New BSA motorcycles within two years...

[Don Ro]

Mahindra buys BSA. (Classic Legends Private Limited (CLPL), a subsidiary of Mahindra and Mahindra)
A recent rumor has it that Mahindra is/was interested in buying Norton...
(Associated Motor Cycles, Norton Villiers Triumph, Stuart Garner)

.

A better link...
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http://auto.ndtv.com/news/why-mahindra-bought-bsa-1478433

[Don Ro]

Not much on the internet 'cept the basic announcement.
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Mahindra Buys 100 percent of BSA - Cycle News

[Gogar]

Originally Posted by peteremsley

Wonder if British Small Arms will make it as a brand.

*birmingham

[HardDrive]

Interesting, only because Royal Enfield is (now) an Indian company. They have been making huge improvements in the bikes, and have been reaching out globally. Interesting to see how the market shakes out with some local competition.

[legion]

All of the good British companies are being ruined by Indian ownership. Just look what they've done to Jaguar and Land Rover! I long for the days of British-owned companies making British cars and motorcycles.

[LakeCleElum]

Kenny Dreer bought the Norton name and produced a few bikes....I met Kenny and visited his shop.........He had a great start, but it all fell apart ..........

Some of these startups pay up to Ten Million plus just for rights for the name......Kinda like Polaris using the Indian name now...........I'm older than most serous motorcycle guys and I'm to young to really appreciate the Indian Brand..........Same with BSA...........I think it's a waste of money for companies to pay this kind of coin just to use a name from years past???

[Jeff Higgins]

Yeah... A lot like "Indian", who went out of business in 1953. Yet the Polaris version says "since 1903" right on the timing cover, on the side of the motor. Nothing but marketing b.s. No lineage, no connection whatsoever. All someone did was win a court case over someone else to gain the right to use an historic name and reputation they did nothing to build.

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

Interesting, only because Royal Enfield is (now) an Indian company. They have been making huge improvements in the bikes, and have been reaching out globally. Interesting to see how the market shakes out with some local competition.

After I purchased my new 2014 Conti GT, I realized how limited the dealer network was. For example, I will need to trailer my GT from the Phoenix Valley (AZ) to Brea, CA for service (350 miles away). I have tried to contact RE from their US website several times...no response.
I even sent a message via https://royalenfield.com/usa/ falsely stating that I was interested in becoming a RE dealer - again, no response.
My own RE dealer in Prescott, AZ declined RE's offers (demands, really) to remain a RE dealer. RE demanded that they dump all other brands and become an exclusive RE dealer...among other objectionable demands laced with rudeness...according to the owner.
RE's Facebook page is loaded with empty promises for the past year about establishing a dealer network USA wide - very little progress...but rather constant promotion of their bikes.
Within a few weeks of my purchase I phoned RE "dealers" all over the US and their stories were similar to the one below from an established RE dealer:
Notice the date: >>>
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Royal Enfield renews commitment to U.S. market | Powersports Business
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Doug
March 24, 2016 at 8:09 pm

"I have been a Royal Enfield dealer for just under 2 years. I was roped in by believing the propaganda that Royal sales are doubling every year. Well, I soon found out that this is not only true, but now in 2016, most of the USE TO BE 100 dealers are shutting their doors to the new RENA or Royal Enfield distributor here in the USA. I don't know if there are any dealers left standing in California now, and I know many of the long time USA dealers have kicked the new Royal Enfield out of their dealership due to rudeness, unprofessional behavior from management, and impossible must meet sales goals.
I spoke with many other fellow RE dealers across the country, and they all said that sales have slumped for years. Most consumers have never heard of the brand, and the factory does almost nothing to improve that.
I have a feeling that 2016 will be the year that the RE brand will shrink to nothing, and possibly disappear from the USA completely."
~~~~~~~~`

[Joe Bob]

Would love a 500cc thumper if it was reliable like the old ones....

[creaturecat]

perhaps they should try incorporating an oil filter on the next generation.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by creaturecat

perhaps they should try incorporating an oil filter on the next generation.

It used to leak out fast enough that we never had to worry about filtering it.

[HardDrive]

I've got a 2006 Royal Enfield. It is NOT a good motocycle. Yeah, the thump of single 500 is cool. But its a toy for hauling around the neighborhood.

[Joe Bob]

'cept Lucas is electrics not oil....

[Chocaholic]

Used to have a 73 Triumph Tiger 650. I still have a jar of Lucas wiring smoke in the garage.

And, you know why the English drink warm beer, don't you?

[Yorkie]

Because room temperature real beer actually has taste?

[Joe Bob]

Lucas light switch label "dim, flicker, dead short, fire"....

[creaturecat]

most old Beezers were ready pretty well ready for the boneheap at around 8-10000 miles. iirc.
me love the looks of a mid '60's Lightning.