Latest news with #BSAGoldStar
Straits Times
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Motorcycle review: A shooting (Gold) star among classic British machines
SINGAPORE – Today's BSA Gold Star motorcycle looks similar to its predecessor from the late 1930s. If not for the presence of disc brakes, fatter tyres, modern suspension and an electric engine starter, it would be hard to tell them apart. BSA is short for Birmingham Small Arms and was founded in 1861 to produce firearms. The Gold Star 650 bears a familiar silhouette as the Britain-made M24, a classic BSA which was first given the Gold Star emblem for clocking 100mph or 160kmh before World War II. Like the classic, the modern 652cc single-cylinder motorcycle wears a gold star on its fuel tank. However, while t he Gold Star, now made in India, may also look like a classic, it does not smoke like one. Some of its retro charms include wire-spoked wheels and a 'peashooter' exhaust pipe, which cleverly hides a modern catalytic converter. On its dual clocks – its speedometer and rev counter – needles unusually rotate clockwise from the 1 to 10 o'clock positions. Clockwork: The speedometer and tachometer have an unusual orientation, swinging downwards. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY A small circular gauge on the headlamp shell displays oil, fuel-injection and side-stand status. Adding a touch of modernity are USB-C and lightning-cable charger ports on the handlebar. Strangely, under the seat is a small first-aid kit. The crash bars and pannier brackets fitted on the test motorcycle are cost options. Astride the Euro 5-emission compliant Gold Star, a 1.7m-tall rider will have no problems resting both feet on the tarmac. The reach to the handlebars, given the upright riding position, is a comfortable one. Some may feel the Gold Star's five-speed transmission would disappoint enthusiasts who intend to ride far. But I find that it does not dent the appeal of using the machine. Like some others, I am guilty of thinking the liquid-cooled Gold Star will not have the 'legs' or higher speeds for longer journeys. Mixed signals: The retro-looking peashooter-style exhaust hides the modern catalytic converter. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY The Gold Star's engine has a linear power delivery – the more you twist the throttle, the more power it makes. Beyond 2,000rpm, it accelerates hard to about 6,500rpm, where power trails off. With 45bhp and 55Nm of torque, the unassuming Gold Star executes the 0 to 100kmh dash in an impressive 6.5 seconds. Its claimed top speed is, as the gold star badge on the fuel tank suggests, 160kmh. In the real world, the Gold Star cruises at 90kmh in fifth gear with about 4,000rpm showing on its rev counter equipped with a small digital fuel gauge. Riding the Gold Star continuously at higher speeds will leave your fingers buzzing from the vibration, a trait that is quite common for single-cylinder motorcycles. What I enjoy the most is tackling medium-speed cornering with the BSA. Sure, the Gold Star does not look like a canyon-carving motorcycle, but its basic suspension set-up – 41mm (diameter) telescopic forks and pre-load adjustable twin shocks – inspires confidence and provides a stable platform for riders to negotiate bends with more gusto. It helps that the Gold Star is equipped with a slipper clutch which prevents its rear wheel from locking-up under aggressive downshifts before turns. Its 213.5kg weight and mid-positioned rider foot pegs make weaving through traffic easier. The 12-litre fuel tank ensures you can prolong the fun on the road for the next 300km. Marked: The Gold Star badge is applied on a BSA motorcycle before World War II for achieving 100mph or 160kmh. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY A bonus is the powerful anti-lock Brembo brakes – a 320mm (diameter) front rotor and 255mm rear rotor. They give immediate stopping power akin to brakes found on sport bikes. Like any motorcycle, there are nagging issues. For one thing, when the sun is overhead, it becomes hard to read the digital gauges. Also, the round mirrors behave like how mirrors usually do on single-cylinder motorcycles – the reflections go blurry when the engine is revving up. But with an on-the-road price of $23,888 (with certificate of entitlement), which is a rather good deal, I am likely to live with the minor inconveniences. BSA Gold Star 650 Price: $23,888 with certificate of entitlement Engine: 652cc, 4-valve, single-cylinder, water-cooled Transmission: Five-speed, chain drive Power: 45bhp at 6,750rpm Torque: 55Nm at 5,500rpm 0-100kmh: 6.5 seconds (estimated) Top speed: 160kmh (estimated) Fuel consumption: 4 litres/100km Agent: BSA Motorcycles Singapore Rating: ★★★★☆ Comparable considerations Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 The India-made Super Meteor 650 is aimed at the same segment of buyers keen on relatively inexpensive motorcycles with classic looks. Bearing similar horsepower and torque figures, the 648cc Super Meteor cruiser was previously reported as having a price tag of $15,900 before COE. Fantic Motor Moto Scrambler Caballero 700 The Caballero 700 is a classic, given its retro styling and origins from an Italian company that began manufacturing motorcycles in 1968. The 689cc, parallel twin motorcycle will smoke the less-expensive competition as it belches out 74bhp and 70Nm of torque. Its price on the road with the current COE is $31,934. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Last motorbike Dave Myers rode makes thousands for charity
The last motorbike Dave Myers rode has raised thousands for charities at auction. 'The Hairy Bikers' star died in February 2024 aged 66, following a two-year cancer battle, and the 2023 BSA Gold Star he used in his last series for the cooking and motorcycling TV show - which also starred Si King - sold for £15,800 after it went under the hammer at H+H Classics in Solihull, West Midlands. Money raised from the auction will be going to CancerCare, NSPCC Childline and The Institute of Cancer Research - all of which were "close to Dave's heart". Dave's 58-year-old wife and widow Liliana is quoted by the Daily Star newspaper as saying: "I'm delighted that Dave's bike has found a new home and raised proceeds for charities close to Dave's heart. "It's a special motorbike with some special memories, and I hope the new owner will love riding it as much as Dave did." According to BBC News, the motorbike - of which type was first produced in 1938 - was on display at the National Motorcycle Museum, alongside the late star's riding uniform. Jason Woodcock - the organiser of the annual Dave Day event, which began in 2024 and saw £127,000 be raised for charity by the biking community as they travelled from London to Barrow in memory of the TV presenter - hopes the motorbike's new owner will ride next to him at a future event. He told BBC News: "Whoever you are if you bought that bike, I expect you to be riding next to me on Dave Day." Liliana - who is a hypnotist - admitted in February 2025 that she still found Dave's loss "challenging and painful" - but she still feels him protecting her from above. Liliana - who has penned the book 'Dave and Me - Life With and Without My Hairy Biker' - told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Loss is hard. "Having to learn how to live with it is challenging and painful at times. "He's been with me every day all along this year, I could feel his presence very clear. "Some days I felt protected by an invisible force, other days I felt his hand on my shoulder. "I've been guided by him to do things I never thought I would do."
