1970 BMW R 60/5 Specifications

Name: 1970 BMW R 60/5
Brand: BMW

All-Round • Specs last verified 13 July 2026

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1970 BMW R 60/5 Overview

For 1970, BMW offers the R 60/5 as an all-round motorcycle with 599 cc on tap. The 1970 BMW R 60/5 is built around a Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, pushrod operated 2 valves per cylinder engine, a compression ratio of 9.2:1. Out on the road, the R 60/5 delivers 29.5 kW @ 6400 rpm of peak power and 49 Nm @ 5000 rpm of torque. In everyday use, the 1970 R 60/5 tips the scales at 210 kg and carries a 24-litre fuel tank. Every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes, is covered in the full 1970 BMW R 60/5 spec sheet below.

1970 R 60/5 - Pros & Cons

Strengths

Strong power output: Peak output on the R 60/5 is 29.5 kW @ 6400 rpm and 49 Nm @ 5000 rpm of torque - strong numbers for what it is.
Large fuel range: With a 24-litre tank, this isn't a bike you'll be stopping for fuel every hour - a real asset on longer trips.
Low-maintenance final drive: Shaft final drive is about as close to maintenance-free as motorcycle drivetrains get.

Considerations

Carburetor fuelling: Carburetion is more hands-on than fuel injection - plan on periodic jetting and cleaning as part of routine ownership.

Wear Points & Servicing Notes

Heat management in traffic

Air cooling on the R 60/5 keeps the mechanical layout simple, but heat management in slow traffic needs more attention than on a liquid-cooled bike - plan routes and gear accordingly in warmer conditions.

Carburetor maintenance

Being carbureted, the R 60/5 is more sensitive to stale fuel and altitude changes than a fuel-injected bike - a carb clean and rejet restores crisp throttle response after any extended lay-up.

Suspension condition on used examples

Suspension duties are handled by Telescopic hydraulic forks up front and Long swinging arm with strut at the rear. Weeping fork seals aren't a dealbreaker on a used bike, but they're a fair basis for negotiating price.

Final drive maintenance

Shaft final drive on the R 60/5 removes chain and belt maintenance entirely - the trade-off is a little extra unsprung weight and periodic gear-oil changes.

Frame & chassis check

The Double loop tubular frame with bolt on rear section chassis holds up well with normal use; on a used bike it's still worth checking the head-stock and swingarm pivot area for impact damage or corrosion.

R 60/5 - Buying & Maintenance Guide

What to check before buying

A pre-purchase check on the 1970 BMW R 60/5 should cover the same ground every time: service history, chain and sprocket condition, and any oil seepage around the casings. Start it from cold if you can - a well-kept R 60/5 settles to a smooth idle within seconds.

Oil and filter changes

Oil changes are the cheapest insurance you can buy for a R 60/5's engine - keep to the manufacturer's interval rather than stretching it. Use the viscosity grade the manual specifies, not whatever's on sale.

Carburetor upkeep

A R 60/5 that's sat unused is almost always a carb-cleaning job before it runs right again - float bowls and pilot jets first, since they clog before anything else.

1970 BMW R 60/5 - Frequently Asked Questions

What engine does the 1970 BMW R 60/5 have?

The 1970 BMW R 60/5 uses a Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, pushrod operated 2 valves per cylinder engine with 599 cc of displacement. It is air cooled.

How much does the 1970 BMW R 60/5 weigh?

The 1970 BMW R 60/5 weighs 210 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.

How much power does the 1970 BMW R 60/5 make?

The 1970 BMW R 60/5 produces 29.5 kW @ 6400 rpm of power and 49 Nm @ 5000 rpm of torque. These are peak figures.

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 1970 BMW R 60/5?

The 1970 BMW R 60/5 has a 24-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 400-480 km between stops.

What brakes does the 1970 BMW R 60/5 have?

The 1970 BMW R 60/5 uses 200mm Drum at the front and 200mm Drum at the rear.

What tyre sizes does the 1970 BMW R 60/5 use?

The 1970 BMW R 60/5 runs 3.25 - S19 front and 4 - S18 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.

What gearbox does the 1970 BMW R 60/5 have?

The 1970 BMW R 60/5 is fitted with a 4 Speed transmission.

BMW R 60/5 Spec Evolution

The BMW R 60/5 was produced across 2 model years (1970-1973). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.

Specification	1970	1973
Engine Detail	Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, pushrod operated 2 valves per cylinder	Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, pushrod operated 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel Capacity	24 Litres / 6.3 US gal	24 Litres / 6.3 US gal
Displacement	599 cc / 36.6 cu-in	599 cc / 36.6 cu-in
Brakes - Front	200mm Drum	200mm Drum
Brakes - Rear	200mm Drum	200mm Drum
Wheel Travel - Front	208 mm / 8.2 in	208 mm / 8.2 in
Wheel Travel - Rear	125 mm / 4.9 in	125 mm / 4.9 in
Max Torque	49 Nm / 36 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm	49 Nm / 36 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm

Key Specifications

Engine

Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, pushrod operated 2 valves per cylinder

Power

29.5 kW / 40 hp @ 6400 rpm

Torque

49 Nm / 36 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm

Top Speed

Not published by manufacturer

Weight

210 kg / 463 lbs

Fuel Capacity

24 Litres / 6.3 US gal

Full 1970 BMW R 60/5 Specifications

Year 1969 - 70

Make Model BMW R 60/5

Fuel Capacity 24 Litres / 6.3 US gal

Wet Weight 210 kg / 463 lbs

Max Power 29.5 kW / 40 hp @ 6400 rpm

Max Torque 49 Nm / 36 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm

Displacement 599 cc / 36.6 cu-in

Engine Detail Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, pushrod operated 2 valves per cylinder

Bore x Stroke 73.5 x 70.6 mm

Compression Ratio 9.2:1

Cooling System Air cooled

Fuel Induction 2 x Bing slide carburetors

Ignition Battery ignition

Starter Kick

Clutch Dry single plate, with diaphragm spring

Final Drive Shaft

Gear Ratios 1st 3.896 / 2nd 2.578 / 3rd 1.875 / 4th 1.50:1

Transmission / Drive 4 Speed

Frame Type Double loop tubular frame with bolt on rear section

Suspension - Front Telescopic hydraulic forks

Suspension - Rear Long swinging arm with strut

Wheel Travel - Front 208 mm / 8.2 in

Wheel Travel - Rear 125 mm / 4.9 in

Brakes - Front 200mm Drum

Brakes - Rear 200mm Drum

Tyres - Front 3.25 - S19

Tyres - Rear 4.00 - S18

Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis. Spot an error? Let us know.

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R 60/5 Years

1973 1973 1970

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