Author Topic: Mahindra's purchase of BSA  (Read 7551 times)

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9fingers

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on: August 12, 2018, 04:40:38 pm
Hope this topic is appropriate for the forum, but I am wondering about (and excited by) Mahindra purchasing BSA and expecting to have bikes to market in 2019. I would think some competition in India, will take a chunk out of RE sales, there as well as abroad, and perhaps cause RE to up their game in various ways. Thoughts?
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Arizoni

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Reply #1 on: August 12, 2018, 07:36:51 pm
It all will depend on what type of motorcycles Mahindra is going to offer with its BSA logo on them.

If it is the typical crotch rocket there are already dozens of makers supplying good products.  If it is a retro style back to the old days it will only appeal to the limited number of people (like us) who appreciate old styling.

Presently Mahindra is only importing tractors into the USA and they aren't making much of a dent in the tractor business. 
Before selling motorcycles here they  would need to set up hundreds of dealerships in the US and that takes time and money plus having something deliverable on hand.

That could take years so I won't be holding my breath.
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Richard230

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Reply #2 on: August 12, 2018, 11:04:11 pm
I am expecting to see 125cc Mahindra BSA motorcycles introduced in India and powered by a Chinese engine. The could call it a BSA Bantam.  And maybe a BSA tractor version for their traditional customers.  ;) 
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gizzo

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Reply #3 on: August 13, 2018, 07:02:02 am
whatever it turns out to be, it'll be a mahindra motorbike with a BSA label on it.
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Adrian II

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Reply #4 on: August 13, 2018, 11:09:37 am
Look what has happened with the AJS brand being applied to Chinese 125s, I suspect Mahindra will do something similar.

https://www.bikesure.co.uk/bikesureblog/2017/02/the-chinese-motorcycle-with-a-rich-british-heritage.html

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Rattlebattle

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Reply #5 on: August 13, 2018, 12:20:28 pm
Just as long as they don't call some crap with a Chinese 125cc in it a Gold Star......
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9fingers

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Reply #6 on: August 13, 2018, 12:43:10 pm
Just as long as they don't call some crap with a Chinese 125cc in it a Gold Star......
Agreed! I must be an optimist as I know they were planning on buying Norton but when BSA became available they jumped on it. I think they will more likely emulate Triumph or RE or something in-between. A slightly modernized Gold Star would be very cool.
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longstrokeclassic

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Reply #7 on: August 13, 2018, 05:04:24 pm
Just as long as they don't call some crap with a Chinese 125cc in it a Gold Star......

I'm guessing they're going to do whatever they can in order to secure the best return on the TLA they've recently acquired the rights to.


no bs

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Reply #8 on: August 13, 2018, 07:51:57 pm
how about a uce 500 engine, pumped up to 40-45 hp and rebadged to bsa?  :)
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Richard230

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Reply #9 on: August 13, 2018, 10:33:27 pm
how about a uce 500 engine, pumped up to 40-45 hp and rebadged to bsa?  :)

In your dreams. What would the Indian market do with that?  ::)  I bet the rest-of-the-world market isn't even on their radar.  ;)
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no bs

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Reply #10 on: August 14, 2018, 02:14:00 am
to paraphrase ol' willim shakespud " to dream, perchance to ride..."
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Reply #11 on: August 14, 2018, 02:35:43 am
Doh! duplicate post, please ignore.


Blairio

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Reply #12 on: August 14, 2018, 02:36:19 am
Closer to my heart (being a Frannie B owner) is the rebranding of eastern small bore bikes as Francis Barnetts.

To be honest, they look pretty good, and I believe are based on Herald brand bikes.

The Merlin looks like a cobby 125cc trail bike, not a bad effort:



The Merlin and the Kestral are both based on 125cc 'Herald' brand bikes, but with a serious amount of rework within the uk. The price however is steep - I believe north of £4000 for a 125cc trail bike with an engine that is a reworking of the venerable Suzuki GN125 unit.  The Donor Herald 125 bike by contrast sells for around £1700 here in the UK.

I just wish I could lay my hands on an old Suzuki TS100 or 125, for some cheap, smoky, green lane fun.


gizzo

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Reply #13 on: August 14, 2018, 09:16:23 am


I just wish I could lay my hands on an old Suzuki TS100 or 125, for some cheap, smoky, green lane fun.
There are tons of them here in Australia if you could be bothered importing one....
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9fingers

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Reply #14 on: August 14, 2018, 11:28:23 am
Closer to my heart (being a Frannie B owner) is the rebranding of eastern small bore bikes as Francis Barnetts.

To be honest, they look pretty good, and I believe are based on Herald brand bikes.

The Merlin looks like a cobby 125cc trail bike, not a bad effort:



The Merlin and the Kestral are both based on 125cc 'Herald' brand bikes, but with a serious amount of rework within the uk. The price however is steep - I believe north of £4000 for a 125cc trail bike with an engine that is a reworking of the venerable Suzuki GN125 unit.  The Donor Herald 125 bike by contrast sells for around £1700 here in the UK.

I just wish I could lay my hands on an old Suzuki TS100 or 125, for some cheap, smoky, green lane fun.

Blario, that is a Trials bike! These are available as new bikes now? Super cool! Thanks for posting the pic.
9fingers
Currently own:

2016 Classic Chrome Maroon
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V Strom 650 ABS Adventure
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Yamaha TY350