There was no other motorcycle available in the United States that was quite like the 1968 BMW R69S. The twin-loop steel frame, cylinder heads poking out into the wind, and generous fenders suggested longevity first, then sportiness. In 1967, the R69US introduced a contemporary telescopic fork with good anti-dive behavior. A $12 option, the new fork contributed to much-improved handling.

The R69S and R69US models continued as the hot ones in BMWs lineup. 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. Two 26mm Bing carburetors managed fuel delivery, and the R69S dashed from 0 to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds and reached 109 mph. The editors of Cycle had clocked the bike in a 15.3-second quarter mile at 103 mph. Shifting the four-speed transmission required effort, 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.