BSA Holds Off on EV Launch as Bantam 350 Orders Soar in UK

BSA’s latest models—the Bantam 350 and Scrambler 650—have hit UK roads running, but don’t expect the line-up to grow just yet. The brand has confirmed it’s sticking with a tight trio of bikes for now, even though an electric model is already sat in the wings, fully built and ready to roll.

The Bantam 350 is the newest face in the garage, joining the 652cc Gold Star and the Scrambler that shares the same thumping single-cylinder motor. Brought back to life in 2016 by Classic Legends, BSA’s parent company (part of India’s Mahindra Group), the new Bantam is powered by a liquid-cooled 334cc single pumping out 28.7bhp and 21.8lb.ft of torque.

At just £3499, it undercuts Honda’s GB350 by £500 while offering more poke—and takes aim directly at Royal Enfield’s J-series 350 crew: the Classic, HNTR, Bullet and Meteor. It’s classic styling with modern bits, and clearly hitting the mark with UK riders.

According to BSA’s UK distributor, Lukas Distribution, the response has been nothing short of electric. Since launch, over 600 Bantam 350 orders have rolled in within just four weeks—prompting plans to expand the dealer network from 40 to 50 locations across the country. Priority is being given to sold orders, with regular stock drops arriving roughly every fortnight.

Demo days are already in full swing, with one dealership in Tadcaster reporting its busiest day ever during a recent BSA test ride event. The buzz is real—and it’s not just about nostalgia. Riders are turning up in droves for a taste of the new-school BSA vibe.

And yet, while demand’s hot and the bikes are flying out, the team behind BSA are holding back on adding more models—at least for now. That includes a fully developed electric bike, created right here in the UK with a helping hand from a government grant. The bike exists. But it’s not coming… yet.

“We’re EV ready,” says Classic Legends co-founder Anupam Thareja. “But we’re waiting until the market’s ready too. When it is, we’ll launch without leaning on subsidies or compromising on battery quality.”

It’s a wait-and-see move that runs counter to what others are doing. Royal Enfield are already charging ahead with their first electric platform, the Flying Flea, set to arrive in early 2026. Over at Triumph, the TR-Series 400 family has rapidly expanded, offering four variants off a single platform—and racking up sales success, with the Speed 400 taking the title of Britain’s best-selling over-125cc bike in 2024.

BSA’s approach? Less rush, more focus. Thareja puts it simply: “Let the customer decide where we go next.”