my test in 1971 on a BSA Bantam, onto a Starfire, then a B40 Sports Star. Great to see them back!
👍🏼👍🏼💯
Let's see what reliability and residual values are like in a couple of years. I suspect the initial surge to buy this bike are by people who have nostalgic reasons for doing so but when that initial market had been catered for well, let's see what happens, brand identity isn't everything as Vauxhall found out when they revitalised the "Viva" brand, that didn't last long before it was withdrawn from the market.🤔👍
I think I've only ever seen 1 new Vauxhall viva on the British roads after your comment.
Love the sheep...... BSA isn't bad either
I used to love my XBR500 between 2 and 4k
I agree on the engine casings.... they could have been better sculpted. The sharp edges don't suit the bike
The goat is the star!
Thanks ,They are manx sheep 👍🏼
Nice classic cruiser..I wouldn't mind having this bike!
Really enjoy your reviews. Well presented for all kind of audience, and the location is just great!
You guys should plan to visit India to review a few motorcycles available here. You could collaborate with some classic motorcycles collectors/enthusiasts. If you do consider it, I would suggest you to pick North/NorthEastern/Southern zones. Good luck.
The beautiful Ram...(Being a city boy.. I think it was..) was so funny having a lot of interest in you. I like the bike too. Blimey! I just read a few comments from some who really don't like it...
Good guess 👍🏼 It was a manx ewe, the rams are even more magnificent!
@@MrDarcy-OlMan Cool. I send ewe my apologies...
"I wouldn't recommend it, of course but, I'd do it"
Love this channel.
The sheep was listening to every word ...
Sometimes I wish I lived in a place where a ram would just come up and say hi randomly 😂
At 7:23 you get on the seat , looks like beefing up the rear shock pressure might be better for your build. dropped quite a bit in the rear, prelooad I suppose.
. .
Enjoy your reviews. The petrol tank seems to have a very large seam which looks a bit cheap. Nice bike though. Thank you.