When I went to pick up the BSA Gold Star 650 in the first week of November, I remember staring at it for a good while before mounting it. This was because the motorcycle is made of shapes and curves so evocative that it just makes you stop and stare. Now, how it makes you feel when you ride it is not dissimilar, but some say that it does fall short of the full classic experience. This is probably true, but how much can one expect from a modern classic, too?
Anyway, the days soon flew by, and the Gold Star found itself in the susegad state, in the midst of biker fest after biker fest. It did grab a few eyeballs along the way, and by the time we were to head back, it started to throw a few tantrums of its own. I noticed that the throttle response felt like it had a very slight lag, and slowing down gave it the opportunity to stall. This happened a few times at the lower end of the rev range, but it did fi ne at higher speeds. I deduced that it just needed a proper service once we returned.
The journey back was a rushed one, with the objective of making it in time to join our friends in the armed forces and cross the Atal Setu along with them. The ride was bumpy, and 618 km later we were back where we had started, a little weary but content with the ride altogether. So as our time together comes to an end, there are fresh memories to cherish.
