AT FIRST SIGHT, THE 652-CC single looks fresh out of the 1950s, but do not be fooled. It is fuel-injected, liquid-cooled, and Euro 5-compliant; it has Brembo brakes and ABS, modern handling, quality Pirelli rubber—and no kickstart.
We spent a day testing it at the Millbrook Proving Ground a short ride north of London. Will the new take on the Gold Star be worthy of such a prestigious name?
BSA was, in the 1950s, one of the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturers and as dear to lovers of Brit irons as any Triumph or Norton. But if you are below 60 years of age, you may be wondering what all this nostalgic fuss is about.
BSA is actually an initialism of Birmingham Small Arms Company Limited. Yes, the company originally made ammunition and firearms and there is still a rifle symbol on the Goldie’s side-panel today. Based in England’s second city, Birmingham, the company later manufactured bicycles and eventually motorcycles, with its first powered two-wheeler unveiled in 1910.
BSA’s most famous model was the Gold Star. Available as a 350 and 500 (from 1938 to 1963), the 500 was the one to have and very much the Ducati 916 and Honda Fireblade of its time.
