BSA Gold Star 650 is here
Back in January, Hardcore Brothers Custom Motorcycles, Inc., (HBCMI) announced that BSA Motorcycles will be back in the Philippines with the Gold Star 650. Staying true to their word, select personalities from both the motoring media and influencers were able to test the demo units in February and now, HBCMI officially unveils the lone model in BSA’s stable.
Introductory price for the Gold Star 650 will be as follows: Highland Green @ PHP 512,000; Dawn Silver, Midnight Black, and Insignia Red @ PHP 536,000 each, while the Legacy Edition on Silver Sheen color will be sold @ PHP 549,000.
The Gold Star 650 is powered by a liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, 652cc engine rated at 45 PS at 4,000 rpm and 55 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. It is mated to a 5-speed transmission. A tubular steel dual-frame chassis is used. The suspension, consisting of a 41-millimeter telescopic fork and dual rear shock absorbers by Gabriel, is tuned for all-day comfort.
Other features include a Brembo front caliper, front and rear disc brakes, ABS, 18-inch front and 17-inch rear wire wheels, Pirelli Sportcomp tires, inclusive seat height of 780 mm, anti-theft immobilizer, and a 12-liter “teardrop” fuel tank.
“It’s unprecedented. We got the BSA Motorcycle brand first than the US, New Zealand and Australia – these countries are known strongholds of the brand back then. Again, we are making motorcycle history and we are very proud that we Filipinos are the first ones outside of Europe to get the brand,” says HBCMI CEO, Jimmy Barinaga.
About BSA Motorcycles
Birmingham Small Arms Limited (BSA) is a company that traces its roots back to 1861. The company started as a manufacturer of firearms for military and sportsmen, but gradually diversified into bicycles, cars, buses, tools, and eventually, motorcycles as the world transitioned to motorized transportation. The company was based in Birmingham, England.
By 1910, BSA had come up with its first motorcycle, the BSA 3 ½ HP, and was exhibited at the Olympia Show in London. It would go into sold-out production from 1911 until 1913. Over the years, and especially in the post-war era, sales were robust as the market saw great value in its lineup of affordable and practical motorbikes.
By 1953, BSA had produced more than 100,000 Bantam motorcycles. At the height of its popularity, BSA was the world’s largest motorcycle company and it was said that one in four motorcycles sold worldwide was a BSA.
Strong competition from Japanese motorcycle brands and poor management led to BSA shutting down in 1973. BSA Company Ltd. It is now owned by Classic Legends Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of the Mahindra Group. Its headquarters remain in England while the state-of-the-art production facility is located in India.
