immediately after it . The overly strutted front mudguard , sweeping exhaust placement and lower silver engine case ( emulating now reductive engine parts ) are all identical to the M20 that saw much use in WW2 , as well as the design of many of BSA models moving through to the sixties . This is something I really leant into : on an open countryside road in the sun , you just feel cool . It made me want to buy an open-faced helmet and a pair of aviators . BSA , under its new Indian ownership , clearly sought to preserve this aesthetic as much as humanely possible . Thankfully , however , they allowed themselves more liberal application of modern technologies under the hood .
in the mid and high rev range . It easily hits 100km / h , and can hit its 165km / h top speed , but requires a lot of asphalt to do so . The sound too , leaves something to be desired , lacking the deeper tones that gives some oomph and turns heads . Instead , it is ‘ flat ’ - likely due to meeting Euro5 regulations . The bottom end is good , but it just doesn ’ t get up and go once into the meat of the revs . All that said , the experience with this motor isn ’ t exactly one of disappointment ; it feels more like a hill almost crested , before a day is called 50 metres from the top . The power delivery is very consistent to roll on , if a little jerky , and the bike can sound great to rip through the gears , given a tunnel or backdrop to do so . It simply lacks that little bit of magic to label it exceptional . In line with comprehensive owner ’ s manuals of old , the BSA manual covers everything from valve clearances and plug gap to how to check the dry sump oil level ( let the engine warm up for 3 ~ 5 minutes and then use the dipstick in the oil tank behind the rider ’ s knee ). The oldstyle engine needs full-fat 95 fuel , don ’ t be tempted to put 91 in there .
CHASSIS Stability was clearly a design priority here ,
BIG SINGLE The BSA of today has packed a 45hp 650cc single-cylinder engine into this motorcycle , one that has the advantages of being oil-tight , liquid-cooled and , presumably , more reliable than its 1940s predecessors . Compared to its modern counterparts , however , this engine leaves me uncertain . It offers much torque in the low rev range , as one would expect from a single cylinder , but distinctly lacks character
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