BMW R 65 Monolever (1989-1990) Specs, Performance & Photos

In 1989, the German motorcycle manufacturer released the BMW R 65 Monolever, a motorcycle created by the House of Munich for those riders looking for fuel-efficient daily commuters who could also handle weekend strolls and even highway hauls.

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

The 1989 model came in the same shape and form as the previous one, delivering the same technical, visual, and performance specifications without any significant modifications whatsoever.

The bike’s aesthetic 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.

Underneath its fuel tank, the 1989 BMW R 65 Monoleverhad installed a 649cc four-stroke twin-cylinder air-cooled boxer engine controlled by two Bing carburetors, boasting 45 hp with a peak force at 7,250 rpm and 45 Nm (33 lb-ft) torque at 6,000 rpm.

The bike’s riding experience was softened by a hydraulic telescopic fork on the front that provided 175 mm of travel and a monolever swingarm with a right-hand side-mounted shock absorber that offered 120 mm of travel.