Has The BSA Gold Star Been Overlooked?

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It's been a while since we rode the BSA Goldstar 650, and with the B65 Scrambler lurking on the horizon we thought now would be the perfect time to revisit it.

We discuss in detail what this bike is like to ride, how it will cope with the Indian roads now it is available in India, and the true essence and feel of this motorcycle.

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[williamlylecameron]

Great video thanks both, you have made me look in to the BSA Gold Star as a contender for a bike to own because of the presentation of your professionally produced video. 👍

[erosqing]

Aesthetics of the Goldstar are brilliant in my opinion. Those inverted clocks, the paint, forks, seat. Gorgeous, my concern is the little amount of official dealers and the possibility to acces replacement parts and accessories. Thanks for bringing it back.

[peterholthoffman]

I got my first bike in 1973 when I was 16. It was a 1971 BSA Victor 500 B-50T for $550 which I still have (albeit it is a project bike right now). I'll be turning 68 this year and it would be a perfect bookend some 52 years later to have a B65.

[old]

Great review, as usual! Your comment about your hands being so cold certainly brought back memories of my youth on my 68 BSA Thunderbolt, good days all around!

[SS-ckew]

We in America have been "promised" BSA is coming for nigh on 3 years now. I know the price dropped drastically since it's debut for sale and some folk have a bad taste in their mouth and so bad mouth the brand. If that turns you off then you're being ridiculous. Every purchase these days poses a risk, especially so in the world of those that buy a bike every year or two. I keep mine for an average of 10 years and more.

If BSA makes it over here and I have not yet bought a new bike I shall give them a look. If not, I shall simply continue to envy you folks in England the massive choice of brands and models you have and enjoy watching reviews such as this one and a few more by mostly English folks with the occasional German and American reviewer that thinks as these two gentlemen do.

Keep putting the great back in Great Britain, gentlemen.


SS in the once again united, United States of America.

[bobbyblue]

No, this bike isn't a direct copy of the original DB34, but look at the price, they have done a great job, the engine is based on a Rotax, a very respected engine builder and the design of the bike is very pleasing so I can forgive a few plastic parts. I'm sure if the BIRMINGHAM Small Arms company was still alive and kicking in Armoury Road they would be producing something similar, as for being scared of it being Indian built, I quote one of my old BMW managers when quizzed on the quality of cars built outside of Germany, he said " Build quality is dependent on process, not location".

[ManuGB]

Hello as a owner of one of these Gold Star. I confirm all you say as true !😊 This is a simple "take It easy" joyfull machine that brings you to the Roots of motorcycling. I Saw It and bought one... Thank for this great video ! Ride safe ✌🏻

[CosmikDebriis]

Personally, as an owner, I'd say the comparisons with the interceptor (or one of it's very many siblings) are somewhat missing the point. Sure they have much the same engine capacity but the biggest difference to me is the single or twin. I like a single, just prefer the "plod" that you get over the arguably more "refined" feel of a twin. There again I also own a fair few genuine classic Brit bikes of the 30's onwards so perhaps that's no surprise.
Originally, I bought the RE 350 classic which was (and still is) a wonderful machine for plodding about the country lanes on. When the BSA came out I suddenly had a bike that was great for doing everything the RE could do but with one huge advantage. Finally I could overtake where I was previously stuck behind a Honda Jazz (Sorry Jazz owners, they are a great car).
Each to their own and people of my "ilk" are quite literally a dying breed so I'm just making the most of it while I can.
PS. They are by no means a perfect bike. they have "issues" though, so far, nothing major and maybe BSA have sorted them since they were first introduced.

[jez]

Just met Mr Darcy's mum at the RE dealership in Peterborough. An extremely cool lady. Wasn't surprised at all. Gutted I couldn't meet Mr D'Arcy and the old man. Lovely all the same. Love the channel. Jez. 👍😁🍻🏍

[Simon-RucknRideAUD]

Fantastic Work, the BSA is kind of at that point Enfield was maybe 5-6 years ago, no dealers, issues with quality control and convincing people to take a leap and purchase one. If they can stick it out they might be able to slot in behinds the others. At this stage we have to drive to Sydney to even look and test ride, the dealers are still on the fence here, normal but you get why.

[Larry_Mott]

Again, i'd hesitate to buy a BSA after reading the horror stories of dealers refusing to take them as part exchange for other bikes, the second hand prices seem to drop like a ton of lead. Whether it is justified due to the problems i have seen people have with them i don't know, but it has made me steer clear of them anyway.

[tichwykes]

It's a nice looking bike but yeah I have commented about the radiator before being a bit big, but I think what would make the bike look better is chrome bins for the clocks, polished engine covers & chrome or polished alloy mudguards as I think it's screaming out for them rather than all this black. However you're quite right mentioning that comparing it to the original people are missing the point as in its day it was one of the bikes to go for at the time my uncle had one. But I do think you've got to move with the times & BSA have almost got it right from the off & to be fair. Definitely another contender to go for with all these middleweight bikes out there if I could afford one I'd probably buy one.

[giorgipiorgi]

I hope the scrambler doesn’t disappoint - I hope to get one

[flatcapcaferacer]

Obviously it is a bike that right down your alley. Encouragement for these motorcycles is justified based on their styling and price. If the BSA was available in the U.S. with some better materials with a slightly higher cost it might be a solid choice as a second or third bike.

[marioep]

Nice looking bike, and it sounds even better in its stock form than the interceptor. Thanks for all the efford and time you put into making these videos!!!

[SameShtDifferentDrain]

I've still got the Cooperb ex demo you reviewed before....just sold both of my bonnevilles as i love the BSA that much...fitted a full TEC exhaust a tail tidy and a fuel x lite....brilliant bike with smiles per mile

[weebercorey]

"Birmingham Small Arms", not "British Small Arms". Does this tiny armed American need to teach you this, lol

[The_Bean_Head_Men]

I walked passed this bike at a local dealership this week, in the flesh, it is downright georgious!

[ktmmark]

The radiator you described is how the triumph speed twin is made.

[MegaHellstrike]

I really like the looks of this bike, actually more than the Interceptor 650, which is the bike that I own. Not that I would want to swap but yeah, looks great, I do have a soft spot for single cylinder engine noise, gotta look up what the acceleration looks like.