1952 BMW R68

€33,600 EUR | Sold

Offered from The Bavarian Legends Collection

  • Part of The Bavarian Legends Collection
  • One of 1,453 examples of the R68 made from 1952 to 1954
  • Hailed by BMW as its “first 100 mph motorcycle”
  • Propelled by a 590 cc twin-cylinder “boxer” engine, with power delivered via shaft drive
Addendum
Please note this lot has entered the EU on a temporary import bond, which must be cancelled either by exporting the lot outside of the EU on an approved Bill of Lading with supporting customs documentation or by paying the applicable VAT and import duties to have the lot remain in the EU.

Bitte beachten Sie, dass dieses Fahrzeug mit einer vorübergehenden Einfuhrgenehmigung in die EU eingeführt wurde, die entweder durch die Ausfuhr des Fahrzeugs aus der EU mit einem genehmigten Frachtbrief und den entsprechenden Zollunterlagen oder durch die Zahlung der geltenden Mehrwertsteuer und Einfuhrzölle aufgehoben werden muss, damit das Fahrzeug in der EU verbleiben kann.
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Heralded by BMW as its new high-performance sports model when revealed at the 1951 Internationale Fahrrad und Motorrad Ausstellung IFMA show in Frankfurt, the Bavarian marque proudly proclaimed the R68 as the company’s “first 100 mph motorcycle”. Its performance credentials were not in doubt. The new model was built around a 590 cc twin-cylinder “boxer” powertrain with BMW’s signature horizontally opposed engine layout, delivering power to the rear wheel via shaft rather than chain.

The R68 featured higher engine compression and larger-bore carburettors compared to earlier BMW twins, while fitted with relatively minimalist fairing in the interests of a “less is more approach” to making swift progress. A padded seat behind the main sprung saddle hinted at support for pillion passengers, but it was in fact included by the factory to allow riders to achieve a more aerodynamic tuck over the length of the bike at speed. The BMW factory made 1,453 examples of the R68 between 1952 and 1954.

The example offered here was completed by the factory finished in Black on 17 September 1952, and delivered to its first owner in Essen, Germany, on 14 January 1953. While a limited amount is known about its life between then and now, in recent years the motorcycle has formed part of the consigning owner’s museum display. As a result of its time spent on static show, buyers are recommended to carry out a mechanical inspection prior to riding this bike on the road. A leading light among fast motorcycles of its era, this R68 would be an ideal addition to any BMW enthusiast’s garage.