Motorcycle enthusiasts in the UK prepare for the upcoming debut of the BSA Scrambler 650, with registration now open for interested buyers.
The BSA Scrambler 650, a new addition to the motorcycling landscape, is set to make its debut in India later this year or early in 2026. This off-road oriented motorcycle, part of Classic Legends Pvt. Ltd., a Mahindra Group company, shares a 652cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine with the Gold Star 650 but offers a distinct design, features, and intended use.
Design and Styling
The Scrambler 650 boasts a rugged scrambler-style look, characterised by a teardrop-shaped fuel tank, single-piece seat, off-road style elements such as a raised front fender, fork gaiters, a bash plate, and wire-spoke wheels wrapped in off-road tires. In contrast, the Gold Star 650 presents a more classic, cafe-racer inspired design with a lower front fender, twin-pod analogue dials combined with a small digital section in instrumentation, and a generally more refined street look.
Chassis and Ergonomics
The Scrambler 650 features a longer wheelbase (1,463 mm vs 1,425 mm) and a taller seat height at 820 mm compared to the Gold Star’s 780 mm seat height, making it a bit taller and more upright. It is equipped with telescopic forks with gaiters and dual rear shocks designed for some off-road capability.
Lighting and Instrumentation
The Scrambler 650 uses a modern LED headlamp and a simple round digital LCD instrument cluster without smartphone connectivity. The Gold Star 650, on the other hand, employs a traditional halogen headlamp with classic analogue twin-pods plus a small digital display for trip and fuel.
Brakes and Safety
The Scrambler is equipped with a 320 mm front disc (Brembo 2-piston caliper) and a 255 mm rear disc with dual-channel ABS. The Gold Star's braking setup is less emphasized but is expected to share a similar basic braking setup, tailored more for road use.
Gearbox and Engine Tuning
Both motorcycles have the same 5-speed gearbox, though the Scrambler may have slightly tweaked gear ratios suited to scrambler-style riding. The engine on the Scrambler is tuned differently for a livelier output compared to the Gold Star.
Market and Pricing
The Gold Star 650 is positioned slightly lower in price with variants starting at around Rs 3.10 lakh in India, available in more colours. The Scrambler 650 is priced slightly higher and aimed at off-road style and adventure enthusiasts, competing with models like the Royal Enfield Bear 650.
Key Differences
The key differences between the BSA Scrambler 650 and the Gold Star 650 lie mainly in their design, features, ergonomics, and intended use, despite both sharing the same 652cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine producing about 45 bhp and 55 Nm torque.
The BSA Scrambler 650 features a new matte paint scheme and a beak-style high-mounted chopped front fender. It rides on 19-inch front and 17-inch rear spoked wheels wrapped in Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tyres in the UK. The Gold Star 650, like the Scrambler, is manufactured in India.
In summary, the Scrambler 650 is an off-road oriented, rugged, and modern-styled motorcycle, while the Gold Star 650 is a more classic, street-focused bike with retro styling cues and slightly lower ergonomics for urban or road riding.
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- The BSA Scrambler 650, due to debut soon, stands out from its contemporaries with its off-road focused styling and features, like the raised front fender, fork gaiters, bash plate, wire-spoke wheels, and off-road tires.
- In terms of ergonomics, the BSA Scrambler 650 offers a taller and more upright seating position, a longer wheelbase, and uses a telescopic fork with gaiters and dual rear shocks for off-road capability, distinguishing it from the Gold Star 650.
