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S version of the [[BMW R69]]. | S version of the [[BMW R69]]. | ||
[[Image:1962.jpg|thumb|350px|BMW R69S]] | |||
In the early 1950s [[BMW|BMW]] concentrated on refining what were essentially pre-war designs, but by 1955 was ready with a brace of new machines, the [[BMW R50|BMW R50]] and R69. Of 500cc and 600cc respectively, the newcomers inherited the updated, flat-twin engine introduced on the R51/3 a few years previously but deployed this in all-new cycle parts, the most notable departures from preceding practice being the Earles-type, leading-link front fork and swing-arm rear suspension enclosing the drive-shaft in the right leg - developments first seen on the works racers. A luxury tourer capable of over 100mph, the R69 cost as much as a small family car and sold to discerning enthusiasts for whom expense mattered little when set against the excellence of BMW engineering. The R50/69 were produced until the arrival of the slightly more powerful 'S' versions for 1961. The larger of these, the R69S, produced 42bhp and was good for a top speed of around 110mph. 'Luxury roadster with superb high-speed performance yet docile traffic manners; magnificent steering, roadholding and brakes,' was Motor Cycle magazine's verdict. | |||
==1961== | ==1961== |
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