Gold Star Reborn: The Resurgence of a BSA Icon
For motorcycle afficionados, few brands have as rich and interesting history as “BSA”. Shorthand for Birmingham Small Arms Limited, the company dated to as far back as 1861. Based in the Gun Quarter, Birmingham, England, the industrial group first started out manufacturing firearms for both the military and sportsmen, but gradually diversified into bicycles, cars, buses, tools, and, eventually, motorcycles as the world transitioned to motorized transportation.
By 1910, BSA had come up with its first motorcycle, the BSA 3 ½ hp, exhibited at the Olympia Show in London. It would go into sold-out production from 1911 until 1913. Over the years, and especially in the post -war era, sales were robust as the market saw great value in its lineup of affordable and practical motorbikes. By 1953, BSA had produced its 100,000th BSA Bantam. BSA was the world’s largest motorcycle company by then, such that one in four motorcycles sold worldwide was a BSA.
But by the 1960s, aggressive competition from the new crop of Japanese motorcycles put BSA Motorcycles on the back foot. By 1973, the business was forced to shut down. Its final lineup consisted of the 750cc Rocket Three, the 650cc Thunderbolt/Lightning, and the Gold Star 500.
And yet, forty-five years after it closed its doors, the business was reborn as the BSA Company Ltd. It is now owned by Classic Legends Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of the Mahindra Group. Its headquarters are located in Birmingham Road, Coventry, England, while the state-of-the-art production facility is in India.
It’s only fitting that its very first all-new model under the new management is the Gold Star. A nameplate with a rich legacy, the Gold Star first came out in 1938 and would earn a reputation as being one of the fastest production motorcycles. The name originated from rider Wal Handley setting a lap record of over 160 km/h on the Brooklands Circuit, earning a traditional Gold Star badge. Many evolutions of the Gold Star would be produced over the years, being enjoyed by enthusiasts as well as entered in various races such as the Catalina Grand Prix and the Daytona 200.
Today, the modern Gold Star bears a strong resemblance to its forebears, while benefiting from modern technology to make it a motorbike you can enjoy every day.
The heart of the Gold Star is a liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, 652cc motor rated at 45 horsepower at 4,000rpm and 55 Newton-meters of torque at 4,000rpm. It is mated to a 5-speed transmission. A tubular steel dual frame chassis is used. The suspension, consisting of a 41-millimeter telescopic fork and dual rear shock absorbers by Gabriel, is tuned for all-day comfort.
The Brembo braking system uses a single 320-millimeter floating disc in front and a single 255-millimeter rear disc; ABS is standard. Wired spoke wheels are in keeping with the classic style, shod with Pirelli Phantom Sportscomp tires (100/90-18 front, 150/70-R17 rear).
The standard aesthetic also benefits from a low seat height of 780 millimeters, while the 12-liter fuel tank promises good range whilst sporting the classic teardrop shape.
The Gold Star sticks to the minimalist ethos of a traditional roadster, but still comes with useful features such as an anti-theft immobilizer and a Limp Home Mode in case of engine trouble. Dell ‘Orto supplies the internal parts, assuring the rider of a high-quality ride that will last for many years.
Under the Philippine distribution of Hardcore Brothers Custom Motorcycles, Inc, the first BSA importer outside of Europe, you can now pre-order your Gold Star 650, too.
With the first batch scheduled for arrival in February, five colors are on offer:
Highland Green P512,000
Dawn Silver P536,000
Midnight Black P536,000
Insignia Red P536,000
Silver Sheen (Legacy Edition) P549,000 Introductory Price
Reserve yours now and be among the first to enjoy this legendary motorcycle!
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