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Motorworld’s newspaper №51
In 1937, the BMW presented model R6 – its first 600-cc motorcycle. The engine of R6 was similar to the engine of the previous BMW model – R5 – and it also had the transmission by spur gears. The difference was that R6 got the long-stroke engine with the capacity of 18 h.p. at 4800 rpm and it had the sufficient driving torque so it could be used in combination with a sidecar.
BMW installed the same engine (as on R6) on its new model – R61 – which was presented for the first time at the 1938 Salon in Berlin, together with three other motorcycle models – R51, R66, and R71. The distinctive feature of all new BMW motorcycles was the telescopic rear suspension that was used for the first time in BMW history.
The motorcycle had a two-cylinder, flat engine with a volume of 600 cc and a power of 18 hp at 4800 rpm. Transmission – four-speed; Clutch – Dry single-plate; Brakes – Drum type. At the core of the motorcycle was a duplex tubular steel frame.
The BMW R61 motorcycles were famous for their extreme reliability and on a permanent basis were supplied to the Dutch and German armies. Both models – R61 and R71 – were very popular among Wehrmacht soldiers. They rode them all around Europe, from the English Channel to Volga, and used them during the military campaign in Africa.
Manufacturer | Bayerische Motoren Werke, AG, Munich (Germany) |
Years of manufacture | 1938-1941 |
Quantity produced, units | 3 747 |
Price | 1 420 RM |
Today’s value | 9 178,48 $ |
ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION | |
Type | Twin-cylinder, horizontally-opposed |
Engine capacity, cc | 600 |
Bore and stroke, mm | 70 х 78 |
Power | 18 h.p. at 4800 rpm |
Sparking | Battery type |
Carburetor | 2 carburetors, type Amal 75/243 S |
Battery | 6 V |
Clutch | Single-plate, dry |
Transmission | 4-speed |
FRAME AND WHEELBASE | |
Frame type | Duplex tubular, steel |
Front suspension | Telescopic |
Rear suspension | Telescopic |
Brakes | Drum type |
Wheel size | 3,50х19 |
DIMENSIONS | |
Length, mm |
2 130
|
Width, mm |
815
|
Height, mm |
960
|
Wheelbase, mm |
1 400
|
Ground clearance, mm |
120
|
Seat height, mm |
690
|
Mass, kg |
210
|
Gas tank size, l |
14
|
Maximum speed, km/h |
115
|
Range, km |