German bikes.
The BMW R75 is arguably one of the most iconic motorcycle sidecar outfits from the Second World War. Originally commissioned by the German Army,
BMW got to work developing the R75 in 1938, producing their first units in 1940, producing over 16,000 of them before the model was discontinued in 1944. The BMW R75 was powered by an impressive 750cc boxer engine which would go on to be a major engine configuration for
BMW Motorrad’s post-war range. The R75 was also a shaft-driven model, with a locking differential, selectable on and off-road gear ratios, and reverse gears.
The R75 was one of the most celebrated sidecar combinations of the war thanks to its maneuverability and off-road abilities, as well as its practical versatility – as you can see here, it was capable of being both an armored attack vehicle
and a transport machine at the same time, complete with a motorcycle trailer! Interestingly, the successful nature of this sidecar machine was noted by the US Army who appreciated the shaft-drive, and it was subsequently copied on the XA Harley Davidson motorcycle model. The Russian’s also copied the R75 and borrowed many of its best parts.
Zündapp, a manufacturer that was equal to, if not more important than BMW in terms of the Axis war effort. The model we’re looking at here is the Zündapp KS 750 which was manufactured between the years 1940 and 1944. Powered by a beastly 751cc four-stroke boxer twin engine with a maximum power output of 26 hp at 4,000 rpm that could hit top speeds of around 57 mph, the Zündapp KS 750 was quite a formidable machine.
It also came equipped with a useful front and rear wheel suspension control system that could be adjusted to compensate for differing road conditions, a cool feature that allowed it to continue being ridden with a punctured fuel tank, a clever fuel saving system that kept the engine from overheating, and it could also water with the engine submerged. This impressive motorcycle sidecar rig also came equipped with ammunition pouches and a forward facing machine gun.
Over 18,600 models were produced during the war years. Unfortunately it was discontinued in 1944, because the Zündapp KS 750 was such an advanced motorcycle sidecar combination, it wasn’t cost effective to manufacture.