Bashan, a Chinese brand with just over two decades of experience in the motorcycle sector, has recently approved its new BS1200-Ga custom bobber model that reminds us de facto of those Sportster 1200 with classic design and mechanical simplicity from a few years ago. Features, on the other hand, so well known among followers of the American brand.
And it is not the first time that an Asian company uses this concept when developing a frame of this type. In fact, the BS1200-G mounts the engine of another model with a similar style and philosophy: the SWM Stormbreaker 1200. In short, we would be looking at “the clone of the clone” of an old Harley Sportster in use, although as expected with characteristic details responsible for differentiating it from the latter.
Bashan BS1200-G: back to the past 3.0
There is no doubt that the style vintageneo retro or whatever we want to call it is in fashion. It seems that the design departments have run out of ideas when it comes to shaping their new models. This BS1200-G, in essence, endorses this trend of the motor industry in general. It does so by resorting to two key aspects in its conception:
On the one hand, the aforementioned classic style that emulates the veteran models of the Milwaukee firm. On the other hand, it has practically identical mechanics (technically speaking) to the one fitted to the Sportster 1200 from a few decades ago. Specifically, the engine released in the SWM Stormbreaker V1200, which has been manufactured by Shineray since mid-2022, which in turn owns the Italian brand.
We are talking about an air-cooled V-twin engine with internal dimensions of 88.9 mm x 96.8 mm, in terms of diameter and stroke. It uses a fuel injection system in the feed, stating 60 HP of power at 5,750 rpm and 90 Nm of maximum torque at 3,250 revolutions. Figures that coincide with those recorded by Bashan for its BS1200-G, although its maximum speed is only 120 km/h.
Other notable details of the model are, for example, including a set of classic suspensions, with a Springer fork at the front and no damping element at the rear. Only the open seat with springs will prevent us from breaking our backs every time we hit a bump. Likewise, the BS1200-G has an empty weight of 245 kilos.
The assembly rests on a pair of 16″ radial wheels shod with balloon-type tires. Curiously, this vintage aura is combined with a double brake disc, one per axle, LED lighting or a latest-generation ABS system.
Although Bashan has not yet announced the launch date of the BS1200-G, it is likely that it will reach the brand’s dealerships this year. Another very different thing is that lovers of this type of model can enjoy it in Europe in the short term.
