BSA Scrambler 650 Review: Old School Soul

In 2022, Classic Legends revived the iconic British marque BSA and introduced the Gold Star 650 to the world. The BSA Gold Star 650 proved to be quite a popular ride for riders looking for the charm of a classic single-cylinder motorcycle without the hassle that comes with bikes of the era it imitates.

Three years later in 2025, the Gold Star 650 spawned a sibling in the form of the new BSA Scrambler 650. As before, we in India had to wait a bit before BSA brought the single-cylinder Scrambler to our shores. We recently got our hands on the BSA Scrambler 650 here in Bangalore and rode it around town and on the highways. Here are our thoughts after a long weekend in the saddle...

BSA Scrambler 650 Review: Design & Features

BSA hasn't tried to reinvent the classic scrambler look with its second motorcycle, and that's kind of the point. The Scrambler 650 sticks to the old-school scrambler script, and you can tell the moment you see it. It's taller than the Gold Star 650, sits you more upright, and just looks like it means business in a way the Gold Star couldn't be bothered with.

The little design details on the Scrambler like the upswept exhaust, wire-spoke wheels, block-pattern tyres, and a flatter single-piece seat all push the rugged act further. The teardrop fuel tank carries over, but BSA has kept the rest of the bodywork deliberately bare, which works in the Scrambler's favour. A high-mounted front fender and a side panel wearing a '65' number round off the retro-off-road look.

There's nothing fancy going on with the instruments either. There's an offset digital cluster that looks like it's borrowed from the smaller Yezdi Scrambler, and it sticks to the basics. Safety-wise you get dual-channel ABS, traction control and a slipper clutch, but that's the extent of the electronic babysitting. There are no ride modes, no menus to dig through. You just get on, turn the key and start your ride.

BSA Scrambler 650 Review: Powertrain & Underpinnings

The BSA Scrambler 650 sports the exact same engine doing duty on the Gold Star. The 652cc, liquid-cooled single is good for 45.62bhp and 55Nm of peak torque and it offers the low-end and mid-range shove that you need for both a lazy highway cruise and pottering about off the tarmac. A 5-speed gearbox delivers power to the rear wheel, and BSA hasn't tried to dial out the long-stroke motor's signature thump.

The chassis is shared with the Gold Star too, but for the Scrambler BSA has tinkered with it. The Scrambler 650 gets a fatter conventional telescopic fork up front and twin shocks at the rear, both with more travel than the Gold Star gets, which should count for something when the tarmac runs out.

A bigger 19-inch front wheel, tweaked geometry (a 28mm longer wheelbase), and a taller 820mm (40mm more than the Gold Star) seat height push the riding position further into off-road territory. The Scrambler 650 tips the scales at 208kg (dry kerb) meaning that it carries seven kilos more weight than the Gold Star as a result. Stopping power comes from a 320mm front disc and a 255mm rear disc, both backed by dual-channel ABS.

BSA Scrambler 650 Review: Riding Impressions

Get on the road and the BSA Scrambler 650's 652cc single delivers plenty of grunt in the mid-range and stays relaxed while cruising on the highway as well, offering much the same character as it does on the Gold Star. It pulls with real gusto from as low as 3,000rpm, and that low- to mid-range shove is properly strong. The exhaust note backs this up with a deep, throaty single-cylinder growl that suits the bike's character, and every twist of the throttle ensures you're grinning under the helmet.

However, there is a big catch with regards to that single cylinder thumper. It is happiest at a sedate pace. As you go up the rev counter, the vibrations pick up noticeably, and while the five-speed gearbox is well spaced, the bike does feel more stressed at sustained highway speeds (a sixth gear for cruising would have definitely helped).

The Scrambler 650's big single also runs warm in slow-moving traffic with. The heat becomes rather noticeable the longer you're stuck in a jam and is enough to force those stuck next to you to move away from the furnace between your legs.

The ergonomics are quite brilliant as well on the Scrambler 650. The wide handlebar, upright seating position and slightly forward-set footpegs give it that classic scrambler stance, and it's comfortable enough that long stints in the saddle aren't a chore. The seat plays its part too as it is well-cushioned for both rider and pillion with enough room for either to shift around.

Pair that with the BSA Scrambler 650's tweaked suspension and the bike stays comfortable to ride even when the road surface isn't the best (which is quite normal on our streets). The suspension setup shrugs off potholes and rough patches without unsettling the bike, whether you're threading through city traffic or eating up highway miles.

The Scrambler name shouldn't be taken too literally, though. The bike's weight makes it a handful for beginners on trails or loose surfaces, and while light trails and gravel are well within its comfort zone, serious off-roading calls for more experience and muscle than most riders will want to bring.

Braking, at least, doesn't leave much to complain about. The setup offers good bite and feel, and the dual-channel ABS steps in smoothly without being intrusive, which counts for a lot given how much weight it's bringing to a stop.

BSA Scrambler 650 Review: Verdict

The BSA Scrambler 650 makes more sense as a retro road-focused scrambler than a hardcore off-road machine. Riding ergonomics, ride quality, seat comfort and that exhaust note are things that bring a smile to your face, and there's a lot of character on offer here.

However, the Scrambler 650 does have some issues, mainly the weight, the engine heat that builds up in traffic, and the vibrations at idle and as you take the bike higher into up the rev counter.

If relaxed touring, weekend rides, light jaunts on some slightly rough and tumble roads and a motorcycle with road presence and personality are what you're after, the BSA Scrambler 650 certainly delivers and for that use case we would definitely recommend it.