BSA GOLDSTAR 650 | Honest Review!

[@javierrieramonserrat]

I bought mine in August and I can't agree more about your thoughts and I can't be happier with my bike.

[@robertbeighter6336]

Over 2500 kms on mine, first bike was a B25b. Really love the 650.

[@ironlionmotorcycles]

Good to hear someone with positive words to say for a change as there's a lot of haters out there. I rode one after watching negative KZbin videos of it and really liked it and thought it pretty powerful (I've got a Triumph Rocket III Roadster, so I would know what power feels like). I'll be in the market for a second bike in 12 months and it's between this and a Thruxton R, the Triumph may just trump it but only because I like the fact it's got a bit more power being a 1200.

[@mechannoyed599]

I'm starting to warm to this bike. Keep looking at the Enfields but I think the BSA is going to hit the spot. You've voiced the feelings that I would want to feel with it for the long term. Great review and looking forward to the final one before you hand it back.

[@mrmoon1482]

I checked out both and went for the RE interceptor 650 twin, love the sound and look of a twin engine,

[@ilovecake50]

If you fancy it id wait for the B65 styled more like the BSA B44 victor from the 60's much better looking IMO

[@knightowl3577]

The original BSA Goldstar was such a classic and favourite of mine, I'm glad this updated modern version is not just a good bike but a good one at a bargain price. Excellent review, Spicy, because you tell it like it is.

[@atulsankhe5041]

Thanks ,Great review , This covers all aspects of the bike.

[@neilfordham5790]

The bike is aimed at the older rider. I started my riding in 1973 and I can remember a lad at college with a Gold Star which we used to gather to watch him start it and ride down the drive slipping the clutch and blipping the throttle to keep it running. The new Gold Star has very similar looks but all the benefits of modern technology. I bought one in December 2023 and paid full price but it’s a keeper so I don’t mind.

[@arthurramm8664]

Really good video and I like the way you stress that it is your opinion. Too many reviewers believe they are stating facts when it is not a case of one size fits all. One question? Where did your ride take place please. At one point you seemed near Peterborough and the next, you were on the coast. You certainly picked some good roads. Well done.

[@spicy110]

Thanks, this was filmed around the Portsmouth / Havant area.

[@jerrywines382]

I've not heard of any others with such an inaccurate fuel guage. There is also a light that comes on when you hit reserve, and the manual says there's still 3 litres left at this point, so over 40 miles of range. My guage falls more progressively than your test bike, and I can do around 145 miles before the reserve light comes on, which is about right for having 3 litres left in the tank. Even riding it hard fuel consumption doesn't drop much below 70mpg, and normal mixed riding gives me around 74mpg. I improved the slightly jerky throttle at low revs by adjusting out some of the free play at the bar end. Mine came with nearer 10mm of free play rather than the 3-5mm the handbook recommends. The engine is the star of the show, with all that lovely torque, but it's also very planted and stable through the bends with enough maneuverability to change course to avoid drain covers or potholes. So it's no slouch if you want to get a move on. I also reckon it looks fantastic in the Shadow Black but then again I bought one so I'm definitely biased. Thanks for reviewing the bike for what it is and giving people honest feedback, rather than jumping on the populist bandwagon and slating it for no justfied reason.

[@jimmyculbert1197]

I agree with your comments,decent bike. I the summer though i could not see the indicators or read the screen . Not bright enough. Currenty i have an BMW R9T an a Ducati Scrambler Classic , both amazing bikes. The Ducati being my favourite.

[@WidleyWesident]

Nice review, great bike (I could consider one instead of my Guzzi) and I could see my boat as you rode past the sailing club! 🎉 safe travels Spicy! 😎👍

[@ianhalliwell8604]

I've just sold mine for very poor money considering that I'd paid 7 grand for it back in 2023. My advice for anyone wanting to buy any new BSA product in the future is wait for 12 months and it will be reduced by 2 grand or 25%.

[@ironlionmotorcycles]

Why did you sell it after only 12 months ownership?

[@ianhalliwell8604]

Because the company has no faith in it or they wouldn't have slashed its price by 2 grand. So why should i.

[@ironlionmotorcycles]

@@ianhalliwell8604 isn't that just what companies do anyway once they've recouped their R&D costs?

[@ironlionmotorcycles]

​@@ianhalliwell8604don't most companies usually reduce the value of their product once they've recouped their R&D costs? So you sold what was a perfectly good bike at a loss because you "felt" BSA had no faith in their product!?

[@dustifyoumust2244]

Though you may have a valid criticism for BSA, you should reserve the greatest criticism for yourself. Selling any new machine after such a short time of ownership is going to incur a significant loss. Added to that, BSA were having a few UK service and parts issues, so you were doubly foolish to sell at the bottom of the market. The apparent truth of the matter is that with very few exceptions, it is considered a robust and good bike. Your foolish and premature sale of your barely year old Goldstar rather negates your opinion as invalid.

[@michaelworthington9241]

I believe you seriously mate l love. Your videos as lm a first time rider

[@paulblackfield473]

My only reservation with this bike is the diminishing number of dealers and the potential of spares availability in the long tern, so sticking with RE.

[@grahamcrighton8113]

Great review, thank you!

[@leegreveson]

I've really enjoyed your series on this bike, great to see a younger rider put it through its paces in a more "spirited" way, think you'll change some preconceptions 👍🏻🤞🏻 Pity that engine part on the right side wasn't blacked out too though, does look stealth in all black 😎

[@williamnethercott4364]

Nice review! TBH, it's really the only new bike that interests me much but I'm not in the market so that doesn't matter (I'm sticking with my old AJS).

[@Dan-56]

Thanks for a thorough and realistic review of the Gold Star. I live in hope they will at some point come to the USA 🤞, but I realize the cost of getting them through all the silly regulations may be do daunting when figuring the possible sales numbers here. (Big single cylinder street bikes have never been a high volume seller here 😕.)

[@BSAroadrocket]

according to the BSA dealer network map, there are now some dealers in the USA!

[@phaethon3124]

i had a CZ that would go reserve tank when it was half full

[@jfro5867]

I do like the look of these. Handsome bike.

[@ogasi1798]

good series - great f'in bike

[@OmegaKnightRed]

Good review.

[@PAGallagher]

Just for reference, the final drive chain was on the left side on the original Gold Star 500 👍

[@spicy110]

Oh....thanks for the correction!

[@PAGallagher]

@@spicy110 No problem at all👍 Great review, by the way. It's a bike I was quite tempted with and I'm sure it's a really good quality machine but certain aesthetic details, including the side of the drive chain jarred with me. The problem is I'm an old bugger and I was there for the original Goldie which I still think is a stunner but, objectively, that doesn't detract from all the positive reviews I've seen on this new 'Goldie' All the best, Phil 👍

[@paulharrison8155]

The original Gold Star had the chain on the left

[@spicy110]

Yep, this has been corrected in the comments. 🙂

[@IndigoJo]

Bybre means "by Brembo". It's Brembo's 'import' brake brand.

[@neilp1885]

Hi Spicy, hopefully the fuel guage on that specific bike is faulty. Having one that measures the top half and leaves you guessing about the rest seems to make no sense to me. They might as well just not put a guage on there than design one like that. Measure down to say two litres left and then say it's empty for a 30 mile(ish) reserve - sure, that works, and that's common. Don't measure the full tank but measure the lower half or three-quarters, again, I could live with that. If you fill the tank, the guage wouldn't go down for a while, but when it did, you'd know where you were in relation to running out - and that's the important part! Give us a quick update if you find out more, like if that one is/was faulty.

[@spicy110]

I have had a comment from an owner saying his was not like that.

[@neilp1885]

@ thanks

[@rodericde876]

Slipper clutches do not reduce engine braking under normal closed throttle loads. They mitigate rear wheel instability caused by high engine revs when braking or changing gear.

[@spicy110]

Have you ever dumped down 3 gears on a big single without a slipper?

[@marcbrasse747]

Nothing wrong with it as such but it is FAT. Above 200 kg is NOT in the same weight class as 170 kg. And one can see it. It misses the lean ellegance of the original. But for those who like that sort of nostalgia…

[@auldflyer]

Nothing more than a pile of jiggly cachu, any cheapskate buying one of these to get on the "nostalgia bandwagon" is gonna end up regretting the purchase.

[@dayvidmathews1182]

I bought two, one for me and one for my brother... Guess what mate... we love them ... sorry about that 😂😂😂

[@geraldscott4302]

Damn that thing is UGLY. Did you drop it in a tar pit??

[@spicy110]

Are you a child? I didn't make the bike. I'm reviewing it, lol 😆

[@davidyersz8668]

Stunning looking bike but have been really put off buying it as its resale value is rock bottom

[@spicy110]

I just looked on bike trader going price for a low miles model is around £4k to £4.5k, they are £5k new. That is cheaper than a Yamaha 125cc new.

[@RobertMountfort]

If they don't fall apart,who cares