BSA GOLDSTAR REVIEW, Why was I so confused ?  

In 1968, a guy on my paper route gave me a 22 cal BSA air rifle. Still have it to this day!

Great review, and as an owner I think you got it spot on. Mine's a 2024 model in Shadow Black and it seems like they've ironed out some of the original flaws. The engine is the absolute star of the show, and there's nothing else like it in the class. It's been priced somewhere around the Interceptor but has a few more premium touches as you say, and in my opinion feels a bit more substantial too. The suspension is soft as I expected from a cruiser, but that works for me on our pot-holed roads and makes the bike a lovely relaxing comfortable ride. I'm not sure if the rear shocks are exactly the same on the 2024, but mine isn't over bouncy and the slight compression you identified when cornering a bit harder gives a sensation of the bike digging in ready to be fired out on it's significant torque towards the next one. Have a look at the Shadow Black, as it's the cheapest at £5,995 plus OTR, and I reckon already has a more custom look about it. I'm absolutely loving mine, and my poor zx12r hasn't had a look in since I brought it home.

hate the look of the pipes - love the rest - must have a ride sometime. i think they got the price just right. nice review. don’t worry about the lawnmower it’s just real.

Like every one else you seem to have problems comparing the GoldStar with other bikes and that's because the only other bikes similar are twins and expensive Triumphs. I have owned one for over a year, the first thing I did was to remove that awful handlebar mount thing and the second was to upgrade to tec rear shocks specially made with my considerable weight in mind. I've not suffered and stalling issues and the sticking on engine light was easily sorted by the dealer.

I own a Kawasaki KLR650 which is also a 5 speed water cooled single cylinder engine. I like the feel of a large capacity single cylinder engine, fitted with a counter balancer.

Never mind the bike, this video has lovely sound with perfect balance between the bike and vocals.. well done 👍

Thank you for your very honest review of the Gold Star. I am lucky to have one, I also have a T100 Bonneville and as you say you are getting what you pay for with the BSA, however mine now has 1000 miles on the clock and it’s a great bike.

Great bike ... love mine . 45 bhp 4 valve head . Twin plugs . Slipper clutch . Twin cam . Brembos . Ally rim's . Rotax engine . Love it . 😎👍

Interesting video on the Gold Star. That is an early bike with the bulkier rad guard. My one started to cut out after the software update for the elm light. I had an Interceptor and prefer this due to its lower centre of gravity and slower steering.

Basically a good bike . But looks stodgy compared to the original . I would consider one and customise it somewhat . Exhaust and mudguards would be replaced immediately in favour of something that looked more "Goldie" . I'd get one in preference to a 650 Royal Enfield . The 12volt outlet would be useful for a tyre compressor , heated jacket or to charge electrical items in a top case . It's a pity that the engine cases are painted . Polished alloy would be better . Welding looks adequate at best , the weld joints mid way along frame tubes would annoy me intensely . It's close but no cigar .

Ciggy lighter is for a heated jacket!

I think the biggest b*llock dropped with this machine was calling it Gold Star. I think that they needed to wait a bit longer for that name because of the baggage. As a 2024 retro machine I love it. I ride a RE GT Continental so I'm the target audience and I'd be happy with this thing. Feel outweighs performance at this juncture in my motorcycling career.

hi everyone, thanks for all the comments. i think it just shows how divisive this bike is amongst riders in general. its going to be very interesting to see where this bike and brand are in say 3 years. its great that a British brand returns after such a long time, in whatever form it takes. im just not sure its good enough to stay the distance. i almost wished they went all out and made it a real premium product, i think if it had been something that not only looked special but had the top end parts and engineering which i think people would have gladly paid in the 10-12 grand area. we will just have to wait and see what the future holds. ride safe everyone.

12v socket…tyre pump

Beautiful..... Apart from that hideous oil cooler . It's not really the same , is it

My 2011 Triumph T100 did this if it got hot and revved high around 1500, so you would turn down the idle speed, and if you didn't remember to turn it back up before you rode it again it would not start, but if it did it start, it wouldn't idle until you turned the idle revs up again. Why, on a fuel injected bike, the idle variation between warm riding and first starting is so different I wouldn't know. It was just effing annoying.

The BSA Super Meteor Air Rifle is Now made in Birmingham Great Britain once again, This is a new thing 👍 The switch gear is not better than the Royal Enfields? This Gold Star 650 engine is actually a 25 Year old Rotax engine, Where as the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 was Designed from the group up, Totally brand new 👍 And much better value than the BSA, Bye the way, The BSA your riding is over £7000 It's a chrome addition, And there's no main stand 👎 And it's got Shim's 👎 The Interceptor 650 Is a better bike to service yourself 👍 I got sick of you saying it was £6500 The model you had was £7200 On the road, The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 Is 💯% Better In every way Cheers Paul 👍

Two facts that are a deal breaker for me: It's a Rotax engine with 100x83 mm bore and stroke which reminds me of a BMW 650 and the weight at 213 kg wet.

Good news with the engine and its not even run in 😉

Do not change binacle to my mind it's not an easy job.

I think it's a well designed product which should be scrapped after five years that's modern thinking.Ithink after 50 k miles you will want to move on.

A fake. British motorcycle with a Chinese made engine made of Chinesiom. A Suzuki S-40 is a better quality 650 single . Put a set of BSA badges on something doesn't make it one. Buy a real one. BSA was not a premium brand. It was for everyone.Big to small they made them all. Shame the management ran the company into the ground.😢