MOTO X VOLUME 2 NUMBER 8

esult: an exclusive medium size
motorcycle with the looks of the large
BMW models and without the
characteristics of the typical medium
range motorcycle. The new BMW's are
the most smaller motorcycles - they
are compact BMW's.
BMW R45 AND R65 - BASED ON
THE INCOMPARABLE MOTOR-
CYCLES: THEIR BIGGER
BROTHERS.
Starting from the basic objective to
develop the sophisticated design of the
large BMW's into a new engi~e catagory,
BMW engineers have built a ne.w
frame geometry into the compact
BMW. A combination of ultra-cow
seat height, an extremely low centre of
gravity and suspension trave~ lon~er
than is common in the medium-size
range, has created a motorcycle ~~ith
absolutely new riding characteristics.
Characteristics which, having been
optimized in years of careful testinq
with all kinds of riders, offer riding
pleasure never available before.
BMW - A BETTER CLASS
The experienced rider can now ride
more smoothly and elegantly yet safer
and faster. The less experienced rider
can now enter a fascinating new world
of motorcycling easily and without
problems. From the minute the rider
gets onto the seat and covers the first
few moles, these motorcycles convey a
feeling of safety, coolheaded ness and
reponsiblity. And this sense of safety,
maneauvrability and agility .ahve
always been the perfect basis for true
rding safety. The security this gives the
rider enables him to do the right thing
at the right time, every time.
THIS EXCLUSIVE BMW WORLD -
AT A PRICE LOWER THAN BE-
FORE.
The new BMW's offer the excellent
characteristics of the larger machiones
at a price that makes entering the
BMW World even more tempting than
before. While these BMW's keep the
distance between BMW and other
motorcycles concepts - they make the
gap easier to bridge financially.
Aspiring BMW riders now have more
reason to ride BMW.
c.,_ ~
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* TECHNICAL *
ENGINE
There are certainly ample grounds for
speaking out against the opposedpiston,
or boxer, engine but there are
also more and better reasons favouring
this concept. The boxer provides an
optimal physical solution among all
two-cylinder powerplants. Its con-
Moto X & Bike News SA Vol2 No 8 Page44
struction style guarantees balance and
a high degree of cultivation since
inertia forces of primary and secondary
degree don't occur. In addition it
offers: unproblematic cooling, ease of
maintenance and repair and accident
protection from the outstretched
cylinders which shouldn't be
underestimated. And one more thing is
ensured by this engine concept: the
rider's feet stay warm even when
ambient temperatures are low. Riding
wind warmed by the cylinders sees to
that. Certainly not a decisive feature,
but a pleasant one.
With this in mind engines for the BMW
R45 and R65 were based on
powerpalnts from the 17 range, taking
over their maturity, dependability and
economy. Almost identical on the
outside, these new BMW engines are
56 mm (2.2") narrower, a result of
reduced stroke and decreased con rod
gauge. Lower piston speeds resulting
from this fact favour long life while the
reduced onstruction width permits
even greater lean angles for those who
dare.
These compact engines come in two
versions:
- R45 with 26 kW (35hp) for super fuel
- R65 with 33 kW (45hp) for super fuel
It was the marketplace which demanded
these new BMW motorcycles. For
one thing, there was a desire for that
"first" or middle-class model. The R45
and R65 wouldn't be true BMW's if
they hadn't been developed with the
fixed goal of their unique requirements.
Torque and its spread offer proof of a
successful design job. The engines
provide 90% of their peak torque over
a range of better than 3000 rpm. As we
know, when evaluating the
performance of any engine, the factor
of a broad, powerful and useable band
is far more decisive than peak performance
of any engine, the factor
Torque and its spread offer proof of a
successful design job. The engines
provide 90% of their peak torque over
a range of better than 3000 rpm. As we
know, when evaluating the performance
of any engine, the factor of a
broad, powerful and usable band is
fare more decisive than peak performance
enthroned in lonely majesty atop
a steep rpm curve. A good ratio
between performance and torque on
one hand and dependability and
favourable wear rates on the other,
make these two new engines typical
BMW's in all characteristics.
R45 -
26 kW (35 hpj
With its very flat torque curve the
super-fuel version is convincing in all
rev ranges. The healthy I ratio of
performance to revs (a litre output of
55 kW/' or 74 hp/1) serves a long life
expectancy and dependability. The
above average torque for this class of
37.5 Nm (3.8 mkp or 1b - ft. 27.51
paints a bullish performance picture.
R65 - 33 kW (45 hpj
The 645 engine of the BMW R65 is
equally convincing for powerful forque
over a wide rev range. 50 Nm are
available at 5500 1/min whereby, as
with the R45, at least 90% of the maximum
torque (= 45 Nm) is available
from 4250 to 7000 1/min. This flat
torque band underlines the touring
character of all three new models.
A new feature for these motorcycles is
an ignation system which meets
automobile technical standards. It
offers dynamic ignition advance which
brings the advantage of adjustment
value fora II major rev realms. In
addition, this new ignition system is
extremely dependable and easy to
maintain.
Beat in its class is a 280 W generator
which, together with the powerful (0.7
kW) starter, underlines the determination
of BMW engineers to give a
high level of usability.
All three models are fitted with two
Bing constant pressure carburettors
(type V64/1I), mounted at an angle and
fed from a 22 litre tank.This largevolume
tank, combined with wellakes
the R45 and R65 models
uncontested for riding range in their
class. Depending on riding style, range
can be 300 to 400 km (' 80-240 miles).
The carburettors, like the newly
developed tank meet every quality
standard of the larger 17 line. The
same can be said of the exhaust
system. This unit, also operating on
the torque-enhancing pulse principle,
matches the price-intensive, highquality
standards of the larger line:
high-gloss chrome outside and zincdust
interior coating permit year a-
round operation with no corrosion
problems.
DRIVE
Power is transmitted to the rear wheel
in customary, unproblematic style in
this new BMW middle-class motorcycle.
The well-proven fives peed
gearbox from the large model range,
fitted with new shift kinematic, as well
as the further-perfected power transmission
system with drive shaft to the
rear axle are offered here. A torsional
damper integrated with the drive shaft
absorbs load peaks during acceleration
and braking maneuvers while ensuring
quiet shifts with even smoother road
behaviour.
CHASSIS AND FRAME
Anybody who has taken a trip on a