Royal Enfield recently expanded its 650cc motorcycle lineup in India with the launch of the all-new Bullet 650. However, the new Royal Enfield Bullet 650 is not the only retro middleweight motorcycle in the segment. One of its closest rivals is the BSA Goldstar 650. If you are planning to buy a retro 650cc motorcycle, here’s a quick comparison between the Royal Enfield Bullet 650 and the BSA Goldstar 650.
Royal Enfield Bullet 650 and the BSA Goldstar 650: Pricing
Starting with pricing, the Royal Enfield Bullet 650 has been launched at a starting price of Rs 3.65 lakh, ex-showroom. In comparison, the BSA Goldstar 650 is priced between Rs 3.34 lakh and Rs 3.46 lakh, ex-showroom, making it slightly more affordable than the new Bullet 650.
Royal Enfield Bullet 650 and the BSA Goldstar 650: Engine
The biggest difference between the two motorcycles lies under the fuel tank. The Royal Enfield Bullet 650 uses the company’s familiar 648cc parallel-twin, air-oil cooled engine. This motor produces 46.4 hp and 52.3 Nm of torque and comes paired with a six-speed gearbox. On the other hand, the BSA Goldstar 650 uses a completely different approach. It gets a 652cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine producing 45 hp and 55 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a five-speed gearbox.
Royal Enfield Bullet 650 and the BSA Goldstar 650: Hardware and key details
In terms of chassis and suspension, both motorcycles follow a classic setup. The Bullet 650 rides on a steel tubular spine frame and gets 43 mm telescopic front forks along with twin rear shock absorbers. The BSA Goldstar also uses telescopic front forks paired with twin rear shock absorbers featuring five-step preload adjustability.When it comes to dimensions, the Royal Enfield Bullet 650 is noticeably larger and heavier. It has a wheelbase of 1,480 mm and a kerb weight of 243 kg. The BSA Goldstar 650, meanwhile, has a shorter 1,425 mm wheelbase and weighs 213 kg, making it 30 kg lighter than the Bullet. Seat height is another key difference. The Goldstar offers a lower 782 mm seat height, while the Bullet 650 comes with an 800 mm seat height. Fuel tank capacity also differs between the two retro motorcycles. The Bullet 650 gets a larger 14.8-litre fuel tank, while the Goldstar comes with a 12-litre tank. On the braking front, both motorcycles get dual-channel ABS as standard. The Bullet 650 uses a 320 mm front disc and a 300 mm rear disc setup. The Goldstar gets a 320 mm front disc and a 255 mm rear disc.Tyre and wheel setup also varies between the two. The Royal Enfield Bullet 650 gets 19-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels wrapped in 100/90 and 140/70 tyres respectively. The BSA Goldstar uses 18-inch front and 17-inch rear wire-spoke wheels with Pirelli Phantom Sportscomp tyres sized 100/90 and 150/70.