| MODEL | BMW R 65 1978 - 1979 |
| Year | 1978 - 1979 |
| Engine Type | Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed boxer, pushrod operated OHV, 2 valves per cylinder |
| Displacement / Capacity | 649.6 cc / 39.6 cu in |
| Bore X Stroke | 82 x 61.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.2:1 |
| Cooling System | Air cooled |
| Max Power | 33 kW / 45 hp @ 7250 rpm |
| Max Torque | 45 Nm / 33.2 lb-ft @ 6000 rpm |
| Ignition | Contact breaker points |
| Induction | 2 x Bing 32 mm constant depression carburettors |
| Start System | Electric |
| TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
| Lubrication | — |
| Gear Box | 5 Speed |
| Clutch | Single plate, dry |
| Final Drive | Shaft |
| CHASSIS SPECS | |
| Frame | Double loop tubular steel |
| Front Suspension | Telescopic hydraulic fork, 175 mm / 6.9 in travel |
| Rear Suspension | Long swinging arm with adjustable struts, 110 mm / 4.3 in travel |
| Front Brakes | Single 260 mm disc |
| Rear Brakes | 200 mm drum |
| DIMENSION SPECS | |
| Overall Length | 2110 mm / 83.1 in |
| Overall Width | 688 mm / 27.1 in |
| Overall Height | 1106 mm / 43.5 in |
| Seat Height | 805 mm / 31.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 1400 mm / 55.1 in |
| Ground Clearance | 125 mm / 4.9 in |
| Dry Weight | 185 kg / 408 lbs |
| Wet Weight | 205 kg / 452 lbs |
| WHEEL SPECS | |
| Front Tyre | 3.25-18 |
| Rear Tyre | 4.00-18 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | |
| Fuel Capacity | 22 Litres / 5.8 US gal |
| Fuel Consumption | 5.5 L/100 km / 43 mpg (US) |
| Top Speed | 175 km/h / 109 mph |
BMW's mid-size boxer launched in autumn 1978 for the 1979 model year, built from a short-stroke 650 cc version of the flat twin in a more compact chassis with shorter forks and swingarm. It was pitched as a lighter, cheaper alternative to the big R 80/R 100 bikes, praised for smoothness and comfort but criticised in period tests for soft suspension and modest top-end power. Early bikes used a single front disc, rear drum and points ignition.
