BSA Motorcycles is back and they recently unveiled their first motorcycle. It is called Gold Star and the manufacturer has now released the first TVC on their YouTube channel. The video gives a good look at the new motorcycle.
The video shows us the Gold Star going through some beautiful back roads. There are some shots of the motorcycle and its components like shock absorbers, front fender and instrument cluster. The video does not give us any technical specs of the motorcycle nor we can hear the engine or the exhaust note properly.
Also read: BSA Motorcycles unveil Gold Star 650: Will Rival Royal Enfield 650 Twins
BSA used to sell a motorcycle by the same name back from 1938 to 1963. In fact, the new Gold Star is designed to look very similar to the old one. Classic Legends now own BSA Motorcycles. They bought it for Rs. 28 Crores. Classic Legends is backed up by Anand Mahindra and they also own Jawa and Yezdi.
Gold Star is powered by a 652 cc, single-cylinder, dual overhead cam, four-valve engine. It is a liquid-cooled unit that has been given a look of an air-cooled engine so that it looks old-school. Just like the Royal Enfield motorcycles before the J-series engine, the drive chain is on the right side.
The engine was originally built by Rotax. Rotax is an Austrian engineering company and the engine is often referred to as Rotax 650 single. We have experienced this engine on the BMW F650 Funduro. Yes, the engine is quite old but the engine has been heavily reworked to modernize it. So, now it complies with Euro 5 emission norms and features fuel injection. All of the mechanical and visual work of the engine was done by the Technical University of Graz.
The engine is capable of producing 45 hp of max power and a peak torque output of 55 Nm. It comes mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The engine might look like it is less powerful than its rivals, the Royal Enfield 650 Twins but it produces slightly more torque. The power and torque also kick in earlier than the 650 Twin’s engine. The top speed of the motorcycle is 166 kmph.
Royal Enfield is using a 648 cc, parallel-twin, single-overhead cam engine that is air-oil cooled. The engine produces 47 hp of max power and 52 Nm of peak torque. It comes mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox with a slip and assist clutch.
Gold Star is using a double-cradle frame. Suspension duties are done by a 41 mm telescopic fork and twin rear shock absorbers. Braking is done by a single 320 mm disc in the front and a 255 mm disc at the rear. For safety, there is only a dual-channel anti-lock braking system on offer.
The seat height of the Gold Star is 780 mm and the fuel tank measures 12 litres in capacity. The front-wheel measures 18-inches and uses a 100/90 tyre and the rear wheel measures 17-inches and uses a 150/70 tyre. The motorcycle weighs 213 kgs.
Gold Star launch in India?
BSA will start selling Gold Star in the UK first, then they will expand to Europe then to the US market. Launch in India will be considered after that. Moreover, one issue that Classic Legends will face is that the trademark for BSA in India is currently owned by TI Murugappa Group.
Also read: Modified Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 motorcycle from Eimor Customs look beautiful
