How the BSA Gold Star 650 managed to impress me in-person

Classic retro stance, sitting on it, you couldn’t help going back in time, remember Rajdoot .

BHPian Legal_Eagle recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Just visited Synergy Mahindra at NR Colony, Banashankari 3rd Stage, Bangalore. There are two BSA Gold Star 650 on display, insignia red and sheen silver. The bike looks proportionate and classic. They have nailed the design part.

This is how a 5.75″ frame looks on the bike. The stance of the bike feels natural, everything falls into place quite telepathically, all the controls are where it is supposed to be, the bike just feels like a natural extension of yourself. The footpegs doesn’t foul with your shins, sigh (Yes, am looking at you, Interceptor) Shorter riders would feel at home and the seat is accomodating for all shapes and sizes. Going by the looks, even the pillion should feel welcome.

Classic retro stance, sitting on it, you couldn’t help going back in time, remember Rajdoot

The exhaust bend pipe protrudes a bit from the frame, gets really hot, have to be a bit careful.

The radiator cap is exposed, more chances of being fiddled with at parked spaces.

The switch gear, not so great in quality but the tactile feedback is good. Nothing fancy here.

The speedo console is once again retro. There is a small window within the speed console which displays the odo reading but it is definitely a task to read on the go! Similar display on the tachometer displays fuel level. The 3rd small circular window fixed on to the headlight has telltale signs of ABS, check engine, low oil, neutral and side stand. The speedo looks classic, just the basic info. There is a USB type C and regular USB socket on the LHS of the handlebar for charging your phone/GPS on the go.

The heart of the matter. 650cc single cylinder, the largest single in India presently if we ignore the Ducati. BSA could have done better with respect to the shine and choice of the chrome shade on the engine, also they have used dark grey instead of black on the casings. The paint on the fins feel a bit uneven to touch, don’t know if it is purposely done or a production issue. The earlier version of this engine is an old work horse which did duty on BMW Funduro 650, known to be robust, reliable and low on maintenance. But only real world performance can attest to that history!