BSA Motorcycles returns with its 2023 Gold Star

Like Norton Motorcycle and Royal Enfield, the support for the project comes from India, namely Classic Legends Private Ltd., a subsidiary of the Mahindra Group. (Gareth Harford, Woodcote Events/)

Recent decades have seen a happy reinterpretation of the former Triumph later Royal Enfieldand even revives significantly Norton The name resurfaced earlier this year. now BSAanother once great British motorcycle manufacturer, emerges from the great motorcycle graveyard of the 1970s with a reboot of the legendary Gold Star.

Note, the new Gold Star is not a 500 like it is now barnstorming “ton-up” original. It certainly will not fight for the podium on Isle of Man TT or Daytonaas well as Goldie which illuminated roads and racecourses in the 1950s and 60s. But this new 652cc single will certainly satisfy riders of a certain age and perhaps some younger riders looking for a fun, yet uncomplicated way to get around the planet.

As with Norton Motorcycle and Royal Enfield earlier, support for the project comes from India in the form of Mahindra Group a subsidiary of Classic Legends Private Ltd., which became the owner of BSA in 2016. Production is in India, not Birmingham, England, and it took several years before the first production car was produced.

But now that it’s here, there’s a lot to be excited about. While the basic lines and stance of the classic Gold Star have been lovingly restored, the 2022 car is fully equipped for modern life. Of course, there’s fuel injection, as well as liquid cooling and Euro 5 compliance. As for the chassis, there are Brembo brakes, ABS and grippy Pirelli Phantom Sportscomp tyres. There are no electronic aids or rider modes and, more controversially, no kickstart, which will delight or disappoint depending on your motorcycle upbringing.

The Twin-Spark DOHC single began life as a Rotax and was developed for the Goldie in collaboration with Ricardo, a well-known engineering company. It puts out a peppy 45 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 40.6 lb.-ft. at 4000 rpm. There are only five gears on board and the lubrication system is dry sump with the oil tank located behind the side panel, just like the original bike. Removing the pan allowed the engine to sit lower in the chassis than in the wet sump, allowing the cylinder block to be upright, and the fuel tank and seat could be aligned so that the line from the bottom of the fuel tank ran to the underside of the seat. Goldie’s Classic Look: Pristine.

MotorcyclistThe test drive was conducted at the Millbrook Proving Ground near London, and although the test complex looks like a real British road, its fast and sweeping nature did not fully play to the Goldie’s strengths.

At its core, Gold Star is usability. Compelling and light in slow driving, it will be a quietly effective tool in city traffic as well as narrow leafy lanes. The gearbox is smooth, and with the big unit making usable torque from 2000rpm (peaking at a low 4000rpm before stalling), there’s plenty of pull to keep it ahead of traffic at traffic lights. Only the slightly sharp throttle at low revs, a perennial problem with singles, spoils its natural flow.

There’s a bit of an advantage here, too. The exhaust note is relatively throaty and pleasant enough in its muted Euro 5 tune to make men in silver spin on their heels as it passes. And as you’d hope, the Goldie is more than capable of punching a ton too: breaking the 100 mph barrier that post-war bikes were so proud of in the days of limitless roads and trackways.

In top gear, 4,500rpm equates to 70mph, but the new Gold Star will happily cruise at 80mph (5,000rpm) and still have enough to spare to zip past faster cars. For a truly nostalgic experience, put your chin down on this beautifully machined tank, twist the throttle and think it’s 1953. I saw a top speed of 109mph indicated, which somehow was just as exciting as the much higher speeds on other bikes.

The gauges are central to the Goldie experience, and the counter-clockwise speedometer and tachometer hands are perfect, although our bike’s speedometer needle bounced wildly above 70 mph. Unfortunately, the circa-1990 switching hardware is inefficient, and the USB port, while useful, is curiously out of place.

The BSA weighs 437 pounds dry (470 pounds finished), so it’s relatively light compared to other bikes in its category, its low center of gravity no doubt contributing to its excellent low-speed maneuverability. Comfort during our brief test was good, with the wide, flat seat and traditional stance creating a relaxed ride, and engine vibration, another unwanted characteristic of single-cars, present but not distracting.

But as mentioned, there’s a slight performance edge to the Gold Star, and the chassis, like the engine, is happy to rev up when you’re in the mood for some old-fashioned cornering.

Up front, the 41mm fork with traditional stanchions is non-adjustable, while the twin shocks at the rear are adjustable for preload only. But the ride is controlled and the damping figures are pretty much in line with what is, after all, a budget car. Big bumps and undulations can excite the rear end a bit, but not enough to unsettle the reassuring Phantoms too much.

Ground clearance is good and the Goldie warmed up to the Millbrook sweepers, prompting me to let off the brakes and let the bike roll into the open corners of the track. It’s an old-fashioned and rewarding experience, the whine of a single and easy burst of torque on the exits making for a pleasant way to spend an afternoon in the countryside.

A single 320mm disc up front is powered by a Brembo twin-piston sliding caliper, befitting the lightweight nature of the machine. It’s strong, but far from aggressive, and should be perfect for the city as well as the open country. The ABS kicks in a little early in the rear, but never to the point where it feels intrusive.

The BSA indicates 58.3mpg (US), and the low-revving engine should really prove economical. Combine that with the 3.2-gallon tank, and you might get 186 miles before the Goldie runs dry. We don’t yet know how intrusive the engine vibes will be after a few hours in the saddle or if the mirrors are any good, but first impressions are positive.

UK prices start at £6,500 for the base Highland Green Edition and go up to £6,800 for the Insignia Red, Midnight Black and Dawn Silver versions, with the range-topping Silver Sheen Legacy priced at £7,000. It’s an entry-level price, but aside from the indifferent shifter, the Gold Star doesn’t feel or look cheap. The engine is beautiful and the period clocks, screw-off fuel cap and remote oil tank are all quality.

Some classic enthusiasts may object to the use of the prestigious Gold Star name on a relatively pedestrian car. But this charming and responsive 2022 reincarnation is a willing and sharp work machine that will handle tasks far more serious than simply tickling the nostalgia gland. Welcome back, BSA.

BSA Gold Star 2023 Specifications and Price

In the 1950s, BSA was one of the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturers. (Gareth Harford, Woodcote Events/)

BSA is actually the initials of Birmingham Small Arms Company Ltd. (Gareth Harford, Woodcote Events/)

BSA’s most famous model was the Gold Star. Available as 350 and 500 (1938 to 1963). (Gareth Harford, Woodcote Events/)

In the 1950s, BSA was the largest motorcycle brand in the world, with one in four motorcycles sold by BSA. (Gareth Harford, Woodcote Events/)

US pricing hasn’t been confirmed, but UK prices start at £6,500. (Gareth Harford, Woodcote Events/)

No rider aids, no modes, just plain ABS. (Gareth Harford, Woodcote Events/)

The twin-spark SOHC single began life as a Rotax and was designed for Goldie in collaboration with Ricardo. It puts out a peppy 45 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 40.6 lb.-ft. at just 4,000 rpm. (Gareth Harford, Woodcote Events/)

The lubrication system is a dry sump with the oil tank located behind the side panel, just like the original bike. (Gareth Harford, Woodcote Events/)

In top gear, 4,500 rpm equates to 70 mph, but the new Gold Star will be happy to cruise at 80 mph (5,000 rpm). (Gareth Harford, Woodcote Events/)

Our man got an exclusive ride on the new BSA Gold Star in England, where production will eventually move (currently to India). (Gareth Harford, Woodcote Events/)

BSA found itself in financial difficulties and ceased production in 1973. (Gareth Harford, Woodcote Events/)

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