The original – and best!
BMW’S R90S replaced the R75 as BMW’S flagship machine after it was unveiled at the end of 1973. This was BMW’S first ‘modern’ sportsbike since the Honda CB750 changed all the rules back in 1969. The air-cooled, two-valve, horizontallyopposed (or Boxer) twin was based on the Type 247 motor but given a big-bore to boost power by more than 35%. To do this, it featured a high-compression head with twin 38mm Dell’orto carbs to produce around 65bhp. Now, while that wasn’t earthshattering at the time, it was the handling of the R90S which really was accomplished. Compared to the Japanese powerhouses of the time, the R90S kept those 60-or-so horses beautifully in line, so the rider could plot his (or her) path through the bends. For 1975 the disc (brakes) were now drilled items, switchgear was changed to look more ‘up to date’, the crank was altered and (most importantly thanks to some failures) the flywheel was beefed up following reports of a few failures. Also coming in were new ratios for first and second gear and that colour scheme: Daytona Orange… For 1976 the machine was muchmodified – even if it looked the same. In came altered crankcases, cylinders, pistons and cylinder heads, along with a deeper sump, stronger gearbox and changes to valve guides and shorter rocker arms to hush-up the motor a tad. A welcome addition was improved brakes, too. For 1977 the machine was replaced by the R100S and RS. Today the R90S is a classic: albeit more a sports touring one. Rough ones start at around £5000-£6000 and a lovely one is well north of £10K now. And don’t be fooled into buying a ‘bitsa’ replica, based on the R90/6 or the R75/6…