1961 BMW R69S

In Germany, Standard by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Sale Update: After 33 bids, this BMW R69S sold for $9,100 on eBay.

The BMW R69S, produced from 1960 to 1969, was BMW’s sportbike of its day. With 42 horsepower, it was by far the most powerful bike BMW made at the time. You had to pay to play ($1,564 in 1966), but that extra money bought you one of the most prestigious motorcycles available in the day.

BMW R69S - Right Side

This is one of our favorite motorcycles of the 1960’s. But we leave the explanation of why that is to Cycle World, who put it best in a 1962 review:

Whatever the BMW’s merits in a contest of speed, it is still the smoothest, best finished, quietest and cleanest motorcycle it has ever been our pleasure to ride. To be honest, we think that anyone who would worry much over its performance-potential is a bit of a booby. The R69S is fast enough to handle any encounter, and it has attributes that are, in touring, infinitely more valuable than mere speed. All things considered, if we were planning a two-wheel style vacation/tour, the BMW would have to be our choice of mount.

BMW R69S - Rear

This specific BMW R69S has had an interesting life. Purchased from the previous owner as a project, the current owner has taken care of several needs to bring it up to its current condition. Check the auction for a full list of what’s been handled – but most of it was done in the last 6 months. This isn’t a numbers matching bike, but that’s not something we worry about at Bike-urious. The only concern might be is that the left control is from a R69, not the S model.

BMW R69S - Gauges

Find this BMW R69S for sale here on eBay with bidding at $7,050 in Andover, Minnesota.

BMW R69S - Left Side