M 120

1959 Panther M 120 Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

Positioned in Panther's allround motorcycle lineup, the 1959 Panther M 120 relies on a 649 cc (39.6 cu in) air-cooled single cylinder, four-stroke powerplant. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 27 HP (19.7 kW) at 6,500 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through chain final drive. With a specific output of 41.6 HP per liter, the engine character is prioritizing low-RPM tractability, mechanical longevity and relaxed throttle response over peak redline numbers.

On the scales, the M 120 measures 209.1 kg (461 lbs) dry, translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.13 HP/kg (7.74 kg per horsepower). Rider ergonomics and chassis geometry center around a 710 mm (28 in) seat height — giving shorter riders and urban commuters confident flat-foot reach at traffic stops, combined with a 1,500 mm (59.1 in) wheelbase engineered for balanced agility and highway composure.

Within MotoLibrary's Panther archive, this model family spans 8 indexed model years from 1959 to 1966, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.