BSA B40 Road Test - 4

Continuation of the test, going slow gives a real appreciation of the nearby countryside, bike still running well. this road takes you through Crays Pond towards the Woodcote road which we will join and head to Caversham.

[@stevetaylor8698]

The great thing about hand signals, you never accidentally leave them on.

[@KB-uu4fy]

Brings back memories. I took my test whilst in Junior Leaders Regiment age 16 on an Army B40 at Bovingdon camp in 1974. Luckily my dad had BSA’s that I had already ridden many times, so it was a doddle. I still have my dad’s BSA’s that I ride regularly. If I came across an old Army B40, I would snap it up.

[@markebush]

Loved the sound and the ride. Riders these days have no idea what they are missing if they have never ridden a British bike.

[@martynpriddy1006]

Compared to a modern bike there are a whole lot of considerations brakes. power. steering. ground clearance, no indicators, brake light only on the rear, pedals round the wrong way etc that need to be factored in to your IPSGA and of course although I replaced the tyres and they look new I cant remember when so probably rock solid!!!

[@DryBonez13]

Sounds very clean & Running so well! Keep safety sir.....

[@philmuskett265]

Good ride through some lovely places. Bike sounds good and seems to be running well. Would have liked a good look at the bike.

[@arthurfarrow]

A B40 was my first 'bigger' bike, after passing my test on a D1 Bantam. I agree with you the exhaust note is louder than i remember mine as being.

[@Ady11000]

Thanks for posting , nice ride . Thinking of getting one myself .

[@martynpriddy1006]

Nice easy bike to own, parts etc all seem fairly available and as long as you dont want to go A road speeds everywhere good fun !

[@stephenbrumpton8077]

Hi Martyn, I love the bike and your videos, I have just bought a 1964 B40 over here where I live in Normandy, it was originally from NL and the speedo is in Km, I am just waiting for my insurance ticket so I can take it for a road test I also have two oldish Suzuki`s which I love to ride along with my friends as the roads over here are great.

[@martynpriddy1006]

Hi Stephen, your lucky to live in Normandy! been over a few times for the D day celebrations staying in Port Bail. I have considered a trailer to take the BSA over but never got round to it. I find the BSA a bit of a struggle in traffic (of which there is plenty in our area) but a pleasure on open roads at c50-55mph, it will go faster but that's its 'happy zone' enjoy!

[@stephenbrumpton8077]

@@martynpriddy1006 Thanks for your reply, if your ever in my area your welcome to call in. I am looking forward to getting some good rides on the B40, I usually use my Suzuki 1981 GS 650 G when I ride with my friends.

[@martynpriddy1006]

@@stephenbrumpton8077 You will have to get used to a slower way with the B40, my 76 Honda CB750 feels modern compared with the BSA!

[@radhakantapanda5882]

Sound is musical .

[@notwocdivad]

A shame the commentary sounded like it was coming from outer space but the sound of the bike made up for it!! Lovely little Beeza the B40 For some reason the ex military ones seem best of all? Yours is running pretty sweet although sometimes seems to hiccup coming off idle? Still a great ride out, thanks for taking us along.

[@pamknight2632]

Lovely ride through lovely countryside but.....Where's the pub or tea shop.

[@martynpriddy1006]

Ahh, yes that is an issue. A favoured ride is from ours in Reading to a pub called the Old Bell in Aldworth (on the Ridgeway) will be doing this soon!

[@gerryh0011]

Absolutely wonderful. What a great ride. Question - is your B40WD fitted with road gearing or is it still wide ratio? Many thanks for sharing

[@martynpriddy1006]

This model (ex civil defence) has standard road gearing, 1st 3 gears quite short and 4th long!

[@jackking5567]

Oh gosh I came here hoping to put myself off buying one! That didn't work. Currently the machine I have (older Japanese) is a nightmare to service and repair. One of these has just enough hp and would be so easy to service and repair. I'm guessing that a comfortable cruising speed for this bike would be around 50 mph?

[@martynpriddy1006]

Yes 50 mph is a sweet spot, it will of course go faster but lets you know it does not like it. Caution though the acceleration and braking is of its era!

[@thebikegeekandmore2448]

Thanks for uploading the video. Could you perhaps do a review about the bike and tell us how it is compared to a more modern bike to road? That would be cool for us who never had the chance to ride old bikes like this one.

[@martynpriddy1006]

I can certainly do so, leave it with me!

[@thebikegeekandmore2448]

@@martynpriddy1006 I am looking forward to it. I will now subscribe to your Channel.

[@raykirkham5357]

It is always nicer if you show at least a little footage of the whole bike. From beginning to end, I could never recognize this bike if I saw it on the street. Don't omit pictures or scenes where we see the whole bike.

[@tombobb]

blaatttt :)