The BSA Gold Star name means something in Britain. It is one of those badges that carries real history, not just marketing. So when BSA revived it as a modern 650 single with old-school looks, the big question became simple: does it actually feel special on real roads, or is it just retro dressing?

This 2025 BSA Gold Star review is a proper UK test ride by Liam Simm (Moto Planet presenter and rider), filmed with Synchronised Motorcycles in Abergele, North Wales. Liam rode it through town, out on B-roads, along A-roads and country lanes, in typical British weather, to see if the Gold Star’s charm holds up when you are commuting, filtering and dealing with wet tarmac.

Summary

• Engine 652cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder
• Power 45hp @ 6,500rpm
• Torque 55Nm @ 4,000rpm
• Weight 213kg
• Fuel Capacity 12 litres
• Price £6,399 RRP

Buying Advice: Who is this bike for? Who should skip it?

If you want a bike that feels like a bike again, simple, analogue and full of character at legal speeds, the Gold Star is properly tempting. Liam immediately clicked with the engine and the vibe: the steering feels light in town, the torque arrives early, and it is easy to enjoy without constantly chasing big numbers. It is also a friendly seat height for UK riders, and Liam (6ft) was flat-footed with no drama.

It also makes a lot of sense if you are an A2 rider who wants something with more presence than a 300 or 400, but without the intimidation factor of a big twin. With 45hp (around 33.5kW), it sits in a sweet spot for relaxed UK-road pace, and it is the kind of bike that rewards smooth riding rather than aggressive chasing.

Who should skip it? Riders who want modern tech, big-speed touring ability, or all-day comfort for long motorway days. Liam found the seat started to get uncomfortable after about 20 minutes on bumpy roads, and he was honest that he would not choose it for much longer than two or three hours at a time. If your riding is mostly motorway slogs, you will likely want something with more wind protection, plusher suspension and a bigger tank.

Design, finish and that proper old-bike feeling

Liam rode the Legacy Edition, which leans heavily into the classic formula with chrome details and a retro cockpit. The big win here is the dash: analogue dials first, with a small LCD for the basics. It is a world away from the tablet-on-the-bars look that puts some riders off modern retros.

It is not pretending to be a 1960s museum piece, but it does a great job of making you feel like you are on something with heritage when you are riding through town or rolling across damp country lanes. Just be realistic about the chrome: it looks fantastic, but it does ask for a bit more cleaning if you ride year-round.

Engine and performance on UK roads

On paper, the Gold Star’s figures are modest and that is exactly why it works. The 652cc single makes its power and torque low enough that you can enjoy it on real roads without instantly breaking the speed limit. Out of slow corners on wet B-roads, Liam loved how quickly it picks up and how early the torque does the work, so you are not constantly hunting gears.

That early shove is the bike’s personality: short-shifting, rolling on, and letting the single thump you along. It is engaging without being demanding, perfect for riders who want something soulful on a Sunday morning, but still easy enough to jump on for a weekday commute.

Exhaust, sound and the Legacy Edition factor

Liam had a rare opportunity: Synchronised Motorcycles let him compare a standard Gold Star back-to-back with the Legacy Edition fitted with a TEC exhaust. His take was clear. The standard bike sounds fine and “modest”, but the Legacy with the exhaust turns the experience up a notch.

That matters because this bike is not trying to win a spec-sheet war. It is trying to win you over with feel, sound, and the sense that you are riding something with a bit of edge, especially on twisty UK lanes where you are living in the low-to-mid range.

Handling, brakes and suspension

Despite the 213kg figure, Liam said it did not feel like it on the move. The weight feels carried low, which helps in town and when flicking through bends. In the wet, the bike still encouraged confidence as he built rhythm on the second ride.

Suspension is where Liam reminded everyone what this category is about. It can feel a bit budget and a touch “pogo-y” on rougher sections, but he did not think it needs to be anything more. In his view, that rawness is part of the bike’s charm. It is not perfect, and that is why it has personality.

Comfort and day-to-day ergonomics

The seat height is low, the bars are wide, and the riding position is open. All good news for UK commuting and urban riding. Liam could flat-foot it easily, and he reckoned the ergonomics will work for most riders. The trade-off is longer-distance comfort: he noticed his backside after around 20 minutes on bumpy roads, and he would not pick it for all-day touring.

For regular rides of an hour or two, nipping across town, or taking the long way home on B-roads, it fits the brief. If you want to build it into a more practical bike, accessories (screen, luggage, comfort tweaks) are where you would focus.

Features that matter in the real world

For a “simple” retro, Liam was pleasantly surprised by a couple of genuinely useful touches for UK riders: a USB-A and USB-C charger, plus a 12V power source. Handy if you commute with a phone mount, run a sat-nav, or want to keep a tyre inflator charged.

Just do not come expecting modern rider aids and flashy tech. This bike wins through the basics done well: a friendly engine, an easy feel at low speed, and that old-bike mood without the old-bike stress.

Ownership, running costs and reliability

On paper, the Gold Star is set up to be a sensible classic-style daily. BSA lists a claimed 70.6mpg (WMTC) and a 12-litre tank, which points to a theoretical range around the 180-mile mark depending on how and where you ride. For UK use, that is plenty for commuting and Sunday loops, but it is not a big-tank tourer.

Servicing is also laid out in simple mileage steps: the service record schedule shows an initial 500-mile check, then continuing service entries at 3,500-mile intervals (with km equivalents). In practice, your dealer will guide you on time-based servicing too, which matters if you do low annual mileage or store the bike over winter.

Warranty is worth checking carefully because it can vary by market and model updates. BSA’s UK site states a 3-year, unlimited-mile warranty on Euro 5+ models, and some dealers have promoted extended warranty offers on certain variants and time periods. Either way, that warranty support is the main reassurance for riders who like the idea of modern BSA ownership but want peace of mind.

Resale values are still settling because the revived Gold Star is a relatively new player in the UK market. Used prices vary heavily by year, mileage and dealer incentives, but the bike’s straightforward spec and strong heritage appeal should help it stay desirable if BSA keeps supporting the range and parts supply stays healthy.

Looking for add-ons that suit how you actually ride? Check out our 2025 BSA Gold Star parts and accessories.

How the BSA Gold Star compares to its rivals?

The most obvious cross-shop is the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650. The Enfield gives you a twin-cylinder feel, a slightly bigger cruising attitude and loads of aftermarket support, while the BSA fights back with a punchy single-cylinder character and a lighter, more nimble feel at low speeds, especially around town and on tighter UK lanes. If you want relaxed twin smoothness and a proven owner community, the Interceptor is hard to ignore. If you want thump, charm, and that old-bike cockpit vibe, the Gold Star is the one that feels more like an event.

Next to a Kawasaki W800, the BSA feels more modern in the way it delivers torque low down and how easy it is to ride in traffic. The Kawasaki brings premium finish and classic twin smoothness, but it usually costs more and can feel more traditional cruiser than playful back-road tool. Against a Triumph Speed 400, the Gold Star trades outright modern polish (and tech) for a more authentic classic feel and a bigger-engine presence. The Triumph is sharper and easier to live with every day, but the BSA is the one you buy with your heart if you want that simple, soulful single-cylinder experience.

Verdict

Liam’s verdict was about as clear as it gets: the Gold Star won him over, not because it is perfect, but because it has personality in abundance. On UK roads, especially in mixed conditions, it delivers the kind of riding that feels involving without being intimidating. It is happy in town, fun on B-roads, and it gives you that old-bike mood without the hassle of owning an actual old bike.