Late last year, Hardcore Brothers Custom Motorcycles announced that it would cease distribution of Royal Enfield motorbikes. Instead, the Filipino company was pivoting toward BSA, another storied British brand.

With a rich history dating as far back as 1861 when Birmingham Small Arms Limited originally started out making firearms and tools, BSA Motorcycles was forced to shut down in 1973 as it was unable to compete with the then-new wave of Japanese bikes. A sad ending for what was once known as the world’s largest motorcycle company in the 1950s—and where one in four motorbikes sold worldwide was a BSA.

However, the business would be reborn in 2021 as BSA Company Ltd. Now owned by Classic Legends Private Ltd, a subsidiary of the massive Mahindra Group, its headquarters are in Coventry, England, with production in India.

The first model on offer is the Gold Star, a clean-slate design sporting modern technology but wearing classic styling cues like the teardrop-shaped fuel tank, the upright cylinder head, and the peashooter exhaust. The 652cc single-cylinder engine is rated at 45hp and 55Nm, mated to a five-speed transmission.

Suspension is by Gabriel, a 41mm telescopic fork and twin rear shock absorbers. The ABS-equipped stoppers are sourced from Brembo, using a single 320mm front floating disc and a 255mm rear disc.

Wired spoke wheels shod with Pirelli Phantom Sportscomp—100/90 R18 front, 150/70 R17 rear—are in keeping with the retro aesthetic.

The tank holds 12L, while a low seat height of 780mm will appeal to more of the general population.

The Gold Star also comes with an immobilizer and a Limp Home Mode in case of engine trouble, with Dell’Orto supplying all internal parts.

The first batch of Gold Stars are scheduled to arrive early February, and customers can already preorder theirs with a choice of lovely colors (prices are introductory):

• Highland Green – P512,000
• Dawn Silver – P536,000
• Midnight Black – P536,000
• Insignia Red – P536,000
• Silver Sheen (Legacy Edition) – P549,000

We can’t wait to try out this handsome roadster soon.