BMW's horizontally opposed boxer twin is a motorcycling platform nonpareil. RideApart shares BMWs 1970s innovations that helped change motorcycling.
From cruisers to dual sports and sport bikes to motocross, riders today have a panoply of motorcycle type and style choices, but before the 1970s, consumers had far fewer choices when it came to motorcycle type. It was design innovations from BMW Motorrad during this decade that gave birth to many of today's ubiquitous bike types. From the go-anywhere adventure bike, race-inspired super bike and fully faired sport-tourer, we have BMW Motorrad to thank for the creative innovations around the air cooled, flat twin, shaft driven "R" platform. Love 'em or hate 'em it was those bikes that set the trend for many to follow
My 1975 R75/6 is sitting outside the bar I am currently working from. I dream of a BMW R90s in daytona orange. I think it may be the most beautiful motorcycle ever created.
