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 bike in the segment. One of its closest competitors is the BSA Goldstar 650. If you are planning to buy a retro 650cc motorcycle, here is a quick comparison between Royal Enfield Bullet 650 and BSA Goldstar 650.
Royal Enfield Bullet 650 and BSA Goldstar 650: Pricing
Starting with the price, 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, slightly cheaper than the new Bullet 650.
Royal Enfield Bullet 650 and BSA Gold Star 650: Engine
The biggest difference between the two bikes is 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 is mated to 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 that produces 45 hp and 55 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a five-speed gearbox.
Royal Enfield Bullet 650 and BSA Goldstar 650: Hardware and Key Specifications
In terms of chassis and suspension, both the bikes follow the classic setup. The Bullet 650 rides on a steel tubular spine frame and features 43 mm telescopic front forks with twin rear shock absorbers. The BSA Gold Star also uses telescopic front forks paired with twin rear shock absorbers that feature five-step preload adjustability.When it comes to dimensions, the Royal Enfield Bullet 650 is noticeably bigger and heavier. It has a wheelbase of 1,480 mm and a curb 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 important difference. The Goldstar offers a lower seat height of 782 mm, while the Bullet 650 comes with a seat height of 800 mm. The fuel tank capacity is also different between the two retro motorcycles. The Bullet 650 gets a larger 14.8-litre fuel tank, while the Gold Star comes with a 12-litre tank. On the braking front, both motorcycles get dual-channel ABS as standard. The Bullet 650 uses a 320mm front disc and 300mm rear disc setup. The Goldstar gets a 320 mm front disc and a 255 mm rear disc.Tire and wheel setups also differ between the two. The Royal Enfield Bullet 650 gets 19-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels shod in 100/90 and 140/70 tires respectively. The BSA Gold Star uses 18-inch front and 17-inch rear wire-spoke wheels with Pirelli Phantom Sportscomp tires in sizes 100/90 and 150/70.
