1965 BMW R27

1965 BMW R27 | 775 KM | Classic Black | Vintage BMW Single | Retro Bikes Dublin

The Last of BMW’s Great Singles. A True Collector’s Classic.

There are vintage motorcycles, and then there are machines that define an era. This 1965 BMW R27 is one of those bikes — BMW’s final and most refined single-cylinder motorcycle of the post-war period, and today one of the most desirable lightweight classics to come out of Munich. Finished in timeless BMW black with white pinstriping and showing just 775 km, this is an exceptionally appealing example of one of the marque’s most important vintage models.

Produced between 1960 and 1966, the R27 marked the end of BMW’s legendary single-cylinder boxer-era stablemates and remains a landmark machine in the brand’s history. It was the only BMW single of its time to feature a rubber-mounted engine, a major engineering step that gave the bike smoother road manners and a more refined ride than its predecessors. Combined with BMW’s signature shaft drive, robust build quality, and understated styling, the R27 became the gentleman’s lightweight tourer — practical, elegant, and built to last.

At the heart of the R27 is a 247cc four-stroke single-cylinder engine, delivering around 18 horsepower through a 4-speed gearbox. Those figures only tell part of the story. What makes the R27 special is the way it delivers its power: steady, torquey, and mechanically honest, with the kind of relaxed cadence and flywheel feel that modern bikes simply don’t replicate. It is a motorcycle built for real roads, unhurried Sunday runs, classic events, and the sort of ownership experience that is as much about appreciation as it is about riding.

Visually, the R27 is everything a classic BMW should be. The teardrop tank with knee pads, exposed shaft drive, chrome detailing, Earles-style vintage stance, and unmistakable BMW roundel all combine to create a motorcycle with genuine presence. It has the restrained, purposeful elegance that defined BMW in the 1960s — less flamboyant than many of its British and Italian contemporaries, but arguably more enduring because of it.

This example presents as exactly what enthusiasts hope to find: a proper classic with authentic character, correct proportions, and the kind of timeless mechanical appeal that makes it equally suited to a private collection, a vintage rally line-up, or pride of place in a showroom garage. With only 775 km showing, it represents a rare opportunity to acquire an iconic BMW single in highly attractive condition.

For collectors, the appeal is obvious. The R27 was BMW’s last single-cylinder road bike, making it an important closing chapter in the company’s early motorcycle history. For riders, it offers a uniquely analogue experience — light controls, simple mechanics, and the satisfying, deliberate rhythm of a true 1960s touring single. For anyone with an eye for enduring design, it is one of the most charming and usable classics BMW ever built.

Available now at Retro Bikes Dublin.
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