BSA Wants Royal Enfield’s Lunch Money, Launches Retro-Inspired Commuter

The BSA Bantam 350 looks like a direct response to the Royal Enfield Hunter 350. Can the new kid in town sit at the big boys’ table?

Photo by: BSA

By: Enrico Punsalang

Aug 5, 2025 at 7:52am ET

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Let’s call it like it is: BSA isn’t just reviving a name here. It’s picking a fight. The new Bantam 350 is aimed squarely at the Royal Enfield Hunter 350, and it's not being subtle about it. Both bikes are retro-styled, single-cylinder, beginner-friendly machines designed to be easygoing, affordable, and cool without trying too hard. And both have deep British roots now backed by major Indian players with global ambitions.

BSA, once the biggest motorcycle manufacturer in the world, faded into obscurity decades ago. But now, under Mahindra’s Classic Legends banner, it’s getting a second life—right as Royal Enfield is enjoying its global resurgence. Enfield already owns a chunk of the lightweight retro space, especially with the Hunter 350, which has been a hit for urban riders in markets like India and the UK.

The Bantam 350? It’s coming for that exact same crowd.

The name isn’t just nostalgia bait. “Bantam” comes from a breed of small but feisty chickens, often associated with agility and scrappiness. That same name can also be found in boxing, where bantamweight fighters are light but quick and dangerous. BSA’s original Bantam, launched in 1948, was a no-frills two-stroke commuter bike that got people moving after the war. It was cheap, approachable, and absolutely everywhere in postwar Britain.

The new one tries to tap into that same energy, only now it’s got a cleaner engine, better brakes, and way more polish.

On paper, the Bantam 350 lands a few solid punches. It’s powered by a 334cc liquid-cooled single making 29 horsepower at 7,750 rpm and 21.8 pound-feet of torque at 6,000 rpm. That’s a good chunk more than the Hunter 350’s air-cooled 20.2 ponies and 19.9 pounds. It also gets liquid cooling, a 6-speed gearbox, and dual overhead cams (all things the Enfield doesn’t offer at this level).

Photos by: BSA

The chassis is simple but well-thought-out. There’s a telescopic fork with 5.3 inches (135 mm) of travel, twin rear shocks, and disc brakes with ABS. It rides on an 18-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel setup with modern rubber. Curb weight is 408 pounds and the seat height is 31.5 inches, putting it right in the same ergonomic ballpark as the Hunter.

You also get a 13-liter fuel tank, which is slightly bigger than the Hunter’s. Not huge differences, but enough to suggest BSA’s aiming to win over folks who want a bit more performance without stepping too far outside the easygoing retro vibe.

Gallery: BSA Bantam 350

Source: BSA

Up until now, Royal Enfield has had this part of the market almost to itself. The Hunter 350 proved there’s a real hunger for compact, good-looking, and uncomplicated bikes that still feel legit. Now, BSA wants in—and it’s showing up with better spec and a legendary badge to back it up.

What do you think?

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Does the new Bantam actually live up to the name? On paper, yes. It’s light-ish, it’s scrappy, and it’s got a bit more punch than the current champ. But it still keeps things simple, rideable, and friendly for new or returning riders.

At £3,499 (about $4,500 USD), it’s priced to compete. And if BSA can nail quality and availability, this little fighter might just land a few jabs where it counts.