The world of motorcycling is filled with legendary names, and BSA, with its rich British heritage, is a name that resonates deeply. After a long period of silence, the brand is roaring back to life, and it’s doing so with a motorcycle that carries a name as iconic as the brand itself: the Bantam.
The original Bantam was a humble two-stroke that, in the years following World War II, helped put a nation on two wheels. Now, more than half a century later, the Bantam returns, but it’s a very different machine for a very different time. The new Bantam 350 is a modern classic, a bike that blends retro style with contemporary engineering.
It’s Good to Have the BSA Bantam Back In the World
At its heart is a liquid-cooled, 334cc single-cylinder engine that, with 29 horsepower, is a punchy and capable unit. Unlike its air-cooled rivals, this engine is designed to be revvy and responsive, and it’s paired with a six-speed transmission.
This makes it a more performance-oriented machine than some of its competitors, and perhaps more importantly, it’s priced competitively, undercutting some of the most popular retro bikes on the market.
Visually, the new Bantam pays homage to its roots without being a slavish replica. It has classic elements like fork gaiters and a round headlight, but it also features modern touches like alloy wheels and a discreetly tucked-away radiator. This is a bike that looks good, but also performs like a modern machine, with a confident chassis, a comfortable seat, and disc brakes with ABS.
The Bantam is a clear statement of intent from BSA’s owners, the Indian giant Mahindra. It’s an affordable, approachable, and well-designed motorcycle that could well be the perfect entry point for a new generation of riders.
By reviving a name with such a storied past and injecting it with modern technology, BSA is laying the groundwork for a new legacy. The bike will be sold in India and elsewhere, and then I would expect it to come to the US if tariffs don’t mess that up somehow.
Source: Cycle World, BSA
