Buy or Hold: BSA Gold Star vs Royal Enfield Classic 650

The Royal Enfield Classic 650 is expected to be unveiled at EICMA 2024, and could be launched in India at Motoverse 2024. Now, with the arrival of this new roadster many might be wondering if it is better to wait for the upcoming Royal Enfield or to just buy the BSA Gold Star today. We will be answering this question today.

BSA Gold Star

The BSA Gold Star is a retro-style roadster and also the modern rendition of the original Gold Star from the 60s. BSA has done a good job keeping the design in line with what we have seen on the original Gold Star, with the round headlight, chrome finished teardrop shaped tank and the peashooter exhaust.

The bike is powered by a 652cc, liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine. The engine outputs 45.6PS and 55Nm. When it comes to the riding experience, the engine being the big single that it is, offers a thumpy feel similar to what the Royal Enfield Classic 500 had to offer. If you want a deeper dive into how the bike performs in the real world, you can check out our road test review here.

The Gold Star is offered at a starting price of Rs 2,99,990 which makes it one of the most affordable 650cc bikes in India.

Royal Enfield Classic 650

The Royal Enfield Classic 650 is an upcoming roadster offering from the Chennai-based manufacturer. It will feature similar styling as the Classic 350, but with a few changes and also the addition of the larger 650cc engine. 

The 650cc, air and oil-cooled twin-cylinder engine is one that we have already seen on the Royal Enfield 650cc lineup, and it produces 47PS and 52Nm. The engine being a parallel-twin, will offer a relatively smooth and refined riding experience when compared to the single-cylinder thumpy feel that the BSA Gold Star has to offer.

The Classic 650 is expected to be launched in India, at an expected price that is around Rs 3.2 lakh (ex-showroom). 

Buy The Gold Star Or Wait For The Classic 650?

The Royal Enfield Classic 650 is expected to make its global debut at EICMA 2024, and to be launched in India at Motoverse 2024 – Royal Enfield’s motorcycling festival. After the launch, we expect the bike’s deliveries to begin by the end of December 2024 or early 2025.

The engine on the Classic 650 will also be a very well refined motor which we have experienced on the other Royal Enfield 650cc bikes. It is smooth, easy-to-ride yet can be very quick when you want it to be. Also, the Classic 650 will also benefit from Royal Enfield’s widespread service network, which will make the ownership experience that much more easier. Finally, if you are a die-hard Classic fan and have loved the Classic 350, waiting for the Classic 650 makes a lot of sense.

The BSA Gold Star on the other hand is also quite unique when compared to the other roadsters in the market, thanks to its one-of-a-kind single-cylinder engine (the only other bike with a similarly sized single-cylinder engine is the Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono). The Classic 650’s engine is one which we have already experienced on the Interceptor 650, Super Meteor 650 and also the Shotgun 650, so in that regard, we have an idea of what it’s like. So the BSA Gold Star’s big thumper promises to offer something new.

When it comes to price, the BSA Gold Star is a very affordable roadster, compared to its rivals like the upcoming Classic 650 which could come at a price starting at Rs 3.2 lakh (ex-showroom). Its prices start at Rs 2,99,990 (ex-showroom) and go all the way to Rs 3,34,990. Here’s a detailed price breakdown:

The wide range of choices makes it easier for customers with a wide budget to select the right variant, which suits their needs. Now, if you want something that we haven’t seen recently in this segment and are also willing to take the risk of potential minor issues with servicing given BSA’s tiny after sales network, for a completely new riding experience, you will find the Gold Star to be a lovely bike and won’t regret getting it.

But if you are someone who is looking for that refined, authentic twin-cylinder experience and are a Classic fanboy, then waiting for the Royal Enfield Classic 650 might just be worth it.