Bike Files: BSA B65 Scrambler

Reborn ‘Brit’ bike brand’s second model is a proper looker

I’ve heard of BSA. Tell us some more…

There was a time when BSA was one of the biggest motorcycle manufacturers in the world.

Originally a manufacturer of guns (BSA stood for Birmingham Small Arms) the company made its first motorcycle in 1910.

It was in the post World War 2 years when BSA was in its prime. Inheriting designs for the DKW DT 125 as part of the war reparations, the BSA Bantam was launched in 1948 and over 300,000 examples were made in a 23 year production run. The small two-stroke was a brilliant everyday commuter bike, but it was BSA’s higher performance machines which made the brand stand out.

The A series bikes were the archetypal British parallel twin, loved around the world, but it was racing – in particular the single-cylinder Gold Star model – which cemented the reputation. Goldies could be modified to be raced on road or on dirt, winning major trophies in trials, motocross and at road races like the Isle of Man TT.

BSA bought out their big rivals Triumph in 1951, heralding a near two decade golden era for the British motorcycle industry. The Seventies was a different story though, with a new breed of Japanese motorcycle all but killing the British bike industry at home and abroad. Triumph would struggle on until the early Eighties but BSA’s demise came when the company was liquidated in 1978.

The BSA brand was bought and sold several times in the decades to follow, with no meaningful product emerging, but in late 2016 the giant Mahindra Group from India acquired the name and has set about reviving this once great marque. The first fruit was borne in 2021, when a new model bearing the Gold Star name arrived – and it is this motorcycle which forms the basis of the B65 Scrambler.

B65? What does that stand for?

It’s another historic designation. The Gold Star was one of BSA’s B series models and the 500 was officially designated as the B50 (250s were called the B25). The ‘65’ refers to the latest Scrambler’s 652cc engine capacity.

Tell us about the B65’s engine…

The Scrambler shares its 652cc single-cylinder engine with the Gold Star. It’s a basic design, which can trace its roots back to the old BMW/Rotax F650 motor from the mid-1990s. Rotax have completely reengineered the powerplant and, aesthetically, it looks great too, with traditionally finned barrels and traditional looking side cases. It’s a mellow motor, as you’d expect from a 30 year old design, with a peak power of just 45bhp, but it suits the bike well and is in line with its competitors.

Despite the Gold Star moniker, a name which stood for the ultimate in performance back in the day, the 2022 reboot was a purely nostalgic retro. Performance is modest, but it could still claim a 100mph top speed – which was the ultimate brag back in the ‘40s and ‘50s – although the extra weight and larger frontal area mean performance is likely to be blunted ever so slightly in the Scrambler.

That said, the powerplant should be even more at home in the scrambler variant, where it really is more about the feels than the outright power. As a cool cruiser, we expect the BSA B65 Scrambler to be a big hit.

Because it’s a proper looker, right?

BSA showcased a scrambler concept at Motorcycle Live at the end of 2022 and it went down a storm. The revived company said it was shown ‘to gauge public opinion’ and the public shouted a very clear ‘yes!’. It’s no surprise to see a scrambler become the new BSA’s second model.

What are the differences between the B65 and the Gold Star?

It’s clearly based around the same platform. The two models share the same frame and the 652cc single-cylinder engine, but there are some important modifications which should change the vibe.

The main differences are the wheel and suspension set-up. The Scrambler runs a 1” bigger front hoop, 19” to the roadster’s 18” item, and the taller suspension will lead to a taller seat height and modified geometry.

Despite having a 40mm higher perch than the Goldie (820mm to 780mm) the Scrambler’s seat height is still lower than most of its key competitors. It remains a very accessible motorcycle, in terms of cost, manageability and licence requirements (you can ride it on an A2 licence), and the combination of that commanding riding position and wide off-road style handlebars should make it a formidable city bike.

Those same characteristics are likely to be limiting factors on longer rides and, despite its retro off-road looks, it’s not likely to be a true off-roader.

Any other downsides?

We’ve not ridden the B65 yet, although we have tested the Gold Star and expect many similarities.

It’s one of those bikes that does what it is meant to do very competently. The performance is sedate, but that’s what you would expect from a 45bhp single weighing 218kg. Suspension and brakes (which are the same on the B45) are also adequate rather than exceptional but, in terms of being fit for its intended purpose, there’s not much to complain about.

Styling is a mix of modern and classic and will surely have bikers talking at the local bike meet. Scramblers have become pretty commonplace these days and are not quite the crowd pullers they were a few years back, but they’re still right on trend – and the Beeza badge will certainly get some of the old boys talking.

Being a bit picky, the radiator gives away the fact that this is a water cooled bike from the 21^st century, and not an old rattly motorbike from the 1960s. That’ll be a bit of a (minor) black mark for some, especially as Royal Enfield’s 650 platform is still air-cooled (or at least air and oil cooled) and Triumph have done a nicer job in concealing the rad and hoses on their 400 range.

We also think the low level exhaust system looks a bit out of place on a scrambler, where silencers are traditionally mounted higher up, but it’s nothing an aftermarket system shouldn’t fix.

What are the competitors to the BSA B65 Scrambler?

Small Scramblers have become really trendy in recent years and BSA will have to contend with two other Indian built models if they are to really break through with the B65.

We’ve already mentioned them in passing, but the new Royal Enfield Bear 650 and the Triumph Scrambler 400X are already doing great business. Both are A2 licence compatible, light and affordable.

They all have their own distinctive take on the scrambler concept, the Triumph being a bit more modern in its design and the Enfield having the benefit of being based on the bigger and more powerful two-cylinder Interceptor 650 platform. Another twin worth considering is Honda’s stripped back CL500.

The CL is one of many A2 category twins built around Honda’s 471cc engine, which has been the class benchmark for over a decade. It’s a very competent machine which is arguably a bit less stylised than the others we’ve mentioned, but comes with the reassurance of having Honda’s reputation and giant dealer network behind it.

Who is likely to buy a BSA B65 Scrambler?

BSA reckon the Scrambler is likely to appeal to a younger rider than the Gold Star, and who are we to disagree?

Scramblers are still bang on trend and if bikes like Scrambler 400X and the Bear 650 are anything to go by there is a strong demand for these rugged looking retros with a wide range of riders, from the Shoreditch set right through to everyday riders looking for a good honest runaround with a touch of class.

Whatever numbers they sell in the UK, it’s worth remembering that BSA is owned by Mahindra – a giant Indian organisation with a global reach. The BSA name is still much revered in Mahindra’s homeland, and the B65 is set to be a big seller in the huge Asian markets.