BSA A 65 Thunderbolt vs Honda CB 650 SC (1985)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the BSA A 65 Thunderboltstacks up against the Honda CB 650 SC. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | BSA A 65 Thunderbolt | Honda CB 650 SC |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 1972 | 1985 |
| Price | — | — |
| Engine | 654 cc | 655 cc |
| Horsepower | 46 hp | — |
| Weight | — | 197 kg |
| Seat height | — | 31 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 4.8 L | 3.4 L |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | 4-speed | 6-speed |
| Front brakes | Expanding brake | Double disc. Dual-disc with twin-piston calipers |
| Rear brakes | Expanding brake | Expanding brake (drum brake). Drum |
| Tires | 3.25-19 / 4.00-18 | 100/90-19 / 130/90-16 |
BSA A 65 Thunderbolt vs Honda CB 650 SC — which should you buy?
Picking between the BSA A 65 Thunderbolt and the Honda CB 650 SC usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the BSA A 65 Thunderbolt brings 46 hp, while the Honda CB 650 SC counters with its own power figure at 197 kg.
Our spec tables above highlight the winning number on each line. For the full rider-focused reviews including real-world fuel economy, service costs and available colors, click into either bike:

