Why an Interceptor 650 owner feels BSA Gold Star 650 is a better bike

Competition is always good and I hope this pushes RE to improve all the shortcomings of the Interceptor.

BHPian timuseravan recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

I finally checked out the BSA Goldstar in person followed by a 30 min test ride. I have to echo all the mini-reviews here and online - the bike is surprisingly good!
I have owned a RE Interceptor for about 2 years and 8k km and will compare some of the points directly with that bike.

Positives of the Goldstar

• BSA have absolutely nailed the engine + gearbox. The bike pulls cleanly right from start with ample torque. There is no gear indicator and I felt there is no need for one. You can easily potter around on low gears
  The gearbox is also fairly slick except for some low gear transitions. There are hardly any vibrations despite being a big 652. I felt the clutch to be lighter than the Int 650

• The brakes are phenomenal - they have fantastic bite and stopping power. Easily one of the best I have every ridden. I guess this is difference between "Brembo" and "By Brembo"

• The front suspension is definitely better than the Interceptor - no squish seen here. The rear could have been better or maybe the showroom had set it to the hardest setting and overinflated the tyres

• I am 6' and the seating and posture is upright and comfortable for me. The weight also seems better managed than the Int.

• Overall fit, finish and quality seem very good. The rough surfaces are gone - the only ugly weld is the one on the front forks. The wiring is neatly tucked away. The perceived quality is better than the Interceptor.

Now for some cons

• Spoked tubed wheel - Why BSA? Why? They could easily have gone for alloys atleast on some non-legacy variants. The showroom guys were clueless about when or even if the alloys would be available.

• The bike looks to be very well put together but the reliability and service is not known.

• The sales guys told me that the service intervals are 6 months/6000km which seems to be low. However online I have read it to be 1 year/6000 km. Can some owner confirm which it is?

• The silencer and the chain are on the same side - this inevitably leads to chain oil splashing on the silencer.

I had completely not expected this but overall bike to bike, the Goldstar is a better bike than the Interceptor! Competition is always good and I hope this pushes RE to improve all the shortcomings of the Interceptor.

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