BSA Gold Star vs Royal Enfield Interceptor 650: Comparative Analysis

The release of the BSA Gold Star in India has been long awaited, but finally, a date has been set for keen buyers. Scheduled to launch on August 15, the motorcycle will compete immediately with the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 in the Indian marketplace. Here's how they compare on paper.

Design

Both bikes exemplify modern-retro fashion, evoking the timeless appeal of bikes from a dismal past. The BSA Gold Star, being new, exhibits excellent design. Its design is stunningly elegant, with a polished fuel tank and beautifully simple fenders—one that reflects the ‘less is more’ design philosophy. It doesn’t need anything over the top to look good, and even the colours and the chrome all around add to its charm.

Since its launch in 2018, the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 has continued to impress with constant updates and new colour options. Recent upgrades include black alloy wheels, engine sides and exhaust pipes, complementing its timeless retro design.

The BSA and the Royal Enfield each have their distinctive aesthetic appeal, catering to enthusiasts of modern-retro motorcycles.

Features

Both bikes feature similar features, including dual-channel ABS, twin-pod analogue instrument clusters and LED headlights. However, Royal Enfield needs modern features such as traction control, cornering ABS, or Bluetooth-connected instrument clusters.

Engine

Motorcycles fluctuate considerably in this section. The BSA Gold Star features a 652cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine, producing 45bhp at 6,500 rpm and a top torque of 55 Nm at 4,000 rpm. This longitudinal engine is mated to a five-speed gearbox.

The Interceptor 650 is powered by a 648cc parallel-dual engine, generating 47bhp at 7250 rpm and 52.3 Nm at 5150 rpm. It is mated to a six-pace gearbox. While the 2 bikes have similar strength and torque figures, their character and comfort might be vastly different. The Interceptor’s engine is understood for its subtle performance and strong point on the street.

Hardware

The Gold Star features a telescopic fork in the front and a cradle frame with two shock absorbers in the rear. Similarly, The Interceptor uses a front telescopic front and twin shock at the rear. Both motorcycles are equipped with front and rear disc brakes, which provide excellent braking performance.

Price

The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 starts at Rs 3.49 lakh (ex-showroom), while the BSA Gold Star is expected to be priced between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 3.3 lakh.

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