Thank you, very informative and no sales pitch. After watching you go around the bike it made me pleased I purchased an Interceptor. Two year old now and no issues. Ride safe.

I have had my BSA GS for ten weeks and 1500 miles. I love it. It was relatively cheap to buy and has been faultless so far. Mpg c. 68, which is Ok. A few minor issues, but for the price.....nothing to worry me. It handles very well but could be improved, if you are a harder rider. I like the feedback it gives me, the tyres are good in all conditions and, whilst not a motorway slogger, it can do it. My longest day so far, show my 90 year old BSA loving father, a round trip of 280 miles. It can break the speed limit, but why bother in our camera ridden, poorly maintained roads. I have a Tiger 1200, for my other riding needs, but I actually find myself choosing the GS more often. Each to their own.

Wow! After your review... I am going to pass on the new BSA. Thanks for saving me a bunch of money!

Those shrouded rear shocks make the whole bike look more authentic to me and won't rust like an exposed spring!

I definitely made the right decision.. My father was a fitter at the BSA factory and worked on many Goldstars.. So when he passed away I decided I was going to buy one of these new Goldstars.. but after looking at one in the cafe at the National Motorcycle Museum I wasn't very impressed.. I remember my dad telling me that in the early 70's BSA and Triumph merged and my dad said that they also worked on Triumph's at the BSA factory... So with this thought I took myself along to Bill Smiths in Chester and went to have a look at their Triumph's.. I instantly fell in love with the Bobber but totally impractical bike, whereas the Speedmaster 1200 can easily convert it into a Bobber by removing the rear seat, grab rails and chrome side covers.. replacing with rear black fender rack, black cover tidies you have a Bobber, but fit a Backrest/pad and rear rack then you have a great touring bike.. So my mind was made up.. The Speedmaster is a great alrounder with great detail and very impressive finish.. Just wish there were more aftermarket parts available for it. Anyway thanks for the videos, even though I've never seen you working on a Speedmaster I still find your videos very interesting

I bought a black one and have to say i love it, so far. Not done many miles,as yet with the only problem being with the starting, my fault i was giving it some revs, a deffiinant no no and the engine light staying on. Luckily the dealer is only 7 miles away, very helpful indeed and he showed me how to deal with it if it happened again, it hasn't. He did advise me to use eco 5 petrol and also said that the engine really loosens up after the first service.

Very honest review, I really fancied one of these after seeing the BSA stand at a bike show toward the end of 2021. Promises were made of bikes in showrooms around May/June last year, surprise, surprise they didn't appear. I quite liked it, probably led by my heart rather than my head, especially having owned a real Gold Star DBD34 in the early 70's, but as I say this Gold Star has only recently come out. After listening to this review how glad am I that I ended up buying an ex-demo Benelli 502C, an excellent little bike, I've gelled with it so well, great quality, brakes and finish. Now this Gold Star is here, it seems to be trading on the BSA name, it's a poor imitation of a great bike.

Excellent, real-world review. Well done! That said.. what a shockingly badly built bike! So glad I didn’t order one now.

Very honest and comprehensive review. I respect your objectivity and rationality.

Thank you. Truely an excellent detailed owner's review. I waited with great anticipation for this bike, having owned a C15 and A65, back in the day. When I finally saw one in the flesh I couldn't believe what they had done to the engine. The painted crankcases and painted cylinder head fins ........ what were they thinking of? Even the exhaust, it should be bright chrome and why put the drive chain on the wrong side? And that nasty grey plastic looking case pretending to be a pre-unit gearbox? Funnily enough, I could have lived with the radiator and the frame and wheels etc look great but they need to start again with the looks of that engine. In the end, bought a new RE Hntr 350 in Rebel Red ......... 2,600 miles from new and very impressed, just need to manage your expectations when it comes to overtaking and it's definitely not a motorway bike either but ......... it does have a centre stand 👍😊 All the best, Phil

Every time I watch videos like this, I am so glad I went for my 2019 Honda CB650R. Tried, tested with a massive dealership network and, at the click of a button I can get parts within 48 hours posted to me for when I do my servicing. It isn't everyone's cup of tea, but It is mine and it works flawlessly. Thanks for your video! I'm sure it will help many to stay with what works.

I had a very close look at the GS at Fowlers in Bristol last week and I have to say I pretty much disagree with a lot of the comments on finish. This is not an expensive bike and a few after market tweaks will sort most of them. Even the radiator didn't offend in real life. I own a RE and have no axe to grind but I've ridden the Interceptor and though it was a nice bike. I didn't expect 100HP performance but there isn't a great deal of character from the engine as a whole. If the GS has good large cc single cylinder characteristics it would tip the balance for me.

A very good video. I'll subscribe and wait for more on the BSA. Thank you. I looked under the bike at the NEC and saw that there were no centre stand or bobbin fitments and pointed out to the salesman that I thought this was a mistake and might put off many buyers but I'm not sure that he really knew what I was talking about.

What an excellent review George. I've just purchased a royal enfield meteor 650 looked at the BSA but so pleased I didn't go that way.

Thanks for that. I've now decided to buy a euro 4 Interceptor.

I'm just delighted I picked up one of the final Battle Green Royal Enfield Classic 500's to be honest. A true classic rather than just a 'photocopy' of one.

Great video, makes me glad I bought a 350 enfield, lots of metal parts, great fuel filler cap that stays on, hidden USM port. Hinged lockable side covers and a centre stand. Prob the suspension is like the bsa, adequate. Great job 👍

Interesting comments around the suspension and it's shortcomings. I didn't pick up on that. Good detail throughout. Thanks

Great Video TBP, the progressive fork springs have transformed by 2022 Bonneville ride 🙏 Keep up the fab work. Cheers Nick @ MotoUK

Great video and thanks for your honesty. Think you are a brave man buying "A look like BSA motorcycle"

This is the best review that I have seen to date on this first effort from BSA/ Mahindra. I have an RE Meteor 350 (very satisfied for what I spent) and I have owned many old Brit bikes over the years, so I have something to compare it to. My overall impression is that this bike may be doomed. I love singles and the idea of a large one from an iconic name such as BSA certainly interested me. Fit and Finish appear to be only fair and that is a disappointment. There is a fair amount of plastic on my meteor but not on engine bits! Every reviewer has commented on the unsightly radiator and I agree that BSA could have done a better job on this. I'll bet I might enjoy a ride on this new BSA, but the drawbacks are too many to contemplate a purchase anytime soon. Thanks for a real review, one from which I learned!

I fell in love at first sight to this bad boy bsa scrambler 650😍

Good video George, hope Mahindra stays with this effort and doesn't give up the ship.

Good review, I have had 4 Royal Enfields, (Classic 500, Himalayan, Interceptor and currently Classic 350), and I have improved the suspension, running, brakes and so on with various TEC modifications, and at the purchase price it is affordable to do so. This bike is top dollar and to have to then budget new shocks and paddock/centre stand fitments makes it an expensive choice. Disappointed at quality issues and spare part support, BSA appear to have a long way to go to challenge Triumph and Royal Enfield. Thanks for the helpful review. Tim

Love your decat X-pipe, installed on my Triumph T120!

I like the interceptor and kind of like the BSA but I'm glad I payed the extra and bought a t100. Crackin honest review.

Gosh this is a brutal review but it will help a lot of people and that is worth something. I was down for a highland green in the early days and pulled out before payment losing my place in the queue, no regrets of course. Ive done 8000 miles now on my Voge (Chinese no apologies middleweight ADV) and no faults yet, writing this from Norway, shes taken me all this way. Turns out you could pick a BSA up in showrooms about a week after the first pre orders actually arrived! Sadly, most people including me are not smart enough to resolve all this issues as you have with ingenuity and experience. Imagine trying to do a big tour or ride on one of these, something very likely to go wrong and you'd be done for... Thanks again...

Yes I think you're spot on removing the O2 sensor cover from the aesthetic point of view. And the jampots also look so much better and more authentic than the standard suspension.. It now looks superb!

If anyone can make a silk purse from this, you can. Unfortunately the price point makes decent mods financially unreachable for many. It would be more prudent just to buy a decently built bike to begin with.

Great bike. Congrats. Would love to have ridden one in DGR.

Anyone who thinks they are tapping into genuine British motorcycling heritage and the nostalgia that goes with it, seriously needs to give themselves a slap in the face. How can you be? The bike's made in India and has a power plant that owes its origins to a company from Austria. This bike is about as British as Chicken Chasseur. Still, each to their own, I suppose.

I ran BSAs, for 12 years in the 70s and 80s. I think they have done a good job, in a "DNA" way, it looks like a modern reincarnation of a BSA single and has the original Gold Star, (not the later, B50 GS ss model), look, almost uncannily! I appreciate, what Enfield has done and Triumph, though I think their engines are bulky and do not have the grace of the original Meridan machines. I think it's a good start! Everybody seems to think it rides well, damping aside?

Just found you and since my Dad had a BSA 650 SuperRocket, I'll keep an eye out in case you feature one.

Thanks for that. I've now decided to buy a euro 4 interceptor second hand. I tried both euro 4 and 5 interceptor, the 4 is much more satisfying to ride.

Glad I bought an interceptor, the BSA sounds like a load of problems and looks rubbish as well, I would not bother wasting time developing anything for it, I dont think they will be around very long.

Excellent review thank you

It would be interesting to see how it would look in clubman's trim. Clip ons, rear sets & a chrome headlight bucket. And a tail tidy of course.

At a certain point in the video, you say, "It is what it is." Well, it is what it is isn't really good enough. If BSA expect people to part with seven grand for something that isn't as well built as a competitor costing half that (albeit with a smaller displacement) just out of nostalgia for an attractive badge, they'll find that there aren't enough people to sustain that business model. I'm 66 years years old and I've just retired. I want to get back on two wheels and I've been looking at what the market has to offer for about the last six months. In other words, I am the archetypal potential customer that BSA is looking to attract with the Gold Star but their "me too" effort doesn't even come close as far as I'm concerned, not least because it only has one lung. From what I've seen so far, the simple, easy, relatively low cost, low maintenance solution for me would be a 650cc twin from Royal Enfield. Indeed, the Interceptor is almost a clone of my first "real" bike, a 1973 Honda CB250 G5, in every aspect except that it has the extra horsepower that the Honda lacked to be comfortable on a motorway or dual carriageway. However, I can't deny that other modern classics from the Bonnevilles to Guzzi's V7 to the beautiful (and licence endangering) Kawasaki z900 RS are drawing my eye. It's just a matter of how much I want my flight of fancy to cost me. My primary concern with any purchase, particularly one of several thousand pounds, is value for money and in my eyes quality is the number one aspect of that. I have never regretted over the long term spending more than maybe I should have to get good quality and I really haven't got time for the buyer's remorse that comes with settling for less. You entitled this video, "BSA Gold Star - the good, the bad and the ugly". Well, the conclusion that I draw from your observations and discoveries is that there is precious little good with this bike. It's one thing to choose to spend money on swapping out perfectly serviceable parts in order to customise a bike to your own tastes, and quite another to have to spend money on a new bike from the outset to replace substandard factory-installed components. From a purely aesthetic viewpoint, I love the BSA badge and always have; back in the mid-'70s I had an embroidered patch of the BSA logo that I had my mum sew onto the sleeve of my leather jacket. However, I was never attracted to the products, largely because of the shoddy build quality, and I'm still not today for the same reasons.

The good, petrol tank looks amazing The Bad,the price! The ugly, cylinder head, radiator, exhaust 💥

Excellent review; this is fast becoming my favourite motorcycle channel too as always learning something so thank you. Shame about the BSA build quality. This space is getting even more competitive now with Triumph dipping in with their 400s. I’ve had a Classic 350 for six months now and love it. Just a bit underpowered for freeway riding but otherwise brilliant. I didn’t appreciate the center stand at first but use it all the time now. Royal Enfield have done a great job and if the Classic 650 is true it will push them even further ahead.

Great video guy's. If you made some injector covers similar to those for the RE I'd buy some.

Firstly. I absolutely love this bike. Unlike the Meteor it has plenty of power for overtaking and unlike the Interceptor it's a single with its own character. However. Exactly the same thing happened to me with the headlight. I pulled in to stop, there was a tinkling sound and I was overtaken by the centre of the headlight rolling past. Almost a complete circle. Apparently (according to my dealer) BSA have rejected my warranty claim saying it must have been a stone chip. ( I was on a single track country road at the time with nothing to throw a stone up at me). Personally I just removed the baffle and am happy with the sound, I noticed an increase in performance too. Paint on my tank is fine 1.200 miles in. Bit annoying at first but I've got used to the petrol cap now and don't really have any issues. Genuine oil filter (with "O" rings) is a bit expensive and annoyingly it looks like no pattern alternatives are available at the moment. Still at least you get to find out what's behind the timing chest cover (where the Mag gear would be on an original BSA B series). Filter holder is a bit weird too but kinda' nice in a weird sort of way. Semi dry sump and oil tank are nice for those of us who may appreciate the nod to the original. Does make oil change a bit of a faff but nothing too complicated. I've yet to play with the suspension. One thing I've noticed you've not mentioned is a bit of a high pitched noise presumably coming from the petrol pump. Doesn't seem to affect anything but audible in your helmet. Still love the character of the bike.

G'day from Australia, Sorry too say, buying a new generation BSA is like buying a classic Motorcycle once you get it home you find what needs fixing to bring up to your sec, a new Bike should be turn the key and ride, think I'll wait a couple of years before buying one , great review, cheers mate, Neil 🤠.

Its sad that motorcycle dealers have caught up with car dealers in poor after sales service, but in the UK we seem happy to put up with it, its a shame this bike hasnt worked with its heritage, think its helped Enfield no end.

Glad I got the classic 350 in Bronze and chrome. All metal everyone loves it. No problems at all. Also I dont have to change or add anything to make it a good bike.

Thanks for a very informative video, this is just what I suspected with this particular price level of bike, you get what you pay for. Cheers

My first bike was a BSA 250 C11G. Bought second hand in the sixties. The original Gold Star was a bike to lust after, this was when British bikes, like Norton, Royal Enfield, BSA and Velocette were world leaders and all made in England. The original bikes were all 6volt electrics so no electric start, and an ammeter was was useful to have.

This Saturday i saw one for first time an though , yeah think ide sooner take the old gold star , this new stuff is well not what ide expect they just don’t get the styling right as for the rest they need more design in put to draw people in , if yure going to design a replica then design a replica , I’ve a 2016 air / oil cooled triumph scrambler and love it with straight through arrow , did get yure petrol flip filler I love so thanks tec , good to see yure modding it fr yourself 👍😉x

The Interceptor continues to Absolutely Own this Segment.

I think a lot of people are pausing on the BSA - giving the bikes time to settle down, improvements to be made and the aftersales time to get up to speed. A year might be a reasonable time to wait and see.

Of course we will stop noticing the radiator. You know, that great carbuncle on front of the bike that I finally stopped seeing; but when I opened my eyes and it was still there.

Blimey! That has put me right off. Was looking at buying a used in a few years. At least i can save for someone of better quality. All the best David.

The original BSA Gold Star was the result of some very gifted Development Engineers who took a pushrod valved BSA 350 and 500 cc engine'd motorcycle to unbelievable heights of performance. It was COMPLETELY misunderstood by BSA "management" as to what these gifted Engineers achieved and what they the BSA "management" COULD have done with the market opportunity that lay before them. That opportunity also lay before the Honda Management Team and they DID...NOT ...MISS. An across the frame four cylinder overhead cam four carburettored, disc braked motorcyle that OUTSOLD the Triumph/BSA triple in the FIRST YEAR. The rest....is history.

I am also not happy with the suspension, any chance of letting us know which parts you used to improve front and back ?

The looks of the bike definitely grabbed my attention. However, after closer inspection and seeing review after review, it is clear to me this bike is not at the same level as the new RE's. The GS looks to be a bike based on the Jawa 42 platform. So, compared to an RE Interceptor, it falls short... RE has that amazing Harris Performance chassis that is a work of art and rock solid. The frame on the GS looks to have a lot of welded bits to compensate for a frame that would otherwise be overwhelmed. Many test riders note an issue with tires and suspension... common sense tells me they are actually experiencing chassis/frame flex. RE also has it's own engine that is authentic as one can get in a bike of this type. I would still like to get a new GS, but my expectations would be in check.

I have a red version and one thing I find a bit annoying is the white stripes are on the rear and on the tank but not on the front mudguard ,and it gives it the look that it’s had front end damage and it’s a replacement one less the strips

The 60s biking experience without the breaking down...touch wood!

great video as usual! But please invest in a lapel mic. Your videos deserve it :)

great video

Your review came to late for me........I am the owner an owner of a BSA Gold star. As you say the quality is just not good enough. I had a leaking oil feed pipe within 100 miles from new. Loose banjo bolt to cylinder head. The paint on the engine covers is now going crazed at 500 miles. not good. This bike should have a main stand. I Emailed BSA UK about the availability of a workshop manual 3 weeks ago and im still waiting for a reply. The other side of ownership is that it is a great bike to ride. BSA have got to get their act together.

Good review of what seems to me to be a disappointing bike

Royal Enfield will be loving this review. I would steer clear myself

I've been waiting for a proper owner review all this time and now I think I'll give it about 5yrs to see whether they've improved and/or still making them before I give 'em serious thaught again. Mind you it will probably take that long before they get to the antipodes anyway. In any case all these faults are very similar to those of my new T140 V of the mid '70s. So this might just be a case of taking authenticity to a high level. ,

I was eager to see these bikes when they were first announced. Week after week the feeling faded. When I finally saw one, I was unimpressed by the thing, what I saw was an average motorcycle dressed up as something special. A cynical approach to milking a trend...

it has part sharing with jawa yezdi also .... like that cheap plastic usb thing is also on the yezdi adventure

Lack of centre stand and no option to fit one is a showstopper for me. It's a shame because there is a lot I like about this bike. I have a RE Classic 350 and the quality is excellent throughout.

A terrific review and very concise 👍 have seen the BSA in the flesh and to be totally honest was not that impressed, that is maybe a bit unfair because I have never ridden one but it is how I felt. When I compare and contrast my first view of the RE Classic and Meteor it was night and day. I knew I had to get an RE Classic and the quality looked excellent and can say so far during my ownership that is the case. Your channel just popped up so will go check out your other videos 👍

Thanks, and very good information. Seems like the bike has more bad and ugly than good. Wondering what Mahindra's long-term commitment is to this model?

Excellent video! Thanks for your honesty. Now, please buy a wireless microphone! DJI and Rode make fantastic mics so we can hear your voice instead of the wind and birds.

I took one out for a test ride a few weeks ago and quite liked it, but it did have a rather on off throttle at low revs and the suspension was very basic like you said. It was good to get your viewpoint and l won't be buying one l will probably go for an Enfield.

My son picked up a new BSA Goldstar yesterday and rode it home.but gear changes were awful. Shifting up especially 2nd to third took 3 attempts to engage. Hes done about 150 mikes on it and the gear changes are dificult. Is this normal for a new engine? Thanks.

great review and you more or less confirm my expectations

I wouldn't tolerate no centre stand. What do you do if your in the sticks with a flat tire ?

It looks like it’s made to a price but good presentation thanks. The Aprilia 660 looks to be similar; as a new bike, built to a price but the sum of the parts make it look better than it actually is. I’m not a fan of the retro bikes/cafe racer apart from maybe the Triumph Speed Twin which apparently has very good performance. I’m showing my age by sticking with Sports bikes. You can by a relatively recent used 1000cc machine far cheaper than 5K and you have the joy of that engine which I never get board of (GSXR1000K2 and ZX10RC1)

Well judging by what you've said, I doubt the bosses at Royal Enfield, will lose any sleep tonight. I'd stick with the Interceptor myself.

Thanks for the walk around George, shame you’re having these issues with a brand new machine 😡

I wish you guys would make a belt drive for the int650. Preferably with a 16T equivalent ratio. 😎

Owned a 2005 BMW F 650 that had the 652cc Rotax motor. Fuel injected, 4 valve, dual over head cams, 2 spark plugs. A fantastic motor. Torque up the waz-ooo. Never got less than 65 MPG (US). 50 HP, capable of 114-117 MPH. BSA, where are you in the US?

Thankyou for saving me some money. 👍👍

Although this model seems sufficient, there were big bore racing versions and a belt drive 🛵

So, if anything goes wrong, there are no parts available? Not good news if something breaks and you are off the road for possibly months.

I had my doubts about this bike when it was launched, and you have pretty much confirmed what I thought. I'm afraid that both this and the RE twins are budget bikes that only appeal to men of a 'certain age' if you know what I mean, anyone wanting an actual decent road bike would be better off getting a Hornet for about the same money, less in fact if you factor in all the modifications needed to make them the bike they should have been.

Maybe put the number plate above the back light ?

Only missing any BSA and Gold Star

I'd like to see Royal Enfield make another go at a 500, a similarly pretty engine like the last one but smoother running like their current 350. Hopefully, an air or air/oil cooled engine without a cumbersome radiator. I like many of the styling cues of the new BSA, but the radiator and painted engine cases sort of kill it for me.

Hi there, Is there a trick to operating the hazard warning lights ? Mine don't seem to be working. What is the procedure for turning them on ? Thanks

The real disappointment is that this bike was designed/styled in the UK and I (like many others) mentioned way back the number of things that needed to be changed to make this a winner; but sadly that fell on deaf ears. The USB as you say is truly ridiculous, talkabout an after thought and as for no centre stand you have to be kidding me. I was about to buy (glad I didn't) a BSA before deciding on the Super Meteor as I have a lot of Continental riding to do. I'm going to subscribe as I will be interested to see what you can do to improve the SM and the BSA.

What are the exact rear shocks you fitted? I definitely need to get some. Other than the suspension I love mine.

I was seriously considering buying a BSA (to replace my Triumph, which I'm now finding too tall and too heavy) but I'm currently seeing relatively large numbers of used Gold Stars for sale with very low mileages, this is making me wonder why ?.. Also I'm a bit concerned about the implications of Euro5 (not BSA's fault of course..) with regard to the GPS tracking function, on-board recording and storage of performance data and the GPS speed limiter. I know the speed limiter function on bikes is not being activated yet due to it being deemed dangerous when cornering, but I'm not sure whether it is still being fitted, with a view to activating it at some point in the future (which the EU insist it will be once the 'gremlins' have been ironed out..)

Glad i got a Ceptor after this

They got so much right in the overall look, then drop the ball on the details. I don't know why they didn't do a better job of it. Where does BSA go from here, leave it for three years then bring out a MkII with everything sorted?

I reckon I'd go for one of the Royal Enfields.

Looks like I will pass.. but was eagerly looking forward to see one.... hopefully BSA will solve the first gen teething problems with subsequent models... but really!.... no or very few replacement or service parts? ... the dealer has oil filters but can't sell them to you?.. does that mean the filters are proprietary just to this model?.. and in the UK you can get two 350 Meteors for the price of "one" BSA 650 Goldstar?... that means here in the USA it will probably cost in the neighborhood of $8500usd?... and who is going to be the distributor here?

Love the bird song..... So a Super Meteor is a better bet? I have a 350 Meteor. Nice bike but a little slow (I need your gear lever kit). I agree with the fitment of bar end mirrors and removing the USB carbuncle. Modifying the baffle is also something I would do (but No1 Son just likes noise). I also think the painted cases look cheap. As for the Super Meteor..... I would prefer the polished interceptor engine covers But hey, no bike is perfect

I can't understand why anybody would buy a retro bike from an era that is not theirs. I am 64 and can never remember a Royal Enfield or BSA as being mainstream in my experience and awareness as far back as my memory goes, apart from one or two old codgers who owned one back then, who had had them years. When I was young and of the age to appreciate motorbikes it was FS1E's and SS 50's with small bikes and the Kawasaki 900 Z1 as an aspirational bike that I couldn't afford then. So that is what I bought as a retro bike, a Kawasaki Z900 RS SE ( yellow ball ). I bought the kawasaki radiator grill, grab rail and tank protector as accessories. That is as far as I have had to go in making the bike suit me. It is in my opinion a beautiful bike and it does get attention from young and old. Nothing has gone wrong and nothing is not to my liking, apart from a bit of a snatchy throttle, which has got better with use and my muscle control and getting used to how to operate the bike. Very pleased with it and a pleasure to ride.

These BSA's need more development I worked for an engineering company as QC and this item is not yet good enough to match the Royal Enfield products, the chrome on the tank looks like it was sprayed from a rattle can yuuk.

A friend had a new Enfield and the baffles in the tank came loose. Enfield just put a new tank on it as part of their warranty. Mahindra take note, if you want these bikes to sell start sorting out the issues without question, bad publicity WILL damage your sales.

14:13... Hi, If the Jormans could mass produce pressed steel helmets in 1915 one would think that the elephant washers would be able to press side panels out over 100 years later.

Think I will go for a kwack W800 instead. Have you seen the Missenden flyer vid on TEC shocks failing?

Quite a brutal assessment in many ways. The paint pealing on the tank is shocking and I can see it causing real reputational damage to the brand unless the company takes pro-active action and put a recall/ replacement program in place ASAP. I tested the bike and was happy with the way it rode, but looking closely at the build there were too many weak areas than I could live with, mind you I feel the RE's are also far from perfect. I've ended up buying a Honda CL500 for £500-£1000 less which may not have the retro looks but has a top notch finish, bullet proof reliability, similar performance levels and critical for me sensible service intervals.