[Warwick]

its a thumper!  I love it!

[gizzo]

IF a big single is well counter balanced they're fun to ride but it seems a tall order to expect sales to more than a few harmless eccentrics.   In a way it reminds me of the Honda GB 500 in that it's a fun exercise in updated nostalgia that only lasted a year or two.

They're nostalgic for sure but also a blast to ride. I'd have one. I think they were pretty expensive when they were new and too many people bought into the "singles can't go on the freeway" thing. There's a few over here. Like whippers said, they're not giving them away, either.

I used to own a Suzuki Savage 650 single. It had a balance shaft and wasn't too bad for vibes. Smoother than my 535 Enfield for sure. I love bikes with the correct number of cylinders.

That "BSA" looks like a Yamaha SR500 (OK, or a Matchless G80). I'd rather have one of those. It has a history and wears it's own identity on the tank. Remember when Mahindra ran in Moto3? They weren't ashamed to put their own name on the tank when they were winning races....

[whippers]

 No interest here. A big thumper not nearly as nice to ride as a twin.  I guess it is designed to appeal more to the classic 500 brigade than those who buy the 650 twins

[Mort]

I'm just really confused about what Mahindra/BSA is trying to accomplish here. The article says they want to position it as a 'Premium' bike, though that could mean Indian-market 'Premium', which is where the RE Twins are.

At $5k with a decent dealer network they'd have something. At $6k they're going to struggle to take market share from RE with a brand that's not as well known (debatable, I know, but I'd argue that RE's constant production has kept their profile higher than BSA's defunct status.). Above that and it's DOA, especially since we're going to see similar bikes badged as Triumph but made in India this year.

[justonemore]

Love the look of it ... well until I saw the red one with the hideous white stripe on the tank top.

[dickim]

Fair Points Mort- personally I think for the retro age group the BSA name is more likely remembered whilst agreeing that R.E have the higher current profile.....
I could see myself with one alongside the Cont as I love, and even prefer the THUMPER FEEL of my C5 which is only  in storage due to MY (please no comments as its my call) feeling vulnerable on the quicker roads I NEED to use, now if the BSA had ability to cruise at 110kmh and a but left over I may just be tempted to extend the garage....

[Mort]

Fair Points Mort- personally I think for the retro age group the BSA name is more likely remembered whilst agreeing that R.E have the higher current profile.....
I could see myself with one alongside the Cont as I love, and even prefer the THUMPER FEEL of my C5 which is only  in storage due to MY (please no comments as its my call) feeling vulnerable on the quicker roads I NEED to use, now if the BSA had ability to cruise at 110kmh and a but left over I may just be tempted to extend the garage....

I was going to try to put this lightly, but realized there's no way: The people that remember BSA as an actual active brand are almost all dead. While Royal Enfield is a new name to the Western market (I know the Bullet's been available here for a while, but in such small numbers as to be a unicorn.) it's already gotten a bit of recognition. I don't think either brand has a particularly huge edge over the other, but when you throw in dealer networks and the realization that there's no direct line to the OG BSA as there is with RE then Mahindra's operating at a massive disadvantage.

But, as I pointed out, both should probably be holding their breath because when Triumph launches their lower displacement Indian manufactured bikes both RE and BSA/Mahindra are going to take a massive hit.

[biscot]

The people that remember BSA as an actual active brand are almost all dead.

Not yet. 

[dickim]

Just checked my pulse- All Good at 61 and whose 1st bike was a BSA Bantam passed down from my brother (1st car a mini) Called my 63yr old brother last night, all good and his 1st 2nd & 4th bikes were BSA's..... (he's now a H.D rider) in fact it was the late 70's / early 80's before we started buying Japanese,  and ALL the Guy's I rode with as a teenager are all still "with us" so will disagree were MOSTLY DEAD 🤣 but maybe our joints are!

Interestingly that the classic car clubs I'm involved in: Healey, MG,  and Chrome Bumpers, those who have bikes a few have Enfield's, and the common thread from other members is usually comparing to Norton's! am assuming the Cafe' Racer memories.....

Agree a lot will be down to dealers and networks U.S market a good example?? Here in Perth the opening of a 2nd dealer made a load of difference 😊

[justonemore]

The people that remember BSA as an actual active brand are almost all dead.

Not yet. 

The rumours of my death are greatly exaggerated.

[dickim]

The rumours of my death are greatly exaggerated.

🤣🤣🤣

[Mort]

When was the last BSA produced?

[dickim]

When was the last BSA produced?

Not Sure as we could only afford used & old, but absorbed into Norton- Villiers- Triumph in 72, a bit like BMC, MG, etc....became British Leyland and we know how well that went as well - Lets nationalise loss making companies into one....LOSS MAKING COMPANY😣

[dickim]

When was the last BSA produced?

Wiki says 73 was the last time badged  as BSA, 

[GSS]

Nice looking bike…..a nacelle and dual seat away from being a new Bullet 650