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Motorworld’s newspaper № 27
Test-drove video
The BMW R66 motorcycle was first presented to the general public at the 1938 salon in Berlin, together with three more BMW models: R51, R61, R71. The distinctive feature of all shown BMW motorcycles was the use, for the first time in BMW history, of telescopic rear suspension.

BMW R66 (a page from the 1939 catalog)

Model R66 was acknowledged to be one of the most advanced among the pre-WWII BMW models. Its twin-cylinder horizontally-opposed engine with the rating of 30 HP made it possible to achieve speeds of up to 145 km/h. Besides, the engine featured great pull, did not overheat and would start in any season with no problems (this was achieved by using Bosch RD 50/6 2800 RS 17 generator and Bosch W225 T1 plugs).

The R66 engine design was more elegant compare to the previous model R61. It also emphasized the racing aspect of the use of this motorcycle, even though it was also produced in sidecar version. The maximum speed allowed on German autobahns at the times was 55-60 km/h, so, compared to that, the R66 speed characteristics were simply phenomenal! However, the tyres were not appropriate for the kind of speed that the R66 could achieve in solo version, so driving it was quite risky even on perfectly smooth German roads.

In 1938, preparations for the war resulted a material shortage, thus model R66 (just as its predecessor, model R5) lost all of chrome-plated parts.

BMW R5, “Motorworld by V.Sheyanov” collection

BMW R61, “Motorworld by V.Sheyanov” collection


Model R66 did not have a big success among customers, who preferred R51, which had a smaller rating (24 HP at 5600 rpm) but was much cheaper. Those who had a need for using a motorcycle with a sidecar would rather choose model R71 that was acknowledged to be a more reliable machine (even though not as technically advanced as R66).

Model BMW R66 became one of the first victims of the program started by Colonel Adolf von Schell in order to drastically reduce Wehrmacht’s spending for manufacturing its transportation means. Between 1938 and 1941 only 1669 units of this model were produced.

Manufacturer Bayerische Motoren Werke, AG (Germany)
Years of manufacture 1938-1941
Quantity produced, units 1 669
Price 1 695 RM
Today’s value 10 956 $
ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION
Type Twin-cylinder, horizontally-opposed
Engine capacity, cc 597
Bore and stroke, mm 69,8 х 78
Engine rating 30 h.p. at 5300 rpm
Sparking Battery type
Carburetor 2 carburetors, type Amal 6/420 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
    720
Mass, kg
    210
Gas tank size, l
     14
Maximum speed, km/h
    145
Range, km



Books:

PDF

Exploitation guide BMW R 51, R 61, R 66, R 71 (ger.)