Honda CB500 vs BSA Gold Star: Price Comparison

Honda recently launched the CB500 in India at a starting price of Rs 2,75,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi). While it does not directly compete with the BSA Gold Star 650 in terms of price, both motorcycles have a similar format and come with large-capacity single-cylinder engines. 

Here’s a detailed price comparison if you’re trying to decide between the two.

All prices are ex-showroom, Delhi.

The Gold Star 650 is Rs 70,950 more expensive than the base Alloy variant of the CB500, while the price difference between the top variants is Rs 58,050.

Honda CB 500

The Honda CB 500 gets a design similar to its smaller sibling, the CB350. It gets a circular LED headlight, a muscular fuel tank, a brushed-aluminium finish on the engine casing, along with a single-piece seat and a large upswept exhaust. The bike is available with both spoke and alloy wheel options.

The CB500 is available in five colours in total. The Alloy variant gets two colours: Pearl Deep Ground Grey & Pearl Igneous Black. The mid variant with spoke wheels is available in Matte Steel Silver Metallic & Rebel Red Metallic 2. The top variant comes in Pearl Igneous Black with golden stripes.

Powering the bike is a 501cc air/oil-cooled, single-cylinder engine that makes 28.1 PS and 43.5 Nm, paired with a 5-speed gearbox. We expect the engine to have good low-end and mid-range torque, and be easy to ride in the city and out on the highway.

It gets a semi-digital instrument console with an analogue speedometer and a digital inset that displays essential information such as the fuel level, gear position indicator, and odometer. The bike also gets Bluetooth connectivity, music and call controls, along with turn-by-turn navigation Via the Honda RoadSync app. In terms of safety features, the bike gets dual-channel ABS, a hazard light switch, and switchable traction control.

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BSA Gold Star 650

The BSA Gold Star 650 gets a proper retro design that takes inspiration from the original Gold Star models from the 1960s. It gets a teardrop-shaped tank, a single-piece seat, a peashooter exhaust, and large fenders.

It is available in four colours: Shadow Black, Insignia Red, Highland Green & Sheen Silver in the Legacy Edition.

It is powered by a 652 cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine making 45 PS and 55 Nm, which is 16.9 PS and 11.5 Nm lower than the CB500, paired with a 5-speed gearbox.

In terms of features, the Gold Star gets twin analogue clusters with an analogue speedometer and a tachometer. It also gets a small digital inset that displays the fuel level on one side and the trip meters & odometer on the other. However, the bike does not get connected features like Bluetooth or turn-by-turn navigation that the CB500 gets. In terms of safety features, it gets dual-channel ABS as standard.

BikeDekho Says

Both the Honda CB500 and BSA Gold Star 650 follow a similar formula with large-capacity single-cylinder engines and retro styling. However, the Gold Star 650 gets a bigger and much more powerful engine, while the CB500 gets more modern features like Bluetooth connectivity, turn-by-turn navigation, and even switchable traction control. The CB500 also has a significantly lower starting price and is more affordable across the variants. 

If you want a more affordable motorcycle with modern features and a laid-back riding experience, the CB500 makes more sense. If you want more power and a more authentic retro motorcycle experience, the Gold Star 650 is worth considering.