| MODEL | BMW R 60/5 1972 - 1973 |
| Year | 1972 - 1973 |
| Engine Type | Four-stroke, air-cooled, horizontally opposed twin (boxer), pushrod OHV, 2 valves per cylinder |
| Displacement / Capacity | 599 cc / 36.6 cu in |
| Bore X Stroke | 73.5 x 70.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.2:1 |
| Cooling System | Air cooled |
| Max Power | 29.5 kW / 40 hp @ 6400 rpm |
| Max Torque | 49 Nm / 36 ft lb @ 5000 rpm |
| Ignition | Battery ignition |
| Induction | 2 x 26 mm Bing slide carburettors |
| Start System | Electric and kick |
| TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
| Lubrication | — |
| Gear Box | 4-speed |
| Clutch | Single dry plate, diaphragm spring |
| Final Drive | Shaft |
| CHASSIS SPECS | |
| Frame | Double-loop tubular steel frame with bolt-on rear section |
| Front Suspension | Telescopic hydraulic fork, 208 mm / 8.2 in travel |
| Rear Suspension | Long swinging arm with twin shock absorbers, 125 mm / 4.9 in travel |
| Front Brakes | 200 mm duplex drum |
| Rear Brakes | 200 mm drum |
| DIMENSION SPECS | |
| Overall Length | 2100 mm / 82.7 in (2150 mm / 84.6 in long-wheelbase late 1973) |
| Overall Width | 740 mm / 29.1 in |
| Overall Height | 1040 mm / 40.9 in |
| Seat Height | 850 mm / 33.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 1385 mm / 54.5 in (1435 mm / 56.5 in long-wheelbase late 1973) |
| Ground Clearance | — |
| Dry Weight | — |
| Wet Weight | 210 kg / 463 lbs |
| WHEEL SPECS | |
| Front Tyre | 3.25 - 19 |
| Rear Tyre | 4.00 - 18 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | |
| Fuel Capacity | 15 Litres / 4.0 US gal (toaster tank) or 24 Litres / 6.3 US gal |
| Fuel Consumption | 5.0 L/100 km / 47 US mpg |
| Top Speed | 167 km/h / 104 mph |
Photo: Llann Wé², CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: AlfvanBeem, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
The last R 60/5s are best known for the 1972 'toaster' tank with chromed side panels, a styling touch that divided opinion at the time. In mid-1973 BMW lengthened the swinging arm by about 5 cm, creating the long-wheelbase bikes that were steadier at speed and when loaded. Mechanically the 40 hp twin, four-speed gearbox and drum brakes were unchanged before the R 60/6 replaced it.
