Nik, the radiator is not an oil cooler... the engine on this BSA is a liquid cooled, Rotax single cylinder engine. Rotax builds a good product that is reliable and has been used in BMW bikes as well. The engine is made to look like an air/oil cooled engine, but it is not. Also, BSA is an acronym for Birmingham Small Arms...
Great review and very fair. Your encounter with oncoming cars in the middle of the road convinced me the BSA is pretty much all you need on British roads today, as I'm sure most of us would have been doing a good 10 to 20mph more on each occasion on a modern sports bike. The bike looks happy at some decent but license-keeping speeds, the brakes obviously work well, most reviewers say it's comfy, and it has that characterful proven 650 single and link (however tenuous) to the legendary Goldie that makes it a unique proposition at a bargain price. Very tempting!
Hi, you got me coming back since your lovely review of the BMW R Ninet Urban G/S (which I confirm in many ways, as an owner). What cracked me up this time was your line: “it’s simple! A bit like me…” loved that, and can relate to that, as well. Greetings from a rain drenched Munich (cannot wait for the weather to improve)
Birmingham Small Arms was founded as an arms manufacturer in June 1861, the BSA company started production of bicycles in 1880. They moved into producing motorcycles in 1903, although it was 1910 before they manufactured their own complete motorcycles.
Good one Nik I have the legacy version and very pleased with it so far 😊 Birmingham small arms but heh it’s about the bike 😊 Not to worry Enjoyed that 😊😊
Not sure how they are going to compete with the inevitable inexpensive yet very well-built Royal Enfields. Compare to the Classic 350 but with more displacement? Or compare to the Interceptor 650 that boasts a parallel twin instead of a thumper?
You have the same immediate rolloff feeling on the RE, it does feel a bit odd and its one of the things im not keen on. Assuming all single cylinder bikes must have this feeling then.
Bonne présentation il y a une catégorie de pilotes que vous avez oublié en plus des gens de plus de 60 ans il y a ce qui aiment les monos...et là il y a peu de choix...donc oui la BSA leur parle.👍✌🇫🇷
It's definitely a masterpiece of Sales-Pitching . Repeating 'BSA' over every-part of the-bike , convinces everyone (?) it's a 'BSA' . It's arguably Not, but it's a great-bike regardless , with a very proven BSA...What!.....Rotax-engine in BSA-Clothes. You might-not want to turn-up to a BSA Gold-Star Meet on it though , but old-guys who can't kick-start anymore would probably enjoy it . Dave NZ
This thing has stickers on the engine casing!! WTF are you telling me they couldn't engraved it or etched it or basically anything else, that engine does have Rotax history! It's a re-worked bmw f650gs engine used maybe two decades ago! It just could have been better in the detail.
Errr First time viewer,, I would just like to pick up on something you said regarding the natural speed of the bike ,,you said 50/60mph,,, Well I ride a Himalayan,,and I like to push my bike hard down B roads and lanes ,,of course the bike does not want to go fast .But I get a kick out of pushing it hard... Its much more enjoyable then having a fast bike and going fast ..Its much better to have a slow bike and try to go fast....gives me a kick anyway... Just bought a cheapp BSA....theres nothing like a good bike CHEAP
BSA. Birmingham Small Arms FFS. Try doing some research and you have probably never even ridden one of the originals. By the way 1950's bikes did have ABS, the drums were usually poor compared to modern discs. In fact it was only possible to lock up a wheel on black ice!
One of the best examples of marketing ever this bike. Made in India by Mahindra using licensed Jawa parts and design with a rotax lump that's made in China. Slap a BSA sticker on the tank and the sentimental, nostalgic brits buy it. Great review though, should be a very reliable bike.
Nik, the radiator is not an oil cooler... the engine on this BSA is a liquid cooled, Rotax single cylinder engine. Rotax builds a good product that is reliable and has been used in BMW bikes as well. The engine is made to look like an air/oil cooled engine, but it is not. Also, BSA is an acronym for Birmingham Small Arms...
Great review and very fair. Your encounter with oncoming cars in the middle of the road convinced me the BSA is pretty much all you need on British roads today, as I'm sure most of us would have been doing a good 10 to 20mph more on each occasion on a modern sports bike. The bike looks happy at some decent but license-keeping speeds, the brakes obviously work well, most reviewers say it's comfy, and it has that characterful proven 650 single and link (however tenuous) to the legendary Goldie that makes it a unique proposition at a bargain price. Very tempting!
not an oil cooler, it is watercooled
Hi, you got me coming back since your lovely review of the BMW R Ninet Urban G/S (which I confirm in many ways, as an owner). What cracked me up this time was your line: “it’s simple! A bit like me…” loved that, and can relate to that, as well. Greetings from a rain drenched Munich (cannot wait for the weather to improve)
As someone who has been riding over 37 years I find the BSA is a good bike. Compared to some of the dogs we had to ride back in the day it's great.
Nit picking here I know. But the company was called Birmingham Small Arms, not British Small Arms.
I've got one ... I like it . I've got the fast and superfast stuff . This bike is great to ride . Love the big single 800 trouble free miles so far .
Birmingham Small Arms was founded as an arms manufacturer in June 1861, the BSA company started production of bicycles in 1880. They moved into producing motorcycles in 1903, although it was 1910 before they manufactured their own complete motorcycles.
Thanks for an honest review 🍻
Good one Nik
I have the legacy version and very pleased with it so far 😊
Birmingham small arms but heh it’s about the bike 😊
Not to worry
Enjoyed that 😊😊
Not sure how they are going to compete with the inevitable inexpensive yet very well-built Royal Enfields. Compare to the Classic 350 but with more displacement? Or compare to the Interceptor 650 that boasts a parallel twin instead of a thumper?
You have the same immediate rolloff feeling on the RE, it does feel a bit odd and its one of the things im not keen on. Assuming all single cylinder bikes must have this feeling then.
Bonne présentation il y a une catégorie de pilotes que vous avez oublié en plus des gens de plus de 60 ans il y a ce qui aiment les monos...et là il y a peu de choix...donc oui la BSA leur parle.👍✌🇫🇷
Hello Nik. Nice review. How tall are your ? Do you think this bike is useful for people over 6.00ft ? Thanks a lot. Cheers.
I think you meant 652cc single cylinder, not 652 single cc !
It's definitely a masterpiece of Sales-Pitching . Repeating 'BSA' over every-part of the-bike , convinces everyone (?) it's a 'BSA' . It's arguably Not, but it's a great-bike regardless , with a very proven BSA...What!.....Rotax-engine in BSA-Clothes. You might-not want to turn-up to a BSA Gold-Star Meet on it though , but old-guys who can't kick-start anymore would probably enjoy it . Dave NZ
Great ?. lol
Oil cooled radiator is an interesting feature
where are you on those wonderful roads ?
0:56 Oh man they had one job, why didn't they concealed that USB charging socket between those two instrument pods instead of placing it LHS
It's plutonium cooled and BSA stands for Blue Sherbet Appendicectomy.
6:52 why there are no trees in these parts. Also which place is this ?
Not london thats for sure 😂😂
That will be the moors.....
Only wolves grow on the moors....😉
This thing has stickers on the engine casing!! WTF are you telling me they couldn't engraved it or etched it or basically anything else, that engine does have Rotax history! It's a re-worked bmw f650gs engine used maybe two decades ago! It just could have been better in the detail.
Errr First time viewer,, I would just like to pick up on something you said regarding the natural speed of the bike ,,you said 50/60mph,,, Well I ride a Himalayan,,and I like to push my bike hard down B roads and lanes ,,of course the bike does not want to go fast .But I get a kick out of pushing it hard... Its much more enjoyable then having a fast bike and going fast ..Its much better to have a slow bike and try to go fast....gives me a kick anyway... Just bought a cheapp BSA....theres nothing like a good bike CHEAP
It sounds nothing is like a brit bike
Shuddup & take my money. When are they available in NZ?
BSA. Birmingham Small Arms FFS. Try doing some research and you have probably never even ridden one of the originals. By the way 1950's bikes did have ABS, the drums were usually poor compared to modern discs. In fact it was only possible to lock up a wheel on black ice!
'British' Small Arms?? OK, I'll bite. Try Birmingham Small Arms. Ask a passing Peaky Blinder. Good review otherwise.
I’ll bite too. Kind of undermines the review, don’t you think?
BSA Birmingham Small Arms Nick
Its birmingham small arms.
One of the best examples of marketing ever this bike. Made in India by Mahindra using licensed Jawa parts and design with a rotax lump that's made in China. Slap a BSA sticker on the tank and the sentimental, nostalgic brits buy it. Great review though, should be a very reliable bike.
Not all of us chap. I for one don't like it.
It’s , “Birmingham Small Arms”, not British.
Not anymore.
British Small Arms logo... Man you really know nothing about Bsa do you
Might as well save another few grand and get a real one
For what is an evidently well resourced setup, that was very poor review. Sorry.
What is it you think we missed?
@@thegiveawayguys Content was superficial & didn't add anything. Video quality was ace tho'
His arms are too big