BMW R 75

The motorcycle with sidecar was popularized by the mobility presented by the German Army, especially early in the war. These types of motorcycles came in three classes fitting light, medium and heavy and divided into these groups by their respective cc output (350cc or less, 500cc or less and 500c or more). BMW was one of the major producers of said motorcycle types and filled the scene in 1940 with the BMW R 75.

The BMW R 75 was powered by a single horizontally-opposed BMW 2-cylinder 26 horsepower engine delivering some 746cc and of the air-cooled type. The R 75 was design for up to three people and fitted with a permanent sidecar attachment. The sidecar was generally fitted with a single MG34 machine gun for self-defense.

Initial design of the R 75 saw it fulfill the role of tow mule for airborne units. The R 75 was envisioned to tow artillery systems or supplies for paratroopers that were generally lightly armed and thus relied on air-dropped elements for assistance. Once it was discovered that the relative lightweight of these motorcycle systems negated any kind of towing capacity they may have, the motorcycles are primarily used for scouting and reconnaissance duties with motorcycle groups.

The BMW R 75 proved a reliable system for the grit of war and could traverse both on road and off road equally well, achieving about 170 miles for the latter. The systems were, however, expensive to produce compared to other reconnaissance systems. Some 16,510 motorcycles of this type were produced by BMW by war's end.

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Last Updated: 4/18/2009