The BMW R69S is a relatively high powered (42 hp at 7000 rpm) sport bike, with a 594 cc flour-stroke two cylinder flat twin motor. It was produced in the years 1960-1969 and it was one of the last three BMW motorcycle models that allowed a sidecar, together with the R50/2 and the R60/2.
The 1:18 diecast of the sidecar-equipped model is becoming fairly hard to find, so I decided to get it while I still had the chance.
The first reason I fell in love with this model, except for the sidecar, was the colour, since you don’t see many white 1:18 motorcycles. When I got to actually see it and hold it, I couldn’t help noticing it is a very light diecast, so although the name says “diecast metal”, the sidecar is mostly plastic. That might seem like an inconvenient, but since the model is nicely and correctly represented, I don’t see any reason to complain.
For a sidecar model, the BMW R69S is an elegantly built one and the shape of the sidecar appears to be aerodynamic and unusual, wich I think is a detail that makes it even more beautiful, especially since it is correctly replicated.
Apart from the fair sizing and shapes, the diecast offers some nice details, like a plastic light (unfortunately, the rivet is much too visible), a very good replication of the leather seats and the leather on the sidecar (even if it is just plastic with a pattern, it looks very real) and a beautifully done side stencil.
Unfortunately, nothing is perfect, and this diecast couldn’t have been an exception. The two things I’m not so crazy about regarding this 1:18 BMW aren’t so bad, actually and they are no of great importance, but they can’t go unnoticed: the chrome on the wheels could have been better and I must say I would have loved it if the tail light hadn’t been painted on, but made of plastic.
Apart from a few misfortunate details, it’s a nice diecast and I’m glad I got the chance to add it to my collection.
