Art – Design – History – Journalism
Woodbury Moto Media
Review:
BMW R90S
There’s something to be said about being in the right place, at the right time. That’s certainly the deal with BMW’s iconic R90S – which basically was a souped-up Slash-Six dressed in a very stylish suit. There’s lots of layers here…first AMA Superbike champion, 13-second quarter, steamy Playboy adverts and millions of owner’s miles under its wheels. Can one motorcycle be both overexposed AND underrated?
Promos
Arranged in no particular order these three BMWs have dominated my hard drive since this year’s Mecum Las Vegas auction. Digitally redrawn in lavish detail, the King’s BMW racer was Helmut Dahne’s ride in the 1975 Bol d’Or, where it placed fourth behind three Z1’s. Even after some (second hand) conversations with the legendary Dahne, details on the 980cc screamer prove elusive. First issue R69S has entwined my heartstrings – and the ‘Braniff Blaster’ (R69S 1965) started it all. Look for an essay on the proddy R69S soon. Ride a classic? Read RealClassic!
Links
Were all Le Mans 850 PR bikes but from the kit? No says Sean Hawker, who penned an article of a factory-built PR published in Classic Bike, 12-94. Presumed a factory-prepped PR imported by Bryants of Biggleswade, it was clocked with rider Charlie Sanby (#30) at 155-mph in the 1978 TT. Purchased by Roger Hamilton in 1979 after unsuccessfully trying to buy one the year before, he explained; “each were ‘made to order, half up front, and a six-month wait.” There’s nothing in writing I’ve found, but with enough sources saying the same thing we’re looking for fire under that PR smoke. My contacts say it was possible to buy direct in Mandello, but both the kit and accessories are geared for dealership profit. There’s no doubt the majority of PRs were kits, but how many secrets can one motorcycle keep? – Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans Production Racer – Nolan Woodbury/WMM