Post Sale Update: This R90/6 sold for $4,050 after 58 bids on eBay.
Between 1970 and 1973, BMW was producing its /5 motorcycle series with three displacement options of 500cc, 600cc and 750cc. The 70’s were a decade of modernity and development of power for motorcycle manufacturers and competition pushed BMW to make its 750cc engine grow to a 900cc for its /6 series between 1974 and 1976. The goal was to compete with big ccs bikes from other manufacturers, such as the Kawasaki Z1. Plus, the 70’s was an era where bigger meant better, especially for the American market.
In order to catch up with the big motors coming from Japan, BMW took the 745cc engine from the R75/5 and bored it out to 898cc to gain 10 more ponies, going from 50hp to 60hp. When launched back in 1974, the R90/6 was an instant success in the press. Journalists and testers were very enthusiastic about the bike and described it as exciting, powerful and light. Even though 462 lb is not exactly light, it actually was compared to the 546 lb of the Z1. And even though it is much less powerful than the Z1 with its 82 hp, the BMW was still considered – and acted like – a sport bike. Despite this gap of 22 hp, BMW could compete thanks to its mechanical tradition, the boxer engine. This permitted a very low center of gravity and therefore superb balance and handling, which makes the R90 fun in curves. The R90 produced 53 ft/lb of torque at 5500 rpm, whereas the Z1 only had 45 ft/lb at 7300 rpm. This is the perfect classic bike for any rider looking for a reliable and powerful machine. Note that the R90/6 is the first BMW without a kick starter, which will probably make your life easier. For more information, check out this 10 day test on Motorcycle Classics.
The R90/6 presented here (VIN: 4961106) is in very nice and original condition with 64k miles. The owner is 75 years old and has owned the bike since 1980. The motorcycle spent its entire life in California and has the original blue plate license plate. The only thing to fix seems to be a split in the seat cover. Find this BMW R90/6 in Indio, California with bidding up to $2,125