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- Aug 25, 2026
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The Bantam is based on the Jawa 42 FJ, while the Scrambler is based on the BSA Gold Star
Bantam will remain exclusive to the foreign markets
Expect the Scrambler to launch in India by the end of this year
BSA is making waves in the UK once again with the launch of two new machines: the Bantam 350 and the Scrambler 650. While both bikes are based on already-existing motorcycles, they aim to solidify BSA’s place as a strong contender in the 350cc to 650cc segment, which Royal Enfield currently spearheads. Let’s have a look at what the two bikes have to offer:
Launched from £3,499 (Rs 4.07 lakh) as BSA’s most affordable model to date, the BSA Bantam 350 revives an iconic nameplate from the brand’s two-stroke era in the 1940s, but this time, with a thoroughly modern twist. While it shares its mechanical underpinnings with the Jawa 42 FJ sold in India, the Bantam promises to be more than just a badge-engineered clone.

Powering the Bantam is the same 334cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine as the Jawa, even making the same 29.17PS and 29.62Nm. To differentiate from the Jawa, the Bantam gets a unique blacked-out single exhaust, unlike the Jawa’s twin pipes. While the kerb weight is the same at 184kg (fairly manageable), the fuel tank capacity is 1 litre larger, at 13 litres in the BSA. Also, at 800mm, the seat is 10mm taller than the Jawa, but shouldn’t be a problem for Europeans who are generally taller than us.
Visually, the Bantam leans into being a clean roadster, with minimal bodywork, bar-end mirrors, a round LED headlight, and alloy wheels with road-biased tyres. Telescopic forks and twin rear shock absorbers round off the suspension setup.

Despite its shared platform, it only makes sense for Classic Legends to launch this bike under the BSA banner. Among its portfolio, which includes Jawa and Yezdi, only BSA carries British heritage - an important factor for brand perception in markets like the UK. And with the rising popularity of small-capacity bikes, as seen with the success of the Royal Enfield Hunter 350, especially in Europe, the Bantam is well-positioned to appeal to a wider range of audience. In fact, the BSA undercuts the Hunter £400 (around Rs 46,000 ), and that should really work on BSA’s favour provided they have a good plan of having a widespread dealer network.
While the Bantam caters to the everyday commuter, the Scrambler 650 is BSA’s ticket to the growing mid-capacity scrambler segment. Though it borrows its engine from the Gold Star, BSA has made quite a few changes to make sure that this is not just a cut-and-paste job.

It retains the 652cc single-cylinder engine that makes 45PS and 55Nm, but the similarities with the Gold Star end there. It gets revised styling, which gives it a proper scrambler look instead of polished chrome panels on the Gold Star.
It comes with a 19-inch front and a 17-inch rear spoke wheel setup wrapped in Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tyres, while the Gold Star gets an 18/17-inch spoke wheel setup. The suspension continues to be a telescopic fork and twin shock setup, but expect them to be re-tuned with increased travel for light trail duties.
Apart from these changes, it looks like BSA has made some changes to the rake angle. Consequently, it gets a longer wheelbase at 1,463mm (1,425mm on the Gold Star). Other changes include an increased seat height and kerb weight at 820mm and 218kg as compared to the 782mm and 201kg on the Gold Star.

BSA has also gone with a single-pod instrument console - expected to be minimal but functional, potentially offering basic connectivity features.
Once launched in India, likely by December 2025, the Scrambler 650 will go head-to-head with the Royal Enfield Bear 650 in India. In the UK, the Scrambler is priced at £5999 (Rs 6.99 lakh). Expect it to be priced at around Rs 3.4 lakh ex-showroom in India, and if it does, the Scrambler could very well become BSA’s second big hit after the Gold Star.
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