The BSA Goldstar will go on sale in India very soon. This will be the bike that lets Mahindra-owned Classic Legends compete directly with the Royal Enfield 650cc bikes. The Goldstar will sit higher than the Jawas and Yezdis, and it will be the premium offering from Classic Legends. Here’s what we know about the motorcycle so far.
Launch Date
The BSA Goldstar has been on sale overseas for over a year, but the bike is only just coming to India. The delay is partly down to legal issues with the usage of the BSA name, but Classic Legends seems to have sorted that out as they will launch the bike on August 15.
Engine
This is a 650cc motorcycle, which will make it a direct competitor to the Royal Enfield 650. However, unlike the Royal Enfield, the BSA uses a liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine. This is a heavily reworked version of the 652cc Rotax motor that has been used in bikes such as the BMW F650 Funduro from the early 2000s.
The engine has been co-developed with Austrian engineering firm BRP-Rotax for use in BSA, and it produces 45hp and 55Nm. Compared with the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650, the BSA is 2.5hp down on power but has 2.7Nm more torque. Moreover, the BSA’s torque arrives lower down, at 4,000rpm versus 5,150rpm on the Enfield.
Weight
The BSA Goldstar weighs 201kg, which makes it substantially lighter than the 218kg Interceptor 650. We will know how noticeable this will be on the road only when we ride the bike.
Goldstar variants
BSA’s UK website lists two versions of the Goldstar. Both have the exact same specifications, but the Legacy Edition comes in a unique Silver Sheen colour scheme, which features more use of chrome. The standard Goldstar is available in five colours.
What is the BSA Goldstar’s USP?
The Goldstar’s unique offering is its engine. Among the bikes sold in India, it will be the second-biggest single-cylinder engine after the Ducati Hypermotard Mono’s 659cc unit. Expect a unique riding experience, and if the refinement levels are under control, the Goldstar might be able to offer that same relaxed, torque-rich experience that is so widely loved in RE’s 350cc bikes. We’re keen to see what this engine will be like when we ride the bike in India.
How much does the Goldstar cost?
The BSA Goldstar range starts at Rs 3 lakh for the Insignia Red and Highland Green colours. The next step up is for the Midnight Black and Dawn Silver colours, at Rs 3.12 lakh. A fully blacked-out Shadow Black colour is available for Rs 3.16 lakh and the range-topping Legacy Edition – Silver Sheen is priced at Rs 3.35 lakh.
All prices ex-showroom, Delhi
