[TusharK]

Mahindra's 2-wheeler division, Classic Legends, is planning to introduce the BSA brand in India by 2025. Reports suggest that BSA's electric bike could hit the roads in the next 12-18 months.



BSA bikes are currently available in 12-13 European countries and the US. According to Ashish Joshi, CEO of Classic Legends, the company is now looking to roll out the BSA brand in Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

“We’re currently looking at demand fulfilment for BSA across 12 to 13 European countries, and the US is going to take a lot, not only in terms of capacity but energy, as well,” Joshi said. “Besides, if it can be launched in Japan, Australia and New Zealand, why miss India?", he added.

Reports also suggest that Classic Legends will focus on manufacturing BSA's electric motorcycles at its Pithampur plant in Madhya Pradesh. The company could also bring twin-cylinder models to India. But that would depend on the demand for such bikes.

Source: Autocar Pro

Link to Team-BHP News

[saikishor]

No Classic Legends please don't do this. You have two iconic brands under your hat now and both are a disgrace to their originals. Please correct these two brands and then think of something else.

[McQueen]

Why is every company launching retro motorcycles in India? Do people like this style so much?

[DDV437]

I don't think this is a good move, considering I have only seen a handful of Java and Yezdi's on the road. This bike doesn't look or feel anything special, nor does brand BSA have any pull left in the market. Who exactly is the target buyer for this?

[Aakarsh Gupta]

Why get a single cylinder pseudo BSA if you can get a twin cylinder RE for the same (or less?) price that has better everything? I watched a video from Freddie Dobbs on YouTube who reviewed this bike while he rode it in the UK. It's BSA only in the loosest sense of the term.

[Aakarsh Gupta]

Originally Posted by McQueen

Why is every company launching retro motorcycles in India? Do people like this style so much?

They actually do. Nostalgia always sells, and with good reason. These are evergreen designs. With bikes looking more and more like aerodynamic monsters these days, a person can always appreciate the laid back simple design of a retro.

[antz.bin]

It's easier to peddle substandard equipment for modern motorcycle prices in the name of *Retro*

A 4 Lakh 40odd HP *Modern* motorcycle from KTM will have adjustable USD suspension up front, monoshock at the rear, radial tyres, aluminium frame, Colour TFT digital console with Bluetooth, riding modes, DOHC, liquid cooled, 4-Valve/cylinder with lightweight alloy wheels and radial tubeless tyres totalling up to a sub 170kg kerb weight.

A 4 Lakh 40odd HP *Retro* motorcycle from Royal Enfield need not have any of the aforementioned features, weight 45kg more and can still command the exact same price.

It doesn't take a genius to deduce which one is making more profits on each motorcycle sold. The added benefit is that the Retro motorcycle will pull at the heart strings of customers who value Nostalgia over raw performance and will end up paying top dollar for what is essentially an under-specced motorcycle for the price.

Had the aforementioned KTM not had all of those features that I mentioned above and looked like it does now, they wouldn't have been able to charge the price KTM is charging for it but Royal Enfield can because it is Retro.

[shortbread]

Originally Posted by antz.bin

It's easier to peddle substandard equipment for modern motorcycle prices in the name of *Retro*

A 4 Lakh 40odd HP *Modern* motorcycle from KTM will have adjustable USD suspension up front, monoshock at the rear, radial tyres, aluminium frame, Colour TFT digital console with Bluetooth, riding modes, DOHC, liquid cooled, 4-Valve/cylinder with lightweight alloy wheels and radial tubeless tyres totalling up to a sub 170kg kerb weight.

A 4 Lakh 40odd HP *Retro* motorcycle from Royal Enfield need not have any of the aforementioned features, weight 45kg more and can still command the exact same price.

It doesn't take a genius to deduce which one is making more profits on each motorcycle sold. The added benefit is that the Retro motorcycle will pull at the heart strings of customers who value Nostalgia over raw performance and will end up paying top dollar for what is essentially an under-specced motorcycle for the price.

Had the aforementioned KTM not had all of those features that I mentioned above and looked like it does now, they wouldn't have been able to charge the price KTM is charging for it but Royal Enfield can because it is Retro.

If it's an Enfield with USD forks, liquid cooled dohc engine, digital display etc you want, buy the Himalayan and save the extra lac. Arguably the best off roader package in the country by far. If you're looking for on-road iterations with similar spec then they're being launched in due course.

It's horses for courses friend and comparing specs of a twin cylinder interceptor or super meteor with single cylinder ktms is pointless. It's like saying a maruti ciaz is far better value for money than a Thar because the former has 4 doors and weighs less! Different automobiles meant for completely different tastes.

Originally Posted by Aakarsh Gupta

Why get a single cylinder pseudo BSA if you can get a twin cylinder RE for the same (or less?) price that has better everything? I watched a video from Freddie Dobbs on YouTube who reviewed this bike while he rode it in the UK. It's BSA only in the loosest sense of the term.

Third time lucky I guess, the Jawa and Yezdi haven't worked so this attempt with BSA will perhaps be the last roll of the dice.

[antz.bin]

Originally Posted by shortbread

If it's an Enfield with USD forks, liquid cooled dohc engine, digital display etc you want, buy the Himalayan and save the extra lac. Arguably the best off roader package in the country by far. If you're looking for on-road iterations with similar spec then they're being launched in due course.

It's horses for courses friend and comparing specs of a twin cylinder interceptor or super meteor with single cylinder ktms is pointless. It's like saying a maruti ciaz is far better value for money than a Thar because the former has 4 doors and weighs less! Different automobiles meant for completely different tastes.

Before this blows out of proportion, let me clarify with another less controversial example.

2 Motorcycles, both practically identical in specs by the same manufacturer.

Kawasaki Z650 (Modern)
Kawasaki Z650RS (Neo-Retro)

Guess which is more expensive.

Coming to the Himalayan, it's really a shame (for RE) that Himalayan couldn't be Retro. ADVs didn't exist back then. Even a brand like Harley Davidson couldn't make a retro ADV. Probably why it is so cheap .

Finally coming to the cars argument. Cars have far too many safety, crash test, pedestrian safety related regulations to adhere to, to be able to pull off a full fledged retro car. They can pull of neo-retro but not a true retro. That is not a problem with motorcycles.

[Rennjit]

Why is every company launching retro motorcycles in India? Do people like this style so much?

The so called retro bikes are decent full size commuters. It is easy to get used to these slow but stable handling machines. Looks are just part of rather simple (read low on tech) package. Better than pseudo sports bikes for many. Enfields survive as they make mature commuters.

This Bsa although looks great, may not see much nos bcoz of lack of value proposition of single, Engine being from Rotax not withstanding. People who can afford these would have been done with single cylinders by now.

[udey]

Personally, I feel Mahindra has always considered two-wheelers as an insignificant brand extension. Their Mahindra brand motorcycles disappeared. Their Jawa / Yezdi have poor showroom and worse service center experiences.

Mahindra is either just not serious about motorcycles or they are just burning money without the knowledge of the leadership staff that matter. Of course with waiting time of over 6 months for their four-wheelers, they might not treat their own motorcycles with any respect at all.

My bet is on TVS Norton and the way TVS has handled it-- they will hopefully start selling motorcycles that are more than just a premium lifestyle aspiration.

Norton is currently celebrating 125 years anniversary and is a good time as any to make some noise beyond UK / EU.

[StrokerSmoker]

Can't wait for it to come. India is missing a big thumper in the market - the enfields are too small. I'm waiting for this bike. Looks great, makes healthy power and supposedly, even more fun than an interceptor. Would make a fine addition to the stable.