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Mahindra has certainly not spared expenses to get the Gold Star together; setting up the design and factory in UK, the engine was conceived in Austria (not certain why they would know better there). Of course they had to compromise. The engine producing 47 BHP only is not a surprise. In Europe, the limit for A2 driver's license is 47.5 BHP or 35kW with a ratio power/weight not exceeding 0.2kW/kg This is not a Pepsi contest, but I like the spoked wheels and the single cylinder. Now, they could not be from a lesser god, they have the slipper clutch, the Brembo brakes, the ABS 2 channels, and the USB port. The dial gauges are a copy cat of the Smiths'. The only unknown is the price. I bet we will see the BSA in the USA before we see the V100 Mandello.

I looked them up! Yes, they look nice, but they are not in the same category as the Mahindra/BSA Gold Star. I feel they are more for show than for the day to day ride, and I may be wrong here. Look at this RE Continental GT from 2014 with an SC 535 4,000 USD debatable... air/oil single cylinder... 7706 km! I am glad I don't have room to park anything more in my garage....

I think it would not have been impossible, after all, it is a single cylinder; but why take a risk since Euro 6 is already looming and certain major cities are going to restrict access to non zero emission vehicles as early as 2030. What is unfair, is that Euro 6 does not have a specific standard for motorcycles, the applicable standard is for light duty vehicles. I think the major hurdle is that motorcycles injection system are never directly into the cylinder head. Of course, once you factor the largest emission are still power plants fueled with coal, the concentration of efforts on reducing personal vehicles' emission seems derisory. But I am not going to criticize. Even if I think Mahindra could have done a better job integrating the radiator, the Gold Star is still nice to look at!

I would not keep my hopes too high.... this is a direct competitor to RE, so it will be priced competitively. I expect it to be sold for about 7k USD. As the modern retro bikes are gaining momentum, the pricing does too. If they would price it around 6k, it would certainly make headway... like this guy, I would have preferred it air/oil cooled.

I know it is just one more opinion; and the video cannot be embedded by choice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzfW5bvu-Js

Ah, but you are not telling us why you would go with an RE before you go with a BSA... I would say the BSA offers more charm, because it has that different engine architecture than the usual twin cylinder that you can find elsewhere, UK or Japan (I am thinking the twin CB's)

Congratulations! Amend your V11 moniker to V11 Le Mans... we are very posh here Although this is not the place for it, do tell us what tyres/tires brand and make you chose to shoe your Le Mans with. There is a thread for it. Just like about everything else, such as oil, there are a lot of opinions and rationales to pick one or the other rubber. Retro bikes are picking up their paces. A lot of former glorious brand whether UK or Japan based are releasing more of the variation of their old best sellers. It is only a matter of time before Piaggio decides to use their new power plant into a Le Mans themed bike!!!!

Norton!

My preferred engine architecture always was the three cylinders, but I am also a big fan of "big" mono cylinders!!!!

I have been to the Royal Enfield dealer in Houston, I will make a specific post about it. The dealer offers both Triumph and Royal Enfield among a slew of Polaris trikes. Now, are you aware that both Norton and BSA are going (allegedly) to have new models available for the purchase in 2022? In particular the BSA Gold Star. Norton has chosen to attack the top end market, and compete with the likes of Ducati. But they should eventually come up with a Norton Commando later on. I have never ever forgotten to deploy my kick stand, but I have dropped the Le Mans by being presumptuous about my physical strength. Kudos to him though, as he could pick up the bike by himself, even if not using the best technique. I personally had to cry for help to get the Le Mans upright, even using my legs...

Watch the end.... There is some nice views of the TT circuit.

Here they call it the Interceptor. I knew the VFR. I would not mind having this one; https://monsterpowersport.com/Motorcycles-Honda-Interceptor-2004-Wauconda-IL-da82629d-fb25-4acb-b9cf-ad840130e647

It seems that it is the only decent one available. The 100 years one embossed into leather is really not enticing at all. I found some other unofficial ones on local European sites, but nothing nice. I don't know why Piaggio does not make another run of these ignition key rings. They also have a Piaggio store, commemorating the 75 years of the Vespa and the 100 years of Moto Guzzi, but for being Italians and admittedly kind of design, I don't see anything that I would want to purchase.

Do you remember this quote? I am a man of simple tastes; I am easily satisfied with the best. Often attributed to Oscar Wilde, but the author was Edgar Saltus a friend of Oscar Wilde. A similar statement was falsely attributed to Winston Churchill. Back to the subject at hand, I am a perfectionist and meticulous ( some would say anal). I would describe it as passionate. The end bar was perfect before i stupidly dropped the bike. I will do my best to be able to look at it as it had never happened.

I purchased two used ones. Read my post above...

Some new info started to come out, and I learned (source Moto.it) that Guareschi is going to get some pre-serie bikes for testing. Still scheduled for 2022. As all of you understand, when December comes around, things slow down to a stand still in many European countries. Combined with the c19 variants, and also the problems to get parts which is not an exclusive of car's manufacturers. So, the guys in moto.it "think" the V100 decked out will be about 15k Euro. They are as puzzled as some of us are, not certain what category of bikes the V100 Mandello falls into. It seems a combination of genres, some are enthusiasts others are not. They all praise that Guzzi ventures outside of their comfort zone though. With a more modern take to an old tune. Many doubts about how exposed the exhaust pipes are. Also, I am wondering if any time you need to work on the injection and ignition system, you will need to remove the tank? it is tidy and nice to hide everything, but for access.... Last, the new engine will be used in subsequent models, and everybody is poised to see what a new "Le Mans" would look like with the half fairing. So, possibly good things are coming!

If any of you were interested by the 120th anniversary of the Royal Enfield bike, the registration are opened to try to get one on December 7th. Register at: www.RoyalEnfield.com/120thEdition

@docc Not this one... The best of the show are the "AGO" serie; only 311 made based on the 311 victories of the legend, the first 15 having a specific dedication to one of the 15 titles Mino won. Already sold out, as you can imagine.

This "man's world" by James Brown covered by Dave Meniketti is mind blowing.....

The main clincher, for me, is the retro bike needs to be air cooled. The radiator removes part of the nostalgia to own one neo-retro. I really like the first one of this youtube video...

I was at the twisted sisters again during T-giving, albeit on four wheels, and I met a Triumph Neo-Retro gentleman at the Eastern end of the 337. I am waiting to see how Norton is going to come out, but it is probably safe to assume they will be as expensive as the rest. There is a guy which youtube screen name is quasimotard he has documented a lot of rides on the Super Cub. Indeed, he seems to be nice.

I have never owned nor driven a "modern" motorbike. My preference always go to older motorcycles, but now with "neo-retro", it is tempting to get a new take on an old theme. I still like the Moto Guzzi V7 Special, but the Royal Enfield for 7K seems to be the best deal! although the Z1 clone appeals to me I would rather get the real thing.

EICMA 2021 is now over and out.... Get your "Ciao" and "Bacci" here!

I would think, if the seller is a member of this forum, he would post the bike in the "Classified" section here. Although this forum is somewhat aimed at those who already own a V11. I found my Le Mans and then looked for an eventual owner's group. If I was to sell it, I would post it here first, and then on Cycle Trader.