In 1972, sales chief Bob Lutz tasked BMW Motorrad with creating a successor to the 1960 R 69 S. In 1973, the R 90 S launched with an 898cc boxer twin upgraded from 60 to 67 hp via twin Dell’Orto carbs and higher compression, BMW’s first twin disc brakes, and bodywork by Hans Muth hand-painted in two-tone Silver Smoke. The R 90 S captivated enthusiasts like Safet Hatic, who bought the bike seen here in 1976. Thirty-five years later, it was passed down to his son, Safet II. “My dad felt the R 90 S represented everything great about BMW and would forever be one of its most significant bikes,” he says.

For more pictures and information on this or any other vehicle in the Motorcycles exhibit, check out the exhibition book in our store!