The iconic British motorcycle brand BSA is bringing back the legendary Thunderbolt name with its new 334cc adventure bike, unveiled at EICMA 2025 in Milan. This revival comes under the ownership of India’s Mahindra Group via its subsidiary Classic Legends, which has breathed new life into the brand while retaining its British heritage.
Sitting at the heart of the BSA Thunderbolt is a Euro 5+ compliant 334cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled DOHC engine, borrowed from the Yezdi Adventure, delivering a peak output of 29 hp od peak power at 8,000 rpm and 29.6 Nm of peak torque at 5,800 rpm, getting transmitted to the rear wheel via a 6-speed gearbox.
The BSA Thunderbolt incorporates a dual cradle frame design, featuring a reinforced exoskeleton sub-frame section for added rigidity and durability, suitable for both on-road and off-road conditions. The Adventure motorcycle features 41mm upside-down front forks with 200mm of suspension travel and a preload-adjustable monoshock at the rear with 180mm of suspension travel, ensuring compliant performance whether on highways or rugged trails.
The motorcycle features additional reinforcements such as a bash plate, high ground clearance, and a strategic placement of the reinforced exoskeleton subframe ensures utmost protection for the engine and the underbody from minor impact due to foreign debris while offroading. An upswept exhaust enables the motorcycle to have excellent water wading capabilities.
Braking is handled by a 320mm front disc brake with a two-piston radial calliper and a 240mm rear disc brake with a single-piston calliper. The motorcycle also features a Dual-Channel ABS with three different modes: Road, Rain, and Off-Road, which allow riders to tailor the level of braking intervention to different surfaces and weather conditions.
On the ergonomics front, the BSA Thunderbolt aims at being inclusive to riders of all shapes and sizes, with a moderate seat height of 815mm, making it accessible to all kinds of riders and wide handlebars offering a relaxed riding triangle for long journeys.
The BSA Thunderbolt offers a plethora of features, such as a digital TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation. A USB charging port is included for device charging on the go.
With a global launch for BSA Thunderbolt scheduled for mid-2026, the Thunderbolt reflects BSA’s strategic vision to blend its historic identity with cutting-edge technology and design, aiming to capture the growing adventure motorcycle segment both in India and worldwide.
