Recently revived bikemaker BSA Motorcycles this month revealed a new concept that builds upon its current Gold Star naked bike with ‘scrambler’ design cues and off-road upgrades.
The BSA Scrambler Concept was shown to the public at the Motorcycle Live bike show in England last week alongside the production Gold Star, upon which it is based.
Distinguishing the new custom BSA is a number of styling elements including short, high-mounted guards, as well as flat-track style side covers, an upswept and wrapped exhaust and protective accessories on the round headlight and radiator.
The bike is finished in a bespoke silver-and-white paint scheme by UK outfit Bad Dog Paintwork which is contrasted by a black-out treatment on the frame, engine and peripheral components.
Also unique to the BSA Scrambler Concept are off-road upgrades like longer-travel suspension, motocross-style Renthal handlebars, a shorter leather seat and beefier wire-spoked wheels with Pirelli Scorpion STR dual-sport rubber. The front wheel is also larger befitting its scrambling edge.
Other touches include an off-set LCD dash to replace the twin analogue gauges of the platform-sharing Gold Star, as well as other custom niceties like new levers, grips and an uprated master cylinder.
While there are no known plans to put the scrambler concept into production, the bike does demonstrate the potential for new variants based on its 33kW/55Nm 652cc single-cylinder platform.
BSA may look to its natural competitor in Royal Enfield, which utilises its similarly specified 650 twin-cylinder platform for three distinct variants, including the soon-to-launch Super Meteor 650 cruiser and current Interceptor roadster and GT 650 cafe racer, both of which have proven sales hits globally.
For reference, the Royal Enfield 650 Twin models are motivated by a 648cc air-cooled parallel-twin engine making 35kW and 52Nm. This means that Royal Enfield’s offering is up 2kW in power compared to the BSA Gold Star, but down roughly 3Nm in torque.
While the new BSA Gold Star rides on a fairly simple tubular steel frame with 41mm telescopic forks and twin shock absorbers at the rear, it does benefit from a Brembo brake package with a single 320mm disc and two-piston calliper at the front end.
Wire-spoked wheels (18-inch front, 17-inch rear) are wrapped in Pirelli Phantom Sportscomp tyres, and a round halogen headlight and twin analogue gauge cluster continues the classic theme.
Technology features extend to a small LCD display within the dash cluster, an engine immobiliser, a USB charger, 12-volt socket and an LED tail-light.
The bike tips the scales at 213 kilograms (wet), and has a fuel tank capacity of 12 litres.
In some markets, the BSA Gold Star is available in a Legacy variant that adds chrome guards, mirrors and levers, as well as other more premium exterior touches.
BSA Motorcycles had ceased production since the 1970s until it was revived in 2020 thanks in part to investment from Indian company Mahindra Group.
INFO MOTO is not aware of any current plans for distribution of BSA Motorcycles’ products in Australia.
Spencer has a keen eye for hard news, and does some of his best living on deadline day. He loves more than anything to travel on his motorcycle, and is adamant that Melbourne Bitter is a world-class lager. He also knows how to operate the big computery thing in the office. By night, Spencer plays guitar with Melbourne punk outfit LOUTS.
