BSA B40 (WD) MOTORCYCLE
| Weight: | 158.75kg | Length: | 2.10m |
| Height: | 1.08m | Width: | 0.75m |
| Crew: | 1 | Maximum Road Speed: | 94km/h |
The BSA B40 entered service with the British Army in 1965, replacing the BSA M20's and Matchless GL3's.
The B40 was a modern motorcycle in its day and was used for convoy control, messenger services and the carriage of small stores.
The carriage of messages was an important function at a time when radios were few and unreliable than.
Convoy escort, especially on major exercises, with the BAOR in Germany, was a vital function. Motorcycles ensured that
units kept to their schedule, as there was often a set time allocation for the use of roads by military traffic with
no allowances for poor navigation.
The B40 like most military motorcycles of the period was basically a road bike with limited off road ability.
ROYAL ENGINEERS BSA B40(WD) MOTORCYCLE
The total number in service with the British Armed forces was 3,087, which included 141 for the RAF and 34 for the Royal
Navy. BSA received a further order for an additional 235 machines in 1971, which the company was unable to meet due to
financial problems within the company. The new motorcycle contract was eventually offered to Can-Am.