BSA Gold Star 650: My test ride experience & observations

This is really a fun to ride 650 and just an absolute piece of art to own.

BHPian Boringrider recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Took a second test ride today with my mother as pillion. This time I was focused on seeing if I would enjoy it if I owned this rather than testing to see if it was any good. This mindset does make a difference in the experience.

As usual, the engine is amazing, gearbox is slick and lack of gear indicator is not going to be a problem. You can ride around in traffic and forget what gear you are in. It's really the perfect dual natured engine which I have always wanted. It is meant to be ridden like a gentleman, soaking in the scenery and owning the road but one twist of the throttle and it goes like a rocket. Vibrations are there just enough to make you enjoy the feel of a thumper without spoiling the experience. Lot of foreign youtubers feel that the RE 650 engines are too smooth to the point of being lifeless whereas this makes you feel alive and thumping. Not that, liking one over the other because it's superior or something like that. It's a matter of preference.

Coming to the exhaust note, it is fine for a big single. But it has that sweet whine like a twin while deceleration. So much, that I found myself intentionally accelerating hard and then letting go of the throttle just to hear that addictive sweet turbo-ish whine.

Weight management deserves a standing ovation. This thing weighs almost as much as my Adventure bike yet I could flick it so easily. Even in U-turns, the weight is not felt. Somehow even a Classic 350 feels heavier than this. It feels like flicking around a 200cc bike. Truly some wizardry BSA has pulled off here.

For me, the major cons I can see as a potential owner is the low seat height. We took some photos of me on the bike which I'd rather not show anyone because it looks like a gorilla riding a tricycle. (Okay, it's not that bad but it is). I look really funny with the bike but I didn't find the ergos uncomfortable. This does however makes me a bit sceptical about long hours on this seating position. No back pain to report but to be fair, these were short in the city test rides. If anyone can shed more light on touring usage, that would be great. I don't want it to feel like my Aviator, comfortable enough for short spins but not more.

Pillion seat felt tiny and as if we were sitting too close according to my mother. Maybe it's also because I'm a giant but yes, the seat is narrow. It's not like I do two-up touring so this is less of a negative as far as I'm concerned.

Finally, the hit or miss Classic Legends service support. Being their existing customer, I cannot in full honesty suggest people to confidently bet on it. It's average at best and horrible at worst.

I really love this machine. Watching countless youtube videos on it as if I have already set my mind to buy it even though I don't have the funds for it. Coincidentally, I saw an Aprilia RS457 in a mall parking lot. I had written off all supersports models but seeing the handlebars on it made me at least sit on it to check and they didn't feel as committed as I thought it would be. A highly unlikely alternative but I'll add it to my consideration list.

Note - the seat height issue is specific to me and riders on the taller side. If you're shorter or average in height terms, this is going to be a blast for you. Comparing my sitting posture on Shotgun, I do look like I dwarf over it too but that appearance is slightly less pronounced on it. I hope RE launches Classic 650 soon so I'll have another option to look at. Himalayan 650 is probably too far away or non-existent.

My verdict - Service experience negatives can be managed if you can travel to some good dealers who might be far or with DIY or mix of both. Apart from that, this is really a fun to ride 650 and just an absolute piece of art to own.

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