BSA Gold Star 650 a second opinion 4K

[@77archibald]

Good balanced review. Whether the purists like it or not, it is a BSA. As you said, it does not feel heavy, has loads of torque, and has enough top end power. Mine definitely has the grin factor.

[@bikerdood1100]

I would tend to agree As an owner of a 50s BSA I find it mildly annoying how people comment about the BEEZA but go out an buy an Asian built Triumph for far more money I do wonder If some critics have an ulterior motive Or maybe they are just old fashioned trolls 🤷🏼 Whilst a prefer my Classic BSA are can’t see the point of being sniffy about the new bike

[@AliasMrHackenbacker]

I do agree with your comments. I much preferred the BSA over the RE interceptor, it was more comfortable, suspension seemed much better controlled over poor road surfaces, and the lower exhaust would make fitting aftermarket soft luggage easier. I read somewhere that it is not possible to fit a centrestand. I wasn't tempted at the original price, but the new price and a good dealer makes me start thinking!

[@bikerdood1100]

Indeed Residuals aren’t to good at the moment, but I suspect that’s true of any new bike in the current climate. As a personal who keeps his bikes for well over a decade it doesn’t enter my thoughts when looking for a knew bike.

[@tiufb]

I wholeheartedly agree regarding the absence on most bikes of center stands and mud guards/fenders. Hopefully the BSA will make it to the states.

[@bikerdood1100]

Hopefully they’ll have a centre Stan£ at least as an option by then May yet appear In the US. They are expanding having started low key in the UK

[@speedfinder1]

I bought a Moto Guzzi V7 Special 850 as a "Classic Retro." It has proved to be an interesting experience. It is a lot more money to buy compared to the BSA and the riding experience does border on the "Heavy," Side of things. You certainly can't chase it along. That said, it is well made and has a HUGE character. The BSA isn't a contender for me as in seems to be a bit like a "Manufactured Boy Band" It seems to be too heavily dependent on "Tales of yester year" as it's marketing tool rather than producing something that is a good bike in and of itself. The V7 is a much better bike in terms of being its own thing and I think BSA should concentrate on doing that rather than "Pretending" to be something from the 1960s....

[@bikerdood1100]

I would apply the boy band remark equally to the REs and triumph in particular The Guzzi has always been the only one that feels truly authentic in that sense But I am biased

[@borderlands6606]

@@bikerdood1100 I think REs have been an Indian brand longer than they were British, or near enough. It isn't long since they stopped making the cast iron engine, so there's a sense of continuity, at least in format and cc's. I'd like to like the Gold Star but if the tank badge said Mahindra would anyone be interested, even if it was a perfectly good 650 Rotax single?

[@lauriebloggs8391]

Enjoyed that, they looked good on the road together 🙂

[@bikerdood1100]

Thanks 👍

[@stevek3036]

I will add to the previous comments - balanced, objective review as always to counter the rider's that may tend to make judgments based on their own personal reason's rather than considering the overall objective of how the bike is? if all bikes were the same it would get pretty boring. All these retro manufacturers are balancing the scales to appeal to the original ethos of the bike's looks and style whilst trying to make them modern in terms of handling etc. I asked my late Father about BSA as he was a Triumph 3T and 5T owner in his prime and his response was they were o.k. but nothing special back in the 60's A bit flashy but being a single they were affordable bikes - his words not mine!

[@xt225]

The new flying flea please.

[@bikerdood1100]

Is there such a thing ? haven’t seen it yet maybe at the show this year perhaps, I’d imagine not much like the original an RE 125 would help to expand their appeal

[@bikerdood1100]

Ohh The electric thing Ohhh no I like to ride big distances with something that feels alive ta

[@martinowl]

A good well balanced review/opinion. It’s a fact that what were British brands are no longer British made, get over it & accept these motorcycles for what they are. Fun! I haven’t ridden the BSA yet, that a conscious decision, as I own an Interceptor, which I love. Whilst on its own the lack of centre stand is not a deal breaker, in my personal garage, I couldn’t accommodate it without moving 2 motorcycles on. Shame, but, my CX500 is running really good now, so it’s going nowhere. ( unless someone makes a silly offer)lol.

[@bikerdood1100]

To be honest I would buy if they were The fact that I don’t own a new BSA or Triumph should really say where I stand on this matter I will give my honest opinion on them as a motorcycle but I haven’t purchased a new Triumph for some time the fact that I’m not sniffy about foreign built triumphs for example should not be inferred that I think that this is acceptable The Bloor family had the opportunity to create a fountain head of British industry but frankly pissed it away for higher profits and poorer products Sticking a union flag on an Asian built bike strikes me as plain dishonest I’ll happily buy a motorcycle built in Malasia or Thailand but I would expect more from a Triumph Some brands are indelibly linked to there origins HD for example A non American built Harley ? No thanks What makes Guzzi such a great company is you know where they are made you can visit there and get a since of history and connection Hinckley on the other Hand is little Moore than a massive where house Pathetic

[@martinowl]

@ can’t argue with you regarding Moto Guzzi. Long may they continue as they are.

[@annajeannettedixon2453]

British BSA and triumph are very good bike even after 6o odd years old but I find Norton have just have the edge in handeling and top speed but top speed is not everything

[@bikerdood1100]

Indeed it is not

[@robert-wr6md]

There is no conspiracy in the horror stories of unreliability from several owners.

[@bikerdood1100]

Not talking conspiracy theories Don’t believe I used the term in the video There aren’t actually a huge number of owners publishing problem videos though either 🤷🏻