Could This Gorgeous Retro Motorcycle from a Long-Gone Iconic Brand Be Returning Soon?

Thanks to an Indian conglomerate, the beloved brand itself is already back — and has its sights set on the USA.

Published 7 hours ago

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Thanks to head-turning cameos in everything from 1965’s Thunderball to 2024’s The Bikeriders, BSA has never fully fallen out of the public consciousness — at least not for the two-wheeled cognoscenti among us, anyway.

Pretty wild considering the UK motorcycle maker that began life as the Birmingham Small Arms Company Limited 164 years ago (in 1861) went belly up 52 years ago (1973).

bsa goldstar 650 full — The pricier Legacy Edition of the new BSA Gold Star is a vision in shiny silver and black.

Before that crash and burn, the company spent five decades in the limelight making beautiful bikes such as the Gold Star, Super Rocket and Bantam.

Let’s not forget the A65 Lightning Bond girl Fiona Volpe rides in the aforementioned Bond flick (a stylized version of which might be tattooed on this writer’s left biceps).

We can daydream, right? The BSA Gold Star’s classic looks alone make it hard not to, as just to gaze upon it is like a trip back in time.

Even if you know all that, however, you may not know that a moto-focused “small arm” of massive Mumbai-based auto behemoth Mahindra & Mahindra has quietly brought the brand back to life.

Fool me once…

Its Classic Legends sub-brand has spent the fact few years reviving BSA, as well as the Czech brand Jawa and Indian brand Yezdi and is aiming to land bikes in seven new markets by the end of this year.

The most likely candidate to make the jump? The BSA Gold Star.

bsa goldstar 650 shine — The iconic winged BSA logo dates back to the 1946 launch of the brand’s A7 motorcycle.

That’s what some industry insiders have been saying recently, anyway.

I am as cautiously optimistic as can be, considering the fact that three years ago, reports surfaced that the bike might be headed our way in 2023.

bsa goldstar 650 action — The reborn Gold Star’s 652cc engine should provide plenty of thrills, especially on twisty two-lane country roads.

Recent, ahem, international trade developments, have put a huge dent in the chances this bike comes stateside anytime soon.

Meanwhile, a recent free trade deal between the UK and India increases the likelihood it will pop up across the pond.

Blast from the past

In the meantime, we can daydream, right? This bike’s classic looks alone make it hard not to, as just to gaze upon it is like a trip back in time.

Manufactured by the original BSA between 1938 and 1963, the line consisted of 350cc and 500cc single-cylinder four-stroke bikes that were among the fastest street rides in the 1950s.

bsa goldstar 650 engine detail — The “Piled Arms” logo is another nod to the brand’s past, dating back to BSA’s roots as a firearms manufacturer.

Though the reincarnation boasts a much bigger engine, it’s most definitely in the class of affordable, approachable retro ride — not something you’re going to want to challenge anyone to a drag race with.

The new Gold Star features a 652cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled power plant making 45 horsepower at 6,500 RPM and 55 Nm of torque at 4,000 RPM.

The bike’s reliable Brembo brakes, 41 mm telescopic forks and twin rear shock absorbers keep the ride stable and comfortable.

bsa goldstar 650 female rider — Keeping the seat height under 31 inches enables a wide range of riders to sit down and plant both feet on the ground.

A seat height of 30.8 inches and a weight of 443 pounds, meanwhile, make it relatively novice-friendly.

These specs match up favorably with Royal Enfield’s classically styled 650 twins.

Starting at $6,849, RE’s INT650 in particular is worth a look if you’re interested in a reliable, similar-looking bike you can actually buy, you know, today.

Availability and pricing

The BSA Gold Star is available in India with half a dozen colors starting at ₹ 309990, roughly $3,755 USD. If the bike actually made it to the US, however, a price twice as high seems more likely.

BSA Gold Star

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About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.