Bsa Gold Star 650 vs Kawasaki W650
Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers
Bsa Gold Star 650 vs Kawasaki W650. Bsa Gold Star 650: 45 hp @ 6,500 rpm hp, 222 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed ~180 km/h (estimated), Motoryk rating 6.5/10. Kawasaki W650: 50 hp @ 7,500 rpm hp, 202 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 175 km/h, Motoryk rating 8.0/10.
Performance at a Glance
Green = winner per metric · Bars are relative to the higher value
Bsa Gold Star 650
Kawasaki W650
Horsepower (hp)
45 hp
50 hp
Torque (Nm)
55 Nm
56 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
180 km/h
175 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
222 kg
202 kg
Type
Classic
Classic
Horsepower
45 hp @ 6,500 rpm
50 hp @ 7,500 rpm
Torque
55 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
56 Nm @ 6,000 rpm
Top Speed
~180 km/h (estimated)
175 km/h
Weight
222 kg (wet/curb weight)
202 kg (wet/curb weight)
Fuel
Estimated 4.5–5.5 L/100km (18–22 km/L) — NOTE: Limited real-world data available as of 2023
3.8 L/100km (approx. 26 km/L typical real-world average)
Fairing
No
No
Individual Reviews
Bsa Gold Star 650
6.5/10
"Beautiful but buy carefully — early examples need thorough pre-purchase inspection."
Pros
+Stunning retro visual presence
+Tractable low-down torque
+Light and easy handling
Cons
−Early ECU fuelling problems
−Patchy parts availability
−Cheap switchgear quality
Kawasaki W650
8.0/10
"The most honest classic twin money can currently buy used."
Pros
+Bulletproof engine reliability
+Stunning bevel-gear soundtrack
+Timeless classic styling
Cons
−Carb diaphragms crack regularly
−Fork seals fail prematurely
−Parts availability patchy
Top 10 Accessories
Picks that work on either bike.
