| MODEL | BMW R 71 1938 - 1941 |
| Year | 1938 - 1941 |
| Engine Type | Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed boxer, side valve (SV) |
| Displacement / Capacity | 746 cc / 45.5 cu in |
| Bore X Stroke | 78 x 78 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 5.5:1 |
| Cooling System | Air cooled |
| Max Power | 16.4 kW / 22 hp @ 4600 rpm |
| Max Torque | — |
| Ignition | Bosch battery and coil ignition |
| Induction | 2 x Graetzin G 24 carburettors |
| Start System | Kick |
| TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
| Lubrication | — |
| Gear Box | 4 Speed, foot shift (3.60 / 2.28 / 1.70 / 1.30) |
| Clutch | Single plate, dry |
| Final Drive | Shaft |
| CHASSIS SPECS | |
| Frame | Welded double loop steel tubular frame |
| Front Suspension | Oil-damped telescopic fork |
| Rear Suspension | Plunger suspension |
| Front Brakes | ∅200 mm duplex drum, full hub |
| Rear Brakes | ∅200 mm simplex drum, full hub |
| DIMENSION SPECS | |
| Overall Length | — |
| Overall Width | — |
| Overall Height | — |
| Seat Height | — |
| Wheelbase | — |
| Ground Clearance | — |
| Dry Weight | — |
| Wet Weight | 187 kg / 412 lbs |
| WHEEL SPECS | |
| Front Tyre | 3.50 - 19 |
| Rear Tyre | 3.50 - 19 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | |
| Fuel Capacity | 14 Litres / 3.7 US gal |
| Fuel Consumption | — |
| Top Speed | 125 km/h / 78 mph (95 km/h / 59 mph with sidecar) |
The R71 was BMW's big touring and sidecar machine of the late 1930s, combining a lazy, torquey 746 cc side-valve twin with the new plunger rear suspension and oil-damped telescopic fork. It suited the new German autobahns as a long-distance mount and was the last BMW with a side-valve engine and the last offered with a hand-shift option.
