autoX Awards 2024: Determining what sets one contender apart from another in the quest to name the ‘Best of 2024’ is challenging in itself. The BSA Gold Star 650, however, complicates this even further. You see, it aims to capture a style of motorcycling that’s deceptively simple yet notoriously hard to perfect—the retro. At first glance, creating a retro bike might seem as easy as designing something that appears decades old. But catering to a retro motorcycle enthusiast isn’t straightforward, as even they struggle to articulate exactly what makes a retro motorcycle truly resonate. Believe me, I am one of them. Yet, occasionally, a bike comes along that just gets it right, and the BSA Gold Star 650 is one of those.
What stood out immediately with the Gold Star was its remarkable quality, fit, and finish—an unexpected leap, especially considering it hails from Classic Legends, the group also responsible for reviving brands like Jawa and Yezdi. Its accessibility also struck a chord with the crew and jury alike. With a low seat height and comfortable riding posture, it’s a bike that effortlessly draws in riders, making it an instant favourite with everyone around.
Where the BSA Gold Star 650 truly shines, however, is in terms of riding experience. Powered by a 652cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine, paired with a 5-speed transmission, it holds its own in spec comparisons. But the specs don’t convey the real experience. In both city and highway conditions, the drivetrain feels perfectly balanced, providing ample power with little to complain about, save for minor vibrations. The rear suspension, however, has some room for improvement, for it feels notably underdamped, which also affected the motorcycle’s lap times.
Also Read: BSA Gold Star 650 Deliveries Commence in India, Prices Start at Rs 2.99 Lakh
Overall, the BSA Gold Star 650 isn’t a bike to be judged by its feature set or spec sheet alone; it’s one that must be ridden to be fully appreciated. While it might be a great machine for retro enthusiasts, it still fails to make a case to be crowned the best.
- BSA Gold Star 650 (Lap Time: 1.26.5)
| PARAMETERS | POINTS | SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| QUALITY | 10 | 8 |
| COMFORT & PRACTICALITY | 10 | 8 |
| REFINEMENT | 10 | 6.5 |
| DESIGN | 10 | 7.5 |
| DRIVETRAIN | 10 | 7 |
| RIDE & HANDLING | 10 | 7 |
| X FACTOR | 15 | 10 |
| LAP TIME | 05 | 1.1 |
| VALUE FOR MONEY | 20 | 12 |
| TOTAL | 100 | 67.1 |
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