BSA Returns With The Gold Star

[yogidozer]

Not sure if this was posted already.
The Indian motorcycle manufacturer has brought the storied BSA brand back to life with the new BSA Gold Star.

[Jack Straw]

As a card carrying geezer the idea of a modernized Goldie is very appealing.  I wonder, though, how many they'll sell in the US market?  This bike will likely go head to head with the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 and that will be a big challenge as the Interceptor is a seriously good, very refined piece of kit at a remarkably low price.

Whether the new BSA/Mahindra company will have a decent dealer network is another huge question.  The "new" Royal Enfield twins have been in the US for four model years now and they still lack an effective dealer and service scheme.

[yogidozer]

Yes Jack, seems like young buyers want 900 hp, 200 mph capabilities.
Older riders have enough bikes already....but if I didn't, I'd probably check out the  Royal Enfield Interceptor 650, being air cooled

[SIR REAL ED]

Yep.  The new Gold Star has some tough competition right out of the gate.  If the Mahindra tractor dealers start carrying motorcycles, that might be a huge influence on "acceptability."

[grebmrof]

Did a search and couldn't come up with the thread on the new BSA Gold Star that Mahinda is introducing, but it has been covered before.  Even Motorcycle "Daily" covered it in:  https://www.motorcycledaily.com/2021/12/2022-bsa-gold-star-debuts-when-the-past-becomes-present/   and then there is Cycle World:  https://www.cycleworld.com/story/motorcycle-news/2022-bsa-gold-star-first-look-preview/  etc, etc, etc.

It will be interesting to see how their dealer network develops and when the bike actually reaches our shores...not to mention the price for this puppy...

[yogidozer]

Did a search and couldn't come up with the thread on the new BSA Gold Star that Mahinda is introducing, but it has been covered before.  Even Motorcycle "Daily" covered it in:  https://www.motorcycledaily.com/2021/12/2022-bsa-gold-star-debuts-when-the-past-becomes-present/   and then there is Cycle World:  https://www.cycleworld.com/story/motorcycle-news/2022-bsa-gold-star-first-look-preview/  etc, etc, etc.

It will be interesting to see how their dealer network develops and when the bike actually reaches our shores...not to mention the price for this puppy...

https://www.advrider.com/bsa-returns-with-the-gold-star/

[majstevetrevor]

Yes Jack, seems like young buyers want 900 hp, 200 mph capabilities.
Older riders have enough bikes already....but if I didn't, I'd probably check out the  Royal Enfield Interceptor 650, being air cooled

Well, air and oil cooled.. I have to say, that new goldstar looks pretty good, other than that weirdly massive header pipe.

[Redrider]

Massive header for the massive volume of spent combustibles. Looks like fun but how is the build quality. I have seen new, on the floor Enfields with rusty bits. (That was in the early days of revival)

[Redrider]

 Looking at the full-size image, it appears as though the actual header is covered with a heat shield.

[Ncdan]

If it’s a fact that Mahindra tractor is backing the new BSA it would be the first new motorcycle in years that would have my attention. I have owned one of their tractors for years and it’s bulletproof and the dealer backing where I live is superb.
I say bring it on!

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

It certainly looks the part, but heavy. what is this, 35-40HP? gotta be a 500 pounder for sure?

I have not enjoyed my time on big-bore thumpers, but I seem to be in the minority on that one, everyone else seems to dig them.

i hope they sell a boatload. If for no other reason it would be nice to get an inter-india retro motorcycle arms race going with RE...  if both of them are churning them out, seems the Japanese will continue to throw some weight into that sector. Rising tide raises all boats etc etc etc

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

It certainly looks the part, but heavy. what is this, 35-40HP? gotta be a 500 pounder for sure?

45 hp, 470 lbs. wet. There's mention of 56 hp for some markets.

From the Motorcycle Daily article: "the new liquid cooled 652cc single powering the Gold Star is a thoroughly modern DOHC four-valve engine designed by Rotax and making a claimed 45 horsepower and 40.6 foot/pounds of torque. A five-speed gearbox is featured."

I'm guessing there is potential for both horsepower gains and weight reduction.

[JJ]

Best line of the thread:  As a card carrying geezer...

Anyone know if they are indeed coming to the USA...and if so, WHEN?

[grebmrof]

Anyone know if they are indeed coming to the USA...and if so, WHEN?

From Motorcycle Daily above:  "BSA says production will ramp up early next year with retail sales following in the summer."  12/17/21

From Cycle World above: "...and while price is sure to be a deciding factor for many in choosing between the BSA and the Royal Enfield alternatives, no specifics have been announced just yet. The firm currently only says it will be competitive, with a final figure due to be announced in early 2022, shortly before production gets into full swing."  12/16/21

From AdvRider above:  "...pricing is still TBA.  As for availability, all BSA will say is that the Gold Star will be available in early 2022."  01/28/22

So, without a dealer network and any specific announcement from Mahindra, no one knows if and when it will be introduced into the U.S. nor a price...so simply need to take a wait and see for now.  So hang on to that deposit for now...and JJ, keep your eyes peeled!

[yogidozer]

Well, air and oil cooled.. I have to say, that new goldstar looks pretty good, other than that weirdly massive header pipe.

It's water cooled

[Scout63]

I’m so glad that thumpers have returned.  It used to be that the SR500 was the only big bore street bike available.  Although I love my SR, the modern big singles from KTM and Husky, Yamaha etc. have it all over it.  What is really needed in our aging biker population is low seat height and easy handling, with good looks thrown in.  This helps get new riders into the game too. Hopefully the BSA will do well.

[acguzzi]

dealer network? You know when I were a lad bikes came with a toolkit under the seat, can't tell kids these days though!

[Jack Straw]

I think what's important about a dealer network is self-evident.  When many of us started riding the toolkit under the seat could take care of many little problems we encountered. 

With the electronic sophistication of modern bikes most of the techniques and tricks we home wrenches used successfully simply don't help when you encounter the "ghost in the machine".  A serious service department with skilled technicians backed up by state of the art diagnostic tools, and a manufacturer who supports the service departments is required for these modern wonders.

I owned a 2020 Royal Enfield 650 which was a bike perfectly suited to my needs.  I dearly loved that scooter but early on it developed a frustrating stalling problem which was intermittent and could not be induced or diagnosed by the dealers.  The available service shops can barely handle oil and filter changes so they were limited to firing the parts cannon at my bike.  After three years on the market Royal Enfield had not issued ONE technical service bulletin on the 650 twins despite many noted occurrences of the same problem I encountered.

I put up with the stalling for over 7000 miles and finally had enough.  I parked the Enfield in a dark corner of my shop and bought a new V7.
Of course Guzzi has plenty of complaints about dealers but there is a well known and respected Guzzi seller here in my town.  They know their stuff when it comes to service.  Rather than a giant multi-brand MC superstore they run a charming little place with four guys and a couple of friendly dogs.

We all love our modern vehicles and their near perfect reliability and function as long as the work properly.  When the digital gremlin strikes we hope the mother ship can intervene 'cause that bag of pot-metal tools under the seat isn't gonna git 'er done.

I love the idea of a new BSA but I hope Mahindra actually structures a useable support network.  Color me skeptical after my Enfield experience.

[grebmrof]

I owned a 2020 Royal Enfield 650 which was a bike perfectly suited to my needs.  I dearly loved that scooter but early on it developed a frustrating stalling problem which was intermittent and could not be induced or diagnosed by the dealers.  The available service shops can barely handle oil and filter changes so they were limited to firing the parts cannon at my bike.  After three years on the market Royal Enfield had not issued ONE technical service bulletin on the 650 twins despite many noted occurrences of the same problem I encountered.

I put up with the stalling for over 7000 miles and finally had enough.  I parked the Enfield in a dark corner of my shop and bought a new V7.
Of course Guzzi has plenty of complaints about dealers but there is a well known and respected Guzzi seller here in my town.  They know their stuff when it comes to service.  Rather than a giant multi-brand MC superstore they run a charming little place with four guys and a couple of friendly dogs.

Well very few places in this country have a top notch dealership like you have available.  They too handled Royal Enfield at one time, but from looking at their website they no longer do.  You are a lucky man.  Our closest and best dealer is about 250 miles away from me these days.  We no longer have a Joe Eish or a Speakers close by.  Again, you are a lucky man!

[Moparnut72]

My son has a K1600 which has a stalling problem. No way I would want to try to work on that beast even if I knew what to do. The dealer hasn't been able to fix it. He says it just quits, he has to reboot it, he is a computer tech, then it will restart. I told him to trade it for Guzzi.
kk

[Jack Straw]

These days all brands are subject to weird digital "lapses".  I had long wanted a Moto Guzzi but lacking a good dealer close I'd likely have bought a Honda.

[JJ]

My son has a K1600 which has a stalling problem. No way I would want to try to work on that beast even if I knew what to do. The dealer hasn't been able to fix it. He says it just quits, he has to reboot it, he is a computer tech, then it will restart. I told him to trade it for Guzzi.
kk

I have a good friend in Tucson who has owned three (3) K1600's.  While he likes everything about the bike, he also said the best investment he ever made was the additional $2500 extended warranty...which he said has paid for itself five fold on EACH of the Beemers he has owned!!

[steven c]

I have heard the best time to buy a new BMW is when your warranty is up. Could be just folklore.

[JJ]

I would really like to see one in person...and sit on it!!

NOTE:  I don't think water-cooled is a big issue at all....




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[Moparnut72]

Water cooling is the future as well as electric. Have to grin and bear it.
kk

[JJ]

Water cooling is the future as well as electric. Have to grin and bear it.
kk

Or...one could just "Bite-the-Bullet"....not wait....and open their wallet ("VERY WIDE")... and just buy the real McCoy!!!

[majstevetrevor]

Or...one could just "Bite-the-Bullet"....not wait....and open their wallet ("VERY WIDE")... and just buy the real McCoy!!!

Yeah that’s top of the line, but there are plenty of other really nice BSA‘s around for less than 10 grand. I’m always tempted to add a classic Brit bike as a second ride but just don’t have the space for one.