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Checked out the new BSA Gold Star 650 in showroom: Initial impressions

6th September 2024, 16:33 by Kanad Kalasur

I felt the Jawa(ness) more than a RE. Which means there is a raw mechanical feel to it than the smoothness of newer REs.

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Checked the bike a few days back. Some thoughts -

I went with an expectation of it will be similar to a Classic 650. I really like the 350, but want something more special. Long story short. It isn't a Classic 650.

Seating position: I am 6'2" (80kg) and it was a comfortable place to be in. You sit 'in' the bike vs 'on the bike'. Its not cruiser(y) and hence I liked it. Handlebar position is good. The dials are kept at a weird position and the font is small. I couldn't read a thing, not that I needed to.

Ride: Rode both as a pillion and a rider. As a rider, you will feel the weight at standstill but once its starts moving, the weight is hidden very nicely. It turns in and changes direction quite spiritedly. It was so much fun. It could do both slow speed as well as spirited riding.

As a pillion, the ride is floaty, I liked it. There is nowhere to hold, hence the ride is guaranteed to be romantic, whether you want it or not.

Comparison to Interceptor 650: Its much nicer to ride, but lacks fit and finish. Whoever has ridden an Interceptor knows that you feel that - the Engine is always there - especially while turning, is evident. Here, that feeling was gone and the bike feels in sync with you overall. Huge plus in my opinion. More fun than interceptor indeed.

Overall: I felt the Jawa(ness) more than a RE. Which means there is a raw mechanical feel to it than the smoothness of newer REs. One might say, it retains the old school feel a bit more perhaps.