BMW R75

1941 COLD WAR WORLD WAR 2

• 1 BMW R75 History
• 2 BMW R75 Specification
  • 2.1 Basics
  • 2.2 Manufacturer
  • 2.3 Operator
  • 2.4 Role
  • 2.5 Dimensions and Weight
  • 2.6 POWER & PERFORMANCE
  • 2.7 ARMAMENT
  • 2.8 AMMUNITION
  • 2.9 VARIANTS

BMW R75 History

The sidecar motorcycle became popular with the inherent mobility of the German army, especially in the early days of World War II. These types of military motorcycles are divided into three categories, with appropriate light, medium and heavy duty classifications, and are divided into these groups according to their respective engine capacities - 350cc or less, 500cc or less and 500cc or more.

BMW was one of the largest manufacturers of this type of military motorcycle and delivered the R75 in 1940. The R75 earned the recognition and respect of all World War II participants and students and became one of the most popular military motorcycle designs in the world.

The R75 series was designed and developed by German BMW, which is now a well-known luxury brand car manufacturer. The R75 was born as a battlefield motorcycle from the start, so special care was taken to ensure the product was reliable and robust.

Previous German experience with the use of mechanized gunners on motorcycles was widely used in the design of new machines. The R75 made its debut in the German army in 1941.

The BMW R 75 is powered by an air-cooled BMW two-cylinder four-stroke inline engine with 26 hp and a displacement of approximately 746 cc. Fuel capacity is 24 liters, and the sidecar can reach a top speed of 57 mph.

From the outset, BMW worked hard to improve the design, eliminating the transmission-mounted air filter and moving it into the fuel tank in early 1941 - to keep the filter higher and away from the road dust. Experience in the dusty and desert regions of North Africa soon led to a switch from metal fork covers to rubber covers.

The R75 series is designed for up to three people - one driver and at least one passenger - with permanently installed sidecar attachments. Sidecars are often seen with machine gun mounts to accommodate the self-defense role of the MG34 general purpose machine gun.

Passengers are relatively comfortable to ride, as the sidecars are full power and offer hand and foot heating which proved to be very useful in the colder climates of the Eastern Front. The spare tire is almost always on the back of the sidecar, as is other gear and supplies.

If desired, a storage bag can be attached to the sidecar side panels. At night, the headlights serve the driver.

In the R75's initial operations, it fulfilled the humble battlefield role of "pulling mules" for the German Army's paratroopers. The R75 was intended from the outset to tow portable wheeled artillery systems or large supplies for paratroopers, who themselves were often lightly armed and had to rely on airdrops or other light vehicles for mobilization support.

When the R75's relatively light weight renders any kind of towing capability useless, these motorcycles are primarily used for fast two-person reconnaissance and reconnaissance missions by specially formed German Army motorcycle squads.

The BMW R75 has proven to be a reliable battlefield system - a powerful design for the rigours of warfare - that can traverse road and off-road with equal enthusiasm. However, these systems were expensive to produce compared to other reconnaissance vehicles, although by the end of the war, BMW ended up delivering around 16,510 R75 series motorcycles.

BMW R75 Specification

Basics

Year of Service

1941

Origins

Nazi Germany

Crew

1 to 3

Production

16,510

Manufacturer

BMW - Nazi Germany

Operator

Nazi Germany

Role

Scout

Can perform reconnaissance/reconnaissance missions to assess threat levels, enemy strength, etc. - usually due to lightweight construction.

Utilities

Generally user-centered design to perform various battlefield missions, usually in an indirect combat fashion.

Dimensions and Weight

Length

7.9 feet

2.4m

width

5.6 feet

1.72m

Height

3. 3 feet

1m

Weight

926 lbs

420 kg

POWER & PERFORMANCE

Powerplant:

1 x BMW 2-cylinder, 4-stroke, air-cooled, 746cc horizontally-opposed engine developing 26 horsepower at 4,400rpm.

Speed

58. 0 mph

(93. 3 kph)

Range

215. 0 mi

(346. 0 km)

ARMAMENT

OPTIONAL:1 x MG34 machine gun though any personal infantry weapons can be assumed.

AMMUNITION

Not Available.

VARIANTS

R75 - Base Series Designation