BMW Motorcycles to 1969

BMW R-12 750cc

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.

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.

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-17 1936, LHS
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BMW R-2 198cc

BMW R23 250cc OHV Single

BMW R35 350cc OHV Single

BMW R37 1925-1927

BMW R-4 400cc

BMW R-42 500cc

BMW R 47 Renngespann 494cc 1927

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

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.

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 R50/2 1959
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BMW R-52 500cc

BMW R-51 1938

BMW R 51/3

BMW R 51/2

BMW R-60/2 1960-1969

BMW R62 1928-1929

BMW R-67 1951

BMW R67/2 600cc

BMW R67/3 1955 600cc

BMW R-68 1952-1954

BMW R69S

List of BMW Motorcycles 1920-1969

1920s

1930s

1940s

1950s

1960s