The 1961-1969 600cc BMW R69S      

The partial view of the poster shown above was published by Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Munich, Germany, in August 1967. It shows the European-spec R69S with the narrow dual saddle and optional Hella bar-end turn signals. To see a larger version of this poster, click here.

To read the specifications of the R69S, click here.

The “hot” BMW motorcycle of the 1960s was the 600cc, high-compression (9.5:1) R69S. With 42 horsepower DIN (46 HP SAE), the R69S has 40% more horsepower than the R60/2 and 62% more power than an R50/2. That makes a substantial difference felt readily when riding one. The elevated price of the R69S ($1,564 in 1966) made it less popular than the more numerous R50/2 ($1,138) and R60/2 ($1,288). (In 2008 dollars, the R69S new would cost $10,220.)

The 1967 R69S shown above is painted Dover white with black pinstriping, the most popular special color of that period ordered instead of black with white pinstriping.

In January 2006, I met Tim Stafford at the MidAmerican motorcycle auction in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he was auctioning of the most beautifully restored BMWs I had ever seen. Tim, who works out of San Diego, does exquisite restorations of BMW motorcycles. I since have heard his work represents the “gold standard” of BMW motorcycle restorations.

Above: I love the view of a BMW boxer-powered motorcycle, like the R69S, from above. The cylinders protrude sideways from the engine, like stubby wings. No other motorcycles have such an affecting view.

Tim completed the restoration of this R69S for me in 2008. In the photo below, you see work on the R69S under way in Tim's work shop.

Below, left, are Tim (right) and me in Tucson after the R69S was delivered.

Below, right, is the Wisconsin “Collector” license plate on it. Wisconsin has a wonderful system for licensing motorcycles over 20 years old. You pay the biennial license fee of $23 and are issued the special plate. It never expires, so you are done with paying license fees on old motorcycles if you use the Collector plate system.