Bike Review | 2026 BSA Bantam 350 Test

BSA’s return to Australia continues with the Bantam 350, a retro-styled commuter aimed squarely at one of the most competitive segments of the market. We take it for spin around Greater Sydney to see whether there’s enough substance beneath the nostalgia.

Ralph found the Bantam light on its feet, with enough punch to make tight roads genuinely entertaining.

The clearest visual link between the new BSA Bantam 350 and the old two-stroke Bantam 125 that kick-started the riding careers of so many motorcyclists in the 1960s is the shape of the engine sidecovers. It is a neat tip of the hat to a thoroughly utilitarian motorcycle that helped mobilise nations throughout the Commonwealth.

Cast wheels keep maintenance simple and help distinguish the Bantam from its 650 siblings.

The 334cc single makes a claimed 29hp and 29.62Nm, fed through a six-speed gearbox.

Times have changed and we have all become a lot more global. This 350, like its 650 siblings, is the result of a UK-based, Indian-owned and manufactured operation. Offered in six colours and priced at a highly competitive $7590 ride away, the new 350 has thrown its hat into the LAMS-approved retro ring.

Offered in six colours and priced at a highly competitive $7590 ride away, the new 350 has thrown its hat straight into the LAMS-approved retro ring…

But labelling it simply as ‘retro’ – even though it certainly is – sells it short. Because this is a super-easy-to-ride, smooth and handsome 334cc liquid-cooled single producing a claimed 29hp and 29.62Nm. For a beginner, it offers a great introduction to motorcycling. For someone seeking an affordable and, no doubt, economical runabout, it ticks that box as well.

A cursory glance at the stats shows 185kg is not a particularly bantamweight proposition, but you have to take into account just how solidly built it is. There’s little doubt in my mind it will take years of hammering around city streets and the occasional country road, just as we did back in the day, before anything breaks.

The Bantam’s upright riding position and broad seat suit its everyday commuter brief.

The overall finish is to a high standard and the only shortcuts I can see are in some of the bolts and fasteners. I’m not a fan of all the black finishes, but that is entirely subjective. A younger audience will probably be loading up their Instagram accounts with tons of positivity. But riding the 350 on day one of the Australian launch in Sydney, well, even this cynical old-timer had a ball.

BSA’s 1903 heritage badge is worked into the Bantam’s engine detailing.

Subtle badging keeps the tail treatment clean and uncluttered.

The 334cc single is liquid-cooled despite its deliberately traditional appearance.

Fork gaiters help sell the retro look while protecting the stanchions.

What I really like is the power delivery. There is useful bottom-end pulling power in spades, followed by a smooth transition into the part of the rev range where you can simply fang it and let the party begin. Up to a point, it will stay with its bigger 650 brothers by combining a super-smooth, predictable launch with a healthy appetite for revs.

There is useful bottom-end pulling power in spades, followed by a smooth transition into the part of the rev range where you can simply fang it and let the party begin.

The tight spacing between all six gears helps as well. Snicking up or down through the gearbox is slick, although the overall gearing feels a bit short to me. I reckon the Bantam could easily pull one tooth extra on the front sprocket and still be a ripper in traffic. And if you think the go is fun, wait until you try the handling and braking. Like the 650s, the power isn’t the only fun factor.

The Bantam’s predictable steering and modest dimensions make it easy to enjoy on a winding road

Both the front and rear suspension remind me of my 1973 Moto Morini 3½ – pretty basic and stiffly sprung. The brakes are definitely 53 years better! The cast-alloy wheels do blur the lines between modern and retro, which suits my lazy approach to cleaning. And the lack of a centrestand, along with those wheels, also helps explain that attractive pricing.

The ignition barrel keeps things simple, with a conventional key rather than keyless start.

A round LED headlight gives the Bantam modern lighting in a traditional shape.

The digital dash is compact, though Ralph found some of the secondary information hard to read.

The long, flat seat suits both commuting and the Bantam’s stripped-back styling.

The whole package is so well integrated that very little appears to be missing – at least until you look at the instrument nacelle. The speed is easy enough to read, but the dark secondary information is needlessly difficult to decipher. Still, riding is more important than staring, and 13 litres of fuel should take you a long way at the claimed 3.3L/100km, while the seat and riding position should make a week of commuting a pleasant task.

Read Ralph’s launch report on the Gold Star 650 and Scrambler 650 here.

That’s where I can really endorse the Bantam. It strikes me as the perfect balance between ease of riding, size and weight, while still having enough character for a new rider to feel a genuine sense of pride in ownership, which is really important.

Ralph reckons the Bantam’s strongest suit is how little it asks of the rider.

The Bantam has enough style and personality to make ownership feel like something to be proud of, while remaining unintimidating and manageable. It is not only a great retro classic, but also a viable bike for anyone shopping for a great little all-rounder in the 250 – 450cc market. The Bantam name and badge may have been borrowed from the past, but the fun is entirely now.

2026 BSA Bantam 350 Specifications

bsacompany.au

Price: From $7,590 ride away
Warranty: 3 years, unlimited kilometres
Colours: Avalon Grey, Oxford Blue, Firecracker Red, Barrel Black, Victor Yellow, Mist Green
Claimed Power: 29bhp @ 7,750rpm
Claimed Torque: 29.62Nm @ 6,000rpm
Weight: 185kg
Fuel Capacity: 13L
Fuel Consumption (Claimed): 3.3L/100km
Fuel Range (Claimed: 350km approx

Engine: Liquid-cooled, four-stroke, single-cylinder, DOHC, four-valve, 334cc, 11:1 compression ratio, spark ignition, electronic fuel injection, six-speed gearbox, chain final drive.

Chassis: Steel frame.
Rake: Trail: N/A
Suspension: Telescopic hydraulic fork, 135mm travel (f); twin shock absorbers, five-step adjustable, 100mm wheel travel (r).
Brakes: Single 320mm disc, floating-type caliper, ABS (f); 240mm disc, floating-type caliper, ABS (r).
Wheels: Wire-spoke wheels, 18in (f), 17in (r).
Tyres: 100/90-18 M/C 56H (f), 150/70 ZR17 M/C 69W (r).

Dimensions:
Seat height: 800mm
Wheelbase: 1,440mm
Overall Length: N/A
Overall Width: N/A
Overall Height: N/A

Instruments & Electronics: LCD instrument display, dual-channel ABS, and LED lighting.

2026 BSA Bantam Gallery

The ignition barrel keeps things simple, with a conventional key rather than keyless start.

A round LED headlight gives the Bantam modern lighting in a traditional shape.

The digital dash is compact, though Ralph found some of the secondary information hard to read.

BSA’s 1903 heritage badge is worked into the Bantam’s engine detailing.

Subtle badging keeps the tail treatment clean and uncluttered.

The 334cc single is liquid-cooled despite its deliberately traditional appearance.

Fork gaiters help sell the retro look while protecting the stanchions.

The long, flat seat suits both commuting and the Bantam’s stripped-back styling.

Cast wheels keep maintenance simple and help distinguish the Bantam from its 650 siblings.

The 334cc single makes a claimed 29hp and 29.62Nm, fed through a six-speed gearbox.