My 1976 BMW R60/6
This past month, I purchased a 1976 BMW R60/6 motorcycle. My reasons were two-fold: 1)fuel mileage and 2)enjoyment. Even though it’s over 30 years old, this bike is one smooth machine. This bike belonged to my father-in-law, and I’ve seen it tucked away in his garage for years. Finally this year, I have acquired it for myself. In my mind, this motorcycle is a classic.
Probably the most unique thing about these old BMW bikes is the appearance of the motor. They have several nicknames associated with them such as “boxer twins” and “airheads”. The 2-cylinder motor looks like a block with a cylinder head sticking out on both sides. The engine is an air-cooled engine, thus the term “airhead’. I’ve been riding it around for about a month, and it has become the subject of many conversations. I’ve had several already ask if I would be interested in selling it………not today.
In street-bike terms, the motor is of the smaller variety with a 600cc engine. Even though it’s not uncommon with the bikes of today to see engines at 1500cc’s and higher, this motorcycle has plenty of acceleration power to pass at highway speeds and run smoothly with the flow of traffic on the freeway.
I grew up riding small motorcycles, and loved them when I was a kid. I stopped riding when I got my driver’s license and started driving cars. I hadn’t been on one in years before getting this one, and had forgot just how much fun they are to ride. The only downside is, that the weather is starting to get pretty cold, so that limits how often I will ride for the next few months.
Updated picture(4/13/09):
For pictures of some more cool BMW bikes, check out the BMW Motorrad group on Flickr.
Anthony,
Sweet bike! Just be careful out there — too many idiot car drivers on the road. It’s dangerous enough in a car, let alone out on a bike.
Chuck
Chuck, You are right. Being careful isn’t enough….can’t control other drivers. I know there are extra risks involved in riding, and I definitely have to raise my awareness level of what’s going on around me to a new level.
You are right! It is a gorgeous classic and well worth keeping. It will only go up in value.
Too bad though about the ugly aftermarket windjammer white fairing. if it were black, it would be a little better, but not much. Take that thing off. The bags and the back brace too. strip it down to where doesn’t look like an old mans bike.
Bernard – HAHA! I have felt the exact same way about the fairing etc. I’ve talked about taking it off when the weather warms up……(the windshield is kinda nice this time of year). I’ve also said the same thing about the color, that it would look better if it were black. Some people say “you don’t want to take that off”, while others agree, it takes away from the appearance. I’m sure I’ll have to strip it down at some point, just to see how it looks.
That’s definitely a nice bike. I’ve never been really big into motorcycles, but the thought of owning one at some point in my life does intrigue me. I saw the link to your BMW bike site as well. How is that site doing for you revenue wise?
Hey Clarke, Thanks. That website is brand new, so it hasn’t really performed at all. I think I’ve just about made up for the cost of the domain, that’s about it so far.
Anthony–
Back in ’74, I couldn’t afford the upmarket BMWs, so I bought my 600, about $500 more than my then-ride a ’69 Honda, chain-drive-shredder that it was.
It is a fantastic hobby bike. It since has acquired, from a ‘donor-bike’, a 6.3 gallon tank, dual-disc front brakes. Krauser 40-liter saddlebags. A Daytona fairing (increased MPG, as well as HUGE storage). A bullet-proof topbox, made, experimentally by a close friend, of kevlar and foam, completed the ultimate tourer. At 203K miles, I stripped it down to the frame, repainted it in original black , sent the engine to Joe Katz in Daytona Beach, who reported that the bottom end was at the large end of ‘spec’ after 203k miles. Not bad. Change oil. Good.
If I can’t be the fastest, maybe I can be the cheapest. Dual-plug heads, electronic ignition and smaller main jets get the job done. Fifty-plus MPG on a daily basis and a personal-best of 70 mpg, returning from the dedication of the AMAs museum in Ohio, in 1990. That was over 400 miles on a tank of gas. Wonderful sights to see on that tankfull, SE Ohio, SW W. Virginia, SW Virginia. No footpegs were harmed in this tour.
And live with the pinging. It cringes the mechanically-inclined, but it doesn’t seem to harm the machine, at least not in the lifetime of average humans.
Ed–
Ed – Thanks for sharing that. 70 mpg!!! That’s just awesome. And 203k miles? This one has 35k, so hopefully I have many miles to enjoy on it. I would love to see some photo’s of your bike if you have any posted online. Like you, I’d rather be able to operate efficiently(cheap) as opposed to being super fast.
Damn Anthony. I was wondering whose bike that was when I saw it at work. Always loved old BMWs, some people don’t care for the opposing cylinders, I think they are awesome.
Frank – Thanks!……I think the opposing cylinders are pretty cool as well. I think I told one or two people at work that I had gotten that bike, and it seemed to spread pretty fast that it was mine. It looks kinda awkward sitting in the parking lot next to all those Harley’s.
It’s great bike ! Was it expensive ?
I don’t think it was that expensive, but would rather not share how much I paid.
nice bike, congrats, i own a ducati 749, i have couple of friends they have same bikes
enjoy it and be careful
i would really love one of these…….
Lovely bike. Lovely. I hope you’re riding it! The big wordpress upgrade is making some funky typos in posts in the antbag theme. Have you taken a look to see if there’s a quick fix?
Thanks,
Thanks.
I see what you’re talking about in some of your posts. I’ve not seen this issue come up on any other sites. I’ll look into it further.
It’s really a nice and absolutely beautiful classic bike.
Hello Anthony, I bought an R60/6 from a friend 20 or so years ago and still have it. It’s a bike that grows on you and I would never sell it now. They are surprisingly smooth for their age and are very enjoyable to ride. I agree that the fairing spoils the look of the bike. I fitted a small screen to mine, just big enough to take the wind pressure off your chest and it compliments the style of the bike. I wish you many years of happy motorcycling on it. Not much chance of me seeing you on it as I live in Scotland !
Thanks Charlie. I really love this bike, and since writing this, I’ve taken the fairing off and stripped it down. I love the classic look and the smooth performance. I guess I need to upload some updated pictures. Anyway, I hope to get a lot of miles out of it. Thanks for the wishes.
I agree, it is a gorgeous classic. That’s just what I have on my dream list. Thank you for sharing. Everyone here seems to hate the white fairing . . . maybe it’s just the picture or my age, but I rather liked it. OK, it’s probably my age. But with or without, its very sharp.
Looks like you made a great buy.
Thanks! Some like the fairing. The windshield is nice to have, but while the weather is warm, I’m gonna just enjoy the wind.
Gentlemen, I have an offer to make. BMW r60/6, 1974, oldtimer, 2300 euros.
The only problem is, the bike is in Macedonia.
Contact me for details.
Regards,
Igor “Butch” Nikolovski
Would love an update on the machine!
Anthony, I see you stripped the bike down. It looks wonderful. I wish mine were in as good condition.
I have a 1973 Moto-Guzzi Eldorado 850, which I bought new when I was in the Navy. I put 90,000 miles on it the first 3 years, since I had no other transportation and was stationed in Florida. Since then I have only put on another 50,000. Considering the miles it isn’t bad, but the pipes need chrome, the pin-striping is almost gone, and the shine is off the black paint. In all that time it only took $700 in parts to keep it going.
I hope you have as much fun with and get as many miles out of your Beamer as I did my Guzzi.
WOW cool bike! I have a Yamaha YFM 700 FWA GRIZZLY but 1976 BMW R60/6 mega cool classic!!!
These are great bikes. I bought my son’s when he upgraded to a later model BMW airhead. I rode his 76′ R60/6 for one weeks ‘solid’ riding from Victoria BC to Crescent City CA. The bike was great and was a head turner almost every day. We went 1600 miles and I could have done twice the distance without any discomfort. I like it so much I bought the bike and now I look forward to many mile more in the days ahead. Roll on Airheads !
David, That’s great. I agree about the comfort – considering the age of the bike!
Have been riding R60/6 bikes since 1977. Went to the army on it in ’77. Still ride one today. Extremely reliable and tough. A bike to be proud of.
Spot on Bernard “Take that thing off. The bags and the back brace too. strip it down to where doesn’t look like an old mans bike” 1st thing I thought the second I saw the pic… dam fine bike though :O)
Andy motorcycle storage sheds