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BSA Thunderbolt is expected to launch in India in the near future and is equipped with a 334 cc liquid-cooled engine
BSA has dropped its latest machine at EICMA 2025 as the Thunderbolt is scheduled to reach dealerships around the middle of 2026 – arriving only months after the Bantam 350 and Scrambler 650 in the international markets. The last motorcycle to leave BSA’s Birmingham factory in 1972 wore the Thunderbolt badge but the modern iteration takes the idea in a very different direction.
Instead of a classic road machine, this version is built for riders who split their time between city streets and loose gravel with equal emphasis on practicality according to the brand. There’s a short rally-style beak up front, a sturdy back rack, protective knuckle guards, and an exposed frame section that doubles as armour.
High ground clearance and a prominent bash plate hint its adv nature and it appears to have a lot in common with the Yezdi Adventure sold in India. The seat sits low, the bars are wide and BSA clearly wants newcomers to feel as welcome as seasoned riders with its minimalist appeal to garner a wide band of consumers.
At the heart sits a 334 cc liquid-cooled DOHC single paired with a six-speed gearbox. It’s Euro 5+ compliant and backed by a generous 15.5-litre tank which immediately positions it toward those ready to put some miles under the wheels. To keep things reliable when the rain arrives or the road disappears, the exhaust exits high, improving water-wading ability.
Suspension consists of upside-down forks at the front and a preload-adjustable monoshock at the rear. Braking and traction systems get proper attention too with three ABS settings – Road, Rain and Off-Road – and traction control to help when surfaces turn unpredictable. A slip-assist clutch will be offered as a standard fitment.
An adjustable windscreen and movable instrument panel should make it easy to find a comfortable setup whether seated or standing on the pegs. Navigation, Bluetooth pairing and a USB port are also available. The BSA Thunderbolt forms part of the wider comeback orchestrated by Classic Legends, the Mahindra-owned group also steering Jawa and Yezdi.
Since returning in 2022 with the Gold Star 650, BSA has steadily fleshed out a new portfolio. The Scrambler 650 and Bantam 350 set the tone earlier this year and the Thunderbolt is the new addition. BSA once stood as the world’s biggest bike maker and it faces high competition from established retro motorcycle makers like Royal Enfield and Triumph globally.
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