BSA Is Back: “We’ve Evolved, But Our DNA Remains Unaltered”

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We’ve just had word that Mahindra-owned Classic Legends has unveiled a ‘new’ logo for British brand BSA – and we’re expecting a resurgence on par with TVS-Norton.

The Twitter was posted on November 24th – just a few short days ago, along with a video on the logo’s history, ending with the hashtag #BSAISBACK.

A view of the new logo for BSA Motorcycles, currently owned with 60% stakes acquired by Mahindra and Classic Legends

Prior to the 1950s, BSA was considered the largest motorcycle producer in the world, with the sudden decline of US sales largely due to “poor management and failure to develop new products in the motorcycle division,” according to Wikipedia.

(For the more in-depth play-by-play, here’s a separate article on the relationship between Mahindra and BSA Motorcycles.)

A view of an old logo on a BSA motorcycle

Now, the brand may be under a different parent company – but the current owner of the ‘BSA’ nameplate still plans on keeping integral to the classic legacy of the brand.

“BSA is officially owned by Classic Legends, which India’s Mahindra group of companies has a 60% stake in,” explains an article from BBC on India’s love affair with classic British motorbikes.

“The joint venture has [also] received support from the UK government, which awarded BSA a £4.6m grant to develop electric bikes, in the hope of creating at least 255 jobs.”

A vintage BSA poster from the golden days of motorcycle brand BSA

Since the acquirement of 60% of the company’s stakes by Mahinda for a cool £3.4 million ($5.4 million USD), the brand has been under wraps for a new resurgence…and now that the logo is out in the wild for all to see, it stands to reason that we can expect a bike or two in the coming years.

A view of new BSA prototypes being tested out: media from Thrust Lane

The report from VisorDown states that Mahindra has already set up a new tech centre in the Midlands, with an R&D centre ready to go as well – we’ve even gotten our greedy hands on some spy shots from Thrust Zone as proof that the brand means business.

A view of new BSA prototypes being tested out: media from Thrust Lane

MCN also covered a new range of petrol AND electric machines that were purportedly set for BSA’s factory conveyor belts by ‘mid-2021’ – and considering we’re about to smack into Q1 of 2022, we’re expecting at least a bit of movement from BSA in the coming months.

A side view close-up of a BSA motorcycle

Looking forward to seeing what’s next in store for BSA, and be sure to stay tuned for updates – if we’re already getting spy shots, odds are we’ll not be waiting long for the peeks and teasers.

Be sure to drop a comment, we love hearing from you; EICMA’s still running, so head over and check out our “EICMA2021” category for everything straight out of Milan proper, and as always – stay safe on the twisties.

The post BSA Is Back: “We’ve Evolved, But Our DNA Remains Unaltered” appeared first on webBikeWorld.

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Very promising. I’m conflicted and apprehensive about the future of these and other motorcycles in Europe and the U.K.. Wonder what their strategy is for the U.K. market. I’m sure they know by now the future outlook for motorcycles in the U.K. and must to some extent understand that the motorcycles with retro appeal certainly are on the chopping block. I’d be thinking it’s limited opportunity to market considering the time frame. Either they do not believe it will happen or they have plans for an electric motorcycle. He did hint at responding to future regulations.
 
Interesting. My first bike was a BSA Bantam and I'll be watching where they go with their electric bikes.

BSA Bantam 175.jpg
 
This one gets a bit closer to the bikes. I must admit I do like the looks, but the two things for me that I just don't like, and would sway me to the Royal Enfield Interceptor, is the chunky down pipe, and the barn door radiator. It just ruins the look of the bike. Love the way they've tried to retain the reverse clock, that's a nice touch.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfMS-S4_G6c&ab_channel=TheMissendenFlyer
 
I still think that they could have found a better way, and to somehow reduce the size of it. It for me would be a game changer between the Gold star, and the Interceptor. Triumph seems to have done a very god job of hiding all the plumbing that goes with water cooling.
But as we all know, this is the future for now.
 
If they brought out a pseudo scrambler/enduro I'd be tempted, but it looks like they're focused on retro styled road bikes for now.

Something along the lines of this 1960 500cc bike?

bsa1.jpg
 

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