What’s The Real Story With The Revived BSA? We Really Have No Idea…

It’s as if someone threw a handful of bird seed on the ground under a feeder and a flock descended to gorge, while ignoring whether the feeder atop the pole contained additional seed. That’s what happened in early December when Mahindra subsidiary Classic Legends released pictures and specs on a planned Gold Star model for a revived BSA brand.

There were staged pics and studio shots, and such info as the fact that the inaugural, UK-designed model will have a 652cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine. Numerous online motorcycle news outlets headed for the handful of bird seed. They didn’t bother to acknowledge that the feeder above was empty. That is, the fact that Classic Legends failed to provide answers for a slew of important questions.

The company has been largely mum ever since.

Yes, it is projected that sales of the BSA Gold Star will commence in 2022, but no information has been provided as to exactly when and where? Certainly not just in India where Mahindra makes its home. More probably in India and the U.K. where the original Birmingham Small Arms was located and where BSA now has a design center. In fact, the new BSA does have a U.K. website. But what about the U.S.?

Here it is two months after the Gold Star model’s reveal and there’s no word on price, no word on rollout and no word on a dealer network anywhere. A Facebook post a week ago notes that the speedometer on the Gold Star will display miles per hour as well as kilometers per hour, so maybe a worldwide release is planned.

From the pictures, the new 45-horsepower Gold Star looks to be wonderfully retro, fulfilling the company’s promise to deliver a “modern classic.” It weighs in at 470 pounds, has a 3.2 gallon gas tank, ABS and spoke wheels. It will be chain-driven, have a five-speed transmission and Brembo brakes.

Seat height will be 30.7 inches. It will ride on Pirelli tires; 100/90R-18 in front and 150/70R-17 in rear.

But where are the answer’s to the more pressing questions? BSA’s Gold Star will be entering a crowded classic arena so pricing will be crucial. The gut guess here is that it won’t be as affordable as Royal Enfield’s INT 650 at $5,999 or as pricey as Triumph’s Street Twin at $9,600.

And why does Classic Legends think there’s room in the classic niche for a BSA model (much less additional models in the future)? Triumph and Royal Enfield have a huge a head start and are producing quality products.

Yes, the original BSA, which went out of business 49 years ago, had a notable history but few incoming riders will likely recall the name. Given that and the competition, developing a dealer network may be challenging.

And, yes, it’s not uncommon for motorcycle makers to withhold info. In this instance, though, it seems counterintuitive to be so stingy. Classic Legends/BSA needs to be more forthcoming before whatever initial interest was generated in the Gold Star fades.

And the motojournalist birds under the feeder who have already scarfed the morsels on the ground need to look up to the feeder, fly up on a perch and demand more.

(Photos courtesy of BSA)

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