BSA GoldStar vs RE Interceptor – With the oncoming of the new entrant from Classic Legends, this battle will definitely heat up. Let’s see which one is better on paper…
With the oncoming of the BSA GoldStar 650 from Classic Legends, the fight in the retro 650 space may heat up. Let us pit it against the established Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 and see which one stands out in this spec comparo…
BSA GoldStar vs RE Interceptor – COMPARO
- The Engine –
| Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 | BSA Gold Star 650 | |
| Type | Parallel Twin, SOHC, air/oil cooled, 4-valve | Single-cylinder, DOHC, liquid-cooled, 4-valve |
| Displacement | 648cc | 652cc |
| Maximum Power | 47 BHP @ 7150 RPM | 45 BHP @ 6000 RPM |
| Maximum Torque | 52 Nm @ 5250 Nm | 55 Nm @ 4000 RPM |
| Gearbox | 6-speed constant mesh | 5-speed constant mesh |
Even though the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is using the old-style SOHC engine in comparison to BSA Gold Star’s DOHC configuration, the power and torque figures are about the same. However, it is the extra cylinder that should give it the edge, in terms of smoothness and rideability.
2. The Chassis and Suspension set-up –
| Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 | BSA Gold Star 650 | |
| Frame Type | Tubular steel frame with bolted trussings | Tubular steel with dual cradle |
| Front Suspension | 41 mm telescopic front forks | 41 mm telescopic front forks |
| Rear Suspension | Twin coil-over shocks | Twin shock absorbers with 5-step adjustable preload |
It is almost neck and neck in this segment.
3. The Dimension –
| Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 | BSA Gold Star 650 | |
| Wheelbase | 1400 mm | 1425 mm |
| Seat Height | 804 mm | 780 mm |
| Fuel Capacity | 13.7 litres | 12 litres |
| Kerb weight (dry) | 202 kg (dry) | 198 kg (dry) |
The new BSA Gold Star has a longer wheelbase and is lighter without its mandatory liquids. It has a smaller seat height which will be suitable for a wider set of audience. However, it falls short in terms of fuel capacity to Royal Enfield Interceptor 650. Add to this the possibility of RE returning better efficiency will mean a fairly noticeable difference in the range of both the motorcycles.
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4. The Brakes and Tyres –
| Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 | BSA Gold Star 650 | |
| Front Tyre | 100/90 – 18” | 100/90 – 18” |
| Rear Tyre | 130/70 – 18” | 150/70 – 17” |
| Front Brake | 320 mm disc (ABS) | 320 mm disc (ABS) |
| Rear Brake | 240 mm disc (ABS) | 255 mm (ABS) |
The new BSA GoldStar rides on a similar front wheel as the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 but runs a smaller but fatter wheel at the rear. ABS is standard on both the bikes, however, the GoldStar comes with a slightly bigger disc at the rear.
5. The Electricals –
| Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 | BSA Gold Star 650 | |
| Battery | 12 V – 12Ah | 12 V – 12Ah |
| Headlamp | H4-60 / 55W (halogen) | H4-60 / 55W (Halogen) |
| Tail-lamp | P21/5W | LED tail-lamp |
Overall, the electricals are very similar on both the bikes, the difference being the BSA Gold Star gets LED tail-lamp as standard at the rear.
This shows that the two bikes are very similar to each other, with the big difference of an extra cylinder on the Royal Enfield. Add to this, there are all the hints that BSA GoldStar will cost a lot more than the Interceptor.
The Interceptor 650 has already established itself as a lovely offering in this space and the addition of the GoldStar is definitely a welcome addition. It will be interesting to see which one ends up being better. It will be known when we get to ride the BSA sometime in the future…
Purely on the spec front, the Interceptor does look like a better deal though!
