German Heavy Motorcycle with Sidecar

Messengers, reconnaissance groups, traffic controllers, military police, and medical personnel often depended on solo motorcycles and combinations for mobility and speed. In the German army, motorcycle combinations were also used in large numbers to motorize Kradschützen motorcycle infantry units. The Einheits Beiwagen - standard mil-spec sidecar - was developed specifically for this purpose, it had mounting brackets for a standard light machine gun, and it was designed to carry a mortar. Heavy motorcycle combinations like the BMW R75 had powered sidecars with forward and reverse gears. The s.Krad category of heavy motorcycles included solo motorcycles and combinations over 500 cc, some of which were captured in the course of the 1940 campaign:

Zündapp KS600 mit Beiwagen (E), 3x1
NSU 601 OSL mit Beiwagen (E), 3x1
BMW R12 (745 cc) mit Beiwagen (E), 3x1

BMW R75 mit Beiwagenantrieb (E), 3x2
Zündapp KS750 mit Beiwagenantrieb (E), 3x2

FN M12 (Belgian) mit Beiwagenantrieb (E), 3x2
Gnome & Rhône AX2 (French) mit Beiwagenantrieb (E), 3x2

Available Scale Model Kits

1:72 Atlantic 610
1:72 Hasegawa MT12
20 mm Raventhorpe
1:76 Fujimi 76020
1:76 Hinchliffe 20/36
1:76 Revell 03150 (Matchbox 40171)
BMW 750 motorcycle combination + 3 Fallschirmjäger, 1:76 AB Figures FJ11
BMW & Sidecar (x4), 15 mm Battlefront Miniatures GE400
BMW & Sidecar (Afrika) (x4), 15 mm Battlefront Miniatures GE401
Motorcycles w/ Sidecars (x16), 1:285 GHQ G141
Motorcycles w/ Sidecars (x4), 1:285 GHQ G40
BMW & Sidecar (x2), 1:300 Heroics & Ros G088

Technical Specifications

Schweres Kraftrad 750 cc mit Seitenwagen (angetrieben)
Engine: BMW R750 2-cylinder, H-I-A-C, 745 cc, 19.4 kw @ 4400 rpm
Maximum Speed: 95 km/h
Transmission: 4 Forward 1 Reverse, or 3F1R in low ration; lockable differential.
Brakes: Hydraulic rear and sidecar brakes
Tires: 4.50-16
Length: 2400 mm
Width: 1730 mm
Height: 1000 mm
Weight: 400 kg
Production: 1940-44

Bibliography

Die BMW Kräder R12 / R75 im Zweiten Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz
Kräder im Einsatz 1934–1945. Horst Hinrichsen
Kräder der Kradschützen, Aufklärer und Melder 1935–1945. Horst Hinrichsen
Panzergrenadiere, Kradschützen und Panzeraufklärer 1935–1945. Horst Scheibert
Kradschützen. Die Geschichte der schnellsten Truppe des Heeres. Hasso Erb

Museum Exhibits

s.Krad BMW R75 in desert camouflage, Technik-Museum Speyer, Germany

Historical Employment

German Army, 1940 - May 1945

Conversions

Soviet Army Dnepr M-72 copy of the BMW R71 (3x1) combination
Heavy Solo Motorcycle

BMW R75 motorcycle combinations are available from many different manufacturers, they are often part of larger kits involving transport or fighting vehicles. The combinations are easily converted to solo motorcycles by leaving the sidecar off, and filling the attachment points with putty.

Frequently Asked Questions

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