In 1960, when the German motorcycle industry was virtually regarded as dead, BMW defined a benchmark and launched the BMW R 69 S as the fastest German series machine of the era. At the time, 175 km/h was a speed that only a few motorcycles were capable of achieving even in the international market. The new hydraulic steering damper and the proven full-swing chassis provided good control for the BMW R 69 S even when it was being ridden with dynamic handling. The stylists strove to give the machine a distinctive visual impact in order to set the motorcycle apart from the touring models: twin seat and white paintwork (up to then only available to government agencies) were now also supplied.