BMW Motorcycles

BMW Motorcycles to 1969

BMW R-12 750cc

Production years: 1935-42
Power: 18 CV at 3.400 rpm
Capacity: 745cc
Engine: Boxer 4-stroke, sidevalve
Transmission: Cardan
Maximum speed: 110 Km/h
Weight: 185 Kg approx.

BMW R-17 735cc

Production years: 1935-1937
Power: 33 CV at 5000 rpm
Capacity: 735cc
Engine: Boxer 4-stroke, overhead valve
Transmission: Cardan
Maximum speed: 140 Km/h
Units produced: 434
Weight: 183 Kg

In 1935 BMW introduced two models with telescopic forks, the R-12 and the R-17, the first to incorporate shock absorbers. The design has certainly stood the test of time.

HO Twin

Horizontally Opposed Twin

Examples include BMW, Zundapp and Douglas HO Twins have conrods running on a common crank, with one on the exhaust stroke and the other on inlet.
Cardan

Shaft Drive

Examples include BMW, Zundapp and Velocette LE Cardan drive eliminates chain and associated mess and maintenance. Often referred to as a "diff", the final drive unit consists of bevel crown and pinion gears.

BMW R-2 198cc

Production years: 1931-1936
Power: 4.5 CV at 3500 rpm (with Amal, 6 CV)
Capacity: 198cc
Engine: single cylinder.
Maximum speed: 95 Km/h
Weight: 122 Kg

BMW R-2 Series 1 from 1931

BMW R-2 Series 2A from 1932

BMW R-2 Series 2/33 from 1933

BMW R-2 Series 3 from 1934

BMW R-2 Series 4 from 1935

BMW R-2 Series 5 from 1936

BMW R23 250cc OHV Single

Production Years: 1938-1940
Displacement: 247cc
Engine: 4-stroke OHV Type 223/1
Cylinders: 1
Power: 10hp at 5400 rpm
Weight: 135kg
Top speed: 95km/h
Production numbers: 8,021

BMW R35 350cc OHV Single

Production Years: 1937-1940
Capacity: 340cc
Engine: four-stroke OHV, types M69 and 235
Cylinders: 1
Power: 14hp
Weight: 155kg
Number Built: 15,386

BMW R37 1925-1927

The R37 established the BMW racing heritage in its first year of motorcycle racing. Released in 1925, it was the first motorcycle engine to be equipped with aluminium alloy cylinder heads which, combined with overhead valves gave the machine almost twice the horsepower of earlier engines giving the R37 a substantial advantage over the competition.

The R25 absolutely blitzed the racetracks, taking 91 European wins in 1925, 105 in 1926 and a just extraordinary 171 in 1927. BMW R37 riders won the German championship every year from 1925 to 1929.

As indicated by its star status in Munich's amazing BMW museum, it is one of the most famous - and rarest - of all BMW motorcycles.

Image courtesy Moto Talbott Collection

BMW R-4 400cc

Production years: 1932-1937
Power: 14 CV at 4200 rpm
Capacity: 398cc
Engine: single cylinder.
Maximum speed: 100 Km/h
Weight: 137-148 Kg

BMW R-4 Series 2 from 1932

BMW R-4 Series 3 from 1934

BMW R-42 500cc

Production years: 1926-1928
Power: 12 CV at 3400 rpm
Capacity: 494cc
Engine: Boxer 4-stroke, sidevalve
Transmission: Cardan shaft
Maximum speed: 95 Km/h
Units produced: 6,502
Weight: 126 Kg

BMW R47 500cc OHV Twin

Developed from the R37, the OHV R47 shared many features with its new sidevalve sibling, the R42. Much effort had been expended creating a machine which was both considerably more powerful and much cheaper to manufacture. Available with numerous options including horn and electric headlight, it had improved brakes, with the rear brake mounted on the cardan shaft.

1720 of these were sold over its two year production life, fully ten times more than the R37.

Production Years: 1927-1928
Displacement: 494 cc
Engine: 4-stroke OHV Type M 51
Compression Ratio: 5.8:1
Cylinders: 2
Power: 18 hp @ 4,000 rpm
Weight: 130 kg dry
Top speed: 110 km/h
Fuel tank capacity: 14 litres (larger available as an option)
Production numbers: 1720

BMW R-5 494cc OHV Flat Twin

At the 1936 Berlin (Germany) Motor Show, BMW launched its most sporting motorcycle to date, the 494cc R5. The newly designed engine used a tunnel-type crankcase similar to the R2 single engine. The R5 engine retained pushrod-actuated overhead valves, and used hairpin valve springs from BMW's race bikes rather than the traditional coil-type valve springs.

More on the BMW R5

BMW R-50/2

Production years: 1960-1969
Power: 26 CV at 5800 rpm
Capacity: 494cc
Engine: HO Twin, OHV
Transmission: cardan
Maximum speed: 140 Km/h
Weight: 195 Kg solo
Number Produced: 19,036
HO Twin

Horizontally Opposed Twin

Examples include BMW, Zundapp and Douglas HO Twins have conrods running on a common crank, with one on the exhaust stroke and the other on inlet.
Cardan

Shaft Drive

Examples include BMW, Zundapp and Velocette LE Cardan drive eliminates chain and associated mess and maintenance. Often referred to as a "diff", the final drive unit consists of bevel crown and pinion gears.

BMW R-52 500cc

Production years: 1928-1929
Power: 12 CV at 3400 rpm
Capacity: 487cc
Engine: Boxer, 4-stroke, side valve
Transmission: Cardan
Maximum speed: 100 km/h
Units produced: 4377
Weight: 152 kg

BMW R-51 1938

Production years: 1938-1940
Power: 24 CV at 5600 rpm
Capacity: 494cc
Engine: Boxer 4-stroke, overhead valve
Transmission: Cardan
Maximum speed: 140 Km/h
Units produced: 3,775
Weight: 182 Kg

BMW R 51/3

Production Years; 1951-1954
Engine Capacity: 494cc

BMW R 51/2

Production Years: 1950-1952
Engine: Four-stroke HO Twin, Type 254/3
Capacity: 494cc

BMW R-60/2 1960-1969

Power: 30 KW at 5800 rpm
Capacity: 594cc
Engine: air-cooled, four-stroke, boxer twin cylinder, 2 valves per cylinder
Transmission: 4-speed, manual
Suspension: Earles forks front, plunger rear
Weight: 195 Kg (sans sidecar)

BMW R62 1928-1929

Units produced: 4,355
Engine: M56 745cc SV HO Twin
Bore x Stroke: 78 x 78 mm
Power: 18 hp at 3,400 rpm
Compression Ratio: 5.5 : 1
Gears: 3-speed
Electrical System: Bosch magneto, Bosch lighting
Tyres: 26 x 3.5 or 26 x 3.25 front and rear
Fuel Capacity: 12.5 litres
Performance: 115 km/h
Weight: 155 kg wet

Notes: The later R11 is similar but has pressed-metal forks

BMW R-67 1951

Production years: 1951
Power: 26 CV at 5.500 rpm
Capacity: 594cc
Engine: Boxer 4-stroke, overhead valve
Transmission: Cardan
Maximum speed: 145 Km/h
Units produced: 1.470
Weight: 192 Kg

BMW R67/2 600cc

Production Years: 1952-1954

BMW R67/3 1955 600cc

Production Years: 1955
Engine cc: 600
Top Speed: 145 km/h with 28 HP.
Production numbers: 700 units.

BMW R-68 1952-1954

Production years: 1952-1954
Power: 35 CV at 7000 rpm
Capacity: 594cc
Engine: Boxer 4-stroke, overhead valve
Transmission: Cardan
Maximum speed: 160 Km/h
Units produced: 1,452
Weight: 193 Kg.

BMW R69S

Production years: 1960-1969
Power: 42 CV at 7.000 rpm
Capacity: 594cc
Engine: Twin Cylinder, boxer, four stroke
Transmission: Cardan
Maximum speed: 177 Km/h
Weight: 202 Kg wet.

List of BMW Motorcycles 1920-1969

1920s

Flink 1920

BMW R 32 1923-1926 68 x 68mm, 247 cc. Prod. 855

BMW R 39 1925-1927

BMW R 37 1925-1927

BMW R 42 1926-1928

BMW R 47 1927-1928

BMW R 63 1928-1929 750cc

BMW R 57 1928-1930

BMW R 52 1928-1929

BMW R 62 1928-1929

BMW R-11 1929-1934, 750cc SV

BMW R 16 1929-1934
:

1930s

BMW R 11 1929-1934

BMW R 16 1929-1934

BMW R 2 1931-1936 63 x 64mm, 198 cc. Prod. 15207

BMW R 4 1932-1937 78 x 84mm, 398 cc. Prod. 15295

BMW R 17 1935-1937

BMW R 12 1935-1942

BMW R 5 1936-1937

BMW R 3 1936-1937 68 x 84mm, 305 cc. Prod. 740

BMW R 6 1937-1938

BMW R 35 1937-1940 72 x 84mm, 342 cc. Prod. 15386

BMW R 61 1938-1941

BMW R 23 1938-1940

BMW R 20 1938-1940 60 x 68mm, 192 cc. Prod. 5000

BMW R 71 1938-1941

BMW R 51 1938-1940

BMW R75 1941-1944

BMW R 66 1938-1941
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1940s

BMW R 35 1937-1940

BMW R 61 1938-1941

BMW R 23 1938-1940 68 x 68mm, 247 cc. Prod. 9021

BMW R 20 1938-1940

BMW R 71 1938-1941

BMW R 51 1938-1940

BMW R 75 1938-1941

BMW R 66 1938-1941

BMW R 24 1948-1950 68 x 68mm, 247 cc. Prod. 15386
:

1950s

BMW R 24 1948-1950

BMW R 51/2 1950-1951

BMW R 25 1950-1951 68 x 68mm, 247 cc. Prod. 23400

BMW R 67 1951-1952

BMW R 51/3 1951-1955

BMW R 25/2 1951-1953 68 x 68mm, 247 cc. Prod. 38651

BMW R 68 1952-1954

BMW R 67/2 1952-1954

BMW R 25/3 1953-1956 68 x 68mm, 247 cc. Prod. 47700

BMW R 69 1955-1959

BMW R 67/3 1955-1956

BMW R 50 1955-1960

BMW R 60 1956-1960

BMW R 26 1956-1960

:

1960s

BMW R 50 1955-1960

BMW R 60 1956-1960

BMW R 26 1956-1960 68 x 68mm, 247 cc. Prod. 30263

BMW R 69S 1960-1969

BMW R 60/2 1960-1969

BMW R 50/2 1960-1969

BMW R 27 1960-1966 68 x 68mm, 247 cc. Prod. 15362

BMW R 60/5 1969-1973

BMW R 50/5 1969-1973

BMW R 75/5 1969-1973