Mahindra owned BSA Motorcycles unveils 652cc BSA Gold Star motorcycle

The new BSA Gold Star will also be available in Legacy Edition, which is inspired by the Gold Stars of the past and finished in a special ‘Silver Sheen’ colour.

It may be recalled that in 2016 M&M had acquired a controlling stake in Classic Legends which in turn acquired BSA Company (BSA Motorcycles) including all its existing global brand rights. BSA Company Ltd, trading as BSA Motorcycles was acquired in October 2016 by Classic Legends Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of the Mahindra Group. Earlier this year, BSA Company Ltd. was awarded a £4.6 million grant by the UK Government for the development of zero-emission motorcycles, as part of the low-carbon automotive initiative.

CLICK HERE TO READ: MAHINDRA ACQUIRES CONTROLLING STAKE IN CLASSIC LEGENDS

PRODUCT DETAILS

The twin-pod instruments feature individual analogue speedometer and tachometer units with LCD multi-functional display. The needles feature the same reverse sweep function as the original Smiths clocks. The separate tell-tale pod on the headlamp housing is another nod to the era gone by.

The fuel tank builds on the tank of the M24 and DB34 Gold Star, with similar chrome touches on the sides, an offset fuel filler cap and a dash of colour with contrasting pin stripe. The BSA logo commands the same prominent position on either side.

A lot of detail has gone into styling the engine, which is based on a pre-unit single and retains the same looks for authenticity.

The new BSA Gold Star rides on wire-spoke alloy wheels –18-inch front and 17-inch rear – giving it a quintessential classic character. A flat seat not only complements the overall design but also works with the optimised handlebar and foot peg position to offer a seating position that’s commanding yet comfortable.

The rear is kept minimalistic, with a reimagination of the original Lucas lamps but with modern LED technology within. The signature fender stays – finished in chrome to complete the persona of the new motorcycle.

The other unique touches on the Legacy Edition include chrome-finished fenders, mirrors and levers, polished engine covers, white beaded seat and a gloss black finish on instruments, headlight cover and foot pegs, along with chromed components across the motorcycle.

The new BSA Gold Star is available in Insignia Red, Dawn Silver, Midnight Black, Highland Green and Silver Sheen (Legacy Edition).

The engine is liquid-cooled and features four valves operated by dual overhead camshafts, yet it also sports the classic fins dating back to the Gold Star’s original air-cooled engine.

This culminates in an engine that delivers a peak power of 45hp and peak torque of 55Nm. The engine has been developed by BSA in partnership with the Technical University of Graz to meet the latest emission standards, without compromising on performance and character.

Designed for a ‘torquey’ feel throughout the rev range, the engine is made with just one objective – riding pleasure. No matter what your riding style is and irrespective of where you ride, the engine feels right at home. Torque starts building up from as low as 1800rpm, delivering a healthy flow throughout the rev range and resulting in effortless cruising and bursts of acceleration when needed.

Chassis:

Forming the backbone of the new BSA Gold Star is an all-new dual-cradle chassis with a D- Loop integrated into the design; another signature element from the original model. The front wheel is suspended via 41mm telescopic forks while the rear features a traditional swingarm with twin shock absorbers, featuring a 5-step preload adjustment.

To stay true to its classic roots and yet deliver agile handling, the Gold Star gets 18-inch wheels at the front and 17-inch wheels at the rear, shod with premium Pirelli Phantom Sportscomp tyres that come with a vintage tread pattern and great handling characteristics. Braking is handled by Brembo featuring a single 320mm disc at the front and 255mm disc at the rear, and equipped with Continental dual channel ABS.