| MODEL | BMW R 60 1956 - 1960 |
| Year | 1956 - 1960 |
| Engine Type | Four-stroke, air-cooled, horizontally opposed twin (boxer), pushrod OHV, 2 valves per cylinder |
| Displacement / Capacity | 594 cc / 36.2 cu in |
| Bore X Stroke | 72 x 73 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 6.5:1 |
| Cooling System | Air cooled |
| Max Power | 21 kW / 28 hp @ 5600 rpm |
| Max Torque | 40 Nm / 29.5 ft lb @ 4200 rpm |
| Ignition | Bosch magneto, automatic advance |
| Induction | 2 x Bing 1/24/151 - 1/24/152 carburettors |
| Start System | Kick |
| TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
| Lubrication | — |
| Gear Box | 4-speed (1st 5.33 / 2nd 3.02 / 3rd 2.04 / 4th 1.54:1) |
| Clutch | Single dry plate, saucer spring |
| Final Drive | Shaft, enclosed in right swinging-arm leg |
| CHASSIS SPECS | |
| Frame | Steel double-loop frame |
| Front Suspension | Earles-type leading-link fork, 208 mm / 8.2 in travel |
| Rear Suspension | Long swinging arm with adjustable struts, 125 mm / 4.9 in travel |
| Front Brakes | 200 mm drum |
| Rear Brakes | 200 mm drum |
| DIMENSION SPECS | |
| Overall Length | 2125 mm / 83.7 in |
| Overall Width | 660 mm / 26 in |
| Overall Height | 980 mm / 38.6 in |
| Seat Height | — |
| Wheelbase | 1415 mm / 55.7 in |
| Ground Clearance | — |
| Dry Weight | — |
| Wet Weight | 195 kg / 430 lbs |
| WHEEL SPECS | |
| Front Tyre | 3.50 - 18 |
| Rear Tyre | 3.50 - 18 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | |
| Fuel Capacity | 17 Litres / 4.5 US gal |
| Fuel Consumption | 4.2 L/100 km / 56 US mpg |
| Top Speed | 145 km/h / 89 mph |
The R 60 arrived in April 1956 as the 600 cc tourer of BMW's new full-swing-frame range, taking over from the R 67 sidecar machine. Its mild 28 hp twin was tuned for pulling power rather than speed, which made it a favourite for hauling a sidecar, while the Earles fork and swinging-arm rear gave it a comfortable, stable ride solo. Period testers praised its smoothness, easy starting and build quality. It was replaced by the slightly stronger R 60/2 in 1960.
