The much-awaited motorcycle is here — the Royal Enfield Classic 650. Priced at Rs 3.37 lakh, ex-showroom, the motorcycle and the name compete with the BSA Gold Star 650 — an iconic name from the earlier years of motorcycling. In a battle between the two motorcycles in terms of specifications, here’s how they compare.
Royal Enfield Classic 650 vs BSA Gold Star 650: A quick introduction
The Royal Enfield Classic 650 is the latest in the twin series and is based on the same chassis as the Super Meteor 650 and the Shotgun 650, but with a few tweaks. The motorcycle retains its retro design language with a teardrop-shaped fuel tank, a headlight shrouding, fork covers, full fenders at both ends, and a lot of chrome. Overall, the Royal Enfield Classic 650 carries forward a design that has driven the company to its success.
The motorcycle gets telescopic forks, dual rear shocks, spoke wheels, disc brakes at both ends with dual-channel ABS, a traditional analogue instrument cluster with a small digital display, and a removable rear seat. The Royal Enfield Classic 650 twin keeps it simple.
| Specifications | Classic 650 | Gold Star 650 |
| Suspension (F) | 43 mm Telescopic | 43 mm Telescopic |
| Suspension (R) | Dual shocks | Dual shocks |
| Brakes (F) | 320 mm Disc | 320 mm Disc |
| Brakes (R) | 300 mm Disc | 255 mm Disc |
| Seat Height | 800 mm | NA |
| Wheel (F) | 100/90 R19 | 100/90 R18 |
| Wheel (R) | 140/70 R18 | 150/70 R17 |
| Dash | Analogue | Analogue |
| Fuel Capacity | 14.8-litres | 12-litres |
| Weight | 243 kg | 201 kg |
| ABS | Dual-Channel | Dual-Channel |
| Traction Control | No | No |
The BSA Gold Star 650 is also all about being retro and modern. The name is iconic and although the motorcycle looks time period right, it is all modern. The BSA Gold Star 650 gets full fenders, spoke wheels, a single-piece seat, telescopic forks, dual rear shocks, disc brakes at both ends, and traditional analogue instruments. The Gold Star 650 has one big advantage — it’s 42kg lighter than the Classic 650.
Royal Enfield Classic 650 vs BSA Gold Star 650: Engine specifications
Both motorcycles get 650cc powerplants, however, they take very different approaches. The Royal Enfield Classic 650 gets a twin-cylinder setup with a 6-speed gearbox while the BSA Gold Star 650 gets a large single, mated to a 5-speed gearbox. The Royal Enfield Classic 650 uses an air and oil-cooled motor while the BSA’s unit is liquid-cooled.
| Engine specifications | Classic 650 | Gold Star 650 |
| Displacement | 647.95 cc, twin | 652 cc, twin |
| Power | 46.4 bhp | 45.6 bhp |
| Torque | 52.3 Nm | 55 Nm |
| Gearbox | 6-Speed | 5-Speed |
| Price | Rs 3.37 lakh | Rs 2.99 lakh |
