At the Brussels Motor Show in 1955, BMW debuted its R50 alongside their new R60 and R69. it was a range of 3 air-cooled flat-twins. The R69 was the more sporting version of the three and made 35bhp, All 3 bikes featured a new frame with leading-link Earles front forks in place of telescopic forks, and a rear swing arm suspension with dual adjustable hydraulic shock absorbers rather than ‘plunger’ rear shocks. The hard-tail rear end, though, was retained so that use wtih a sidecar was still possible.