BMW R 60/6 (1973-1976) Specs, Performance & Photos

In 1973, BMW launched the R 60/6 model that replaced the R 50/5 as the entry-level model, and to keep the price down, BMW retained the drum braking unit on the front wheel and the slide carburetor that controlled the fuel supply.

The 1973 BMW R 60/6 featured innovations such as a five-speed transmission, a new instrument cluster with a side-by-side speedometer and tachometer, and new handlebar controls. The bike lacked success in the marketplace, but thanks to private customers and the loyal government agencies that were supplied by the BMW range, more than 13,000 units were sold.

The R 60/6 model had at its core a 599cc air-cooled, four-stroke, twin-cylinder boxer engine with an output power of 40 hp available at 6,400 rpm and 49 Nm (36 lb-ft) of torque at 5,000 rpm, and with the help of the five-speed manual transmission, the bike reached a top speed of 167 kph (102 mph).

For braking, the model packed a 200 mm duplex drum unit on the front and a simplex drum unit on the rear.

For smooth riding, the bike featured a telescopic fork with hydraulic shock absorbers on the front wheel and along swingarm with adjustable shock absorbers on the rear wheel.

As standard features, the bike came with wire-spoked wheels, a dual seat, pillion grab rails, a small taillamp, a round headlamp, an analog instrumentation panel, a dual exhaust system, and a center stand.