How BMW Motorcycles Got Saved - The R90S

[20774]

I'm reading a nice article in the Airhead Airmail of an interview with Bob Lutz. It seems that while the introduction of the /5 was a shot in the arm for BMW, it was quickly beaten back by the release of the Honda 750-4. It had more horsepower, was cheaper, and could also be used as a tourer. Enter Bob Lutz, who along with Hans Muth and others, brought out the 900cc R90S. We of course know what that model did in the Superbike series!!

Here's a couple of links that have the basic story...depending on website, you might prefer one over the other:

BMW Motorrad - http://www.bmw-motorrad.com.hr/com/.../com/en/individual/news/2011/news.jsp&id=2495

Rideapart - https://www.rideapart.com/articles/248625/the-bike-that-saved-bmw-again-online-find-panjo-edition/

CycleWorld - https://www.cycleworld.com/2014/09/...classic-iconic-motorcycles-celebration-event/

 

[jseven]

R90s

Thanks for the articles. I recently purchased a completely refurbished R90 and have been grinning from ear to ear every time I get on or near that bike!

 

[exgman]

Thanks for the links to all three articles Kurt. Interesting stuff. One little bit of information which struck me was that an R90s cost more than a BMW 1600 car. I recall that in 1967 an R69S at a dealer in Springfield, MA had a sticker price of $1675. That seemed like a pile of money back then...

 

[20774]

John -

Probably about right. Duane Ausherman has a number of price lists on his website. Here's one for 1963 showing the R69S at $1625 on the west coast.

https://w6rec.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/1963.jpg

From a website, in 2019 dollars, that $1625 is nearly $13,500.