BMW R 65 Monolever (1987-1988) Specs, Performance & Photos

The BMW R 65 was a light touring motorcycle manufactured by BMW in 1978 as a mid-sized motorcycle. The touring machine was manufactured for over five years, from 1978 to 1984. It was produced alongside the BMW R 45, which had a smaller displacement engine.

BMW introduced the R 65 Monolever in 1985, which was presented as a successor to the small series and was based on the success of the 800cc R 80 and R 80 RT versions. The R 65 Monolever combined the single-sided swingarm frame concept of the 800cc models and the 650cc short-stroke engine used by the old R 65 and R 65 ls models.

In 1987, the German motorcycle manufacturer released the BMW R 65 Monolever, a mid-sized touring motorcycle, in its third consecutive production year. As its name suggests, the bike had a monolever system on the rear.

The motorcycle's visual department was characterized by standard features, such as a round headlight, a one-piece dual seat with passenger grab rails, a two-into-two exhaust system with a silencer mounted on each side, a center stand, and alloy wheels.

In the performance department, the 1987 BMW R 65 Monolever had installed a 649cc four-stroke air-cooled twin-cylinder boxer engine underneath the fuel tank, delivering 45 hp at 7,250 rpm and 45 Nm (33 lb-ft) torque at 6,000 rpm.