The German asked for a pitcher of beer, the Englishman requested a pint, too, and the barkeep poured both their drinks from the same tap. Where’s the punchline, you ask? There isn’t one. They both enjoyed their drinks and went their separate ways, one riding back through the forest trails on his BMW F650 Funduro, while the other carved a few corners down the winding tarmac on his spanking new BSA Gold Star 650.
The Funduro and Gold Star are motorcycles from vastly different times and backgrounds, yet they share an intriguing common link — a 652cc Rotax-derived engine. This connection combines two distinct chapters of motorcycling history, 27 years apart, blending the modern with the classic, the German with the British, and the adventurer’s spirit with the racer’s legacy. Small world, eh? This story begins with a look at the engine itself, a heart that has powered both bikes and shaped their identities in unique ways.
In the mid-1990s, BMW found itself looking to expand its motorcycle line-up. It needed an entry-level bike that could cater to a broader audience — something that could offer practicality and adventure in one. This led to the birth of the Funduro, a dual-sport bike designed to tackle both the highways and off-road trails with equal grace. The engine it was equipped with, was a 652cc, liquid-cooled, four-valve, single-cylinder Rotax engine. The engine was, for the most part, both durable and reliable, delivering the torque needed for off-road shenanigans and the smoothness required for long-distance touring. This engine was a major factor in the Funduro’s success, making it popular with riders who wanted versatility without sacrificing performance.
Long before that, BSA had already made a name for itself worldwide for producing some of the finest British motorcycles, particularly the Gold Star. It was a fine example of British engineering in its class in the 1950s and ’60s, renowned for its performance on the racetrack and its sheer power on the open road. The Gold Star earned a reputation in competitive racing, with its single-cylinder engine delivering impressive power and speed. Though the original Gold Star ceased production in the 1960s, its legacy remained, with its design and influence still lingering in the hearts of motorcycle enthusiasts.
The new Gold Star 650, unveiled not too long back, attempts to take you back to the golden era of British motorcycles but with a modern twist. The reimagined Gold Star shares the same 652cc Rotax engine that powers the Funduro, though in a different context. While the Funduro’s Rotax engine was designed for durability and versatility, the modern Gold Star is tuned to reflect a more classic feel and power. The engine has been adapted to deliver more performance-orientated characteristics, catering to the desires of today’s motorcyclists while still attempting to pay homage to its racing roots. That is, of course, as much as possible while adhering to the stringent emission norms and such.
Riding the two motorcycles on a rather quiet Monday morning, in Goa of all places, was a rather fun experience on the whole, courtesy of Sherman Nazareth, who recently acquired this particular Funduro, and boy is he pleased with it. I got to experience both bikes on a mix of tarmac as well as a little bit of off-road for good measure and let me tell you, the Funduro still has a few tricks up its sleeve for a 27-year-old bike. Sherman maintains that, for the kind of rider he is, the Funduro is the perfect steed for him. While the Gold Star had its moments on solid ground, the Funduro was nipping at its heels all the way. There is a distinct difference in character that is exhibited by both motorcycles, but somewhere beneath all that, you can tell that there are some traits in common.
When it comes to the outright feel, you can be sure that either motorcycle will evoke a distinct sense of excitement in you from the moment you thumb the starter, till whichever point when you switch off the ignition, park it for the day and walk away, turning back for a quick glance at it, where it stands beckoning. That’s exactly how a good motorcycle is supposed to make you feel. What is also interesting is the fact that the Funduro was brought to India by none other than Hero (in its early days as Hero Honda) in 1997. The new Gold Star also exists due to an Indian manufacturer — Mahindra-backed Classic Legends Pvt. Ltd. The Funduro was something new back in its day — a dual-sport motorcycle that blended the comfort of a touring bike with the ruggedness of an off-road machine. What set it apart from other bikes in its class was its handling and durability. It was built with long-distance touring in mind and has a comfortable seat, tall suspension, and wide handlebars that make it easy to manoeuvre both on the tarmac as well as dirt trails. And wouldn’t you know it, the Funduro was jointly designed by BMW and Italian manufacturer Aprilia. The latter’s version was called the Pegaso 650, which came with a five-valve head and had a slightly more aesthetic (pronounced ‘distinctly Italian’) look about it. Fascinating, right?
The modern Gold Star shares the same Rotax engine as the Funduro, but the bike’s purpose is totally different. While the Funduro is a dual-sport bike aimed at versatility, the Gold Star is tuned more for performance and a retro feel, with an emphasis on smooth power delivery rather than outright power figures. The single-cylinder engine, though fundamentally the same, has been adapted to suit the needs of today’s riders, delivering about 45 bhp — slightly less than the Funduro’s 48 bhp, but focused more on low-end torque and responsive throttle control. The Funduro still has a more refined top-end feel though, and something worth mentioning here is the intriguing twin-carb setup on the bike, while the Gold Star gets a period-appropriate electronic fuel-injection setup.
The Gold Star’s design is a nod to the past, with retro styling and a classic round headlamp, teardrop fuel tank, and vintage racing lines. But underneath that classic exterior, the modern Gold Star benefits from contemporary technology, with features like modern suspension, fuel injection, and an advanced braking setup. The bike is built for those who want a taste of the old-school motorcycling feel, combined with the reliability and performance of modern engineering. There is no denying though, that in the quest for modern performance, it has fallen short of the true charm like the old-school exhaust burble, albeit to a very small extent. Why is that, you ask? Pertinently due to the fact that it is, after all, not a long-stroke engine as the original Gold Star before it.
Both motorcycles, powered by the same Rotax engine, show how a single engine can be adapted and evolved to meet the needs of different generations and riding styles. The Funduro was born out of the need for versatility and practicality, while the Gold Star was reimagined to capture the essence of a bygone era, with modern touches, of course. As engaging as both motorcycles are to ride, each has a distinguishable character to it, a sort of tell, if I may say so bluntly, which showcases the contrasts between what the two manufacturers have managed to do with that engine.
The two bikes, despite their distinct histories and respective quirks, are united by the same Rotax engine, of all things. Ultimately you have to agree that some things remain timeless: the love of a great ride and the enduring appeal of a well-configured engine. The story of the Funduro and the new Gold Star is a story of continuity, as well as evolution. It’s a story of how the same engine can take riders on completely different journeys — through the rugged terrains of the ’90s, or on the nostalgic roads of today. The end result will always be the same: a rider content with their motorcycle.
