New Gold Star

[Bosun-john]

As a 83 year old rider of 70 years I have owned many bikes, currently I have a 1955 G9 Matchless twin, a 2018 Triumph 1200 Thruxton and a BSA Goldstar Legacy.  I've completed 1400 miles on the Gold Star and have experienced no real issues, for the price It's value for money. Handling is good, brakes are satisfactory and in general it's a pleasure to ride, if you want a sports bike performance buy a sports bike. I'm happy to ride the country lanes at 50mph but on motorways the bike is happy at 70+. It's not a 70s Goldstar at my age I don't think I could even start one. Happy biking.

[Dean Southall]

I am undecided about the new BSA. At the moment my thoughts are that I'd save money by simply fitting electric start to my 1950s BSA and turning the clocks up side down

[yellow B31]

What is top gear flexibility like?
I used to own a BMW F650 Strada with the Rotax developed engine which I assume is similar to the new BSA engine but found it very inflexible and never seemed to be in the right gear, hated it.

[ChrisG]

I appreciate the time lag between this and the last post (29th Feb) but the new Gold Star set up is really good. It pulls like a train. If you are plodding along in top gear at around 40 MPH and the national speed limit appears, then you don't need to drop a gear (or 3 in the case of some multi's) just open the throttle and there's no lag, just loads of torque and it keeps on giving, climbing way past the speed limit until you decide when to stop. Yes, the basis of the engine is the Rotax but not a straight 1990's unit as used is BMW 650. It has go far more in the way it delivers that engine's potential.
The riding position is like sitting on an A7/A10. It definitely feels like you're on an traditional BSA. Your knees hug the tank and your feet  are planted on the floor when needed.
However, there are some downsides apart from the cosmetics. Mine seems to have a recurring problem in the fuelling dept. It will occasionally cut out at low speeds as you approach a stop at a road junction. You have to rattle down the gears to neutral before the starter works. It always fires up but it's a faff.  However, as it has a 4 year warranty then the dealer has to fix it at no cost to me!

That brings me on to the next point. My nearest dealer is 35 miles away, so I need to ride a hell of a way to get servicing and repairs done. If it needs to be left there, someone has to come and get me and take me back.
The dealer is brilliant and very enthusiastic about selling BSA's so no complaints there. But BSA's Distributor Lukas Distribution could do with getting more dealers on board and pronto.
All dealers have demonstrators and will happily let you have a test ride so, I thoroughly recommend you have a ride on one first and then offer a genuine honest opinion rather than rely on hearsay and other's musings.
The big questions are around where do BSA go from here? I wonder, are they are using this model to 'stake a claim' in the market place ready for new models in the pipeline? If so, will these be electric? Is there really a market for electric bikes?
Who knows, but I say, good luck to them!
Chris