1981 BMW 650cc R65

Please kindly note that this motorbike will be available for viewing by prior appointment in Dortmund: please contact [email protected] for booking.

BMW extended its range of horizontally opposed twins in the late 1970s with the introduction of the R45 and R65. Looking very much like scaled down versions of BMW's larger models, the duo, which shared identical cycle parts, featured sharper, more modern styling while both weight and overall dimensions were reduced. 'The R65 really is an amazing all-rounder,' declared Bike magazine's tester back in 1982. 'There's 100mph performance, 57mpg if you're gentle and 41mpg if you're not, a five-gallon tank that makes touring England at weekends a less anxious business than it usually is, superlative brakes, a comfortable riding position, excellent tyres, long travel suspension and handling that will get you out of trouble over and over again. Add shaft drive and relatively smooth power and you should be marketing a winner. So why don't you see more R65s on British roads?' The answer was, of course, price: at £2,363 in 1982, the R65 was over £600 more expensive than the faster Suzuki GS650 Katana, which likewise offered the convenience of shaft drive.

Currently displaying a total of 46,004 kilometres on the odometer, this R65 comes with folder of German paperwork to include the original service booklet; a Fahrzeugbrief (registration document); a quantity of invoices for parts; and various other documents. The engine turns over.
Offered with key