The BMW R69S is regarded as the more famous and collectible motorcycles of the 1960s, and in 1967 this popular bike in the BMW lineup received the same optional suspension upgrade as its siblings, the R50/2 and R60/2. The R69US dispensed with the Earles-type leading-link front suspension with hydraulic dampers, instead incorporating a contemporary telescopic fork. Developed in endurance racing, it provided 8.4 inches of travel and sufficient resistance to dive under heavy braking to make the Earles fork obsolete.

The new fork was a $12 option. Cycle magazine praised the “superb” handling. The air-cooled, overhead-valve, horizontally opposed 594cc twin produced 42hp at 7,000 rpm, with a 72 x 73 mm bore and stroke and 9.5:1 compression ratio. With two 26mm Bing carburetors managing fuel delivery, the R69S dashed from 0 to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, and reached 109 mph. The editors of Cycle clocked a 15.3-second quarter mile at 103 mph. Shifting the four-speed transmission required deliberation, but the gearbox was rugged.

Like its R50/2 and R60/2 siblings, the R69S had a six-volt, 60-watt Bosch electrical system with magneto. Electric start was still to come for BMWs. The black paint with white pinstriping wasn’t very sporty, but colors from BMW cars could be special-ordered. At 83.6 inches long and weighing 445 lb (794 with sidecar), the 1967 BMW R69S was a substantial bike but returned 44 mpg. Some 1,420 of the R69S models were produced along with an additional 83 R69US models, but by the end of the R69 series in two years, the telescopic forks would become quite popular.