Britain’s iconic motorcycle brand, BSA Motorcycles was defunct for decades until Mahindra-owned Classic Legends decided to revive it a couple of years ago. And now we finally have the BSA brand alive in a brand new avatar. Classic Legends announced the brand’s revival at a special event in Birmingham in the UK, while also unveiling the first motorcycle under the resurrected name. The BSA Gold Star arrives in an all-new modern iteration while retaining the classic lines of the original. It has been built from the ground up, designed and developed in the UK, while production too is likely to take place in Birmingham, home of the BSA brand.
The 2022 BSA Gold Star looks identical to the original motorcycle that had a long run between 1938 and 1963. While the original iteration was powered by a range of engines from 350-500cc, the modern-classic uses a 650cc DOHC single-cylinder, liquid engine that makes about 45PS and 55 Nm. Full specifications are yet to be revealed but the idea of a big bore engine does sound interesting. Classic Legends did say that complete attention was given to the bike’s styling and detailing, which is something buyers will look out for in international markets.
BSA Motorcycles’ resurrection won’t be restricted to just the Gold Star though. The bike maker already has a technical centre established in Coventry in the UK that’s been working on new motorcycles, both petrol and electric. Little detail has been shared on the motorcycles and the future of BSA beyond Gold Star.
Expect Classic Legends to share details on the brand’s future, sales, dealerships and more. The British brand will be largely concentrating its efforts in developed markets itself and we could see the bike come to India at a later date.
Instead, Classic Legends is simultaneously reviving the Yezdi brand in India that will be sold alongside Jawa in the modern-classic segment. Yezdi is nearing its market debut with at least motorcycles – Adventure, Scrambler and Roadking. These will take on the offerings from Benelli, Royal Enfield, Honda and the likes.
The BSA Gold Star will also find competition from the highly likeable Royal Enfield Interceptor 650, Norton Atlas 650, Triumph Street Twin and the Kawasaki W800 that offer the old school experience.
